For performers, the show must go on – even when you’re hurting. From Cirque du Soleil to pro wrestling, their job requires a functioning body. And a DJ needs their hands like a waitress needs her feet.
Meet Lauren Flax. Lauren Flax is a DJ, songwriter, and record producer. Her discography is extensive, flush with originals, collaborations and remixes, including projects with world class talent like Grammy-nom Sia, Little Boots and Tricky. In the midst of what is being hailed as a major revival of New York’s club scene, Lauren has firmly established herself as a fixture of this new era of dance music, delivering a host of of Chicago, Detroit and New York-influenced house music to international audiences.
We spotted Lauren Flax spinning in RockTape on Facebook Live from The Bunker in New York. Since we love seeing performers in RockTape, we hit her up with some questions about how she found out about us. Here’s what she said.
Hey Lauren! Would you tell us a little bit about your life? What do you do?
I’m Lauren. Born in Detroit city, but I’ve been living in Brooklyn for about 16 years now. Detroit definitely shaped me musically, both with DJing and my style of music production. My love for house and techno began during my coming of age and I couldn’t be more thankful. I started playing the drums in the 5th grade and I think that sort of set the tone for me as a DJ – understanding timing, etc.. I picked up the guitar and bass in high school and bought my first set of decks in 1995 or 96. tying all these things together has been an interesting process, because I love so many styles of music, from trip-hop to industrial and shoe gaze and of course, difference styles of dance music from
acid house to
jackin’ techno.
How long have you been DJing? What’s a typical day in the life of Lauren Flax? What might people not realize about your daily routine?
My typical day consists of waking up and drinking a strong cup of tea, followed by meditation and then right into the studio inside my apartment. I try to write everyday, but I also think its important to take breaks for an amount of time, be it a day or a week. I find myself needing to be outside a lot when I need to replenish my creative spirit.
When you’re not performing, practicing or on the road, what do you like to do with your free time?
I love having people over to grill and hosting bonfires in my yard. I also like to go upstate as much as possible to get a break from all the madness here in the city. Those energetic breaks are super important; without them I feel depleted and tired.
How did you hear about RockTape?
My friend, who is a very gifted energy worker and healer,
Becca Krauss treated a neck injury a while back. She recently taped my elbow up. I’m a pretty active person and grew up playing sports, even making it as far as the Junior Olympics for basketball, but after high school I ended up pursuing music instead. Now I keep in shape by practicing
Kundalini yoga.
What’s your favorite RockTape pattern?
Do you have shows coming up? How can we follow you online?
I have
shows coming up in NYC and Toronto next month and then I head back to Europe for two months to tour some festivals and clubs. I base myself in Berlin, which is another home for me. It’s a very pleasant and calm place to exist and surprisingly affordable for Americans abroad.
Find Lauren Flax
On SoundCloud.
On Facebook.
On Twitter.
On iTunes.
On Instagram.
