Molothav: The Rising Brazilian Techno Star Shaping the Future of the Scene

In recent years, electronic music has transformed dramatically. Voices from different backgrounds are shining brightly, and one figure making significant waves is Brazil's own Molothav. She is shrouded in mystery, and her unique sound reflects the warmth and vibrancy of her homeland. From her humble beginnings, it's evident that she embodies the spirit of Brazil—its creativity, loyalty, and joy.

Molothav

Molothav's success is more than a personal victory; it represents the collective strength of women in the techno scene. With role models like Amelie Lens paving the way, she inspires many aspiring female artists. The past has seen obstacles for women in electronic music, but now, a notable shift is visible. Women in techno are not just making their mark; they are uplifting one another. For instance, the presence of prominent female DJs in major festivals has surged by 40% in recent years, highlighting this positive trend.

Her commitment to mastering her craft shines through in her music. Molothav made her breakthrough with her track, Distraction, released through Kurai Records. This track not only showcased her talent but also landed her in the Beatport Top 100, a remarkable achievement for any emerging artist. A remix from the acclaimed Marie Vaunt further boosted her profile, gaining traction thanks to support from influential artists like Space 92.

This year marked another milestone with her release, All Night Long, under Amelie Lens' label, Exhale. This track has resonated with fans, demonstrating her growth as an artist and pushing the boundaries of techno. All Night Long was a hit at festivals worldwide, cementing her status as a standout in the genre!

The Brazilian techno scene is vibrant, and Molothav leads this movement by weaving her cultural narrative into her music. It’s not just about beats; it’s about the emotions and stories she conveys through sound. Her connection to her heritage informs her artistry, making her music and DJ sets relatable across different cultures. Whether it’s the rhythmic patterns inspired by regional Brazilian beats or the incorporation of local sounds, she creates a universal language through her tracks and sets.

With every performance, Molothav breaks stereotypes and paves the way for future female DJs. The industry is now shifting toward collaboration over competition, creating a supportive environment. The mutual encouragement among women in techno is critical in fostering a rich and diverse community, and Molothav embodies this spirit.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Molothav for an exclusive interview, and we appreciate her and her team for their time. This is what she had to say.

Treavor:

We're thrilled you took the time to chat with us! So many young producers and fans around the globe are buzzing with excitement to learn about the origins of your name, Molotav!

Molothav:

The name Molothav was born from an exciting blend of 'Molotov'—like the iconic explosive cocktail—and the initials of my name, Thais. The idea sparked to life while I watching an electrifying Axwell Ingrosso show at Ultra Miami in 2017. As the beats dropped, a girl appeared on-screen, wielding a Molotov cocktail and hurled it at the screen. In that exhilarating moment, it hit me: why not Molothav? Haha, just like that!

Treavor:

I love that! I wish my parents had named me after a cocktail—imagine introducing yourself as Margarita or Mojito! It's always a hoot when something totally random ends up shaping your life. Speaking of shaping, who were your DJ role models?

Molothav:

I'm absolutely thrilled about so many artists these days, from the cool underground scene to the big stars! My biggest inspirations have remained rock-solid over the years: Amelie Lens, Charlotte de Witte, and Deborah De Luca. Plus, I'm super excited about newer talents like Marie Vaunt, Space 92, Joyhauser, and a whole bunch of others!

Treavor:

These incredible artists have truly transformed the current scene with their immense impact! We’d love to hear about the vibrant scene in Brazil and any challenges you’ve encountered on your journey.

Molothav:

Techno in Brazil is destined to become as significant as it is in Europe. Currently, our scene thrives due to the dedication of numerous artists, collectives, and events that tirelessly sustain the culture. The electronic music market in Brazil presents challenges, primarily because the genre isn't as deeply embedded here as it is elsewhere, with people often favoring other musical styles. However, this is shifting, and I am confident that it's a positive transformation.

Treavor:

It's fantastic that you're at the forefront of these changes, and it's super exciting how you're giving back to the community! You're truly becoming the face of the electronic scene in Brazil. These changes bring so many amazing benefits. What are some of the positive aspects of the scene in Brazil?

Molothav:

The Brazilian people are absolutely amazing! They genuinely welcome and embrace you with open arms. Since I've started, the support I've received has been phenomenal—so many people connect with what I'm doing. That Brazilian warmth is truly special and unforgettable

Loopcloud

Treavor:

I'm a massive fan of your productions! I'm excited to dive into that. Could you share a bit about your music production process?

