Shak-T: Finding Resilience and Rebirth Through Music
Shakti Wicked! Maragh has always lived in the room where it happens—a sentiment that spans several distinct chapters of her life. Initially, she was a medical student, balancing the rigorous demands of anatomy and clinical theory with the vibrant, kinetic energy of the dancefloor. It was in the rave scene that she found a form of expression and regulation that the lecture hall could never provide. However, a devastating stage accident involving a dance platform’s safety rail fractured her back, forcing a sudden and painful departure from the physical life she had cultivated.
Most individuals who experience such a profound rupture either abandon their passion or attempt to force a return to a version of themselves that no longer exists. Shak-T chose a different path. She began to rebuild her relationship with music from the ground up, transitioning from a performer in motion to a creator behind the decks. This evolution eventually led her to become a songwriter and producer, finding a way to articulate her experiences rather than simply embodying them.
The Road to Recovery
Reflecting on the accident, Shak-T recalls the disorientation of the club environment and the immediate, searing pain that followed her fall. Despite the severity of her injuries—a fracture line across three transverse processes of her L2-4 vertebrae—her initial instinct was to minimize the damage. It was only after days of agonizing pain and a slow, grueling recovery process that she realized the physical terms of her life had been permanently altered. Bed rest and the loss of her former physical strength forced her to pivot toward less demanding pursuits, yet the pull of the music remained constant.
The platform was stage right above balcony level accessed from the lighting walkway. I stepped up from the lower level to the higher, missed my step somehow (perhaps disorientated from the flashing lights) and fell out under the safety rail, thankfully down to balcony level rather than all the way down to the dance floor.
Her return to the scene was not immediate. It was a gradual process fueled by a deep-seated love for the magic created on the dancefloor. Diagnosed with ADHD in her late 40s, she notes that her neurodivergent experience of music—which feels all-encompassing—was a vital tool for regulating her nervous system. This connection eventually drew her back to the decks, a skill she had nurtured since the mid-90s.
A New Creative Chapter
Her transition into DJing was marked by a series of organic milestones, from playing at medical school parties to finding her footing at festivals and warehouse raves. Working with producer Jack Gourlay on her debut single, “The Light,” allowed her to channel these experiences into a cohesive narrative. The track, which explores themes of resilience and rebirth, serves as a testament to her journey through health challenges, including a battle with chronic Lyme disease.
By choosing to release her music on Bandcamp rather than traditional streaming platforms, Shak-T is making a deliberate statement about the relationship she wishes to foster with her audience. She seeks a genuine connection with those who resonate with her story, using the proceeds to fund her upcoming live performances. For Shak-T, this is not just about making a record; it is about finally creating a sound that is authentically her own.
