Lea Lisa on ‘Many Shades Of House Vol. 2’ and Why House Music’s Values Still Matter
For Lea Lisa, house music has always meant more than the records themselves. It is a culture built through shared experiences, personal histories and the freedom to find connection on a dancefloor. More than three decades after she began collecting and playing music, those values remain central to everything she does, from her productions and DJ sets to her Bliss party series.
Her latest compilation, 'Many Shades Of House Vol. 2', brings that philosophy into focus. Featuring eight selections from artists including Ian Pooley, Cab Drivers, Château Flight and Leonel Castillo, the record moves between uplifting grooves and deeper, more introspective territory. It also continues a conversation started by the first volume, connecting different generations of house music without treating its history as something fixed in the past.
“I’d say it was important to create a bridge between the past and the present. I also find today’s scene really interesting. Roots matter, of course, but it’s just as important to stay connected to what’s happening now.”
That relationship between memory and discovery runs throughout the selection. Each record carries its own associations, drawn from years of digging and nights behind the decks. Cab Drivers’ ‘Backside 50’, in particular, takes her back to a memorable experience at Berlin’s Heideglühen.
“‘Cab Drivers’ still captivates me just as much as ever — I find it incredibly subtle. Sometimes I pair it with an a cappella, which gives it a completely different dimension. What I love about this track is its texture, but also the way it can really move a crowd when it’s played at the right moment. It reminds me of a very special night in Heidegluhen…”
For a selector whose journey began in the mid-90s, the question of what makes a record endure is inseparable from the intention behind it. Production styles change, and certain sounds inevitably become associated with particular periods, but emotional resonance can outlast both.
“But in most cases, what makes a record truly special is the artist’s vision and the intention behind it. If, years later, it still manages to make us feel something, then I think the artist has succeeded.”
That thinking also explains the compilation’s breadth. Lea Lisa has never viewed house as a single sound or mood, and she is particularly conscious of the cultural history behind its musical diversity.
“House music has been evolving for more than three decades, and from the beginning it has carried a spirit of rebellion, alternative thinking, depth and struggle. It grew out of communities that brought together people from the margins and gave them a space to express themselves freely.”
“House can be joyful, raw, introspective, political, sensual or deeply emotional — and that range is what makes it so powerful.”
Preserving that range has become increasingly complicated as electronic music has expanded. Although digital platforms have made more records accessible than ever, Lea Lisa believes the sheer volume of music has changed the work involved in finding something meaningful.
“I have to say that we probably spend more time digging now, simply because there is so much music out there, and unfortunately, not all of it is of the highest quality.”
Her concerns extend beyond record discovery. As DJ careers become increasingly intertwined with social media, Lea Lisa remains resistant to the idea that visibility should determine an artist’s value.
“It’s a matter of choice. I know what my priorities are, and I’m fully aware that the world has changed, but I’m not prepared to do anything and everything just to make a name for myself.”
“My work, my commitment to this culture, the projects I build and the gigs I play, that’s what matters to me. It’s also worth remembering that a career isn’t built on an Instagram profile.”
Those priorities are reflected in Bliss, her carefully curated party series. Creating a space where people connect with the music requires more than booking artists or assembling a strong line-up. It depends on developing trust with an audience over time.
“I think the hardest bit is building an audience that understands your world; you can’t control every aspect, who’ll join the club and so on, but over the years, you find your audience and build a solid foundation for putting on great nights.”
The same understanding informs her approach behind the decks. Whether playing Bassiani, Heideglühen, Lux Frágil or DC10, she sees adapting to a room as part of a DJ’s responsibility, not a reason to abandon personal taste.
“A DJ’s job is to adapt, whilst still playing the records they love. Even when you’re deeply underground, you always find a way…”
After more than 30 years immersed in the culture, Lea Lisa is less concerned with establishing a legacy than with continuing to uphold the principles that drew her towards house music in the first place. Her advice to younger artists is to recognise the commitment the profession demands and to have something meaningful to communicate.
“I have no ambition to leave anything behind, but rather to continue to uphold the reasons why I found myself drawn to this culture and its values, which continue to nourish me spiritually to this day. If my work is understood, then that will be part of my reward.”
Many Shades Of House Vol. 2 is an expression of that commitment: eight records carrying different histories, moods and musical ideas, brought together by a selector who still believes the most important part of house music is what happens when people share it.
