CHENNAI: Lina a.k.a. La Femme is a DJ who has steadily made a name for herself, deejaying across Colombia’s premier electronic music venues. Now, with increased acclaim, her work takes her around the world. She performed at the Hyatt’s 360 AS as part of Jack on Tour, Jack Daniels’ promotional series of musical events. La Femme treated the audience to a mix of tech, deep house, acid, techno, base lines and lots of groove. “Music is my passion. I don’t think of deejaying as a job,” she says. “The funny thing is I never made this decision consciously.
I studied hotel management and worked in advertising and public relations, but I’ve been pursuing my passion for the past 10 years. I finally decided leave my corporate life a few years ago and now pursue music full-time.” Amazed by the prospect of a career in electronic music, La Femme fell in love with this genre. “About 10 years ago, I started frequenting electronic music clubs. I started collecting music, and when a close girlfriend of mine started to play, the possibility of creating music became more accessible. So I decided to buy some equipment and started practicing,” she smiles. “When I started playing in Colombia, there weren’t many clubs and of course, not many female DJs.
This was challenging,” she pauses. “But it was fulfilling when I started to make a space for myself in this world, especially when I was invited to open for international acts. It has been a lovely journey.” We live in a world where, with the advent of the internet, we are exposed to so many different genres of music, each so unique. So what is it about electronic music, and more specifically being a DJ, that makes it an art? “As a DJ, you have to let your intuition guide you. You have to read the room, the people, the time and place, and pick the track that’s most suitable. You have to tell a story through your set that will make people dance,” she explains. Staying centred can be difficult when one’s professional life involves moving from one party to the next.
But for La Femme, health and wellness is a priority. “My biggest challenge has been to stay focused on my intentions to follow a more spiritual, healthier and balanced life. This translates into not being driven by the ego, staying away from drugs and alcohol and just being faithful to the nourishment of my soul throughout the energy exchange and connection with people when sharing my music.” La Femme is no stranger to India. She was here three years ago and even went on a silent meditation retreat. “It’s a very significant place in my spiritual path. I have been dying to come back and I have been exploring southern India on a motorbike for a month, and there is still so much to see,” she laughs.. (The writer is a freelance journalist)