24/08/2022
Damian Lazarus

Damian Lazarus

Crosstown Rebels, Day Zero, Get Lost, his own DJ and production career, the discovery of a
wealth of influential talents… all of these achievements and more make Damian Lazarus not only
one of the most respected exponents of the contemporary house and techno scene, but also one
of its key tastemakers and pathfinders.

As a DJ, his mastery is unsurpassed. A true storyteller, Damian often holds court at those special
times of the day when only his kind of DJ sets are required. Moments that demand a soundtrack
that not only fits the mood, but elevates the atmosphere and takes the audience to a whole other
level of experience. Besides playing at the world’s best clubbing institutions, Damian also
specialises in performing beyond the confines of the walls of a club. He is an expert in performing
his magic in extraordinary outdoor locations; jungles, beaches, deserts, mountains and amongst
archeological ruins. Just a quick glance at his spellbinding Day Zero festival will tell you what
Damian’s ethos is when it comes to creating special moments. Add to that the seminal Get Lost
and Rebel Rave events, two more scene defining parties that epitomise his approach to hosting
unique shows. This is now intertwined with a mission to make his life, his labels and his parties
asenvironmentally responsible and conscious as possible.

Damian’s visionary abilities are no more apparent than in the curation of music and his discovery of
artists via his seminal labels, Crosstown Rebels and Rebellion. During its 18-year lifespan,
Crosstown has been responsible for launching the careers of some of our scene’s best known
names; Jamie Jones, Maceo Plex, Art Department, to name a few. His A&R skills are second-tonone and his dedication to seeking out unique talents is unsurpassed. It is this commitment to the
outer edges of the dancefloor that has welcomed a constant resurgence of his sound and of his
global support.

As anyone who has watched Lazarus DJ or listened to his Lazpod shows can attest, his
inspirations are deep and varied, criss crossing show tunes, drum n bass, jazz, electro, soul,
house, techno and everything in-between. 2020’s solo album ‘Flourish’ (Crosstown Rebels / Higher
Ground) reflects his immersion in a multitude of scenes over the years, from his early days in
London’s drum n bass movement, to his role as a figurehead in the electroclash scene, and of
course the significant impact his Crosstown Rebels label has had on contemporary underground
house and techno.

‘Flourish’ is far from a box of functional DJ tools, in the same way as Damian’s debut album
‘Smoke The Monster Out’ or the more worldly outings in his brace of albums with the Ancient
Moons collective. It’s a personal, brave and varied body of work. It’s also the work of an artist who
has grown over the ten years since his last solo album. Lazarus plays with nuances of texture,
tempo and style to create a rich and deep album that takes us on an odyssey that is at times both
dark and uplifting. A similar approach that he takes with his “Re-Shapes” (remixes) of other artists,
and now finds a huge global audience with his collaboration with Diplo and Jungle (‘Don’t Be
Afraid’ released on Higher Ground / Because).

Throughout his solid and unremitting career, Damian Lazarus has worked tirelessly to maintain a
constant flow of creativity and innovation within the electronic music sphere. Never losing focus, he
continues on his mystical pathway to greatness, unleashing his positive spirit on the masses at
every opportunity. Open your mind, embrace the magic, and get ready for the next bewitching
chapter…