We're so excited to continue our Brighton Mixtapes Series. Since the success of our beloved Berlin Mixtapes Series, which has featured awesome guests so far, we are on a mission to showcase more of the exciting talent that is right on our doorstep.
Next up we welcome one of Brighton's longest serving turntable stars. Lidia De Luca, originally from Naples, has always been surrounded by music as her father was a guitar player and composer.
After trying numerous times to learn to play the guitar, she gave up and decided that house music was her favourite genre and that dancing had to became a priority. Lidia moved to Brighton in the 90’s and that's where the real fun began as she started exploring the rave scene, especially Brighton's club life, which at the time was experiencing its boom.
With events such as the Pussycat Club, Seven Sins at the legendary Honey Club, Legend of the Dark Black at the Concorde, Brighton's music scene back then was exciting, great and inspiring and it was then that she made her choice to move from the dance floor to the mixing decks.
Lidia still remembers learning on belt-drive decks before getting a set of Technics 1210’s, which made the learning journey even better. Her record collection varied from Hard House, Hard Techno, Electro, 90’s Classic House and Minimal. It's safe to say, pretty much every genre has been part of her journey. Lidia was also very much involved in Brighton's party scene and spent many years playing at friends' parties until she was noticed and began playing for her favourite clubs in Brighton such as the Honey Club, Digital and Coaltion.
Her journey with music has been more than she could have asked for, playing for some amazing events such as Ministry of Sound, Miss Moneypenny as well as working internationally at one point. However, she decided her heart is and always will be in Brighton.
Lidia still continues to play for various well-loved events in the city and is always involved and a recognisable face within Brighton's music community.
Her next moves are to return to the studio to finally get into producing and hang those dancing shoes up for a while...
Hi Lidia, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
Hello darling, thank you for having me on the Berlin Mixtapes series. I feel honoured and happy. It's been an amazing summer with great events and now I'm slowing down, which is just what I need. I am going back to studio to learn production, I am ready to stay in and put the work in.
How long have you been DJing?
I bought my first pair of decks in 2000, mainly playing for friends' parties and professionally since 2006.
What inspired you to start DJing?
I absolutely love music. It has been the only thing that has stayed constant in my life. My Dad used to play guitar and sing his own songs when we were little and it always inspired me to explore a musical instrument.
After a few years of learning and moving around, I gave up the guitar and moved to the UK.
I was drawn to the club scene and was obsessed with the music. My friend got me on his decks and showed me how to play and I never looked back!
From belt-drive decks to Technics it was such a wonderful transition. Going to a record shop back then was better than Christmas!
What sort of music can people expect when they come to see you play?
I had a real journey with the various genres. I am now playing more on the deep-tech minimal side and always with a groove. I don't like monotonous.
It also depends on the event, set time and the venue. The main thing is to play by reading the crowd, I always have a variety of music with me. You'll be surprised how you prepare your set for a night and end up playing a completely different vibe.
Where was your first gig and how did it go?
Wow, I literally had to dig deep for this one 😂 - Almost 20 years ago, I think it was in a bar for a friend's birthday... I was petrified!
There were so many people there and a lot of DJs listening in... It was a nerve wrecking experience! I started playing at clubs after a few bar gigs.
Honestly, I feel for new DJs, especially when you play amongst experienced people. The pressure feels huge.
You moved to Brighton some time ago. What made you make the switch?
I moved because I love languages and after college I was determined to come to the UK for the language and the culture.
I never thought I would live in this bonkers city but I absolutely love it. Brighton is an absolutely cracking city, I have met some fantastic people here and I am forever grateful.
You have also been playing the Brighton circuit for many years. What are some of your best memories?
I can tell you that I have had some of the best nights playing around various bars and clubs.
I am grateful to have supported amazing DJs such as King Roc, Rui Da Silva and Chris Lake but also playing alongside your good self and all the amazing DJs that we have in Brighton.
So many adventures along the way, too many to mention.
