No sign of stopping anytime soon for Lucas Freire
Known for his unique mixing technique – which according to many witnesses is close to perfection – and for his singular vibrating and energetic performances; Lucas Freire does not leave anyone indifferent when he takes command of the DJ booth. His connection with the crowd is exceptional something that he developed over the years playing in some of the best clubs and festivals of the world.
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Heyho Lucas – how are you these days?
I’m doing very well. Thank you!
For Techno fans who don’t know you, could you tell us a bit about who you are and your musical background?
My name is Lucas Freire. I’m a Brazilian DJ, Producer and Audio Engineer based in Barcelona, Spain for over a decade now. My work I mainly focus in Techno since my early beginnings about 20 years ago. I am also known as DJ Lukas and with this alias, I focus mainly on faster and harder variations of techno. I try to keep these 2 things separate so everything is clearer for everyone.
Could you please tell us the story of how you were introduced to DJing. Was there a specific moment you realized that you wanted to be on the other side of the dance party –- as the DJ?
I started just as any regular clubber. I use to go to as many parties as I could and I use to watch and listen to the DJs closely. With time I started understanding what the DJs were doing, their mistakes, good mixes, etc. A friend of mine and former DJ saw that and told me that I should try it out. He invited me to his house and teached me the basics of mixing. He allowed me to use some of his records and his DJ gear and after not too long I was already beatmatching and even making some decent mixes. At this point, this friend of mine told me that I should maybe take it more seriously. The feeling I had, was amazing so I decided to buy my first vinyl records and that’s how it all started!
You have been playing in Brazil, Portugal, Spain and Germany during the last months. What was one of the best events?
Caos Club in my hometown Campinas in Brasil was really special. The club was celebrating its 1st anniversary and to be a part of such a special moment was an honor to me. The club is fantastic and to see such an amazing club in my city, where it all started for me was something very emotional.
The gig I had at the famous Lehman Club in Germany was also one for the books. I understand now why Lehman became one of the Techno tamples in Germany. Fabrik in Madrid is always special too. Always amazing parties with a fantastic crowd!
In which country would you like to play definitely one day and why?
Japan is a dream that I always had. In my early days, we had to really dig to find sets of other DJs and even information about techno in general and I remember finding sets of artists like Jeff Mills, Underground Resistance or Dave Clarke from Japanese clubs and festivals and those sets really blew my mind. I also follow some Japanese artists since a long time and I always like the approach they have for music.
People say that first impression is important so I guess that because I saw this amazing events, clubs and music there when I was starting into this scene it really marked me and going there would be a dream come through to me.
You are running the label DEVOTION together with Fernanda Martins. What is the main idea behind the label and label’s podcast?
We started the label because we felt like we needed to contribute and give something back to a style, scene and culture that means so much to us! Techno became our life and this music and culture has given us a lot and having the label is a way we found to give some of that back. Our idea behind the label is to give the opportunity to new comers and emerging artists as these people sometimes make amazing music but have very little opportunities in this industry, but also we always have some more known and established names that we like and admire the work they do.
With the podcast, we try to have artists that we identify with and that support our label. Not necessary people that have released with us or that will release in the future. We just try to present artists we like musically and feel connected with somehow!
Our idea behind the label is to give the opportunity to new comers and emerging artists as these people sometimes make amazing music but have very little opportunities in this industry, but also we always have some more known and established names that we like and admire the work they do.
What are currently your main challenges and goals?
My biggest challenge has always been to keep a high level on the work I do on a regular basis. I believe that by doing that the right opportunities will show up at the right time and once they do the most important is to be prepared for these opportunities and make the best out of them!
By the way – Is your passion more in the studio or in the DJBooth?
I’m more a stage artist. I love to play and love to be in the DJ booth. It’s where I feel more confident and I believe that is where I can have a bigger impact on people’s life. But I have to say that I feel a similar passion for studio life more and more. Creating music and see the impact on people from something you created is magical.
Creating music and see the impact on people from something you created is magical.
If tomorrow the world would end, what track would you play again?
Laurent Garnier – The man with the red face.
What’s around the corner? Any releases coming up?
I always have something coming out. Soon I have a track coming out on TMM (Take More Music Records). I also have a track coming out on the first vinyl release of our label. It’s a new series we created called Devotion Limited. We will make only a few releases per year and this series will be dedicated to the vinyl lovers. And there are a few more things confirmed but that it’s a bit too soon to talk about them! Besides the releases, I can hardly wait for the summer and the festival season. Among other places, I can be seen at the Sound Waves Festival in Portugal. More about that on my social media channels.
More about Lucas Freire
Lucas Freire started his DJ career in 2000. His great technical ability, superbness in the mixes, and his vigorous way of expressing himself through music in the DJ booth made him one of the most respected DJs in the Brazilian Techno scene.
His rich knowledge of the industry and his intense commitment in numerous projects helped to expand the electronic music culture in Brazil which eventually brought him even more respect worldwide beyond simply being a prominent DJ.
His rich knowledge of the industry and his intense commitment in numerous projects helped to expand the electronic music culture in Brazil which eventually brought him even more respect worldwide beyond simply being a prominent DJ. He was a resident DJ at the legendary Club A Loca and Lov.e Club, as well as leading projects such as Club Play, Kraft Club and Techardia party, which placed his city, Campinas, on the map of the electronic scene.
In 2004 he made his first tour in Europe and became known internationally. As expected, the European public acceptance was outstanding and Lucas spent the following 2 years travelling the old continent to perform at some of the most important clubs and festivals.
Since 2007 he lives in Barcelona, Spain, where he continued to evolve in his career, managing his record labels and developing his impeccable work in the studio.
All these premises make Lucas a unique artist within the world’s Techno scene with no sign to stop anytime soon, on the contrary, this is just the start of him on an epic techno tale.
Devotion Records
In 2015 Lucas Freire gave birth to Devotion Records and since then he manages this awe-inspiring techno label with his partner Fernanda Martins.
Betting on the freshness brought to the scene by new talents, together with the major quality of already high-established artists of the industry, Devotion has become, in a very short time, a respected and renowned label. Proof of this is that today it is common to find their tracks in the sets and charts of techno industry’s leading artists.
On Devotion Records you will find dynamic, authentic, quality Techno. True dance floor burners carefully selected by industry professionals who know very well what the scene demands and that elegantly adapt to the new dynamics and characteristics of this style.
