The adventures of a DJ Lissa

INDO NIGHT SPOT- Being a DJ is not an easy thing to do, a DJ has to do a lot of practice , learn how to play music. DJ or Disc jockey is a music processing profession where people who do this have the ability to create music. the same thing with this one DJ, DJ Lissa. DJ Lissa has embarked on a career as a DJ in the music world full of obstacles and hopes. this time indonightspot had the opportunity to interview DJ Lissa. her journey to become a DJ. let’s see the full interview.

Q: Hi DJ ….. how are you? What are you busy with lately? Thank you for taking the time to ask me for an interview.

A: Hi, Thank you for taking the time to interview me. I am very pleased that you are interested in getting to know me better.  I’ve been busy lately with gigs, recording new sets and working on my first track. Hopefully it will be released later this year.

Q: We want to ask a question, how long have you been a DJ?

A: I got into DJing in 2021. I studied theory from master classes of top artists online, it didn’t look very difficult, it was just a matter of practice. During this period of time, I came to Bali again on vacation. It was a good time to do some practice. I found a dj school on the island and took a course. I returned home to Ukraine with a good knowledge base to work with. Even though at first glance I don’t have a lot of years behind me in this business, but I have an incredible amount of hours behind the decks. I play almost every day, if not at a party, then I practice at home.

Q: How did you initially decide to become a DJ?

A: I started attending underground events in 2017, and since then my music collection has taken on a new look. I created a page about artists on instagram and a channel on telegram, where I wrote about upcoming events, introduced people to the works of guest musicians and recommended what music to listen to. I saw people’s interest in what I was doing and more and more often people were asking when I would start playing because they liked my music taste and wanted to see me on stage. Constant questions about when I will become a DJ, support and faith in me from my close friend played a significant role in my learning this profession, but the most important motivation is love to music. It is for me a source of inspiration and a lifeline in any depression. In fact music is a medicine for me personally and I know many people who think the same. It’s nice to realize that my sets give people positive emotions and make life brighter. That’s what I’m doing DJing for.

Q: What were the ups and downs of being a DJ?

A: The hardest period of being a DJ is when you just started and you are trying to find places to perform, you need to prove in some way that you are really good at it. Usually no one even wants to listen to your recorded promo mix for 5 minutes, and in this field they prefer to give gigs to their friends and relatives then to people they don’t know.

Being in another country without any connections in the music industry, you have to do everything all over again. All the results you’ve built in your hometown are nullified. And you again go through a phase of ignoring and refusing.

Before getting my first gigs I contacted more than 50 venues and event organizers in Bali, who said the same thing about the approved DJ line-up, that I will be contacted, but most of them just do not respond to my letters and messages.

As for the ups, for me it was participating in a contest from web site DJANETOP.COM  where every year there is a vote for the Top 100 best female DJs by country, Europe and the world. In my first 2 years I was twice in the Top 100 female DJs in Ukraine. I hope to get into the Top 100 in Europe this year.

Q: What was the craziest/most memorable time at what event/what stage have you appeared on?

A: In fact every performance is bright and memorable especially when you are on the same wavelength with people and this incredible energy leaves a trail of aftertaste for weeks to come, and also when you step on stage with top artists, but the most impressive for me are two moments.

The first party, when I was at the decks on my birthday in Odessa. There was an absolute connection with the crowd and at the end of my set they started chanting my name and clapping, it was unexpected because I’m not a superstar and just recently started DJing. It was so heartwarming and I felt their gratitude for this crazy vibe on the dance floor, that it was recharged and encouraged me to go on.

And the second bright spot happened already in Bali. I was dreaming to play in Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park and what was my surprise and delight when I was invited to perform there at a private event. My task was to emphasize the majesty, uniqueness and special atmosphere of this place with mystical music. It was just amazing to bring it to life. The energy of the place is incredible. These emotions can’t be compared to anything else yet.

Q: As a DJ, what challenges do you face?

A: I guess I would have to say that the pain of my DJ life is a song request hahaha, but there is something else that makes me nervous.

The biggest challenge is working on old and partly not working equipment, which has a lot of errors, the buttons do not work or stop working at all during the performance, tracks or flash drives are not recognized. The nightmare of many DJs! This problem with bad equipment affects the quality of your work and your nervous state during the performance. The problem is that there is nothing you can fix and you have to get out of the situation as best you can to work those hellish hours and not screw up in front of the audience. Some organizers just ignore your request for normal working equipment and give you what they have without warning about the problems, and then it’s your problem. This is the main and most important problem that I had to deal with many times.

Q: Who is the DJ that is your focus, international?

A: I follow many artists. I can’t say that I am focused only on one person, but I can still single out the one who made the biggest impression on the show and influenced my love for techno. It’s  Marika Rossa. Bright, charismatic, with her unique style, a very talented girl, who inspires by her example. It is pleasant to watch her success, especially as she represents the Ukrainian music scene on the world stage and does it very well.

I also like the music of such artists as: Maceo Plex, Deborah De Luca, Reinier Zonneveld, Nico Morano, Spartaque, Solomun, Silicodisco, Bart Skils, Eli Brown, Sopik, Adiel, Twins Project, Lily Palmer, Rafael Cerato, Indie Elephant, Ivan Masa, Affkt, Tita Lau and many more who deserves attention.

This list could go on for a very long time  🙂

Q: Are there any local DJs that you like?

A:  Yeah, I’ve been to some of the local DJ’s shows and I can highlight: Remy Irwan, Shammui, El Didion, Maira Killa, AJ O’Grady, Scotty Cal, Maex, Vik Tows.

I hope this list grows over time when I get to attend performances by other local DJs as well.  I’m sure I’ll discover more talented people.

Q: Interested in exploring other worlds? Not a shaman, that’s for sure hahhaha Acting for example? sing? or be a model?

A: I am always interested in learning something new, but modeling or singing is definitely not my thing. I am more likely to paint and open an art gallery or do some professional photography and stand behind the scenes, but not in the frame. Maybe I’ll get a tattoo machine again and “hurt” people hahaha, but posing for 3 hours in front of a camera is hell for me, girl models – they are heroes. So any other creative work – yes! But not this hahaha.

Q: What dreams do you want to achieve in the next 10 years?

A: Learn to play vinyl, develop my potential in writing music, releasing my own tracks and tour the world of course.

Q: Closing question, what are your hopes for the world of DJ business now and in the future?

A: I hope that organizers and music directors will more often say yes to completely new and unknown artists, emerging artists. Really listen to their promo mixes and offer performances not because it’s someone’s friend or girlfriend, as it often happens, but because he can really make a quality mix and rock the crowd.

And I hope the DJ will still be valued for their talents, professionalism and ability to create an unforgettable atmosphere at the event, not for the number of guests he can bring.

See also interviews with other DJs.