Liv Ravden on finding her sound, late-night moods and releasing 'Night Shift' on Rebellion
- Tony Allen
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
There’s a quiet confidence about Liv Ravden right now. The London-based DJ and producer has spent the past few years carving out a sound that lives in the tension between movement and mood - deep, soulful, and effortlessly danceable.
With her new EP’ Night Shift’ landing on Damian Lazarus’ Rebellion label, she’s stepping into a new chapter - one that feels fully, finally, like her. Pre-order/save it here: https://orcd.co/rbl118.
“This EP is the first time I’ve really felt like my sound has come together,” she says. “It’s influenced by the house music I grew up on, but also shaped by what I love to play out. There’s something special about making music I’d actually want to hear on the dancefloor.”
That confidence runs through all three tracks on the EP. From the stripped-back soul of ‘Phase Out’ to the introspective sway of ‘Low Tide’, and the hypnotic haze of ‘3am Thoughts’, Ravden isn’t chasing peak-time payoffs. She’s setting a tone.
“I wasn’t really aiming for those big ‘phone-in-the-air’ moments,” she says. “They’re more about setting a tone—like the beginning of a night when things are just starting to simmer or those last few tracks that carry you through to the end.”
Her sense of flow and atmosphere comes from a place few DJs can claim. Before music, Ravden trained in musical theatre and performed in ‘Les Misérables’ on the West End stage.
“Being a theatre kid feels like another lifetime, but it definitely shaped me. Dance was actually my main thing, and I think that naturally led me to music. It’s a different outlet, but it still feels connected.”
She’s already built a strong reputation in London, having gigs at iconic venues like KOKO and Jazz Cafe.
“Playing intimate venues like KOKO is a different vibe—you get closer to the crowd, and it feels more personal. Festivals like We Can Dance have bigger energy and are more about the collective hype. Both experiences push you to bring your best, but in different ways.”
Musically, her sound blends the classic with the current.
“I’ve always been drawn to the raw energy of Detroit and Chicago House,” she says. “Moodymann, Kerri Chandler, A Guy Called Gerald—they’ve all been big influences.”
Each track on the EP taps into a different part of her.
“‘Phase Out’, ‘Low Tide’ and ‘3am Thoughts’ each have their own personality, but together, they show different sides of my sound and what I’m into right now. It’s about exploring moods and vibes that feel right without trying to fit into one box.”
Getting signed to Rebellion came through a friend—but the rest was all her.
“My friend Lenny put me in touch with the Crosstown team, and honestly, I didn’t expect to hear back. But Damian reached out directly, and that’s how the conversation started. I’m super grateful it all came together.”
Now, with ‘Night Shift’ out in the world, Ravden’s focus is clear.
“It definitely feels like a turning point. Now that I’ve found a sound I’m confident in, it’s about building on that—experimenting, playing more live shows, and just seeing where it takes me.”
And when people hear the record for the first time?
“I want it to feel like a late-night groove—something smooth but with enough energy to keep you engaged. It’s about setting the mood.”
With ‘Night Shift’, Liv Ravden isn’t just setting the mood - she’s setting her trajectory. Eyes forward, sound dialled in, and no interest in following the usual route. Just trust in the groove.
Liv Ravden
Rebellion (Crosstown Rebels)
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