The Heart of the Community: Open Hearts, Open Crates
Her Spin on Things is a community circle, not a DJ workshop or a gig, but a safe, open room/space where we listen to each other’s stories, talk about the records that move us, and celebrate what music means in our lives.
Each session feels intimate and warm; there is no pressure to perform, no expectations, just connection.
Since May, we’ve been meeting once a month right at my home in Sydney’s Inner West. One of my favourite moments is when everyone shares a new record they’ve found and the story behind it. We talk about what moves us, what we’re learning, and how we’re growing together through this shared love for music.
Stories of Spark and Revival
Every month brings new faces. We have women who DJ, women who collect records, women who want to learn about vinyl, and women who simply love listening. It’s a beautiful mix of experience, passion, and curiosity.
Two stories that constantly stay with me are Marta’s and Viviana’s:
• Marta is a Polish woman and also a mum who put her vinyl and mixing on hold for 13 years. She rediscovered her spark again through Her Spin on Things. Now back behind the decks, she has already played her first gig -reclaiming a part of herself she thought she’d left behind.
• Viviana has an incredible collection of salsa and Latin rock. Since joining the group, she’s been playing her first gigs and is now being booked for other crews’ nights. Seeing her confidence grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.
Where Femme Forward Was Born
In those early sessions, something special began to happen. A few of the women who came to Her Spin on Things expressed a desire to take their passion further, to step behind the decks and start playing publicly.
That is how Femme Forward was born, from within this same community. It is a collective of women who have decided to bring their sound out into the world. While Her Spin on Things remains the heart -the roots where it all begins- Femme Forward is the next branch, where those who feel ready can grow into professional DJs and share their energy with wider audiences.
There is no pressure within Her Spin on Things to become part of the collective; the two spaces simply support each other. One nurtures curiosity and connection, the other empowers those ready to take the leap.
So far, eight women from Her Spin on Things have joined Femme Forward, and together they have already taken over dance floors and decks across Sydney, including recent appearances at Dead Wax and other pop-up events. Each time they play, they carry with them the spirit of community that started in that small/cozy, welcoming room.
What’s Next: An Open Invitation
It honestly warms my heart to see what this has become. I created Her Spin on Things out of my own need for connection, and it turns out many other women were looking for the same. The response has been incredible.
We’re now starting to be offered spaces by councils and cultural organisations who believe in our mission. The next step is to host gatherings beyond my home, to collaborate with other musicians, DJs, and artists who see music as a bridge between people. We’ll also be doing more takeovers in local bars like Otis and Dead Wax.
Music is community.
Music is connection.
Music is for sharing.
If you’re reading this and you love music (even if you don’t own a record collection yet), Her Spin on Things is open to you. Come, bring a record, bring a plate, or just bring yourself.
Because there’s always room for one more spin.
— La Foxy
