Lleauna (pronounced YOU-NA) is a relative newcomer to the DJing and production world.But this artist’s aptitude at both show she’s no amateur. Thanks to her rapid rise to prominence in the New Orleans electronic music scene, her initiative to bring techno back to the city is a force to be reckoned with. Lleauna’s catalog of dark, minimalist techno differentiates her from her cohorts, but there’s much more to her repertoire than the recorded mixes.
As a resident of the Techno Club collective, her incorporation of house, hip-hop, and syncopated noise into her sets is proof positive of her growing versatility. Often, she will draw listeners into a trance then snap them out of it with what she describes as “mind-blowing tracks”.
The Natchez native can also stake a claim as the only female techno artist from Mississippi. She traces her origins to the extensive time spent in her first “studio”, a simple setup involving a MIDI keyboard and Traktor. Citing a wide range of influences, from the early techno of Model 500 to the hip-hop of Outkast, Lleauna will keep us guessing with her BUKU Music + Art Project debut.
We caught up with this Techno queen to discuss her anticipated acts at BUKU Music + Art Project.
What does “BUKU” mean to you?
“BUKU is the celebration of life, love, music, art and culture. It’s togetherness, the excitement of the unknown; stumbling upon live art and music installations, finding a new love that you didn’t expect.
It’s weird, fun, beautiful, and every thing that is New Orleans.”
Which artist on the lineup would you want to collaborate with? What would that collaboration look like?
“Collaboration, for me, happens spontaneously. It’s in the moment expressing feeling with sound; If in this sense of collaboration, I would love to hit record and play around with synthesizers and drum machines with Nina.
Though, it’s truly a gift to just be able to see her in New Orleans right before the release of her new ambient and experimental label, GALAXIID. Very much anticipating hearing her collection of the new and unreleased from around the world!”
Who is your must-see pick for the festival?
“Alongside Nina Kraviz, I have a good feeling about Deadmau5 being out of this world.
With his new album to be released any day now and overhearing a friend’s footage of him playing recently, I’d say analog music lovers rejoice that he’s been playing what he’s been feeling.. and still not giving a care. * laughs * yeah, he is going to be a good.”
Listen to this exclusive mix by Lleauna in preparation for her first year performing at BUKU Music + Art Project.
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