There are artists who move dancefloors, and then there are artists who shift the energy of a room the moment they step behind the decks. Aline Rocha belongs firmly to the latter. Born in Brazil and based in London, she has carved out a singular space in global house music – one defined by intention, emotional depth and a magnetic connection with her audience.
Her sets at Tomorrowland, Lollapalooza, Hï Ibiza and Defected’s worldwide events have cemented her as a curator of pure house energy, someone who reads a crowd with precision and leads them with warmth.
Her new EP with rising Brazilian producer Caio Cenci, ‘Miss The Water,’ captures that duality with striking clarity. Across two tracks – the hypnotic, roots-driven ‘Berimbau’ and the open, celebratory title track – the pair explore contrasting emotional landscapes while staying anchored in groove, movement and musicality. It’s a project that bridges ancestry and modernity, introspection and euphoria, Brazilian identity and global club culture.
We sat down with Aline to talk about the creative process, the cultural weight of the berimbau, and how these tracks reflect where she stands in her artistic journey.
WWD: You’ve built a reputation for magnetism on the dancefloor – a real sense of presence and connection. How does that energy translate into this new EP with Caio Cenci?
For me, the dancefloor is always about feeling first. Even in the studio, I want the music to carry that same sense of connection, so this EP came from that place.
WWD: ‘Berimbau’ is such a striking concept – using a traditional Brazilian instrument in a contemporary club context. What sparked the idea?
I loved the idea of bringing something rooted in Brazilian identity into a modern club space in a way that felt natural. “Berimbau” has a very particular energy, and that felt inspiring to me.
WWD: The track feels grounded, percussive, almost ritualistic. What does ‘Berimbau’ represent to you personally?
To me, ‘Berimbau’ represents a connection to Brazil. It carries a sound and an energy that feels very tied to our culture, and I liked bringing that feeling into a club context.
WWD: ‘Miss The Water’ sits on the opposite emotional spectrum – open, celebratory, very classic house energy. How did that track come together?
‘Miss The Water’ came together in a very natural way. It has a lighter, more open energy, and I liked that it brought a different feeling to the release while still connecting with the overall mood of the project.
WWD: You and Caio clearly have a strong creative chemistry. What was the studio dynamic like?
Very fluid and respectful. We both cared about the feeling of the tracks, and I think that made the process very natural.
WWD: You’ve played some of the biggest stages in the world – Tomorrowland, Lollapalooza, Hï Ibiza. How do these experiences influence your production?
Playing for different crowds teaches you a lot about groove, timing and emotional impact. That naturally feeds into the studio process, because it helps me understand how music can really connect on a dancefloor.
WWD: What do these two tracks say about where you are creatively right now?
They reflect my interest in groove, identity and emotion. I always want the music to connect, but also to feel honest.
WWD: And finally – what do you hope people feel when they hear the EP?
Connection. I hope they feel movement, emotion and truth in their own way.
WWD: That’s what it’s all about! Thanks for the chat 🙂
‘Miss The Water’ is available here