Samantha Flores: "Connection is the heart of what I do"
- Editorial Staff
- May 20
- 4 min read
Samantha is a DJ and music producer whose sets fuse ethnic, tribal, and groovy sounds into an immersive and soulful experience. With roots in dance and music journalism, and inspired by her travels and global festivals, she crafts a vibrant sonic world filled with organic rhythms and nostalgic 80s influences. Now based in the south of France, Samantha is quickly making a name for herself through her magnetic energy and thoughtful musical selections. Her debut track Za3tar was released in 2024 on Café De Anatolia, with her second release Casablanca dropping in summer 2025. A regular performer at the eclectic Tantrüm events, she brings a sense of ritual and storytelling to the dancefloor—blending cultures, emotions, and movement into a unique musical journey that resonates deeply with her audience.
The party at Bâoli Cannes organized by Tantrüm, where you shared the lineup with Deron, was a true sensory journey. What was the energy like that night, and what inspired your musical selection?
It’s now been a year that I’ve been playing for Tantrum and alongside my friend Deron, and it’s always a real pleasure. I absolutely love playing at Baoli—the sound system is incredible, and the Tantrum crowd is always so open and responsive. I usually like to prepare my sets to some extent, but I always end up playing tracks I hadn’t planned on… and that’s the part I love the most. At Baoli, I open the club, which means I have to set the tone—keeping the crowd engaged while also educating them musically, guiding them into how the night is going to unfold.
Your sound is described as tribal, melodic, and organic, with a nostalgic touch of the '80s. What’s your creative process when building a set that resonates with people’s souls?
I always start by feeling the energy I want to create—something that’s both grounding and emotional. Tribal rhythms bring that raw connection to the body, while melodic and organic elements speak more to the soul. When i put that 80s track, people instantly connect with that feeling, even if they can’t always pinpoint why. My goal is to take people on a journey.
You’ve lived in very different places like Los Angeles, Bangkok, and now the French Riviera. How have these environments influenced your musical vision and your track production?
Every place I’ve lived has shaped me deeply—not just musically, but as a person. I was only 18 when I moved to Los Angeles, and at that time, being a DJ wasn’t even something I imagined. I was a dancer then, training at a major dance school, and that experience taught me discipline, rhythm, and how to express emotions through movement. Each step of my journey has been essential—every city, every encounter, and the way I’ve grown in maturity along the way.
When I moved to Bangkok for a journalism internship, I found myself immersed in the world of festivals because I was writing about music. That’s really where everything started to click for me. Living in different parts of the world made me realize how important it is to travel, to draw inspiration from different cultures, instruments, and ways of life. It gave me a broader vision—not just of music, but of the stories I want to tell through it.
Your debut track "Za3tar" was a strong start. Now you're getting ready to release "Casablanca": what can you tell us about this upcoming release? Is there a specific emotion or memory behind the track?
As I’ve grown in this world, it became essential for me to share my emotions and my universe through music—my music. I’m lucky to be well surrounded and supported by amazing people who guide me with honesty and heart. "Za3tar" was my very first track, and it marked the beginning of something beautiful. In just one year, I’ve evolved a lot, and "Casablanca" is proof of that growth.
This new release has a completely different vibe—it’s sexier, with deep, heavy basslines that truly represent what I love to play. It features vocals, which add another emotional layer and intensity to the track.
Casablanca, and Morocco in general, hold a very special place in my heart musically. It was one of my first big stages—back in 2018, I played at Morokoloko alongside Amine K. The energy from the Moroccan crowd was so powerful and genuine that it made me realize how much I wanted to keep doing this. That experience truly marked the beginning of my journey.
There’s a contagious, almost spiritual energy behind your sets. What does "connection" mean to you in music, and how do you bring that to your audience?
In life, I move through energy—it’s how I connect to the world. I love feeling people’s vibes without even having to speak to them, and that’s exactly what music does to me. It’s this invisible yet powerful connection between sound, emotion, and presence.
Connection is truly the heart of what I do—whether it’s with the crowd, the music itself, or the artists I share the stage with. For me, sensitivity is a strength. It allows me to tap into something deeper and offer a space where people can really feel—whether it’s joy, nostalgia, or even something heavier. I just want them to experience something real.
I remember playing a sunset set at AfrikaBurn at the Why Not camp, and I saw people crying, dancing, completely in the moment… That kind of exchange, that raw human emotion, is exactly why I do this. That’s the connection I live for.
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