IN CONVERSATION WITH LESSSS
interview by SAMO ŠAJN
DJ LESSSS is one of the rising names in the hard techno scene. After the success of her track “Drone” and a big moment on Boiler Room, she’s back with a new single, “No Way Back,” with KØZLØV. We caught up with her to talk about her journey, inspirations, and what’s coming next.
Your new track “No Way Back” with KØZLØV is a mix of hard techno, schranz, and dubstep. How did you two team up, and what was it like working on the track together?
KØZLØV and I have known each other for a while. We’re part of the same agency, so we connected early and got along well on a personal level. We also share similar tastes in the tracks we play, so when he reached out about making a track together, it felt natural. I had an old unfinished schranz idea, reworked it to sound more hard techno, and sent it over. He liked it, added his twist with some dubstep elements, and I wrapped it up. It all came together organically.
Your single “Drone” has already passed 300,000 streams this year. Did the success of that track influence your upcoming music in any way?
Yes, it definitely did. “Drone” was my first time mixing French rap with hard techno, and I wasn’t sure how it would land. But the response was amazing and showed me people really connected with that sound. It gave me confidence to keep exploring that direction. I’ve been working on new tracks in that same crossover vibe and I’m excited to release them later this year.
Your music blends heavy sounds from rock, metal, and dubstep. What makes you want to mix these styles with hard techno?
I’ve always liked bringing in the influences I grew up with like rock, metal, dubstep, and French rap into the hard techno I play today. It keeps things creative and pushes me beyond the typical rules of the genre. The fun part is figuring out how to blend those styles into something that still feels like hard techno but also sounds fresh and personal. The goal is always to make it hit for me and for the crowd.
You said “No Way Back” reflects the energy of your live shows. How do you bring that same feeling into your studio work?
When I’m producing, I imagine how a track will hit live, how the crowd might react, and what kind of energy it brings. I try to tap into the same mindset I have when I’m behind the decks. Closing my eyes and really listening helps me connect emotionally and shape the energy of the track.
Your Boiler Room set got a lot of attention. How did that performance change things for you as an artist?
The Boiler Room set gave me a lot of visibility and helped with bookings. It built trust with some promoters and introduced me to others who didn’t know me yet. For a lot of DJs, playing Boiler Room is a dream. It feels like validation. I’m really grateful I got to do a filmed one and I hope to do another to show how I’ve evolved since then.
You speak up about wanting more women in electronic music. What changes do you think the industry needs to make that happen?
A big change needed is how promoters view women in the scene. There needs to be more trust that women can fill venues, deliver strong sets, and produce tracks just like anyone else. There’s still an unfair perception that some women succeed because of how they look, which is false but common. That mindset adds pressure and can discourage women from even starting. We need more respect, more opportunities based on talent, and more visibility. Seeing more women on lineups and big platforms helps normalize their presence and inspires others. The more inclusive the scene becomes, the better it will be for everyone.
You’ve said people have doubted your skills in the past. How do you stay confident and focused when that happens?
Yes, I’ve heard things like “there’s no way you produce your tracks yourself” or had sound techs dismiss my input. It was frustrating and it affected me at times. But I made a choice to define my own path. I’ve learned to block out the noise because I know who I am and what I’m capable of. While others try to create doubt, I’m busy evolving, sharpening my skills, and building something real. It’s not always easy but those moments gave me fire. They reminded me why I started. I’m not here to meet expectations. I’m here to break them.
Your EPs “GENESIS” and “GENESIS EXTENDED” had a strong sound and message. What can fans expect from your new EP coming out this fall?
I’m really excited for what’s coming. With this new EP, I’m going in a direction similar to “Drone” because people connected with that track and I loved making it. That sound and energy feel true to who I am. Like GENESIS and GENESIS EXTENDED, this project blends genres I care deeply about, this time French rap and hard techno. It’s a fusion that feels fresh and authentic and I can’t wait to share it this fall.
You’ve played shows all over the world. Do different crowds react in different ways? And do you change your sets depending on where you’re playing?
Absolutely. Crowds and tastes vary a lot by country. Each place has its own roots and scene. Germany connects with schranz, Belgium and the Netherlands love hardstyle and rawstyle, and Spain has a big tekno culture. I always tailor my sets to where I’m playing and the time slot. A closing set in Germany will be different from one in the Netherlands. In Germany, I go for a relentless schranz vibe with tension. In the Netherlands, I might lean into hard techno bangers and throw in some hardstyle. Reading the crowd and respecting the local scene makes each show special and that’s what I love.
You believe in breaking rules in music. What’s one rule in hard techno you think more artists should ignore?
I don’t think there’s one specific rule to ignore but I do think producers should feel freer to innovate, especially with track structure. Too often, tracks follow the same formula. That can get predictable and tiring. Music should be a blank canvas created from emotion and experience, not a checklist. What’s often missing in hard techno is emotion. If more artists focused on expressing something real instead of just chasing bangers, we’d hear more depth and soul in the genre.
