Khariszma is Queen
This week, we shine the spotlight on Khariszma, a trailblazer in the underground bass scene. Based in the Bay Area, she has earned multiple titles—Queen of the Underground, Queen of Soulful Dub and Drum and Bass, and Queen of Live Streaming. With finesse and passion, Khariszma has made a powerful impact on the underground bass 140 scene. As a founder of CouchFam, an avid Twitch live-streamer, and a respected leader in the bass community, she consistently captivates audiences worldwide through her live performances and innovative soundscapes.
Discovering Khariszma on SoundCloud
My first introduction to Khariszma was through SoundCloud, where I stumbled upon her early mixes—tracks that quickly became staples in my playlist. Hour-long sets like hers are my go-to for music discovery and working sessions. Her ability to curate and showcase independent artists and labels makes her work stand out. One of her signature mixes, Liquid is for Lovers, is a must-listen.
Liquid is for Lovers SoundCloud mix: Listen here
A Master of Genre-bending
Khariszma seamlessly blends melodic soul with liquid drum and bass, creating a listening experience that transcends genre constraints; that is genre-bending. While drum and bass encompasses multiple sub-genres—Neuro, Deep/Minimal, and Jungle—her sets showcase a dynamic range of sounds. Liquid is for Lovers demonstrates her mastery in combining genres and introducing me to artists like Spectrasoul and Dawn Wall, who are now among my favorites.
Through the Grapevine: Musical Connections
As I delved deeper into Khariszma’s SoundCloud discography, I noticed her affinity for featuring artists like Halogenix and Archangel. My introduction to drum and bass began with Halogenix, and discovering that Khariszma shares this appreciation made me feel an even stronger connection to her selections. The Khariszma-to-Halogenix grapevine is one that I’ve discovered initially through Ivy Lab, and it has come full-circle.
2 Hour Soulful Liquid Sunrise Set at Applecross Music & Arts Festival and That One Time I Opened for mf Halogenix are great listens. These sets highlight her ability to craft immersive sonic journeys.
Halogenix Opener Set: Listen here
Applecross Festival Set: Watch here
CouchFam: Your Source for Underground Bass
Beyond her personal artistry, Khariszma is deeply involved with CouchFam, a leading underground bass music collective. Streaming live on Twitch and active on YouTube, CouchFam serves as a crucial hub for discovering new talent. There, music-head will find live sets from both legendary and emerging underground artists.
CouchFam’s mission is to make underground and independent music more accessible. Established in 2020, its debut event, CouchFest, has become a premier platform for underground artists to showcase their talents. Through CouchFam, I was introduced to another influential female leader in bass music: The Librarian. The Librarian is the founder of Bass Coast Music Festival. Her work is also, very inspiring.
Live and Direct: Upcoming Shows
Khariszma is gearing up for a busy month, performing live at several highly anticipated events. She will be supporting UK Drum and Bass legend Roni Size, playing a B2B set with Soba. Save the date, March 20 at 1015 Folsom.
Two days later (March 22 at Holocene Nightclub in Portland), she’ll be sharing the stage with top tastemakers in the DnB scene. Hosted by Juice Drum and Bass—the soulful DnB collective founded by Chemynne Perlingieri—the event celebrates 20 years of Juice. The lineup Is stacked, including performances from BCEE, S.P.Y., Seba, and MC Question Mark. This will be a show you don’t wanna miss.
Community Support & The Power of Connection
Khariszma’s story is deeply rooted in the community. An introduction to Khariszma is an introduction to the Underground. She understands the significance of community support—both receiving and giving it. She built her band from the groud up, and remains intentional in her creative expression.
I had the privilege of speaking with Khariszma about her journey, live streaming, the CouchFam lore, and the importance of empowering women in the music industry.
Check out our full interview with Khariszma, or you can catch her on Twitch every Sunday, for Liquid Soul Sundays.
