Name: Ana Lopez aka Mira Ló
Nationality: French
Occupation: DJ, producer
Current Release: Mira Ló's Tribute to Chicago EP is out March 15th 2024 via Pont Neuf. This is what she told us about that release: “Tribute to Chicago is my revival in this life, an EP that tells the story of my rebirth during my trip to Chicago, and my encounters with the wonderful people I met there. People I got to know on the spot or elsewhere as a result of this trip. I was inspired by all the groovy music I heard at Smart Bar, Chicago's iconic queer club, and all the people dancing with their eyes closed, really feeling the music. I remember thinking I'd never seen that anywhere else, they were free to be whoever they wanted to be, it was beautiful.”

If you enjoyed this Mira Ló interview and would like to stay up to date with her music, visit her on Instagram, Facebook, and Soundcloud.



I've spoken to a lot of artists over the past few years and many have expressed that their connection to music feels almost like a relationship with a person in many respects. What is music, to you and do you experience this kind of relationship with it as well?

I find this point of view interesting, in the sense that when I compose, I'm truly alone with my music, my emotions, what I want to create with these musical notes floating around in my head.

Then, when I think about it, at the beginning of a creation, these musical notes belong only to me, and then I decide to share them with the world. So personally the music I create doesn't resemble a personal relationship, because my one and only is sharing my feelings to the world. So they can feel my joy, my melancholy, my sorrow etc., And perhaps, they can find themselves in it too, and they can relate to the emotions I want to share, and feel a bit less lonely on earth.

To me, music is a kind of hope. It helps us feel better even in the darkest moments. It's my poetry.

What kindled your love for music in general – and for house music in particular?

My love of music was born with my family, who played flamenco. Ever since I was little I've had this hyper-intense bond filled with parties where everyone played a musical instrument. My father in particular, would always take out his guitar, to sing us songs in Spanish.

My love of house music stems in particular from when I was a little girl. I used to go to my cousin's house and he'd play me Alan Braxe, Daft Punk, Mood II Swing and a lot others. Mousse T and a couple of other artists helped cultivate my taste for groove.

[Read our Alan Braxe interview about the Buchla 208 + 200e]
 
Tell me about some of the albums or artists that you loved specifically for their sound, in the beginning, please.

Right away, in terms of inspiration, what comes to mind is the SBTRKT album, particularly the track "Pharaos" and "Ready set loop". I can't explain the love I have for this album, but it's been with me since 2011 and motivates me in my everyday life, taking the metro, going to parties, I never tire of it.

Then, in terms of crushes that have had a big impact on me recently, I'd obviously mention the great Marc Rebillet and his album Loop Daddy II and his track "HOLD ON", which for me is so full of meaning and so emotionally charged!



I remember seeing him live at the Trabendo in Paris, and I was blown away by the energy he gave off on stage.

And last but not least, the brilliant "Jungle" and their album Volcano, and in particular the track "You Ain't no celebrity." It embodies the groove of the moment.



Do you experience strong emotional responses towards certain sounds? If so, what kind of sounds are theseand do you have an explanation about the reasons for these responses?

Listening to the blues often gives me goosebumps. During my time in Chicago, as I wandered the streets, I found myself repeatedly drawn to Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings' track, "Pass me By." It felt as though the song reached directly into my soul.



Another piece that stirs deep emotions within me is "Reach out I'll be there" by the Four Tops; it serves as my anthem of hope, infusing me with strength whenever I hear it.



Regardless of the time of day, its effect remains consistent: sending shivers down my spine and igniting a powerful heartbeat within me.

I have always loved club music, but I was not initially a dancer very much (it would change, later). What was this like for you? How does being – or not being – a passionate dancer influence the way you deejay?

To tell the truth, I've always been a big clubber - even cheating on my identity card to get into clubs haha. From techno warehouses, to Dubstep, Drum and Bass, Disco/House parties, with my friends we always went dancing, and I think that particularly influenced my way of mixing.

From a very early age I've always watched the public, and sometimes I'd sit in a club and watch people dance, because for me, dancing is such a beautiful way of expressing yourself. I  remember making several friends at queer parties that way, dancing with them, without a word and it created a very strong bond between us.

