Lisa Loud is without doubt the "First Lady Of Dance Music", with a phenomenal career that has spanned 14 years, Lisa is widely revered and admired as one of the UKs top female DJs and a highly respected businesswoman. With her extensive musical background, Lisa can ignite any party in the world. From the fashion glitterati in Milan to the hardened dance fans of Ibiza - you can not fail to be seduced by Lisa's sounds. A lady who combines glamour and technical ability on the decks.
Lisa's career first started off at Virgin Records back in 1987 working in their dance department where her talents for 'plugging' records were first noticed. Whilst at Virgin, Lisa worked on a variety of acts and helped to break the careers of then fledgling acts MASSIVE ATTACK, SOUL II SOUL, INNER CITY and NENEH CHERRY all of whom later went onto become platinum selling acts. In 1989 Lisa was promoted to Dance Promotions Manager at the label and around the same time with encouragement from friend and fellow DJ PAUL OAKENFOLD, Lisa was persuaded to jump over the other side of the decks and learn the craft of DJing. It was during the early years that Lisa honed her skills playing out at legendary clubs such as SPECTRUM at Heaven, one of London's infamous clubs, FUBAR at the Milk Bar in Soho and later FUTURE at Soundshaft.
In 1991, at the tender age of 21 and after having broken the careers of numerous dance acts, the street wise Lisa Loud went on to form what is now widely regarded as one of the most successful club, radio and press promotions companies in the music business LOUD & CLEAR. An apt title for a company in the music industry, and one that was always held in high esteem, with its founder gaining respect from all quarters of the dance music business. Through Lisa's enigmatic charm and promotional skills she helped to launch some of the most cutting edge Indie labels of the moment such as JUNIOR BOYS OWN, PULSE 8, MUTE, GUERILLA and COWBOY. At the forefront of the burgeoning 90's dance music scene Lisa Loud broke the careers of many of today's major dance acts GOLDIE, LEFTFIELD, GABRIELLE, RONI SIZE and NU YORICAN SOUL to mention just a few. LOUD & CLEAR'S services were later to be requested by the major backed dance labels of FFRR, Manifesto, Higher Ground/Columbia and Talkin Loud.
Whilst her promotions company took off, Lisa's services as a DJ were also greatly in demand playing for many of the charismatic promoters who are still promoting today such as Charlie Chester's "Flying" parties, the "Venus" parties for James Bailie, Dave Beer's mad cap antics at "BackIIBasics" and the "Empire" in Middlesborough "Wobble" Birmingham "Miss Moneypennys" , "progress" Derby. And the rest.
Seven years later in 1997 Lisa was headhunted by the boss of London/FFRR, DJ PETE TONG who persuaded her to join his company and leave the life of independent promotion. TONG wanted her to run his record label as label manager, a highly coveted and much sought after gig. Lisa took up the position and working alongside Tong and industry stalwart Tracey Bennett signed artists such as LUCID, NALIN & KANE, REST ASSURED (Treat Infamy), CONTINOUS COOL (Continuous Cool) THE MADDKATT COURTSHIP (Felix Da Housecat) STEPHEN ALLKINS (the History Of Disco) and INTERFEARANCE .
Whilst at London/FFRR Lisa also implemented campaigns and was responsible for design, styling and videos for ALL SAINTS and ARMAND VAN HELDEN as well as overseeing all of PETE TONG'S "Essential Selection" albums. Lisa also handled film soundtrack campaigns for the Leonardo De Caprio film THE BEACH and cult club flick HUMAN TRAFFIC .
Lisa's style of music has constantly evolved over the years to reflect the changing face of dance music culture. Whilst many DJs play a predictable set and are labelled by a certain genre of music, Lisa's eclectic approach to DJing combined with her extensive musical knowledge allows her to rock any party. Lisa represents the ethos of a true DJ - intuitively aware of what the dance floor desires. Be it an uplifting, funky US house set to entertain the world's fashion glitterati or a low slung, tough and tribal progressive set for the clued-up clubber who knows what they want and how they want it.
Not content with having a successful DJ career and being regarded as one of the most formidable women in dance music, Lisa has also embarked upon some TV presenting with slots as a guest presenter on Channel 4's "Nite Cities" and a residency as co-presenter on the Ian Wright Show on ITV. Lisa has also contributed to many TV programs and books on the dance music scene including Sheryl Garratt's critically acclaimed book on club-land "Adventures In Wonderland" and Channel 4's documentary "Chemical Generation."
Having run London/FFRR for 4 years and whilst having what is arguably one of the most successful careers in the music industry, Lisa decided in 2001 to re-focus and concentrate her efforts and energies into what she loves most, playing out. With international DJ appearances in LA, Las Vegas, Toronto, San Francisco, Chicago and New York Lisa's diary is a constant whirlwind of clubs, hotels, planes and record boxes. Her regular appearances in the UK alone include CREAM (Liverpool),the GALLERY (London) INSIDE OUT (Glasgow), THE ROCK (Bristol), SHINDIG (Newcastle), SUGAR CANDY (London), PASSION (Coalville) TEMPLE THEATRE (Dublin), SLINKY (Various) and the EMPIRE (Middlesborough).
The glamorous lady DJ Ms Loud, recently sashayed across the decks in Milan for the European launch of "MTV'S FASHIONABLY LOUD EUROPE" a new live music and fashion show. Lisa modelled one of Klein's latest numbers behind the turntables, whilst entertaining the fashion and music glitterati in the style capital of Italy. Lisa joined international darlings of the dance music scene BASEMENT JAXX, the enigmatic ANASTACIA, US rockers WHEATUS and the feisty diva KELIS for the event which was sponsored by IMG Models, Calvin Klein and Vivastar.
Millions of MTV internet viewers across the globe were also be treated to all A-list action as Lisa presented live back stage interviews from the MTV Europe awards in Frankfurt. Lisa captured a wealth of celebrity gossip from the events star-studded cast including musical titans REM, pop phenomenon KYLIE MINOGUE, the US's most glamorous trio DESTINY's CHILD, ragga-pop maestro SHAGGY r 'n' b superstar ALICIA KEYS.
Lisa's has also just finished her own debut track LISA LOUD Presents "Miles For Sound" an underground percussive driven track with techno tinges, interspersed amongst deep, dark and moody beats released on PLASTIC FANTASTIC'S new sub record label PLASTICA RED.
Resources:
iDj Mag + John Bush
