London-based DJ and producer Leoni Alexi makes a striking debut with her single 'Time Shift', the title track of her first EP created alongside techno heavyweights Pig&Dan. Raw, hypnotic and fast-paced, the track introduces her signature underground sound; dark, immersive and built for late-night dancefloors. Originally beginning her production journey in Playa del Carmen under the mentorship of David Bau, Leoni describes learning to produce as discovering a new language, allowing her to channel stored emotion into sound.
Her early work quickly caught the attention of Pig&Dan, who helped elevate the track’s low-end power and co-produce the final version. With two EP tracks breaking into the Beatport Top 100 and live appearances at venues such as London’s Pxssy Palace, Leoni Alexi emerges as a bold new voice in global techno, translating raw energy and personal intensity into a sound that feels both instinctive and commanding.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
As a child, I remember loving the piano first. It made me feel light, calm, and everything felt sweeter.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I was a child, I was into some of the records my mum played: Prince, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston. Later, I went through a heavy rap stage in my teens: Eminem, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and Cypress Hill. My music taste was shaped a lot by friends who were older than me. I only discovered electronic music when I discovered trance at 16, and after that I was obsessed. Glasgow had an incredible club scene. House and techno came into my life a bit later, around 18 years old, but I’ve always loved a broad range of music, ranging from classical and soul to rock, R&B, rap, and electronic.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The first album I remember owning was Butterfly by Mariah Carey.
What is the one song you wish you could have written yourself?
Mezzanine by Massive Attack.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Sometimes it’s just spontaneous, but other times it can take me about two hours to prepare for a super deep session. I need to make sure no one needs me and I’ve done all the tasks that people might chase me for or bother me. Next, I’ll set the space and make sure the house is nice and clean and my dog has been walking and is in a chill mood, because if he comes to me wanting to play, I’ll always put him first. I like a comfortable seat where I can move easily and freely. If I want to get ready for new ideas, I’ll do breathwork or lie in the bath, and they just come to me.
Who are your favourite artists you’ve been listening to recently?
JMSN, Cvnsumed, Ignez, and I love Burial.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would open for Ben Klock. I love the journeys he creates.
What do you find the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The most rewarding thing about being a musician is being able to work with ideas or emotions that might be hard, dark, or painful, and transform them into something you’re proud of, or something you love instead. I love being able to shift the energy, turning pain into power. Creating helps me process events and feelings and fully transmute them when I hear the music back. I also love being able to collaborate with people I admire and respect. Learning production was like learning a language, and speaking that language is one of the most satisfying things for me.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The most frustrating part is when I have an idea and can’t get to my equipment.
What is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
I was getting caught up in my head, feeling inexperienced. I was worried about making a mistake in public, and I had some fear around performing. I was told that no matter what, I can guarantee that I will make a mistake. No matter how experienced you are, you’ll make mistakes, and you have to get comfortable with that, because it’s something you can’t control. I was told to just go there and enjoy it. That helped me let go of expecting too much from myself and comparing myself to anyone else. It made me realise that all these thoughts and expectations take away from the true essence of being an artist, which is being in the moment, feeling it, and taking people on a journey. I realised that I’m me, I’m doing this because I love it. I’m not perfect, and I never will be, and I don’t want to be.
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Leoni Alexi's debut single 'Time Shift' is out now. Check it out in the player below.