A genuine part of the We Love… family, a child of acid house and a man who’s been busy with beats since genres were but a twinkle in clubland’s eye. He is an electronic artist who defies generic boundaries ever since his days organising the now infamous raves underneath the M42 motorway in the UK. As an artist his releases and remixes have been signed to some of the world’s most established labels such as R&S, Drumcode, Rekids, Cocoon and of course his own imprint VIVa Music. As a label manager Steve has quickly given VIVa a reputation for breaking new talent and has featured music from the likes of Reboot, Audiofly, Peace Division, Livio & Roby as well as Lawler himself receiving heavy patronage by many house and techno luminaires.

Dynamic, driven and drastically obsessed with performing – Steve’s passion for electronica has seen a career spanning almost two decades, from the aforementioned illegal raves to residency at superclub Cream throughout the 90s and of course his residency at We Love… Space in Ibiza. By pushing boundaries, technically and creatively as both artist and businessman – we’re left in no doubt as to why We Love… Steve Lawler.

Steve has kindly provided a mix from a recent “after after-hours” session in a Moscow nightclub, something he rightly predicted we would personally love. He explains it thus: “On the Sunday night after two days no sleep in a very small, very strange, low lit, sleazy restaurant called ‘Ketamina’ – honestly. The decor is made for being out your mind, everyone sits on top of or under giant mushrooms… Anyway, I played there, I played very deep, trippy, slow, beautiful house music… and this mix is an hour of it…” Download it here.

We are delighted to announce Lawler’s six date residency for the summer, performing on: July 11th & 25th, August 8th & 22nd and September 12th & 19th.

Is there one book that you have read that has been life-changing for you?

Wonderland Avenue, just because I enjoyed reading it the most.

Did your parents encourage you to work in music?

No not at all, quite the opposite actually, I constantly heard the sentence ‘Get a proper job!’ I dont hear that any more.

How did you begin to work professionally in music?

My first job really I suppose was playing some records on pirate radio although I never got paid, and promoting illegal party’s, they cost me money.

How do you apply your past experiences to what you do today?

The main past experience from my life that I constantly apply is atmosphere, and dare I say it, it’s not all about the music. I grew up in a time when things blew you away – not just that they would suffice. I started DJing when it wasn’t about DJs it wasn’t just about the music, it was about the party, the vibe, the sound, the lights, the friendliness, the ‘atmosphere’ and this is something that I always apply when DJing. This is why its more than just playing a selection of records, you have to play them in such a way you bring and experience.

Where is your current studio and what is it like?

I have two studio spaces, one is in my basement at my house where I write and compose most of what I do and also where I generally put idea’s together. The other studio is a room at Abbot Street Studios in East London. I share this room with my engineer, this is where we finish projects most of the time.

How much have you had to consider marketing issues since embarking on your career and how has that affected your creativity?

Unfortunately it’s a big part of a DJ’s career now, something that has been abused by certain people and used to almost even create a career, which I dont agree with. But it’s part of the game now, some for more than others. However this isnt something that we as DJ’s get massively involved in, this is what managers are for, so in answer to your question no it doesnt effect my creativity.

How would you describe your work?

Not really a question I can answer. I dont want to sit here and big my self up or put my self down. My work is my life long love and passion. My work is my life.

Who were your teachers?

No one, there are no such things in music I don’t think. I had influences like everyone else, Doors, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, Scott Walker.

Your home is burgled but fortunately the culprits are caught and your possessions returned to you. What would you deem a suitable punishment for the burglars?

It depends on the circumstance of the culprits in question. Are they scum, aggressive thieves or are they desperate people caught in a bad time with no help. I think everything in life should be judged with integrity and acted upon in the same way.

You have to make one species of animal extinct. Excluding insects, which species would that be?

Lizards without a doubt, and this whole thing about they eat mosquito’s… well they don’t eat enough of them! Not in ibiza anyway.

If you could spend one week in any period of history, which period would you choose?

Without a doubt the 60′s… the birth of new.

Many thanks to the Steve for taking time out of his ridiculously busy schedule to answer our 11 Questions, you can check out our other artists who have answered here. Don’t forget to download the live mix and have a look at the video below to see Lawler an interview with Lawler at our closing party from 2009…

Steve Lawler – DJ Profile

Viva Music – Official Site

Steve Lawler – Official Site

Tags: Download, House, Ibiza, Interview, Lizards, Mix, Steve Lawler, Techno, VIVa

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