Which club nights would you bring back if you could?
I would say the best nights were back in the days when the Pussycat Club was on at the Zap Club (now the Arch), Legend of the Dark Black at various venues, Blow After Party and our Beach Parties with Enzo Siffredi. I miss those so much!
You have played for us and partied at Berlin-Brighton and hang out with the crew a lot. What is it about the night that is special to you?
Aaah you know it took me 7 years to get to Berlin 🙈😂 - I feel bad, however I had been working many weekends too... Well that's my excuse anyway.
I loved playing for Berlin, it has a family feel, relaxed, friendly but also professional. It feels good to be part of it.
A very important part of it is the crowd, they get the music, so you are happy to play and have a good time with them.
I m waiting for my next invite by the way... Hint hint 🤣
Where's your favourite place to just kick back and chill in Brighton?
Home and a pizza place in Hove, they make the best pizza ♥️ - The Big Slice Pizza Co. Check them out!
And equally, where's your favourite place to let loose?
I'm not so good at partying these days but you will find me cooking for friends instead!
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
I absolutely love Cajal, Selep and Trentz. There are so many out there that are producing some really good music. At the moment, these are a selection of a few I have been listening to and playing.
What are your go-to labels?
I really like stuff from Wired and Sustain.
You have compiled our latest Brighton Mixtapes Series Episode 025 - Tell us more about your mix.
I recently helped a friend with one of his new music ventures called Timeless Electric. We organised the first event only a couple of weekends ago and played a collection of beautiful tracks that I think are timeless, and that people normally go crazy to when I play them.
They have been picked with love. It's not easy to pick tracks amongst so many beautiful tracks I have collected over the years.
I really hope you enjoy the selection and I hope it brings you as much joy as I had when I played them.
What else can we expect from you soon? What's next on the horizon for DJ gigs, where can people see you next?
I am taking it easy for the winter unless something amazing comes along. I really want to get into the studio with my mate Phil. He is an excellent teacher, plus he's just an awesome producer, so I really want to achieve what I have been dreaming to do for some time.
I would love to produce a minimal tech track so wish me luck - I have a bad reputation for getting side-tracked!
Exciting stuff! It's been an absolute pleasure as always talking with you Lidia. Next up here's the Quickfire Round:
Genre: Deep Minimal Tech with a hint of Afro House/Beats
Favourite Colour: Yellow
What do you put on your chips: CHEEEESE
Apple or Android: Android
Can you juggle: On a good day
Weridest/Coolest item of clothing: My shiny diamanté captain hat
First record ever bought: First vinyl was actually Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Do you collect anything: Only memories now, life is too short to collect other sh*t lol
Favourite place to hang out in Brighton: Block
Best club: Unfortunately the best clubs have gone but I guess the Concorde or Patterns now
Where does the best roast: Oh god, the Stirling Arms is amazing
Best place for food in Brighton: Big Slice Pizza Co in Hove
Coffee or Tea: Coffee always!
Favourite beer: Peroni
Weirdest food you have eaten: I don't eat weird food I am fussy!
Favourite Track right now: Toxic People Cajal - (hence it's in my mix)
View on Seagulls: They are not the most loved birds but I feel sad when babies are in danger
Favourite footy team: Napoli
Favourite seafood: ALL OF IT
Favourite word/expression: C*nt - Ha ha ha!
3 words to describe your mix: Nostalgic, exciting, deep.
Tracklisting:
Trail - Ludowick (Original Mix)
Scaramanga - Booka Shade (Dusty Kid Remix)
Rej - Eran Hersh, Neil Amerey
Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode ( Michael Anthony Remix)
It's all behind - Tibi Dabo
Lithic Phase - Last Vision, DJ Simi
The Good Life - Sean Miller (Joeski Remix)
El Amore - Joeski, Dj Chus (Sparrow and Barbossa Remix)
People - Black and Watky (Kreature rendition)
Change - Tom Marvin
Yellowman - Selep
Toxic People - Cajal