Exclusive Interview with Lisa Lashes
From tearing up dance floors under the Mediterranean sun of the White Isle, to filling out stadiums in South Africa, partying it up in the Nordic seas on a huge ocean liner, to nostalgic nights at some of the UK’s most prestigious clubs; Miss Lashes has seen more of the party than most! When not headlining at one of Europe’s top festivals such as Global Gathering, Creamfields and Dance Valley; or playing to her adoring fans at some of the UK’s biggest domestic nights such as Godskitchen, Gatecrasher, Inside Out and Planet Love ; Lisa’s musical adventure regularly sees her packing her suitcase and touring her style to another corner of the globe. Huge popularity of the sell-out Lashed in Ibiza parties, led to instant worldwide demand for Lisa and her Lashed brand with marathonesque tours of the parties to China, Canada, United States of America, Netherlands, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and Japan ensuing! It wasn’t long before Lisa was officially recognised amongst the top ten DJs in the world and achieved the illustrious title of ‘The World’s Number One Female DJ’.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Lisa Lashes, shortly before her performance at Narz Club on 14th June.
You first emerged as a DJ in 1997. How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place and what made you start DJing?
I got in touch with it all through going on the emerging club scene in the 90’s such as Miss Moneypenny's in Birmingham…
You have been in the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs for 10 years in a row (2000-2009), were the highest ranking female for years and the first and only female ever to make it to the Top 10 – in 2000 ranked #9. How is it to be on top in a mainly male dominated business?
Its amazing, all about girl power!
You have played at Europe’s top festivals such as Global Gathering, Creamfields and Dance Valley, alongside Sander van Doorn, Marco V and Ferry Corsten. What was your personal career highlights so far?
I keep smashing them time and time again so there isn’t one that sticks in my mind as the best, they all have their different reasons for being the highlights of my career.
Your nickname is or used to be ‘The Queen of Hard House! – a result of your “Euphoria” albums that became the biggest selling dance music compilations in the world– but around early 2009 you shifted to Trance music. What made you do so?
I started to change my music style starting with the way I made music by using different studios to get different styles. Peoples musical preferences change over the years and mine did which is why Im now labeled as a Trance DJ. I wouldn’t say I solely play just trance in my sets as it differs from time to time and to places I play around the world and I like the creativity the digital shift in music has enabled me to do this.
You recently described your current music as “Trance with balls!”. Should we leave it at that or do you have any supplementary notes? ;)
The music I play has energy and even though it is called Trance music, I think I bring a certain edge the way I play it and the way I make my music to fit in this genre.
This year you released several new original tracks, such as “Wanted to Feel”, “Mind Control”, “Harmonic Degree” and “Topaz”. What other tracks would you recommend to those that are not yet familiar with your music?
My personally favorite releases ontop of this have been ‘The Bends’ on Discover Dark label with a heatbeat remix as well as ‘Snapshot’ on my Lashed Music label and I also did a remix of the trance classic ‘Lift’ by Sean Tyas on the Discover label!
You run a highly popular podcast called ‘Lashed Podcast’ which has gained over 70,000 subscribers in short time! What is the concept of the podcast?
My podcast is all about recording it live from my basement at home as so many podcasts are generic and mixed by programmes such as Ableton. I like to bring a bit more creative in my podcasts by mixing them live as this shows I care about what I put out there even if it is a podcast, I put every effort I possibly can to make it the way I want it to be heard.
What was the best and the worst gig you ever played?
The best differs all the time but one I will always remember as a great party was Cape Town for the millenium where I played to 9000 people for the midnight set. My worst was when I played a UK festival and the tent leaked. Water proceeded to fall onto the decks where I got a massive electric shock every time I touched them.
On stage you present yourself tough and confident - your trademark are corsets, large eyelashes and your motto is “Whatever I do, I do it hard and dirty”. In private - probably to most people’s surprise – you enjoy playing chess and are a Barbara Streisand fan. What else are you willing to tell us about your private life that might surprise us?
I have the cutest dog called Chester who I love taking on long walks around my nearby reservoir and I’ve taught him doggy tricks which no other dog can do..
You travel a lot. What are the essential things you need to have with you at all times and what are the things you miss when you are on tour?
Of course I miss my Chester bear everytime I have to leave him to go on tour and my essential thing to take with me especially after a long-haul flight are my sunnies!
On 14th June you will perform live here in Bangkok at Narz Club. Have you visited Thailand before? Will your performance be your Bangkok debut?
I’ve visited Thailand before but only for a holiday so I’m very much looking forward to performing this time round.
Are you adventurous if it comes to food? Do you try the local dishes of the countries you travel to, or do you usually eat what you know from home? Will you give spicy Thai food a chance?
I love spicy Thai food, yes please, count me in for that..
What can Bangkok expect of your performance at Narz Club?
A lot of my own productions and big bootlegs and just a fun night that I hope everyone will come and join in the fun and remember for a long time after the event..