LORA: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

Music

“Chaotic cohesion” is how LORA describes her sound. And that’s something we love here at R$N HQ.

Borderless electronic selections, a few twists and turns, hands in the air moments… Catch one of the London-based DJ and promoter’s sets and you’ll get plenty of that.

LORA’s pathway into DJing came via her residency for longstanding hip hop night Livin’ Proof, which led her to promote her own parties. For a few years she helmed Grapefruit and Nice One, two parties that gave her autonomy on sound and curation, and welcomed artists like Violet, LSDXOXO, Afrodeutsche and Shygirl.

This experience as both a curator and resident, as well as her monthly residency on Balamii Radio in South London, has played a part in her broad approach to selection, which can see her moving from warm, deep grooves to classic old school house, shuffling UKG and euphoric breaks.

Ahead of her launching her brand new party Floorjam, which will see her bringing the likes of Raji Rags and Arianne V to Peckham’s Carpet Shop, she treats us to a mix of dusty house cuts and rolling vocal grooves with a few classic cuts thrown in for good measure.

Ransom Note · LORA: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

Hey, I’m LORA and I’m a DJ from London.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

Chaotic cohesion, energy for global dance floors, underground and loving it. I’ve picked this photo I took of a tile in Sicily of an octopus. I’m a pisces so a bit sea world obsessed, but I’ve picked it because I think it accurately represents the tension between the different but related genres you’ll find in my sets, the shifting of paces and the fact that at the root of it all I just want to creative euphoric moments for the dance floor whilst also in places challenging the dancer.

Where was the mix recorded?

At home in Dalston, Hackney.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

A sweaty basement club just before peak hours or a small little secret stage at a festival in the summer at like 5am.

What should we be wearing?

Something functional with flair. I feel like a printed patterned short-sleeve shirt has to be in the mix somewhere and some wacky accessories to boot.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

I’m a USB into CDJs girl through and through. My dream setting would be something silly like on a speedboat in the mediterranean on a balmy sunny day with fresh sea spray in my face, pranging a little about the decks but having an absolute whale of a time with mates. Somehow we would have rigged the boat with our own makeshift small but mighty soundsystem and it would be wicked.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Oh that’s hard! It’s between Dj Chupacabra – Lowerider and Paul Johnson – A Little Suntin Suntin

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Steven Julien’s Resident Advisor mix from 2013 is up there.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Josey Rebelle. It kind of goes without saying. She’s just incredible and I love how playful she is and how she moves through genres. An absolute hero.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

A numark controller I forget the model but it was second hand and pretty shit! I use the Pioneer XDJ- RX2 now.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

I honestly think they are equally important to me but the track I start on just takes it as it sets the tone but also might conceal that a plot twist lies ahead.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First record I bought was probably Aaliyah’s last album on CD. The last record I bought was on vinyl, it’s a gift for a friend as she absolutely loves Crystal Waters, so I got her Gypsy Woman on 7″ inch.

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

A 1:1 cbd/thc gummy.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A dolphin.

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

This is such a good question. I feel like some bits in my disco collection can be a little gnarly to get a handle on. I played ‘Dollar Sign’ by Stush and it was quite deceptively tricky to mix out from.

Upcoming in the world of LORA…

There’s lots in the diary that’s coming up that I’m really excited about but yet to be announced. However, the opening night of my new club excursion, Floorjam, takes place next month on the 5th of May. It’s at Corsica Studios’ new venue, The Carpet Shop, in Peckham and I’ve got a brilliant line up joining me including Raji Rags, Ariane V, Soft Break, MISFYA and Damali Tyson. It’s a new space for pushing for the very best underground talent, immaculate dancefloor vibes and true representation! Tickets are available now.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Watch this space!