Terminal V Podcast 091 || CHIPPY NONSTOP
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Chippy Nonstop always brings the party, and she can do it in many different ways as a rapper, DJ, activist, songwriter and event organiser. She has had a nomadic existence so far, which includes being born in Dubai, living in Zambia and across the States, getting deported after her visa expired and then moving to Toronto. It was there that she set up the pioneering Intersessions collective to teach women and non-binary people how to DJ and where she has established herself as a potent force in contemporary techno.
Known for electrifying, high-octane sets that challenge and uplift in equal measure, Chippy Nonstop brings a deeply intentional edge to everything she does, as you will hear in this week’s mix. Stick it on, then read about a packed summer of new music and shows, reflections on belonging, boundaries and the radical potential of dance music in 2025.
What has been the best moment of your career so far, and why?
Honestly, I’m still waiting for it. Summer is my season, I have new music coming, some fun shows are planned, so hopefully I can create a moment for myself this summer.
You have a global background that has seen you live in many different
places. Does anywhere feel like home, or do you feel like a permanent
outsider, and does that impact your art?
I feel like a permanent outsider, as sad as it sounds it’s also very freeing. The themes of freedom and breaking boundaries in every way, whether it’s by genre or the words I say, come up a lot in my music.
A border or rule hates to see me coming.
You play very high-energy and eclectic sets. How do you balance
them? How many tunes ahead are you thinking? How do you ensure
they flow, or is it more about living and operating very much in the
exact moment?
You give and take, sometimes I have a hard time finding a balance because I want to give the audience to intense high the whole set, but i want to also fulfil myself by playing things that are making me test the audience’s range and ability to access a different part of their brain that isn’t always seeking instant gratification.
I plan most of my sets as the intro and the ending and build the middle of the set in the moment depending on the energy and where I think the night needs to go.
How much of a force for good can dance music be in 2025? Is it able to
educate and inform people, prove questions about cultural and societal
issues or do you think that turns people off?
Historically music has opened up so many people’s hearts and minds. The commodification of electronic music and culture of Black and Brown queer ravers has been diluted and created into something I don’t even recognise anymore.
As it gets bigger I hope the roots of techno are forever remembered from the contributions of Detroit’s Belleville 3 to Chicago house culture and the queer ravers who really created this sound and gave life to these spaces.
Tell us about your mix, the aim you had with it, and what you wanted it to say.
With this mix, similar to my DJ sets at parties, I just want to give energy and chaos in most of the mixes I love to highlight Black, brown, queer and women producers and music I love.
What gear did you use, is that important to you in any way whether in the booth or studio?
In the booth I just need my body, my EARS!, the cdjs, mixer, obviously my magical USB and the audience’s energy.
What are you working on for the rest of the year?
kristan j caryl