Molthav:

Thank you so much, dear!! I'm thrilled to share that my production process is super straightforward and exciting! I absolutely love exploring sites like Splice because the inspiration I find there is incredible. When I stumble upon something I adore — whether it's a lead or a vocal — I dive right in, starting the track with a solid foundation of kick and bass, then layering everything else on top. Plus, I've always been a huge fan of electronic music, especially the classics. Those unforgettable tracks are a constant source of inspiration for me. This approach is my secret sauce, and it always gets me to where I want to be. Keeping things simple is key, and I usually wrap up a track in just three sessions!

Treavor:

Distraction is undoubtedly one of the most meticulously crafted tracks of 2024! Everything about it is absolutely perfect. I always say less is more. What was the process for creating Distraction?

Molothav:

For Distraction, I basically used the same process I mentioned earlier. I found a lead I liked on Splice and used it as inspiration for the whole track. I recorded the vocals using an AI site and then manipulated them — EQ’d, added some effects, etc. And I stuck to what I like: less is more. I made sure the low end was tight and added a strong Acid line that runs throughout the track.

Treavor:

Distraction was a sensational hit on Beatport, standing out as one of Kurai Records' top-selling songs! How thrilling was it when you first heard that Kurai chose to pick up the track? And then, how amazing did it feel when it was finally released, skyrocketed into the Beatport top 100, and remained there for such an impressive duration?

Molothav:

I freaked out! It was my first track that almost hit the Top 10 Techno chart on Beatport. It reached number 14, which was insane for me. I remember I was on my first tour in Europe the week the track dropped — and it was wild! Being in Europe for the first time and also seeing one of my tracks hit the top of the charts for the first time… it was unforgettable. Kurai and Marie are amazing! I’ll always be grateful for the doors that opened after that..

Treavor:

I absolutely adored your remix of Marie Vaunt's The Chosen! You did an incredible job with the entire song, but that break was truly exceptional. The effort you put into it was crystal clear and really paid off. I'm so curious about your artistic process for this track! Were you nervous about taking on the remix? After all, it’s one of Marie Vaunt's biggest hits!

Molothav:

I vividly remember the day she invited me to do the remix — I was so excited that I just stared at the WhatsApp message for a few minutes before I could even reply. It was such an incredible surprise! She completely caught me off guard. It was actually one of Marie’s tracks I was playing the most at the time. I played it at every party because it’s honestly such a powerful track! So being part of her journey like that meant the world to me. It’s impossible not to feel a rush of nerves and excitement in a moment like that. When I sent her the remix and she replied saying it was really good, I just froze, trying to take it all in.

For this remix, I wanted to infuse it with the musical influences that have always moved me since I was a kid — that 80s, synthwave vibe. I think it added exactly the kind of charm I was aiming for. And on top of that, I went in with a heavy drop, because the track absolutely deserved it!

Treavor:

Black Sky is yet another incredible track you released in 2024! You have an amazing knack for perfectly balancing the leads with the bass and kick. What inspires you to achieve this fantastic harmony?

Molothav:

Black Sky was one of the very first tracks I created when I dove into producing Peak Time Techno, and I'm absolutely thrilled about it! It's a track that's close to my heart! I'll always stand by this mantra: less is more. Black Sky, just like all my other tracks, follows this principle. I strive to keep the kick and bass relationship as crisp and clear as possible, meticulously managing the EQ and levels of everything else to ensure the track sounds clean yet remains intensely powerful.

Treavor:

Rising in the scene demands significant effort. Looking back, is there anything you would have approached differently when you began?

Molothav:

Every time someone asks me this, so many things come to mind. Every difficult time I lived in this career, and every moment of joy and happiness. I believe that who we are today is a result of the right decisions we’ve made — but especially the wrong ones. And I think each path is unique. Everyone needs to walk in their own way, or the way they feel is right.

Treavor:

Your track Acid All Night Long on Amelie Lens' label, Exhale, is absolutely massive! How did you connect with Amelie, and what was it like to be chosen by Exhale, another powerhouse label in the techno world?

