Carly Zeng

When she's behind the decks, she rarely plays the same thing twice. Born in China and now based in Berlin, she's built a community around her party Dissident rooted in thoughtful music discovery. Her long-standing passion for vinyl collecting shows in how she bridges genres – from tribal or prog tracks with unconventional structures to unexpected sonic textures in driving house music. She's always looking for that little extra.

Dance music was introduced to her through New York's underground scene of small parties, DIY spaces, and warehouse raves, whose community spirit she carries with her to this day. She's a recognized name on Berlin's queer music scene and regularly plays at events like Cocktail D'Amore and Body Language. Whether as a DJ, community organizer, or dancer on the floor, Carly always carefully considers her role in the dance music ecosystem and how to create a warm experience for everyone involved.