Lea Lisa chats Many Shades of House
Favorite Recordings have played host to many great compilations, most notably, the Jeremy Underground series. Label head Pascal Rioux continues the comp story on Favorite Recordings with Lea Lisa joining forces to present ‘Many Shade of House’, releasing on Friday 29th March.
Lea Lisa has done her time and earned her stripes playing confident DJ sets about the globe. She is renowned for being a quality selector and here we see her curation skill on full display with Lea presenting to the world eight supreme tracks that have had a special spot in her record bag, and a warm place in her heart. Each record has been carefully selected and tells a story of deep-house past and the greats who created them.
Read on to find out a little more about the DJ, producer, selector that is Lea Lisa.
Your new compilation sounds incredible. Can you share a bit more about the curation of this album and what first inspired you to put the tracks together?
I've been lucky enough to live the last three decades through electronic music. I've seen the evolution of this culture and of musical trends. It's a fascinating legacy. House music is so varied that I thought it would be interesting to show this diversity through the producers who have inspired me throughout my career.
Why did you feel that now was the right time to revisit these sounds?
I don't think it's a question of timing, but rather of experience and maturity. My daughter is a DJ, she's 26, and I've shared a lot with her about this culture. Why not do the same for others by compiling some essential tracks on a double vinyl album.
Prior to this compilation you had several of your own productions out on Wolf Music and Phonica Records sub label. Karakul. Do you generally know when you go in a studio that you’re going to be making a particular sound or is it more spontaneous than that?
It's very spontaneous because I don't have a plan. I just make music when I feel like it, if I have something to say. I'm very detached from that concept. I don't want to think of it as a job. The only thing that counts for me is quality.
How have you stay creatively inspired and motivated throughout your career?
I think it's important to realize that an artist's career is made up of ups and downs, of easier moments and sometimes darker ones. We live in a consumer society where even artists are dependent on a trend. I stay out of all that. I'm not looking to be popular. I do projects that make sense to me and respect this culture. That's my goal.
What constitutes success for you?
A message from someone who's looking forward to listening to my next mixtapes. Talking to other music fans, a magical connection with your audience when I mix. And when you earn the respect of those who inspired you... That's success.
As a deep house fan can you tell us more about your house idols and if artists like Ron Trent and Kerri Chandler have influenced your approach to production?
All the artists who have greatly influenced me have their own identity. A sound that's instantly recognizable. There's also a lot of melancholy in some of them. What I'm really looking for is emotion, whether it's sad or happy, I need to feel alive. That's what I try to do through my music.
Are there any contemporary guys you’re feeling production wise that inspire you to make music?
Iron Curtis, he's really got something special. When you listen his track Push Push (live at passage) it commands respect. There's a universe, a powerful mental thing. This guy's got something to say.
One of your biggest records of the past few years was with Glenn Underground on Karakul. Tell us a bit about your production processes on this record?
I wanted a house track that was powerful but still soulful, so you can feel Kerri's influence. I'm not a musician, so to make something solid, the best thing for me is to work with musicians. It makes the sound very organic, lively, and warm. I'm happy that the record has been a success. It's found its audience.
If you hadn't pursued a career in music, what other path do you think you might have taken?
I would have loved to have been a lawyer. I admire the courage of lawyers like Robert Badinter. He is a man of commitment, a man of conviction.
If you were to pick three of your own tracks to introduce your music to someone who has not heard it before, what three tracks would you recommend?
You can understand who I am through my music:
My commitment, my battles: Lea Lisa Ft Rich Medina - Imagine that.
My lightness and carefree spirit: Keys of Life.
My depth: Love to the end.
I don't even dare tell you about the next one 😉
Buy/listen to the release here