Rochdale Music Stories: Spotlight on Desyfer & Emma Konnanov

Spencer Hickson is the talent behind Desyfer, a captivating DJ and musician that has wowed crowds at premier venues and festivals worldwide, including London, Ibiza and Croatia.

Emma Konnanov hails from Manchester, a singer-songwriter celebrated for her haunting vocals and heartfelt lyrics, her work inspired by artists such as Hayley Williams (Paramore) and Ryan Tedder (OneRepublic).

Desyfer and Emma’s collaboration over the past year has resulted in multiple number one hits, and features on labels such as ERRORR and KOMAL.

We got to ask about their exciting careers and involvement in Rochdale Music Stories, where the pairing is taking on 24-Hour Party People by the iconic Happy Mondays.

1. Tell us a bit about your own creative journeys - how did you both get started in music? 

Emma:
I started playing the violin at my primary school, supported by the Rochdale Music Service. That early encouragement really shaped my confidence as a young musician. From there, I picked up the guitar, inspired by my dad and my brother who are both artists themselves, and I began writing my own songs not long after. That mix of family influence and local support is what set me on my path creatively.

Spencer:
I first started learning music production back in 1995, and one of my earliest tracks — made with fellow producer Scott Latham — was played twice on the BBC Essential Mix. Hearing something I’d created on such a major platform was an incredible moment and gave me a strong foundation to build my career in music. It really confirmed that this was the direction I wanted to pursue.

2. How has Rochdale shaped or supported your careers as artists? 

It wasn’t until I reached college that I realised music was the path I wanted to pursue as a career. Rochdale Sixth Form had an incredible music department, and studying Music Technology there opened the door to their state-of-the-art studios. I spent every free period in those rooms writing music, and that creative foundation eventually helped me secure a place at BIMM Manchester to study Songwriting.

The tutors were unbelievably supportive — they even set up a full theatre space with lights, a mic, and everything I needed to practise performing solo with my guitar. (Thank you, James!) Those experiences gave me confidence and shaped me as both a musician and a performer.

It’s sad to hear that the arts department has changed so much over the years and that the music technology course no longer exists, because those opportunities genuinely helped mould me into the artist I am today.

3. Are there any local venues, events, or people who’ve been especially important to your journeys? 

Venues like the Treehouse Bar in Rochdale have become regular favourites for me to play — it’s always a welcoming spot with a great crowd. Vicolo Del Vino also hosts a fantastic open mic night with an amazing atmosphere, making it another place I love performing at.

4. Rochdale’s arts scene has gone through somewhat of a renaissance recently - how would you describe the creative scene in Rochdale right now? 

It’s a very exciting time to be an artist in Rochdale right now. There are so many opportunities to showcase your talents and connect with fellow creatives, and it feels like the local arts scene is genuinely growing in confidence and energy. We’ve noticed more bars and restaurants hosting open mic nights, live music events, and creative meet-ups, which makes it so much easier for emerging artists to find their voice and build a community around their work.

The recent mural exhibition in the town centre is another great example of how Rochdale is celebrating creativity in new and vibrant ways. Public art like that not only brightens the town, but it also inspires people to get involved, whether they’re seasoned artists or just discovering their creative side.

Overall, there are more platforms, more support, and more encouragement than ever before. It really feels like Rochdale is nurturing a creative culture where people can experiment, collaborate, and feel proud to be part of something meaningful.

5. Which song are the two of you covering for Rochdale Music Stories? It is one that has any personal significance to you? 

We’re covering ’24-Hour Party People’ by Happy Mondays, and the song ended up having a unique significance for both of us.

Emma:
I’d only heard the song once or twice before, but I’d previously worked with people who knew Shaun Ryder, and I even went to a Q&A he did at my university. Because of that, when we were presented with this track, it felt like a strange little sign — almost as if it had found its way to us for a reason. Once we started working on it, it became clear that it was actually a perfect match for our electronic style, and I’m genuinely excited for everyone to hear what we’ve done with it.

Spencer:
I have a much longer history with the song and the band. I first saw the Happy Mondays live in 1990 at Victoria Hall in Hanley. As a young guy caught up in the whole Madchester scene, I was completely taken by Shaun Ryder’s cool, swaggering stage presence. That performance stuck with me, so when I heard we’d be covering ’24-Hour Party People – Happy Monday’s,’ I was genuinely excited to put our own imprint on a track that shaped a part of my musical upbringing.

Together, our experiences balance each other — one of us discovering the track in a new light, the other reconnecting with a defining musical memory — and that combination really shaped our approach to the cover.

