Qualia

My name is Qualia, and I’m a Chicago-based DJ, sound selector, and curator specializing in underground techno with elements of house. Every day, I dedicate myself to refining my craft, exploring new sounds, and deepening my relationship with music. Techno is not just a genre I play. It is a huge part of who I am, how I express myself, and how I connect with others.

My sound lives in the space between dark and light, eerie and dreamy, raw and melodic. I’m drawn to groove-driven, hypnotic, rhythmic, primal, and tribal sounds that make people feel deeply immersed in the moment. When I play, I want people to tap into the rawest forms of themselves through movement, release, and dance.

As a sound selector and curator, I care deeply about introducing people to new sounds and expanding their soundscape. I want my sets to feel transformative, immersive, and energizing. My goal is to create an experience where people can let go, feel completely present, and be carried by the music into another state of mind.

While studying at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, I founded The Terrarium, an event brand that brought together music, design, and community. Through it, I organized and promoted events, built the creative direction and branding, and performed as both a DJ and curator. That experience shaped the way I think about the dancefloor as more than just a space to hear music. To me, it is a place for connection, discovery, unity, and shared energy.