In the heart of Los Angeles’ underground dance music scene, a new force is emerging—one that challenges the status quo and redefines what it means to take up space in electronic music.
“Being excluded—being underrepresented—lights a fire under you,” Trussie, the Los Angeles-based DJ shares on a recent phone call. “It makes you want to create something so undeniable, so infectious, that people have no choice but to play it and move to it. The reality is, it’s easier for men, especially white men, to pursue dance music because they have the privilege of disposable income to invest in something that doesn’t immediately pay. For women and queer artists, the bar is so much higher. But those of us who are dead set on this? We’re obsessed. Dance music isn’t just what we do, it’s who we are.”
Trussie, whose friends call her Mars off-stage, has spent years crafting her sound and curating experiences that center the queer and trans experience. As a trans woman navigating the dance music world, she understands firsthand the barriers that exist, but she’s never let them define her. Instead, she’s built her own lane, carving out spaces where self-expression and inclusivity are at the forefront.
“There was this moment where I was just kind of cutely DJ’ing tracks at a party and dancing around where a friend came up to me and told me, ‘You need to do this, but seriously. You can actually DJ if you wanted to,’ and something just clicked,” she recalls. That push led her to immerse herself fully in DJing, finding a sense of belonging and power in the underground scene.
Trussie’s journey into DJing is unconventional but deeply intentional. Though she has been writing and producing music since 2007, it wasn’t until 2023 that she stepped behind the decks. Encouraged by close friends and mentors, including Los Angeles underground staples like Daria Lourd and Sydney Extravaganza, Trussie found herself drawn to the turntables, quickly carving out her own niche. Her music is an electrifying fusion of British bass influences, pulling from UK garage, jungle, and grime, while incorporating elements of what she calls “California bass”—a rhythmic nod to the sounds she grew up with. This unique blend isn’t just about sonics; it’s about feeling.
“Bass music is so physical. It’s something you feel in your body before you even hear it. I want my sets to be a full-body experience,” she explains.
But beyond the beats, Trussie is on a mission to reshape the industry’s culture. She speaks candidly about the exclusionary nature of electronic music spaces, particularly the barriers women and trans artists face. “The industry still has this bro culture that makes it hard for femme and queer artists to be taken seriously,” she says. “But the underground has always been ours. Dance music was born from queer and Black communities—it’s about reclaiming that history and making space for those who should have never been pushed out.”
This ethos is at the heart of her work, whether she’s performing at intimate warehouse parties or preparing for one of her biggest gigs yet—Skyline Festival at Gloria Molina Grand Park in Los Angeles on Feb. 14-15. As a showcase of LA’s vibrant underground talent, Skyline is more than just another booking for Trussie; it’s a sign that the industry is finally starting to pay attention. “Being part of this festival isn’t just about me. It’s about showing that trans and queer artists deserve these stages. We’re not just an afterthought; we’re essential to this culture.”
With the latest release of her first EP dubbed “Worm Food,” Trussie is solidifying her voice not just as a DJ, but as a producer with a vision. “Music is how I process everything—my anger, my joy, my hopes for the future,” she says. And in an industry that too often demands conformity, Trussie is proof that breaking the mold isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.