​Swiss techno DJ Aldanya has died following battle with cancer

Switzerland-born DJ and producer Aldanya, real name Crystal Margaret, has passed away following a battle with cancer, her family has confirmed.

Crystal died on Sunday, January 19, after fighting an “aggressive form of breast cancer”, her family and friends told Mixmag. “We are all heartbroken,” they wrote.

“She was the kindest, most generous, talented, and beautiful person and many more countless qualities. Crystal leaves behind a legacy, she was loved by so many, and she will be in our hearts for as long as we live.”

After being diagnosed with cancer in 2023, Crystal’s family and friends launched a fundraiser to help her through treatment and recovery, raising more than £15,000.

Before studying at London’s Point Blank Music School, Crystal grew up in a family of musicians, playing classical piano from an early age. She became interested in dance music as a teenager, teaching herself to DJ at home.

Under the alias Aldanya, Crystal performed at countless venues and events across London, including fabric, FOLD, Werkhaus, Village Underground, Warm Up Festival, and The Steelyard.

Her productions spanned industrial techno to groovy hard house, with releases on labels such as Colombia’s Fluctuat Records, Berlin’s FLASH Recordings, and the UK’s Khazad Records.

“It's a huge shock and a real tragedy, Crystal was a lovely person and a very talented DJ and producer,” Khazad label head Balrog said in a statement to Mixmag. “She will be a massive loss to the scene. My thoughts go out to her friends and family.”

Read some tributes below.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter