Eli Iwasa

Eli Iwasa is a central figure in Brazil’s electronic music ecosystem: a DJ, producer, vocalist, label head, and club owner whose decades-spanning career has shaped the country's underground scene. 

Born and raised in São Paulo, her path began with obsessive teenage record collecting: everything from post-punk, to synthpop, to hardcore; and the formative club nights at Massivo, Ursa Maior, and the iconic Hell’s Club. During this stage she was deeply influenced by DJ Mau Mau and exposed to legends like Jeff Mills and Daft Punk. These early encounters defined her musical DNA.

Eli has been pivotal in Brazil’s dance music evolution, contributing not only as a selector but also as a scene-builder. She co-owns Caos and the award-winning Club 88, curates events like Closer (focused on gender equity) and is a longtime resident at Warung Beach Club. She also ran Campinas’ Galeria 1212, transforming the city into a national hotspot for electronic music and regularly hosting top-tier international talent outside São Paulo’s metro area. Through her label Heels of Love, she supports Brazilian artists without stylistic constraints, echoing her broad musical perspective.

Eli has played standout festivals such as Time Warp, DGTL, Rock in Rio, ADE, Tribaltech, and Warung Day Festival, as well as leading clubs like Berlin’s Watergate, Paris’ Rex Club, Pacha Barcelona, and Buenos Aires’ Zef. Regionally, she’s performed at Resistance Bolivia, Baum Festival Bogotá, and across the Warung Tour circuit.

Her career spans nearly every role in the industry (DJ, promoter, club runner, booker, and more) but her core remains unchanged: a relentless, grounded commitment to sound, community, and artistic integrity. Deeply influenced by strong women like Patti Smith and PJ Harvey and supported by a matriarchal family of Japanese heritage, she champions inclusivity and representation in nightlife. Through her work, she continuously uplifts marginalized voices and pushes for structural change in the creative industries.