LUMI: The Art of Chunky, Bouncy Techno & The Evolution of an Artist

Her latest EP, ‘Lush’, marks her return to Octopus Recordings, bringing a bouncy, vocal-driven energy that showcases her evolving sound. In addition to launching her own label, SKADI, she’s set to make her Australian debut at Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival, further expanding her global reach.

We caught up with LUMI to talk about her creative process, her journey so far, and what the future holds for this rising force in techno.

Hey LUMI! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. You’ve had an incredible past year, with major releases, big festival slots, and the launch of your own label. How does it feel to see your vision coming to life on such a global scale?

It’s wild and exciting, although I’m still not anywhere near where I want to be, I’m very grateful I get to express myself through music. Having a label especially, is cool because it gives me a freedom to release whatever I want whenever I want, which can be kind of dangerous but also really iconic.

- Your music has been described as a blend of chunky, rolling grooves with a unique vocal touch. How did you develop this signature sound, and what influences have shaped it over the years?

I think I just make what I like to hear on a dancefloor and play in my sets. Every day I find out a new piece that slightly morphs my sound. I started with my own vocals from the start and that’s been really cool to experiment with. At first scary but over time more and more fun and natural for me. 


- Your background in choir and piano brings an interesting dynamic to your productions. How does your classical training influence your approach to techno and electronic music production?

To be honest it’s not really something I think about much when I’m making music but I’m sure it’s affected me in some ways that I’m just not thinking about in my everyday life in the studio.

- You’ve had some incredible support from key figures in the industry, with releases on labels like Octopus Recordings, HE.SHE.THEY, Turbo, and Kneaded Pains. What does it mean to you to have such a diverse label presence, and how do you choose which label best fits each project?

I love these labels and they feel like a badge of honor sometimes. I definitely pick them based on what I play the most in my sets and the music I’m really liking at that time. It’s always exciting to try to shoot for a new label and see if you can get music signed there.

- Your latest release, ‘Lush’ on Octopus Recordings, has a distinctive balance between a fearsome, rolling bassline and your sultry vocals. Can you walk us through the creative process behind this track?

Yeah I love a lot of sub bass elements and I needed to make sure this was prominent within the track as well as a variety of sounds to really create a groove. The vocals are about a fleeting relationship I had in the summer that left me feeling a certain type of way so I had to write about. 


- ‘Party Girl’ on the B-side of the EP brings a jacking percussive energy with your vocals at the forefront. How do you decide when to incorporate your own voice into a track, and what role do lyrics play in your music?

I incorporate my own vocals into every track of mine for the most part since I started this project. It’s becoming kind of a statement piece for me. The lyrics are something that generally make me feel good when writing or dancing to and I think (& hope) others will feel the same. I would rather it be more sultry and euphoric in some ways than melancholy. Although that kind of music definitely has it’s time and place no doubt. 


- You recently launched your own label, SKADI, inspired by the Norse mythological goddess of winter. What was the driving force behind starting your own imprint, and what can we expect from it in the future?

It was created primarily so I can release what I want when I want, it’s cool having that freedom. But also to build a community where I release music from other artists and maybe even throw some events in the future. For now it’s still mostly for my own releases though. 


- In 2024, you performed alongside heavyweights like Pan-Pot, Marie Vaunt, Tiga, and Korolova, and made appearances in major cities worldwide. How have these experiences shaped you as a performer, and do you have any standout moments from the past year?

Every performance is slightly different, and you always learn something new and grow from it. For me it’s always a learning experience, and playing in different cities and venues forces you to grow into your artistry and make decisions on the fly. No place is the same and you really can’t always prepare for it the way you think you might be able to or want to. I loved my sets in Berlin and LA last year, both fun cities although very different. 


- Your international presence is growing, with key gigs in Berlin, LA, Helsinki, and now your upcoming Australian debut at Rabbits Eat Lettuce Festival. How do you prepare for a new audience, and what excites you most about performing in Australia for the first time?

I love preparing for a new audience and new crowd, let alone a new country I’ve never been to. I’m excited to visit Australia, I love their accents and take on life in general, I feel like that trip will be quite the adventure to say the least. Hopefully I’ll get to try some Vegemite!


- You’ve also been featured in DJ Mag UK, LA Weekly, and Techno Germany, and your music has appeared on high-profile editorial playlists like Spotify’s New Music Friday Dance and Amazon’s Breakthrough Electronic. How important do you think editorial support is in today’s industry, and how has it impacted your career?

I do think it’s pretty important and whenever my music does get playlisted I’m so grateful it feels like someone has noticed my art. It definitely helps with streaming numbers but I don’t think it’s the end all be all. 


- Your music clearly resonates both in the club and beyond, with ‘Look The Other Way’ charting at #3 on Beatport’s Indie Dance charts and accumulating over 50,000 streams in just two weeks. As an artist, how do you measure success—through numbers, artistic growth, audience reaction, or something else?

Definitely numbers, I would be lying if I said I didn’t but also audience reaction especially when I play something live. I really feed off of the crowd energy and I just want them to have a good time because then I’m having a good time and it’s one big party!! I think other DJ’s are a great gage as well, if they are supporting the tunes and playing them, it’s generally a good sign!


- With a solid foundation laid in 2024 and now a strong start to 2025, what’s next for LUMI? Any exciting collaborations, upcoming releases, or dream projects you’d love to pursue?

I do have a couple collabs coming but I’m gonna keep those quiet for now, but expect some collabs this year that I’m excited about!


- Finally, for those who are just discovering your music, how would you describe the LUMI experience in one sentence?

Energetic and sultry dance music that might just leave you feeling a little hot.

(Credit images: Lumi / Instagram)