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Damian Lazarus
Damian Lazarus
Various
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 (or ‘The Wizard’ as he’s known to many) 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 as environmentally 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. 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-to-none 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. In 2023, Crosstown Rebels celebrated 20 years young. A major milestone marked by a book, a compilation, and, of course, a world tour of the clubs, cities and places that have inspired and shaped the label.

As anyone who has watched Lazarus DJ or listened to his Lazpod shows can attest, his inspirations are deep and varied, crisscrossing show tunes, drum n bass, jazz, electro, soul, house, techno and everything in-between. Damian’s debut album ‘Smoke The Monster Out’, via the more worldly outings in his brace of albums with the Ancient Moons collective (featuring Moses Sumney and a plethora of other performers and vocalists) and through 2020’s solo album ‘Flourish’ (Crosstown Rebels / Higher Ground) reflected his immersion in a multitude of inspirations and 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. These are all musical odysseys that are both dark and uplifting in equal measure.

A similar approach that he takes with his “Re-Shapes” (remixes) of other artists (Bedouin, Black Coffee, Krust, and Teddy Pendergrass, to name just a few). In addition, collaborations have been explored, including a link up with Diplo and Jungle in summer 2021 for the unmissable and Grammy nominated ‘Don’t Be Afraid’ (Higher Ground / Because), and then with Gorgon City (featuring vocalist Leia Contois) with ‘Start Over’ (April 2022, Crosstown Rebels).

Indeed collaborations have continued in earnest with his new album ‘Magickal’ that was released at the beginning of year on Crosstown Rebels, in the week of the Day Zero festival. Released to rave reviews, ‘Magickal’ references Damian’s previous work to create a tapestry of compositions that tap into the energy of key moments from his discography. Drawing on his existing catalogue creates cohesive through lines, and thematically serves as a continuation of previous stories. With its broad collection of guests including Jem Cooke, Fink, JOJO ABOT, Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs, A-Trak, Mathew Jonson, Mestiza and Zoe Kypri, the album’s themes of mental elevation and psychedelic sonic journeys are evident throughout.

Never one to adhere to convention, Damian opted for a disruptive album release. ‘Magickal’ was kept under wraps, and then announced and released on the 8th January 2025, bypassing the modern trend of prolonged single drops, 3 minute tracks and ‘tombstone’ album releases. This album is the embodiment of Damian and his intentional, against the grain approach and reinforces the album as a complete artistic statement, offering listeners the full cohesive experience from the very beginning. This is a return to the album as the pinnacle moment and not the after thought. Singles, edits and remixes will follow the Magickal album release, plus a world tour, and a chance to present the album in exciting, innovative and unique ways.

Meanwhile Ibiza will remain the pillar of the summer. A residency that began at Hï in summer ’22, has thrived and now returns for its fourth season in ’25, joining his good friend Black Coffee for one of the biggest parties on the island. Introducing new DJ talent to the island, whilst bringing his own ‘ancient temple from the future’ to dominate the Club Room. From playing live with the techno string sextet’ Instrumental’ at Café del Mar in 1999, via Manumission’s raucous Back Room, to sneaking onto the decks uninvited on the terrace at Space in 2001 (ironically where he’s now theoretically a resident), it’s at CircoLoco where Damian has carved his name into Ibicencan clubland folklore, his legendary DJ sets in the Main Room have closed the CircoLoco season for over a decade.

Throughout his solid and unremitting career, Damian has worked tirelessly to maintain a constant flow of creativity and innovation within the electronic music sphere. Never losing focus, Damian 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…