With a voice described by NPR as “sheepish soul” and a bold electronic production style, Tammy Lakkis is no stranger to holding nuance. Raised between Michigan and Ontario, the artist has carved a unique pathway for herself since the launch of her debut EP Notice, gaining traction throughout North America and beyond for her eclectic hardware live sets. With the titular single securing a spot on NPR’’s “100 Best Songs of 2021” list, Notice–released through Shigeto’s Portage Garage Sounds label–is currently on its third vinyl pressing.

To the outside eye, Lakkis’ rise might appear rapid; in reality, it’s been over a decade in the making for the songwriter, singer, producer, poet, and DJ. A music lover from a young age, she wrote her first song at 17, experimenting with the singer/songwriting format before her exposure to the Detroit techno sound. Shapeshifting with time, she debuted “This Is How It Goes,” a synth-laden jam in early 2019. She discovered a sonic home in Seraphine Collective, a collective supporting women and queer creators, honing her talents as a selector and technical mixer. She premiered her live set in 2018 weaving Arabic vocals and genre-defying beats, solidifying her as one to watch.

Since 2021, she’s been expanding her reach, touring with Ela Minus across the US and Shigeto across Europe, and landing a radio show with Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide FM. Remaining true to her roots however, she has maintained a presence in Detroit, hosting two DJ residencies in the city, playing regularly in clubs such as Spot Lite and Marble Bar, and making her debut at Movement Electronic Music Festival in 2022. She has performed in support of Danny Brown at his annual Bruiser Thanksgiving and in collaboration with NTS.

In 2022, she was named a Kresge Artist Fellow for her boundary-pushing artistic achievement. She premiered her music video for Notice’s “Wen Rayeh” in late 2022 to positive reception. She’s currently developing her sophomore release.