Dance Policy Shorts: Leoleoleo
Who are you? What do you do?
I’m a DJ and producer based in Whalley Range. I’ve just put out my first releases on Manchester label, Ad Hoc Records. I’ve also done music journalism, a fair bit of promoting and worked in a record store. But my main thing is DJing. I’m very lucky to call it my full time job – it has been for about 7 years now.
What’s the release like?
I call it big room electronica. Balearic-y upbeat bangers for any occasion.
How did you end up producing?
I played a lot of music as a kid, but when I got to uni I fell in love with DJing overnight. Within 6 months of starting I was playing out 3 times a week. Why would you want to play one instrument when you can play 8 at once? haha. So I got mega into that for a long time. But I hit a bit of a wall with it and was aware that I needed to try something new. I was just getting my shit together and starting to focus the majority of my time on producing and then BAM, COVID happened. Which was pretty neat timing really, it just meant I could spend all day making tunes. I got super lucky with the government grants, which kept me going financially.
Did making music during lockdown affect your sound?
Oh yeah it definitely did. The whole clubs industry had just been decimated and there was so much negative press around the fact that artists were FUCKED. It started to feel like a completely insane idea that sitting in my room making tunes might lead to something. So I had to find loads of ways to stay positive in the face of overwhelmingly unlikely odds. Forcing yourself to ignore perfectly rational thoughts definitely sends you a bit loopy. I think I went a bit mental lol. I even had a few dreams of Rishi telling me to ‘retrain’…
But yeah most of the tunes ended up sounding super positive, optimistic and uplifting, which I feel was a product of that mindset. That’s always been my taste though; I call it ‘glass half-full tunes’. I actually think I’m quite a glass-half empty kind of person, but music is what I look to when I need to refill, so to speak.
Do you identify more with producing or DJing? I’ve found it’s hard to find someone who can confidently make both their career and remain committed to both.
It’s funny you say that, for so long I’d have said I was only a DJ and definitely NOT a producer. It took me ages to adapt to the slow, gradual rewards of producing after so long hooked on the quick hit of DJing. And just as I was starting to prefer it… the clubs reopened. Now I’m DJing loads again and the idea of making music is literally the most alien thing in the world. DJing is just such a rush compared with producing - it’s like you have to rewire your brain.
I’ve started taking weekends off DJing which is helping me to find a balance, but to be honest I see them as completely different mindsets. Oh to be able to take 2 months off DJing to work on tunes! I think that’s what I’m gonna have to do eventually, create a micro-lockdown for myself haha…
Why Manchester? What is it about the city you enjoy?
I was in Sheffield for like 7 years before here and then I got offered the residency at the new Blues Kitchen, so it felt like the right place to head next.
I love it. I love how friendly everyone is, but also bold and in your face. I love how green and multicultural Whalley Range is and how it’s a 10 minute cycle from everywhere. It’s so great that there’s always so much going on too, gigs, day parties, raves, galleries, we’ve got it all here. There’s a shit ton of affordable but great places to eat as well. And of course, shout out to Piccadilly Records, the best record shop in the world.
Who is someone you really look up to in dance music? Inspires you to work harder and also acts in a way you approve?
I think for me it’s Mr Scruff and Ruf Dug. Both just doin’ their thing, making and/or playing records, not acting like they’re the dog’s bollocks or anything. I try not to compare myself with others in terms of work ethic. That’s a very slippery slope and usually ends badly…but Otik is absolutely churning out tunes at the moment which is very inspiring. In terms of DJs’ behaviour, gotta give a big shout out to Lupini. Her chat on radio is so honest, humble and real. Really refreshing in what I find to be an overly serious world. She plays great records too.
I do love Ruf Dug. What’s the worst part of DJing?
The late nights are pretty tough. A couple weekends working late on the trot is tiring enough, but when you’ve done it 2, 3 or 4 times a week for years…it really starts to take its toll. Every week I wish that people wanted to party at 11am on a Tuesday aha. But let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be the same. Day parties are great, but there’s something about night time which changes people’s brains somehow. It brings that whole spiritual, ritualistic feel to music. My dad told me about this famous clarinetist once, who was auditioning for the Berlin Philharmonic and got the dreaded 9am slot. So the night before he stayed up and didn’t sleep, just so he could have that night time feeling for his audition. I’ve always been a night owl anyway, so it doesn’t bother me too much.
And the best part?
The fact that every single time it’s completely different. There’s never a boring day at the office. Oh and of course, not having to set an alarm.
Insta @djleoleoleo