TERMINAL V PODCAST 065 || LAURE CROFT

Laure Croft is on a mission to soundtrack parties in a way that encourages people to be who they want. She wants her dancers to express themselves however they see fit, even if that means getting jiggy with it mid-set. She is unafraid to embrace sxxiness in the high-intensity techno she plays as a Kinky Sundays resident or that which she releases on her own SXXYRECS label.

Dutch-born, Germany-based Laure recorded this week’s all vinyl mix on a day full of delightful news so her emotions were flying high. Because of that is a wild selection but one that she reckons “very well translates how I am as a human.” It brilliantly captures the freewheeling kaleidoscope of emotions that we can all feel on a regular basis through the medium of driving, tribal and melodic techno.

So stick it on and read on to find out about what she sees is the role of a resident DJ, how sensuousness manifests in sound and what inspirations have made her the artist she is today.

What one club, party, DJ or label has had the most impact and influence on you and why?

I feel the entire dynamic of the industry is what has had an impact on me. There is not just one place that makes an entire market, or me as a person, or me as a DJ. Of course, I love to visit Berghain in Berlin, and for example, LOFI in Amsterdam, and almost every visit turns out to be extremely inspirational. However, there are so many more interesting places that have an effect on me as a human.

It’s often the more niche clubs like Kalt in Strasbourg, Laster club at Bassement in Madric, Le Sucre in Lyon, or Nightservice at Fold London that reach a part of me I would have never expected it to go. Sometimes letting go of an ideal image of what needs to be the best space to expand, leads to finding even more ideal spaces that allow me as Laure, and as Laure Croft, to evolve in the amount of joy and growth in personal knowledge.

You run SXXYRECS. For you, how do sxxuality and sensuousness manifest in sound? What makes a record sxxy?

For me, sxxy is not a body type but it’s rather a state of mind. When all elements come together and me, or you, or any other human being can feel ultimately free. We have the ability to make or break ourselves with our thoughts and behaviours. Sxxyness, to me, is a state of mind where you completely ‘make’ yourself. This translates to the music Sxxyrecs wants to push; sound that evolves in mind and body and makes one ‘free’. My ideal club setting is a free and safe space, allowing me to soak up all energies and music, ultimately leaving me almost completely undressed and enjoying almost with animal-ish behaviour.

You’re a Kinky Sundays resident. How does the role of resident differ to that of a headliner, do you think? How differently do you play at both?

Kinky Sundays is my family. When others tend to look away, they came closer to me and signed me up as a family member. I am not superior to any other member or visitor of Kinky Sundays. That’s the beautiful part about this party. Equality is not spoken about but it is felt. It’s one of the few dance floors where people actually still fckk in front of me when I’m playing or next to me when I’m dancing. Really, I’m so here for the vibes Kinky Sundays gives off to their crowd, and even when I’m playing I feel as I’m one of them.

I remember very well that I played an edition in Radion Amsterdam, it was completely packed and so hot inside. Halfway through my set I was just wearing my underwear, and even though I was in the spotlight, I didn’t feel looked at. Pure combination of a club I love and an honest safe space for all. People as of today still compliment me on this set, and some even claim it changed their lives. I might be a resident, and often the headliner, but really I’m just a Kinky girl at heart.

Where are your favourite places to go record digging and what tips have you picked up over the years on how best to go about it?

Killacutz in Amsterdam and Hardwax in Berlin are my favourite spots.

Tell us about your mix, the aim you had with it, and what you wanted it to say.

The full vinyl mix was recorded on a day when my emotions were flying through the roof. It’s a day when I got so much good news and made some big changes in my life. I feel that in the mix you kind of feel my mood switches and I consider it to be a bit of a wild set because of this haha. Of course, I’m pushing the quality driving techno, added some elements of tribal and it includes some more emotional moments, there’s lots of percussion clashes and really it’s actually a mix that very well translates how I am as a human; emotions go up and down, left and right, though in the end I’m still feeling centred because energies stripe each-other out.

What gear did you use, is that important to you in any way whether in the booth or studio?

The set-up I use at home is rather different than I use in the club. At home, where this mix is recorded, I use two old Technics MK2 with revised MK5 pitch, in combination with an old and rusty Allen&Heath Xone 92 UK edition. The speakers are from Adam audio called TV7. For the nerds, in the club I only play on Technics M5G and Allen&Heath Xone 96.

What else are you working on right now?

Myself! A never-ending process.

Interview by Kristan Caryl

Photos by https://www.instagram.com/crisscerdeira/