Clara Da Costa 25yrs in Ibiza

zoom  |  next  |  prev  |  play  |  stop

In 1990 Channel 4 broadcasted the now legendary ‘A Short Film About Clubbing’ documentary revealing the antics of a tiny island in the Mediterranean. With two blissful family holidays already on Ibiza, a then 13 year old Clara Da Costa had already caught the White Isle bug. But glued to her TV watching a host of mysterious clubland folk talking about these incredible open air venues where people danced until dawn was all the encouragement she needed…one day she vowed to herself she too would DJ on this magical party island. Just two years later her Ibizan dancefloor journey began, and within days of landing in Ibiza saddled with two boxes of vinyl, she secured herself a gig at the legendary Es Paradis nightclub. And life suddenly took a wonderful new turn.

Clara Da Costa soon earned the respect of Ibiza’s movers and shakers thanks to her superb musical selection and ability to read a crowd, a residency and role as Creative Director at the venue soon followed, not bad moves for Ibiza’s first ever female DJ who was still in her teens. Clara became the principle catalyst in encouraging promoters such as Clockwork Orange and Up Yer Ronson to do nights at Es Paradis, these pioneers were responsible for kicking off the British promoters’ invasion upon which the island depended on at the time. Who would have thought that this young lady’s drive and creativity would have such an influence on an island that is now regarded as the No. 1 clubbing destination in the world?

During her decade at Es Paradis Clara played with many of the world’s leading DJs gaining their respect and friendship and this time was her springboard to playing at all of Ibiza’s leading clubs and all around the world. Quite simply, few DJs can boast the Ibiza pedigree of Clara Da Costa. As the new millennium arrived Clara launched her own labels Green Turtle and Dopamine and was producing more and more of her own tracks - respected and championed by the likes of Radio 1’s Pete Tong and a multitude of other DJs whom many were grateful for Clara’s help with their own early careers.

In 2005 Clara moved to Barcelona for eight months, diversifying from DJing to develop her skills in A&R and as a singer/songwriter working for two of Spain’s biggest record labels in Blanco y Negro and Vale Music (Universal). She then returned to her spiritual home of Ibiza to get back on the decks and kicked off her island renaissance with a new weekly radio show Jack’s House on Ibiza Sonica Radio. It was to be a show that would take the world by storm on Sonica and today welcomes in over collectively 4 million listeners a month with her occasional special guest DJs and producers as well, showcasing exclusive releases from her army of industry hierarchy. Award winning radio station meet award winning show - a true musical match made in heaven. Production also came to the forefront at this time as Clara finally built her own studio at home. Releases such as ‘Meraki’ on Motion Records went to number 18 in the Essential House Chart on Traxsource and ‘Just’ released on Black Rock hit the No 1 spot in the official Tech House Chart.

2015 kicked off to a fantastic start with Clara presented with an award from the Ibiza Clubbing Guide for her radio show Jack’s House and prodigious bookings at Carl Cox’s Music Is Revolution party at Space. Not just any old guest slot though, Carl and his team loved the Clara Da Costa sound so much they gave her own room to programme. The Jacks House vibe was now ready to take onto the White Isle road with dates for Hard Times at Vista Club Privilege and special one offs at Blue Marlin and Ushuaia ensuring complete dance floor madness.

The year 2016 has truly been a momentous year for Clara with her celebrating her 25th anniversary DJing in Ibiza. Who would have thought that all those years ago that this precious young lady with a burning ambition would fulfill so many of her dreams? This year has seen her enjoy her 11th year as resident at the multi award winning Es Vive hotel alongside regular sessions at Sankeys, Lost In Ibiza, Ocean Beach, Float Your Boat and the island’s newest jewel in the ocean, Cala Bonita. This summer in Ibiza though will always be remembered as the last ever year of Space and obviously one of Clara’s most loved nights’ in Carl Cox’s Music Is Revolution, a party that saw her hosting the Opening and Closing with her guests including Two Diggers, Mr KS, Hanfry Martinez, Javier Carbello & Alex Arnout.  If that wasn’t enough, Space owner Pepe Roselló loves her groove so much she was booked for the Official Closing of Space…and there aren’t many DJs on the planet who can say that.

Outside of Ibiza, Clara’s passport continues to receive numerous international stamps thanks to her 2016 sell out world tours in such far flung destinations such as India, Dubai and Australia for Space on tour and her 2017 diary is already filling up. This year also saw her launch her Jack’s House label with a 4 track vinyl EP courtesy of Alex Arnout which shot straight to No. 2 Best Sellers on Juno and with future releases coming from heavyweights Los Pastores and Two Diggers, the label is looking to be one of the ones to watch in months to come.

2016 also saw Miss Da Costa chalk up her 8th anniversary of her esteemed radio show with guests including Andrea Oliva, DJ Sneak, Stacey Pullen, Mr C and many more. Jack’s House is a part of her life which totally sums up her love of house music. A DJ and producer who rarely does classic sets…as ultimately it’s all about future music and new talent for Clara. Why else would her label motto be Music With Integrity and her forthcoming 25th Anniversary Tour be called Married To Music? Music runs through her veins.

And for the final word we shall leave it to the lady herself, one of dance music’s true legends…

“First and foremost I am a good house DJ. I know what works a dancefloor. I understand what music makes people happy. And if they’re dancing, then so am I…”