Staying Objektive With Lilith

This past week, Pulse had the opportunity to catch up with up-and-coming DJ and producer Lilith. Hailing from Amsterdam, Lilith’s clear focus on the importance of cultivating her skill set and commitment to creating music that resonates and evokes an emotional response makes it evident that we can expect big things from her. Based on the way in which she spoke about the importance of music as an art form in our interview, the realization that Lilith is not just another DJ is unmistakable. Through the discussion of her collaboration with mentor Dennis Ferrer, Lilith’s idealized quality and style over everything else is an admirable characteristic that comes through in her live sets. Set to play in Montreal alongside Ferrer on June 23rd, Lilith’s North American debut will catapult her status as one-to-watch in the electronic music scene at the moment. With her first release set to drop later this year on Objektivity Records, Lilith will shine and show her true colors through performance and production.

 When did you first meet Dennis Ferrer and eventually come to work with him?  Around 8 months ago I first met Kerri Chandler, Dennis' oldest friend and a mentor in his early days. Kerri Chandler and I were booked together at Cafe D’Anvers. I was so excited - after I played some tracks, Kerri Chandler asked me if I wanted to play b2b with him. There was such an amazing vibe between us. The universe let our paths cross, and that’s how everything fell into place with this collaboration.

What is it like to work with him?  Dennis is super down to earth and totally himself. It’s amazing when you find someone you get along with so well. Dennis is very enthusiastic and he likes to share his experience and ideas with me. I think this is something very special. I’ve never expected an opportunity this big to come my way and yet it happened naturally.

We like what we’ve heard from you thus far, but we want more…are there any new releases on the horizon that you can tell us about?  Thanks a lot! I am so excited about my album, which will be out on Objektivity this year. I’ve been on a voluntary lockdown in my studio, feeling like a real computer nerd. I can’t wait to share my musical story!

 Do you feel like you have to prove yourself more in certain aspects of your djing or production to be accepted in this male dominated dance music community?  In my opinion, being an artist isn’t about proving yourself to anyone, but instead is about a commitment and a challenge to practice your gift, your talent, your craft, finding the inspiration every day. The only person I need to prove myself to would be the person staring back at me in the mirror every morning. I don’t care about proving myself to others; all I want is to touch people with my music in a most profound way.

Do you think djing is becoming less of a boys club?  Hahah, I’m sorry, but I’m the wrong person to ask this. The only distinction I’m willing to make as far as the dj-ing scene goes is that between the talented, inspiring djs and .. well… less talented/inspiring djs. Art has no gender.

What advice would you want to give to girls trying to come up as a DJ?  My advice to all artists, girls and boys, would be to just do what’s coming from your heart - play and create the music you love! Measure your work against the work of those whom YOU consider the best in your genre, whether they are men or women, young or old. That’s the best thing about this: a good track is a good damn track. Whoever made it, was obviously a kick ass producer.

How did you find dance music and fall in love with it?  I kinda fell into it in the early 2000’s, after first working with Hip Hop - which I’m still influenced by now, making what I call the “Techno Gangsta Groove” productions.  I was running my own little boutique store, selling clothes, and everyday before I would open my shop, I’d practice with vinyl using my former boyfriend’s gear. At my lunch break, I’d always go to a vinyl store next door to check out new releases. My love for music became stronger than my love for fashion, so at some point I decided to pursue music and turn that passion into my full time job.

 Who should we keep an eye on, aside from you, that's doing some cool stuff we should be aware of?  Hmmm… if I had to pick one? I would say P. Jones, a young talented dj & producer, and Karton Label owner. This guy has his own deep sound and does his own thing with his crazy taste in music. He is definitely ready for the big scene!

 Is there any one track you've been rinsing lately?  Oh, the dreaded “one track” question… Nope, I’m such an addict when it comes to new tracks.. I’m ALWAYS on a look out for something nobody has. And from the “old but gold” category there’s just too many to just pick one. I plead the Fifth!

 Do you prefer producing or performing more?  If you had to select one, (don't tell us you'd only do both), which one would it be? To me these two things are equally important outlets of the same gift that needs to be shared via as many channels as possible, dj-ing & producing being just the obvious two. So nope. I could never choose. It’s like asking me to choose between my left & right hand 

You're headed to Montreal on June 23rd, can you tell us a little more about that party and what fans can expect from you then? What you guys can expect from me is a set with tons of new tracks, treading with confidence between house & techno, with a pinch of Gangsta Groove.  I might be a chick, but one with huge balls and they tend to pop out during my sets.

Listen to Lilith on Pulse Radio.