Headphones & Heels - Lisa Unique

Arguably one of the most renound and successful female dj’s with a following around the world Lisa Unique met with CITY DRINKING to talk about her career, favourite cities, Headphones and Heels and why she set up Vital Music. Check out what Lisa had to say…

How did you become a dj?

It all started back in the early 90’s for me, an ex-boyfriend of mine used to hire out his sound system to all the free parties and raves that used to go on back in the late 80’s and early 90’s before the parties got banned, he set up his decks in his bedroom one day having a house party and when everyone had gone home, I got on the decks and thought, this is what I want to do, however it wasn’t until the mid 90’s that I did anything about it. Nicky my now business partner was working at Fantazia at the time and she kind of managed me, which got me on my way.

What is your most memorable set?

I have a few, but I’d say the most memorable would be Glastonbury playing for Twice as Nice, I used to play garage music back in the day when it was huge, it was fantastic, I had a lot of original tunes with some hardcore samples, people went crazy for it. I have also played some great abroad gigs, a beach party for 4000 people in Beirut was a memorable one too.

You have been dj’ing since the late nineties, what changes have you seen in the industry? Which ones are good/bad?

I have seen a lot of changes, music styles come and go, garage was the biggest one I have ever seen, it was like a punk era, everyone jumped on it from drum n bass people, to people that make music in the charts, but then a lot of people got precious and greedy and it all went wrong. Also music develops, a lot of it is down to business, however you must have talent and a good strong business head. It’s not the same as it used to be, we are in a recession which makes things a lot harder, but it can be done if you work hard and believe in your product.

What keeps you passionate about dj’ing?

It’s in my soul, it’s a great job, it’s fun and I am passionate about the music and I’m very driven.

You are known predominantly as a house dj, have you ever been tempted to play other genres?

Yes I used to play Garage, however, after the garage scene fell on its backside around 2002/03 I fell into the R n B, which was a big mistake.

Arman Van Helden was once heckled @ Space Ibiza for playing Hip Hop in his set, do you think attitudes towards Ibiza as having a purely house scene changed?

No not at all, however if you a big celebrity and strong minded you can get away with it more.

Who are your influences?

Simon Cowell, Sharon Ozbourne,Tiesto, Roger Sanchez and Erick Morillo and many more…..

What do you find the most annoying thing about clubs?

Hmmmmm rubbish decor!!

You have travelled all over the world during your career, which cites have you enjoyed? Why?

Miami, because of the sun, sea and sand, also it’s a very beautiful place and there are a lot of parties at the same time it can be quite peaceful and tranquil. I love Dubai as well, I love the Middle East, I like the people and the place, despite what you see and hear from the media, the majority of them are really nice and respectful people. There is something that I am drawn to about the Middle East, maybe it’s the history. I love history.

In 2001 you remixed Aaliyah’s try again to great acclaim and have since produced successful club tracks, do you have any plans to produce more?

I haven’t really produced anything since, you have to be passionate about what you do, I do want to go back into the studio though, it takes a lot of dedication and time to make a tune.

What do you prefer Dj’ing or production? why?

Definitely DJ’ing, because I love people, it’s very rewarding watching people go mad to the tunes you play.

What is your ideal night out?

Going to a nice restaurant for nice food then maybe going onto a bar. Or just a simple chill out at home.

Which UK city do you think has the best club scene?

That’s a tough one, each city is individual.

You have had a close association with The Ministry Of Sound for many years, what makes venues such as The Ministry of Sound & Fabric so successful and maintain their popularity and international appeal over such a long period of time?

Ministry of Sound is something that didn’t happen overnight, it’s about good marketing, PR and having a good working team around you.  They also cater for all styles of music, so it’s no wonder they have been successful in what they’ve done. Fabric is a cool place, again they book all the right acts, it’s very individual and there is not another club like it.

What do you think has helped you stand out as a DJ and maintain your popularity around the world?

Perseverance, having a good strong business head and moving with the times.

What advice would you give someone who wants to break into DJ’ing beyond the walls of their bedroom?

Believe in what you do, be confident, get a good manager and agent, but before that it’s about doing it yourself and sending your mixes out to clubs (unless of course you are a celeb), get a residency, build a website, the list is endless.

You have set up your own company Vital Music, what is Vital Music?

Vital Music is a management company for DJ’s. We supply DJ’s to clients all around the world from clubs to corporate events to Festivals.

Why did you decide to start Vital Music?

I had my own DJ Agency called Select DJs, my business partner had her own agency called Vital Edge and we decided to join forces a few years ago and that’s when we formed Vital Music, we each have our own individual qualities which really makes it work.

You have a number of high profile model/DJ’s with Vital Music, what inspired you to come up with the idea of glamour dj’s?

I used to do modelling years ago, I also had a couple of dj groups which I formed a few years ago to, London’s Most Wanted and Deck Divas, someone came to me a few years back and said would I be able to help Lauren Pope with dj’ing, this person knew my background and what I had achieved with my dj’ing so I said yes I can, so, I took her under my wing got her some gigs, I then came up with the idea of getting more girls on the books and it has just escalated from there really.

How did the ‘Headphones & Heels’ tour come about?

I’d tried the idea twice before, 3rd time lucky for me, I think coming up with ideas and having the vision is not something people can just do, you have to be an innovator not a follower, myself and my business partner knew we had something different and unique in Headphones & Heels.

Do you think the girls are appreciated n the same way as other DJ’s who don’t come from a modelling background?

From experience it is harder coming from a model background, because people automatically assume models are dumb and thick, they are not, some are obviously, but looks, brains & talent is a very rare thing and hard to find and it is out there as we have proved. Promoters come back and book the girls again, they are all individual in their own way.

As a female DJ, have you ever found it harder to get bookings then other headline male DJ’s?

Its like any business you have to start somewhere and it just build’s from there.

What is your reaction to the international success of the tour and Vital Music?

It’s been great so far, we haven’t even really put the tour out there properly as we want to be selective with where we put the brand, the reaction has been phenomenal though.

What are your plans over the next 6 months?

Do you have a day or 2?

What track are you playing a lot at the moment?

An unreleased track by Kellie Acreman.
Members questions:

What made you want to become a DJ? (Mich, Essex)

I have always been musical, i knew when i first got on the decks that dj’ing was what i wanted to do.

What was the reaction to your first set? (Chris, Norwich)

I was very nervous, my very first gig I did I played to 11,000 people at the G-Mex in Manchester for Fantazia back in 1996.

Do you think your reputation and good looks helped you gain exposure for female Dj’s? (Robert, London)

I would like to think so, I hope so.

Does the travelling impact on your own family/social life? (Dan, Manchester)

The travelling does have an impact on my family life, that is something I want definitely over the next couple of years, I will continue doing the dj’ing for as long as i can, when I can, which is part of the reason why I set up Vital Music.

My Favourites

Bar/Club - Subtone, Cheltenham

Drink - Mohquito

Hotel - Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

Film - Apocalypto

Holiday Destination - Miami
Band - Muse

Click here to visit the Vital Music website for more info on the girls and bookings

Click here to check out Kellie Acreman’ interview

Click here to check out Lauren Pope’ interview

Click here to check out the Sam Cooke interview

YOU HAVE TO BE LOGGED IN TO COMMENT