Interview
Returning to the show this month is a name many in the PNW will recognize, Korra The Kid. Currently based in Seattle, Lauren predominantly plays hybrid sets, mixing elements of 160 dnb, hip hop, hyper pop, breaks, techno, footwork, jungle, and grime into her sets. Keeping percussion-heavy underground electronic music as cute as she can weird.
Having performed at Bass Coast Festival in 2023, Korra the Kid has become a PNW festival staple. Lauren also frequently plays well-loved Seattle venues such as Kremwerk and Monkey Loft, not to mention her recent collaboration on Slop, a new warehouse venue in Seattle.
It's a pleasure to have Lauren back to catch up since her first appearance on Peace Portal 6 years ago.
Since you were on the show six years ago, your sound and style has obviously developed a lot. Curious if you can share a little about what's changed for you musically the last few years?
The last Peace Portal mix I did was right when I started experimenting with hybrid genre DJing. I still had some kinks to work out as I moved from mixing mostly dnb/bass. My sets got very abstract for a bit, no consistent BMP, genre or vibe. But it was the unexpected that people loved. This past Kremfest I was inspired by a Jason Code set. He mixed the same bmp the whole time but I was still caught off guard by a lot of his mixing (in a good way LOL). Since then I have been focusing on one bmp sets (mostly 140 and 160) and weaving the different genres at that bmp together in a way that makes sense for me.
I'm sure there have been many moments that have felt like milestones for you as a DJ in the last few years, but I'm interested to hear what moment or moments impacted you musically since your last episode.
This question automatically makes me think of three very different influences. First was working at Kremwerk doing marketing. I saw SO many good club DJs for the first time. I had come from the festival/renegade world, which is a completely different type of mixing. Learning chopping, layering, and vibe building from some very talented performers was SO impactful for me. Next, playing at Bass Coast was like the best thing to ever happen to me DJ-wise. I actually didn’t apply because I didn't think I was good enough yet and The Librarian sent me an offer after playing a show together at The Showbox. It taught me to trust myself and that people appreciate my unique mixing style. Lastly dating Mirin Doja taught me that it's fun to be SMART about music. She knows so much about history and sampling, etc. Knowing your history adds this whole other level where you can be so creative.
In the last few years I understand you've journeyed back to sobriety. Can you share about that experience, and what that looks like being so engaged with nightlife and dance music?
The answer to this question changes all the time. I would be lying if I said it was easy. It 100% is possible to have fun and stay connected to music through sobriety. But your relationship with it has to change because drugs and alcohol are so intertwined with nightlife. I stay connected because I love music. I love the community and creativity the music creates. That is what keeps me going back. You will soon learn that not everyone feels that way and you just gotta be okay with that. Having other sober friends in the scene is crucial. Be okay with taking a break every once in a while.
Along with a few collaborators, you've taken up shop at Slop, a warehouse space for art and music events, and home to Slop Radio. Additionally, I understand the space is used as a place for folks seeking sobriety to meet up. Can you share your experience with Slop?
Slop is the intersection of club and graffiti in Seattle. I lead the music and event side of things while Syco handles the art curation! Our Ballard location is currently used as artist studios but we are hoping in the future to throw shows there again. A lot is in development that I can’t talk about right now but I can say we will be throwing some crazy liminal raves soon! We just had a great show with Bodytalk and I’m feeling very inspired to keep pushing the project forward. If you are sober in SEA hit me up, we do meetings every Sunday.
With as involved as you've been over the last several years, I wonder what your take on the state of Seattle? What's exciting you? Is there anything you'd like to see more of?
Seattle is in a weird place. First off there is SO SO SO much talent. Some of the best shows I have seen in the past few years are a local DJ going freak mode in Timbre Room. But there is this weird vibe recession happening with some of the venues and events. A lot of places are closing, throwing less parties, or people don’t fuck with the promoters. Underground venues are craved but Seattle is so intense about shutting any DIY/ Warehouse venues down that you can’t publicly promote the shows happening at them. Why are these places closing? Why are these parties ending? I don’t know but I’m really hoping Slop can fill part of the void being created. Shout out to Impact and the Furries because they seem to be one of the only subcultures that have figured out how to navigate this weird time and throw 2 shows a month! + If the furries are at your rave it's going to be a good rave.
Tell us a bit about your mix. Any particular inspirations or music you're excited about?
I have been mixing a lot of 140 lately so I was very excited to dive back into a 160 mix. Like I stated above, my current vibe is multi-genre mixing at one bmp, so this one has a bunch of juke, jungle, footwork, hip hop and more. Rap Rave has been one of my biggest inspos lately. I love the way they mix hip hop samples with club music that makes you just want to go CRAZY!
Thanks for taking the time to return to the show Lauren. What's on the horizon for you?
Thanks for having me!! Forrest is the BEST for any of those reading! You are supporting a cool guy! What is next for me is working on Slop and continuing to practice DJING / producing. It has been 10 years since I started DJing and I’ve decided I want to get to expert mode like DJ Stingray. Wish me luck. Keep eyes on SLOP!!!
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