So when I'm mixing, I observe a lot of people's emotions, the way they dance, and depending on that, I put in a banger like "Dennis Ferrer - hey hey (Mousse T edit)". and that’s how you make people happy.



For your own DJing, what were some of the DJs you loved in the beginning? What did you learn from teachers/tutorials, other DJs, or personal experience?

At first, I loved producer and DJ Lemarquis, with his incredible edits of Whitney Houston.

I also went out a lot to parties organized by the Roche Musique label to listen to Kartell, Dabeull, all these producers and DJs with very funky sounds. Dalton John was my mentor in terms of mixing; beyond technique, he taught me how to listen and interact with my audience and, above all to keep my feet on the ground no matter what.

When I started mixing 10 years ago, the scene in Paris was almost exclusively male, so I observed a lot the way they interacted with the audience. For the most part, they didn't look at their public. It was all very mechanical, there wasn't the emotion we see a little more now, as if for them, the stage was taken for granted.

So I decided to do the opposite, to enjoy myself but above all, to give my audience everything.


Mira Lo Interview Image (c) the artist

From personal experience, there can be a strong connection between the DJ and the dancers on a great night. There can be real gratitude on both sides. Do you engage with audiences/dancers - and how?

The relationship between the DJ and the dancers is marked by a genuine sense of gratitude on both ends, each complementing the other. Without one, the other would cease to thrive. It's in those moments of shared experience, where worries momentarily vanish, and a sense of unity prevails, that a unique spark ignites.

It's a magical time when the world seems to fade away, and all troubles dissipate. Personally, I find myself deeply moved and exhilarated as I reflect on such moments when I return home.

In an earlier interview with Woodj magazine, you mentioned that music is a lot about sharing and self-giving. In what way?

When I'm on stage, the most important thing for me is not to be selfish, in the sense that I'm going to connect with my audience a lot, smiling, dancing with them. Eye contact is important. Once you've managed to capture their attention, they're nailed to the floor and can't move because I've given them all my love in my eyes.

I remember one time I was leaving the stage and a girl came up to me and said "Thank you, my boyfriend broke up with me today and for one hour of your set, you made me forget my pain", which I think is the best reward an artist can receive.

Taking one of your online DJ mixes as an example, how does the experience and the way you deejay change when you subtract the audience?

When I play online, depending on my mood and my desires, I can play very chill sounds as well as very punchy ones at the end of my set, so that people listening to me from home can relax with their friends, and then say "now that makes me want to dance" in the middle of their living room.

Whatever happens, I always try to tell a story and put myself in people's shoes when they're having a homeparty, whether it is in front of an audience or behind a screen.

In 2022, you released Memories, sparked by the end of a love story and your love for clubbing among others. Can you talk a bit about how these real-life experiences translated into the music? Was there a sense of catharsis after having written and published the EP?

‘Memories' was for me an important EP in my life, the experiences I had that instilled these melodies were really necessary for my inspiration. In my melancholy, I wanted to turn that into joy, despite all the pain I'd experienced in a recent break-up.



I often compare my vision of childhood with flamenco. When you listen to flamenco lyrics, they're often related to sadness, Estrella Morente - "volver" is a perfect example. The vocals are very intense, but the melody is always full of sunshine and joy. This is where I gathered all the energy to create Memories.



Once Memories was released, I felt a sense of freedom, as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders that slowed me down every day. Because I told myself that now I had to move on, and that one day I'd listen to these songs again and tell myself that I'd conquered the pain that was eating away at my heart.

In fact, I received a lot of messages from fans who all told me that I'd also healed their hearts thanks to the track "My best memory" with Lou M. At that very moment I told myself I'd healed their hearts and reached my goal of soothing souls with what I do best: music.


Mira Lo Interview Image (c) the artist

Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you love and appreciate about both?

I never thought of it that way - I don't drink coffee haha. Now that I think about it, I love cooking for others. But what I hate most of all is missing out a dish I've put my heart and soul into, that misses taste because I got the ingredients wrong. For the track to lack soul, and for the dish to miss taste.

What I like in both cases is mainly the good recipe of things. Without spice or groove, in the end, the magic doesn’t happen.