Molothav:

Amelie Lens has always been one of my biggest inspirations in my career. I remember being on tour in Europe in October 2024 and seeing a story from Exhale saying they were open for demos. At that moment, I didn’t have any track that I felt was a good fit for Exhale. I remember feeling frustrated because it would take me two weeks to get back home and be in my studio, ready to make something that could live up to Exhale’s standards. I was sure I wouldn’t make it in time before they closed demo submissions.

But even so, as soon as I got back, I went straight to the studio and made Acid All Night Long, and sent it to Amelie’s SoundCloud inbox. A few days later, she replied saying she liked it, that she was going to download and test it. I was in shock! After that, she tested it out and messaged me saying she wanted to sign it. Everything happened so fast and unexpectedly. I’m truly grateful to be part of the Exhale family today.

Treavor:

Here at I Love To Rave Epic, we love to talk about music production. What was your process for Acid All Night Long?

Molothav:

I discovered the vocal and absolutely loved it! I kicked things off with the Acid line, which, as in my other tracks, is always the star of the show. Then, I layered on some mesmerizing trance textures and a cool gate effect on the vocal. To top it all off, I dived into a few of Amelie's recent sets for a burst of inspiration!

Treavor:

This is your second European tour—how exciting! How was the tour life? What was the absolute best part of it all?

Molothav:

The highlight of the Eurotour is diving into the heart of electronic music where it's truly the star of the show and then sharing that amazing experience back in Brazil. Plus, it's all about meeting incredible new people, forging connections I never thought possible, and living moments beyond my wildest dreams. This last tour was absolutely unforgettable. My debut in France was out of this world — I watch the videos daily, still in awe of the incredible vibe I felt there. Music truly unites us all!

PLUGIN BOUTIQUE

Treavor:

Wow, I noticed you infused some tribal sounds into your France show, and it was absolutely amazing! Is this your unique way of standing out from other DJs, or do you have even more exciting elements you want to introduce?

Molothav:

I think that ‘tribal’ influence comes from psy-trance — it’s really strong here and something I’ve listened to since I was a teenager going to raves. But overall, I’ve been enjoying bringing some sounds I’ve been experimenting with in the studio, just to see if people vibe with it. I’ve also been listening to a lot of DJs who’ve been bringing that kind of vibe lately, and honestly, I really love it! I have a track coming out soon on Kurai Records that has this more tribal feel mixed with an acid line and a bunch of forest sounds as textures — like animals, thunder, that kind of thing.

Molothav in action

Treavor:

I'm absolutely thrilled that you're experimenting! That's truly at the heart of the rave scene. I can't wait to hear this track! How do you get ready for your DJ shows?

Molthav:

I usually do a lot of digging the week before my shows so I can bring something fresh to the crowd — stuff that just dropped and people haven’t heard yet. And besides that, I always try to play some new original tracks and remixes to see how people react and use that energy as fuel for my next studio sessions.

Treavor:

What is next for Molothav?

Molothav:

There’s an incredible lineup of thrilling events between now and the end of the year! I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that I have an EP dropping on Kurai in June, and I couldn't be more excited! But that's not all—Space 92 has invited me to release on his label, and I anticipate something epic will be released in the second half of the year. It's so gratifying to see my music reaching wider audiences and gaining recognition from both major artists and fans. This truly means the world to me! The journey is long and full of challenges, but 2025 has been an absolutely amazing year for me in countless ways!

Treavor:

Before we end this interview, I would once again like to thank you for your time. I always like to ask a question at the end that is special to me. A question to an answer that many of us don't get. What advice do you have for fellow Brazilian producers?

Molothav:

Whenever I get the chance to advise someone just starting in music production, I enthusiastically say: simplify the process and use references! Not to copy, but to truly grasp the process of those who already excel. And here's another exciting tip: you are the driving force behind your career! Don’t hand that power to someone else or assume anyone will care more than you do. Plus, remember that, just like in any career, networking is everything! You need to build a network that works for you and supports you — and also strengthen your connection with your fans and the people who enjoy your work.

Treavor: Thank you. We are looking forward to your fantastic journey, and we will be here to support you on that journey.

Molothav

"Molothav emerges as a transformative force in the techno world, inspiring others to embrace their individuality and passions. Her journey exemplifies resilience and empowerment, especially in an industry where women's contributions are often overlooked. Representing a new era in techno, Molothav's artistry is a testament to her roots, challenges, and triumphs. As she evolves, her influence in electronic music strengthens, capturing global attention and promising to resonate for years to come." -Treavor Alvarado