Lauren Mia Interview "I had a few independent EP’s close to finished, one collaboration with Lake Avalon..."

My name is Lauren Mia. I am 26 year old female producer, songwriter, vocalist and DJ. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and am currently residing in Berlin, Germany.

Q: Favorite Club/Venue and why does it stand out from the rest?

My favorite club/venue is One Six One - The Breakfast Club in Melbourne, Australia. There isn’t a party like it. The venue itself is super weird and timeless. It feels like a really old European Hotel that you enter around 8:00am (which is when the party actually starts). They have watermelon circulating and artists painting. Then you take an individual ticket (like you would do at the market) and wait for your number to be called so you can go up to the roof where the real party is happening. Only one person at a time is allowed up. Upstairs, the sun is shining in its open air setting. Great music, weird fashion, lots of colorful cloths, smiles all around and a very intimate party that takes place all day until 10pm. After 10pm the party is moved back downstairs, in doors. The secondary in-door dance floor is now open and the dance floor is a multi-color flashing-light Sixties Disco dance-floor. Its absolutely amazing. This weekly event is thrown by a friend of mine, Melbourne DJ JMCEE who’s quite a talent. The whole Breakfast Club family really knows how to throw a party. This event only takes place every Monday when everyone is usually starting there week of work. So most people who are there either ditched work or don’t work that day. Its SUCH a vibe.

Q: Analog or Digital? And why?

I know with our incredible advanced technology, we have some really stellar digital instruments. The VSTs that I use are quite phenomenal and my favorites come from UHE and Spectrasonics, However, I have to admit that I 100% prefer Analog. The reason I prefer Analog is because, I believe you cannot achieve the sound quality that you get with an analog synthesizer. The width and color of sound is much more potent and impactful than what I find within digital synthesizers. You can however, achieve something close to analog sound when building a sound from scratch, for instance with Ableton 10’s new Wavetable synthesizer, which I am quite fond of. Although, overall, I find the best quality comes from Analog. I have a total of analog synthesizers and they are my babies.

Q: What was the driving force that got you into DJing/Producing and when?

I was always in love with music. My parents bought me Yamaha mini grand piano for my 4th birthday. What a gift right? I started playing with my instructor Stella from there on out until the age of 12. I continued to play here and there after ending my instruction with Stella, and was also singing with my vocal coach Jeffery Allens who is actually the head of the USC Department of Pop Music. We worked together for 6 years. Around the age of 12 I discovered Trance whilst visiting Israel. I fell in love instantly. Benny Benassi was extremely impactful to my early years with Trance and electronic music actually and I think the reason was because of his HEAVY, crispy, and cosmic use of synthesis. Following that I immersed myself into Rave culture when I was around 15 years old and started attending all the local So Cal Raves like Audiotistic, Love Festival, Beyond Wonderland, and even EDC. I think my first EDC was in 2007 and I attended 8 of them. I fell in love with Rave Culture and that sound but whilst I was partying in the rave scene, I found my self slowly diverting away from my musical talents throughout high school. While I was studying in University, I was getting internships and jobs within the entertainment and music industry for companies like Philymak Productions and Dim Mak Records. I also attended my first Burn (Burning Man) and had a huge epiphany. Working on the business side of the music industry was not something that I was meant to be doing. I was meant to create. So, around the time that I graduated college, I quit my job, and went back to school for music production and audio engineering for about 3 years total. I studied in two different school programs and worked with a few mentors one on one as well. Within 4 years, I had my first set of releases which was in 2019 consisting of 9 tracks in one year with all 3 of my EP’s charting in the Beatport’s Top 100 release charts. Besides, that, I don’t want my music career to just be focused on my self or my own productions, which is why I launched my own imprint last year, helping artists around the globe release music and target the right audiences. All love.

Q: If you were to have a superpower, what would it be and why?

If I could have a superpower, it would be the ability to teleport anywhere, at any given moment in just seconds. I don’t really love long car drives or flying long distance; both of which I do very often.

Q: If you had to play 1 more track at your favorite club, what track would it be and why?

My one more track at my favorite club would be The Last Glow - Fideles. It is such a master piece and always gets everyones emotions pumping. Its a soul penetrator.

Q: What’s your biggest fear while performing?

My biggest fear while performing is that there will be a technical difficulty with the DJ equipment or with my own computer and analog gear. That is just such a stressful moment in time where your trying to fix it before you need to cue and mix in the next track and deliver to the audience. They are there dancing and vining, and the vibes should NOT be interrupted.

Q: 1 person you’d dream to have a coffee with?

1 person I’d dream of having coffee with is Dr. Joe Dispenza. His books and meditations have changed my life immensely. If you do not know him, I highly recommend you check him out. Thank me later.

Q: If you would have been given the chance to do a film score from the past, what movie would you choose and why?

If I were given the chance to do a film score for a film in the past, I would choose Blood Diamond. That movie really impacted me and is one of my favorite films until this very day. I felt so much while watching this film and have watched it more time than I can count. All of that would give me the ability to write music to help tell the story. Although I have to say, the existing score is by far one of my favorites.

Q: Recommend a hidden gem in your home country that would fit a perfect rave

A hidden gem in Los Angeles that I think should be checked out is Magnolia Bakery. Best, BEST Banana Bread Pudding.

Q: 3 Tracks that got you into electronic music

Three tracks that got me into electronic music… "Moving on Stereo” - Pakito, “Untrust Us” - Crystal Castles, and “Satisfaction” - Benny Benassi

Q: Tell us about your upcoming releases and plans for this year.

Well, my first five release of 2020 came out in January and February. I had a 2 song EP, “Infinite” come out on Lake Avalon’s imprint which hit #5 in Beatport’s Top 100 progressive house releases, my single “Treasure” came out on Click Records, also hitting #7 in Afro House, and #`7 in Progressive House, and #38 in Melodic House and Techno. I also had a remix for artist SKALA come out on Tiefdruckgebeat and a vocal collaboration with Senses of Mind which came out on SMTC Underground and charted in multiple categories. Right now, I am recovering as I was ill with Covid-19 for the last month, but I had a few independent EP’s close to finished, one collaboration with Lake Avalon, a collaboration with Jaden Raxel, and 1 Collaborative EP with SKALA of Kattermuke. So lots cooking and many other plans for projects in the future. Hoping to tie this all up in the next few months and get some great tunes flowing out by the summer time <3

Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most of your listeners don’t know.

A fun fact about me that most of my listeners don’t know is that I only like 3 fruits. I don’t like the rest of this food group because of the texture, even though I like how they smell.

Q: Last but not least, do you have any questions for the viewers?

Lauren: Hmm, a question for the reader…Well, I am curious to know if there's any other genres they’d like to see me experiment with. Also, just want to say, I love you. Thanks for your support.,

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14 FAKTS INTERVIEW WITH

LAUREN MIA