6. What has been your favourite experience in being part of the Rochdale Music Stories project? 

For both of us, it’s honestly a tie between recording our track and meeting all the other artists at the press launch. We’ve spent a lot of time at Voltalab Studios, and working with Jamie and Laura is always a highlight — they’re supportive, creative, and they really know how to bring the best out of the artists they work with. Recording the track felt comfortable and exciting because of that familiar environment.

At the same time, the press launch was something truly special. It was Emma’s first time at an event like that, and walking into a room full of talented collaborators felt really inspiring and humbling. For Spencer, it was equally energising to connect with so many creative people who are part of the Rochdale Music Stories project.

Together, we came away feeling honoured to be part of a community filled with so much talent and warmth — and proud of the track we created within it.

7. What’s been a standout moment for you both as musicians and performers in Rochdale? 

Last year, I had the incredible opportunity to play Belle in Rochdale Musical Company’s production of Beauty and the Beast, performed at Champness Hall. It was such a special experience — I even appeared on the cover of Rochdale Style magazine, and I spent around two weeks performing and meeting so many wonderful people from the local community.

I’ve always been involved in musical theatre in the area, with many of my performances taking place at Whitworth Amateur Musical and Dramatic Society. These non-profit groups do amazing work and consistently put on fantastic productions that really contribute to the cultural life of the community.

8. What advice would you give to emerging artists in the borough? 

Go to open mics! They’re one of the best ways to meet like-minded artists, try out new material, collaborate, and just have some fun. You can perform as much or as little as you like, and it’s a great space to start discovering your sound.

Getting out there also helps you find people with a similar style or creative outlook — those connections can really support your growth as an artist. And don’t be discouraged if you’re told “no,” or if you don’t get a reply sometimes. That’s all part of the journey. Music is something you grow with, and it often takes years to develop into who you want to become.

Most importantly, enjoy the process itself rather than focusing only on the end goal. The doing — the playing, learning, experimenting, meeting people — is where the real magic happens.

9. This year, Rochdale is Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26! What does this title mean to you as creatives?

We think it’s fantastic that Rochdale is finally being recognised for its rich history and cultural development. We’ve always been an innovative and creative town, and this award has given us the opportunity to express that on a bigger platform and show the country what the people of Rochdale are truly about.

10. What are the two of you most excited about during this Town of Culture year? 

We’ve noticed a real increase in local events and activities celebrating the arts, history, and music programmes in the area, and it’s been amazing to see. We’re very excited to have been given the opportunity to take part in the Rochdale Music Stories project. We’re really looking forward to sharing what we’ve been working on and helping the community learn just how influential Rochdale was to the ‘Madchester’ scene in the 90s.

11. What would you both love to see more of in Rochdale’s music or arts community moving forward? 

It would be fantastic to see a dedicated music and performance venue in the town centre — a space that’s fully equipped for everything from theatre productions to live gigs. We already have a brilliant music service in Rochdale, and it would be great to see them collaborate on hosting regular music nights for both children and adults, giving people across the community a platform to showcase their talents.

I grew up performing on stage, and many of my dance shows and orchestral concerts took place at the Gracie Fields Theatre, which is sadly no longer in use. Losing that venue left a real gap. Rochdale would really benefit from a new space with a similar capacity — a versatile, welcoming venue that could support a wide range of creative events and help nurture the next generation of performers.

12. And finally, what’s next for you as a duo - any exciting projects or performances coming up, aside from Rochdale Music Stories?

Me and Spencer (Desyfer) have been writing consistently all year, and we’ve got a couple of exciting releases and collaborations lined up. It’s been a phenomenal year for us — eight of our tracks made it into the UK Top 100 chart, with the lowest placing at number 59, and we’ve had multiple plays on the BBC as well as several number ones on the Beatport genre charts.

Our final release of the year is a cover of the huge dance classic Pretty Green Eyes, which we’re incredibly proud of and is out now. To be part of such an amazing project in Rochdale, and with our version of 24-Hour Party People coming out in March, we feel like 2026 is going to be even bigger. We’re really looking forward to what the next year brings, we’re absolutely thrilled with how 24-Hour Party People has turned out, and we’re also looking to do more live gigs.

13. You’ve both got some amazing music out there – how can people check it out and support you?

You can check out our music on all streaming platforms under Desyfer and Emma Konnanov. Streaming our tracks, following us on your preferred platform, and adding our music to your own playlists really helps our songs grow and reach a wider audience.

To find out about new releases as well as current music and activities, check out Desyfer’s Instagram @Desyfer831 and Emma’s @EmmaKonnanov.

Grab your ticket to the Rochdale Music Stories launch here.

To keep up to date with Rochdale’s fast-paced arts and culture scene, follow us on Instagram @Rochdale.Creates.