LUXE: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

Music

LUXE is a DJ and producer who’s firmly on the rise.

Real name Lucy Hopson, she cut her teeth in Manchester as part of the B.L.O.O.M crew, later making the move to London where her skills both behind the decks and in the studio have quickly piqued the interests of promoters and DJs alike.

There’s a correlation between both ventures; her DJ sets are full of hefty bass, crisp breaks and driving trance sounds, while her productions so far have followed much of the same influences. With a few self-releases and compilation tracks under her belt, she recently made her solo debut for HAAi’s Radical New Theory imprint, and Belonging is just as you’d imagine: hypnotic, chugging trance and breakbeat dripping with tittering percussion and warm sub bass.

There’s plenty more to come for Lucy this year and beyond but first, she takes us through the gears on today’s mix, launching at 100bpm and transporting us all the way up to 160…

Ransom Note · LUXE: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

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

I’m Lucy Hopson, also known as LUXE. I’m a DJ, Producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist living in South East 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)?

This is a hard question as I think what I play depends a lot on how I’m feeling. I would say that there’s an overarching energy and sound world to the music I select – a lot of interesting bass sounds, off kilter percussion, sub heavy, forward driving, sometimes proggy and trancey and I’m also a sucker for a good vocal.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my cosy living room at home.

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

I would say it’s a good pre-party mix as it builds pretty steadily upwards from the get go, 100-160bpm. Definitely best to be listened to when you’re doing something energetic like maybe the gym or going on a run. Anything where you need a bit of a boost of energy and forward motion!

What should we be wearing?

I’d recommend a cute tracksuit – versatile and adaptable to many scenarios.

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

I love being completely comfortable when I’m recording a mix so it would have to be somewhere really cosy. Defo a shoes off vibe. Maybe some kind of yurt or something (like the one at On Kilter festival) which was shoes off, lovely rugs, the sun shining in, with a beautiful system.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I would say it’s ‘Can You Float?’ by D.Dan

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I don’t think I can say anything is my 100% favourite of all time, but, I love Skee Mask’s essential mix so much and have listened to it loads.

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

Andrew Weatherall – he was and still is such a legend and the most amazing selector.

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

My first ever set up was a Pioneer DDJ-SR controller with a pair of Rokit 4 monitors. Now it’s a pair of Yamaha HS7s, a DJM800, an audio technica turntable and a pair of XDJ700s.

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

I would say both are equally as important but if I had to choose I would say the track you end on. Planning the first few tracks of a set is really important for me, as it sets the tone and allows me to feel comfortable. Even if I don’t know what I’m going to play for the rest of the set, if the first few tunes are there I can relax. Saying that though, those moments you get when the final track selection is spot on are unbeatable and probably something that people may remember more.

What were the first and last records you bought?

I can’t remember my first but my last was Dancer by Addison Groove

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

Dark chocolate

If it was an animal what would it be?

A dolphin

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

I genuinely can’t think of anything apart from maybe some old disco bits that jump tempo

Upcoming in the world of LUXE ….

My new EP is now out, the record shipped recently so everyone that ordered it should have it now or soon! I also just got some masters back for a very exciting collaboration, some of the tunes are hiding in this mix.