Lehar

Italian artist Lehar has long been working with Dynamic. He has also released on their 2DIY4 sister outlet and now is the second artist to take part in their Picture series. It is a showcase of a producer’s full sonic breadth and across his new mini album he really excels. It is deep, emotive music with slick synth work and a great sense of atmosphere that really sucks you in. Here we speak to the artist about his roots, his love of Romanticism, how the scene in Italy is shaping up right now and plenty more besides.

Words by Rob Chadwick

 

Lehar welcome to DMCWORLD! Please introduce yourself for those that might not know about you…

My name is Lehar, real name Lorenzo Esposito I’m 33 years old born in Naples and living in the Venice area since 20 years, my debut EP has been released in 2013 on the Offenbach label Connaisseur.

I read your music is rooted in Romanticism – why is that? What does that mean in terms of your sound?

Personally I identify myself in the instinctive and fantastic character that characterized the artistic creation of Romanticism. Musically I consequently seek out sounds and atmospheres that can give rise to feelings, suggestions that can transcend the rhythmic aspect that characterizes the music in the clubs. I do not relegate the rhythm to a secondary role but my goal is to make the ball emerge first from the general feeling of composition.

What sounds and labels and parties first got you into dance music? Why did you love it?

The first parties I was attending were done by Angels of love in the Naples area more than 15 years ago, I was going there during summertime in the Cilento Area where I was spending the summer with my family, I remember the club was called New Carrubo, I was listening to Francois Kevorkian, Claudio Coccoluto, Tedd Patterson, Dave Morales, Tony Humphries etc.

What is the scene in Italy like? Healthy and thriving?

For personal reasons I have never known the Italian music scene at her dawn (because I’m 33 years old) A scene that is transmitted with epic tones and that, even if everything was not so splendid as it is told, it would be far from the present. I think that Italian clubs and festivals give little room to proposals that have nothing to do with a certain “historical” continuity. I am referring not only to the fact that the spaces are more or less continuously covered by the same names but also the fact that it has lost what I believe was the spirit that made Italy a fertile territory for the spread and development of a vibrant club culture. I think we would want a bolder opening towards music in general. A scene that runs behind the ‘old school’ shields and the well-known names, or that they follow the gestures of the latter, I do not think either in good health or in prospects of prosperity. Personally I identify myself in the instinctive and fantastic character that characterized the artistic creation of Romanticism. Musically I consequently seek out sounds and atmospheres that can give rise to feelings, suggestions that can transcend the rhythmic aspect that characterizes the music in the clubs. I do not relegate the rhythm to a secondary role but my goal is to make the ball emerge first from the general feeling of composition.

Do you think being Italian means you have a certain sound or style, like Chicago or Berlin has their own style?

I dont think so as we have different artists which produce and play different genres regarding electronic music. This is a very good thing.

Where do you start on a track, is it trial and error or do you have an idea in your head?

Both, sometimes it can happen that I have an idea inside that is clear and some other times I just play with my machines and have fun and something comes out!

Are you formally trained in any way, can you play piano or keys or anything?

No, I went to music school for guitar when I was 12 but this was just for one year, at that age it was boring to me to study music and I preferred doing some sport like all my friends!

What is your DJ style? How do you mix, do you do quick and short mixes or long and slow, for example?

I prefer long and slow mixes.

What was the last record you bought and why?

Last record I bought was in Barcelona and I bought a vinyl only record by Antie Flo “For Milhay EP”.

Buy it here – https://www.beatport.com/release/picture-lehar/2101474

www.facebook.com/Leharmusic/