Léa Occhi
DJ | Producer
After one of Léa Occhi’s sets on HÖR radio earlier this summer, the station shared a picture of the floor after her early evening session on the airwaves. The previously white tiles were filthy and looked like the consequence of an after-hours somewhere in the city. But it was the result of Léa mixing in the company of two friends who doubled as back-up dancers, vigorously cooling themselves with purple-fringed fans throughout and contributing energy of a different kind alongside Léa’s warbling rhythms.
As resident and co-founder of the Parisian collective Spectrum, Léa’s cosmic techno comes the French underground where she previously immersed herself within the techno community of Paris. Building her sound and profile at parties like Possession, Peripate, La Toilette, Fée Croquer and more, Léa bounced to Berlin in 2018 where the wealth of events on offer helped to shape her collection and broaden her approach as an artist.
Now settled in Berlin, Léa has played a range of vast and small-scale clubs counting Tresor, ://about blank, Griessmuehle, Suicide Circus and many more. Known for her incandescent aesthetic, Léa has appeared on the same bills as Tommy Four Seven, I Hate Models, AnD and Anastasia Kristensen to name a few. The pandemic has halted most of her bookings, but she has remained active on the Berlin scene via streams for United We Stream, HÖR and mixes for Rinse France, Voxnox and many more.
The below memory comes from earlier this year which Léa describes further, as well as sharing how she has adjusted to the norm of live streams, and how she found the experience of playing out in Bulgaria before Berlin went into a second lockdown…
Photo: BURBS
Where was this photo taken and why did you choose it? What was the music vibe at the time?
This picture is definitely not the most beautiful, but it represents well the mood at that time: friends, freedom and house parties. It was in July in Brandebourg. We rented a big property with all my frenchies Berliner team. Huge garden, a lake, 20 rooms, proper sound system and good music…the first time I could really dance for hours since March.
How have you been over the last few months and what is life currently like in Berlin?
The last few months have been super calm as you can imagine. I could see my family in Corsica this summer, and visit my friends in Paris. I had the chance to play for nice outdoor events in Berlin and also an amazing gig in Sofia last month! But winter is here, corona and rules seem getting worse again, this break situation will last longer for sure. Fortunately, the Berlin scene is still alive for now with some nice outdoor events.
You've done a few fantastic live streams for HÖR, United We Stream and from your own home since the pandemic was declared. Do you enjoy streaming live or do you feel under more pressure compared to playing a set in an actual club and in front of a crowd?
Thanks! Of course I enjoyed all the live streams I did, it was important for me to stay active and share hope through my music during all this. But yeah it’s definitely more stressful and difficult. I did a little break but I have two live streams coming up next month. A new HÖR in B2B this time with an artist I really love, should be really fun! And another one for the great Room FM crew. Can’t wait to share it with you!
You recently played in a Fortress-like space in the mountains of Sofia, Bulgaria along with Tommy Four Seven and more. What was that experience like for you after months of no club-based bookings?
It was unreal. The venue was so beautiful and atypical. Energetic and amazing crowd. But it was a mix between happiness and culpability I have to say. I enjoyed every second of this Bulgaria weekend. Clubs miss me so much!
As an artist, how do you feel about the future at the moment?
It’s hard to stay positive honestly, so many questions and fears in mind. I have no words to describe all of this. But I believe in music more than everything. When all this will be over…I can’t even imagine! We have to be patient and never give up our passion.
What has been a source of calm/comfort for you throughout 2020 so far?
Except sushis and Koh-Lanta, I would say my friends and my boyfriend here in Berlin! And musique, of course.
Listen to Léa’s latest mix for OCEUS here and follow her below: