28/07/2010

Diva on the Decks: Lady Lea

DJ Lady Lea, or Lea Moscou Barrett is a pioneer for female DJs worldwide. Having began her own career in her teens and scored residencies at DNA in Prettoria, South Africa, led to other residencies in every major venue in the country. After securing a role with HMV as a buyer for singles and vinyl she began to play internationally across the UK, Europe and eventually the rest of the world. In 2009 she set up her own female oriented agency, Divas on the Decks, which aims to promote and support the finest DJane talent and host parties for them to showcase their skills. With a versatile house style ranging from electro, funky, deep, electro and progressive, Lady Lea has proved a smash-hit with events including the German Love Parade (2007) and ICC T20 World Cup Cricket. She’s also endured world tours including Amsterdam, Ibiza and the UK and has set up two successful record labels.

As an international female DJ you’ve played at venues worldwide, as well as owning a record shop, record label and working as a buyer for HMV as a singles and vinyl record buyer. You’re very accomplished – do you hope to set an example for other female artists?
Thank you ;) Yes of course. That is one of my main goals; to inspire female DJs to do what they love no matter what it is.

“That is one of my main goals; to inspire female DJs to do what they love…”

Are there any female artists that you aspire to? Or any newbies that you are supporting?
I love a lot of females artists, like Pink, Madonna, Missy Elliott, gosh there are so many. I just love how they are all their own people and they rock their own styles. I have a female DJ agency, Divas on Decks, so yes I am supporting quite a few female DJs in SA at the moment. 25 of them to be exact and they all have their own sound and vibe.

With Divas on Decks, an agency aimed at protecting and supporting female DJ talent, what have you achieved with this so far?
We have had numerous successful Divas on Decks events across SA, and we are on our 3rd Divas on Decks CD release. So things are going pretty well ;)

You play a mix of house; techno, deep, minimal and progressive. Are there any particular artists that have inspired your sound? Has it changed/developed over the years?
At the moment I am loving Super Flu, Afrojack, Hugo, and loads more artists that are inspiring a lot of what I play lately. It does change as time goes by; new producers pop up and old ones sometimes die out... and music changes all the time so I basically just go with the flow ;)

There are several very good DJ exports from South Africa. How does DJing in your homeland compare to Europe and other parts of the world?
Well SA is home. When I play here it’s like playing to my family. I know the SA sound 100%. Playing overseas is always a great challenge and I love being able to push boundaries and experiment a bit more than normal... and I find the European market are sometimes a bit more open to that kind of thing.

“SA is home. When I play here it’s like playing to my family.”

You’re also sponsored by brands like Pioneer, Puma and Oakley. Tell us what it means for an artist to receive sponsorship?
It is a very big deal to be a brand ambassador for big brands such as Pioneer, Puma etc. It’s a huge compliment and responsibility. You need to make sure you’re on top form all the time when you’re in public and wearing/using only those brands are very important. And it means I get all my sponsored brands for free ;)

Tell us 4 facts about you that nobody knows?
I have 6 tattoos; I am very giving; I have a cat that is like a child to me; I hated school.

Lady Lea is playing at Chi on Friday July 23rd. Entrance is free before 11pm, free for ladies and FC all night and 100Dhs on the night. For more info please visit ladylea.co.za or divasondecks.co.za

*WIN! Tickets for Lady Lea @ Chi via infusion.ae

www.infusion.ae