Lucy Hopson, more commonly known as LUXE, wants to challenge the way we understand electronic music. The genre-defying DJ and producer first discovered her love of music by studying classical music from a young age, focusing on flute, piano, and voice. “I once played Mozart piano pieces on a CD player to my little brother when he was still in the womb when I was two,” the musician proudly tells Dazed. 

Classical music had always moved her, but it wasn’t until Hopson moved to Manchester for university that her focus shifted towards the city’s rich club scene. In Manchester, she became a part of the South Manchester DJ collective, B.L.O.O.M., which has featured the likes of other incredibly talented female DJs such as Lara Valentine Rowe and Poison Ivy. During this time and following her move to London, Hopson began to merge these genres, expanding the possibilities of electronic music. 

In 2022, LUXE made her mark on the electronic music scene with the release of her first EP, Belonging. Drawing inspiration from dubstep, jungle, and vintage prog house, she showcased her genre-bending talent. In early 2024, she continued to push boundaries with her critically acclaimed EP, Enchanted, a collaboration with fellow DJ and producer Angel D’Lite. The album, featuring remixes from some of the most exciting names in the electronic space, including Baraka, Faff, Local Group, and Mabel, once again demonstrated LUXE’s ability to traverse genres from garage, jungle to UK funk.  

Hopson is now embarking on a new chapter in her artistic journey, releasing a trilogy of double singles that blend club sensibilities with modern classical instrumentation. Influenced by nature and her Welsh heritage, the singles are meditative and hypnotic, utilising harp, flute, string instruments, and her voice while remaining groovy and euphoric.    

Following the release of “rites” and “solstice”, we had a quickfire chat with the sought-after club DJ about her music, being a proud Aquarius and how she is actively trying to challenge the misconception that her musical endeavours begin and end with her being a DJ. 

How would you describe your music?

LUXE: My music feels like a true mix of all the musical experiences I’ve had up to the point of writing each next piece. I’m not a fan of genre-fying music; it may be helpful for those discovering new music but I think it’s limiting for artists. I’d say that the natural world and environments inspire my music and the feelings and atmospheres felt and created in those places. The music for my debut live show REVERIE and the music I’m releasing in a trilogy on Method 808 has stepped into the sound of me finding purpose with my classical knowledge and blending that with my work so far in the electronic space to create a sound that feels uniquely my own. 

What are your earliest memories of music? 

LUXE: I adored playing the piano that belonged to my grandmother when I was four or five. Around age six, I felt super inspired listening to the sparkling synths that open ‘Everywhere’ by Fleetwood Mac with my mum in the car. 

What’s your star sign, and are you a typical one of that star sign? 

LUXE: I’m a proud Aquarius. I would say I’m a typical Aquarian: fiercely independent but very loyal to those I love, feels no option other than to live creatively, very sociable but often misunderstood as cold and detached when feeling shy. Let’s not forget issues with authority, sarcastic, dramatic and incredibly spontaneous. I could go on… 

What’s your love language? 

LUXE: Food. I love cooking lovely dinners, setting a beautiful table, sharing with friends and loved ones, slowing down, and enjoying the process. I’m very lucky that the love of my life is a chef, so this department is very much answered for. 

What music are you listening to right now? 

LUXE: A lot of Debussy and Rachmaninoff. Life has been a rollercoaster recently, so I’ve felt the need to soundtrack it with drama & romance. 

Are there any misconceptions about you? 

LUXE: I’d say a misconception I’ve encountered and actively disproved is that people think my musical endeavours begin and end with me being a DJ. 

What would be your ghost outfit? 

LUXE: An archive Vivienne Westwood evening gown. 

What’s on your For You Page right now? 

LUXE: AI architecture, Aquarius memes, food, baby animals, nature. 

What do you put on your rider?

LUXE: If I’m solo at my gigs, I won’t often drink alcohol, so I’ll have Kombucha, Coconut water, and CBD drinks. If I have friends with me, I’ll ask for some Ace & Freak cocktail cans, orange wine, or some Patron and Don Julio as well. 

What’s the most recent picture/screenshot on your camera roll? 

LUXE: A photo of my mum and dad on their wedding day. 

Is there a particular music scene or decade that you wish you could’ve been a part of? 

LUXE: I’ve always loved fantasising about 1920s jazz and swing. I would have loved to have seen Ella Fitzgerald sing, drinking an old-fashioned in a sequin flapper dress. 

Do you have any guilty pleasures? 

LUXE: Passively watching Gossip Girl on rotation when I’m doing house chores. 

‘rites’ and ‘solstice’ is out now via Method 808