FORTUNE

A dedicated force in the midwest music industry, with over 20 years DJing, coordinating electronic music events, promoting, talent buying, mentoring, and most recently launching an agency under her company, Apart. Fortune is widely recognized and respected as a key player through out the region.

Growing up in England, her varied influences include epic family parties with live music, dancing and many happy people; local Bristol artists like Massive Attack and Roni Size; the eruption of UK rave culture; Steve Silk Hurley’s Jack Your Body crushing as the #1 selling record in the country; The Prodigy, KLF and Carl Cox as household names. By 16 (1990) she was hooked and learning from early UK rave promoters Transition.

At 19 Fortune landed in California with $140 and a suitcase. No dance music, “The Chronic” bumped out of cars and clubs, East battled West and she embraced her hip-hop education. Returning to the UK a year later a new genre was sweeping the nation – jungle. She absorbed DJs blowing up the clubs: Grooverider, Sasha, LTJ Bukem.

Six months on she arrived in Milwaukee. Taking up djing, she quickly landed underground hip-hop residencies and developed a style that includes her house, techno and broken beat influences. Playing noted establishments across the US including San Francisco’s The EndUp, Detroit’s TV Lounge, Minneapolis’s First Ave, Brooklyn’s Superior Ingredients (formerly Output), she’s also a regular at Chicago’s legendary Smart Bar, playing there 20 times. Festivals include multiple appearances at The Great Beyond, Spring Awakening, Summerfest, Even Furthur, Wavefront, Winter Warmer, as well as Charivari and The Silver Room Block Party. She’s played the Canary Islands, Spain, and headlined in the city that influenced her so much, Bristol.

A testament to her range, she’s been booked as direct support for a diverse array of top tier artists, notably Adam X, Audiojack, Claude VonStroke, Colette, Cassy, Catz & Dogz, Danny Daze, Derrick Carter, Gaiser, Gene Farris, Green Velvet, Honey Dijon, J.Phlip, Joey Beltram, Justin Martin, Kate Simko, Kaskade, Kenny Glasgow, Kid Sister, KiNK, Kool Keith, Lahrs Behernroth, LP Giobbi, Pan Pot, Superjane, Will Clarke.

When the ’09 recession shut down Milwaukee music, Fortune shifted focus to her promotions company, producing non-stop events, determined to keep house and techno present. The only area woman to make independent electronic music promotions a full time profession, she experienced many skewed industry dynamics, so created the Apart internship to mentor and learn from young people entering the music realm; produced panels and workshops to foster visibility and equity; transitioned Apart Artists from collective to an agency representing 14 diversely talented djs/producers; and is a vocal advocate for increased safety, equity and belonging in the music space. 

Fortune’s mission: Facilitate well being through music, whether as a dj, promoter, mentor or agent. 

“Since those first family parties, I’ve seen music bring people together, sharing happiness. Making that available to all, moments to dance, smile, or just close ones eyes … that’s what moves me.”