When we first started the blog, I contacted Lissa to get an interview...so I have been waiting to launch this portion of the blog, Life Size Doll, at the perfect time. She has accomplished so much as a two time "Female DJ Of The Year." She is of course an incredible DJ, she has an insane blog, and incredible sense of style. But most of all she is an example to all us females out here in the world.
And she describes her journey to Doll Nation....
Dey: So when did you decide that you wanted to become a DJ?
Lissa: It was something i just kinda stumbled on it wasn't anything i set myself out to do. A DJ friend of mine was like, "you know so much music, why don't you DJ." He taught me how to mix and i started getting gigs.
Dey: What was your first experience like?
Lissa: Terrifying. When I first started gigging I was DJing around my friends and fellow DJ friends and was so scared of what they would think. I remember putting records on the tables and my hands were shaking. It was scary lol.
Lissa: Right now I'm working on my next mixtape project. I cant talk about it right now, but I'm very excited about it.
Dey: What is something your followers don't know about you that you think they should?
Lissa: Um, I'm pretty open on my twitter - http://twitter.com/djlissamonet - but i guess my followers wouldn't know that before music i wanted to be a psychologist or a sociologist.
Dey: What is your ultimate goal in life, with DJing?
Lissa: Right now, my goal is just to travel the world and DJ. people say that i should get into throwing my own parties or event television *gasp* but my heart is really into A&R and artist development.
Dey: What music inspires you?
Lissa: Honestly, music that inspires me is indie rock and sometimes folk music. I'm really into anything different and out of the box.. there are some artists that i am feeling like: Jared Evan, the broken bells, Melanie Fiona, Janelle Monae, drake, Maadmoiselle, Jazzy, Dom Kennedy, Show Stephens, Andreena Mill, and Dam Funk
Dey: What fashion inspires you?
Lissa: I LOVE fashion...there's something so creative and visually appealing about fashion. I've just started to learn that fashion is what you make it and someone's personal style cant be put in a category. the fact that you can wear what you want and be comfortable in it and it be called 'stylish' is amazing. it was never like that when i was younger. but I'm totally amazed and inspired by DIY fashion.
Dey: What one person inspires you?
Lissa: A lot of different people inspire me. but people with lots of insight who aren't afraid to voice their opinion and step outside of their comfort zone are very inspiring like Jay-z, Mark Cuban, Sakiya Sandifer, Seth Godin, a couple of my good friends - Nebby, Hustlegrl Karla, Be from the Legends League and Coco.
Dey: If you could change anything about DJing what would it be?
Lissa: I think it would have to be the skill factor. when i was taught how to DJ i learned that it was about skill first and the frills afterward. a lot of people are taking up DJing because they think its easy, there's a lot of skill involved - reading people, catring to different crowds, knowing music and handling crazy requests and sometimes that all happens simultaneously while trying to mix music together *whew* lol
Dey: How does it feel to be a female in profession that has almost been taken over by men?
Lissa: It doesnt feel any different, I've played with the best of them, I dont feel like i should be treated any differently because im a female.
Dey: What do you do that makes ur name stand out from the rest of the DJs?
Lissa: I think it has a lot to do with branding and being in the know about the web. as well the willingness to change or adapt to new technology.
Dey: Did you have to earn a lot of respect from the Dj community before you got where you are today?
Lissa: I believe so, its called paying dues. anyone who wants respect in their field has to do it in order to understand the value of hard work. i never expect anything to be handed to me.
Dey: What was the journey like for you?
Lissa: It was pretty smooth. i already had built relationships with DJs and promoters so it was easy asking to be put on for experience. i did a lot of parties for free coming up but each time i played made me more comfortable behind the turntables.
Dey: What was your most memorable experience, be it good or bad, o0r if you would like to share one from each category?
Lissa: Most memorable exprience was spinning at a jay-z after party. Jay himself walked up to the DJ booth, looked down at the turnatbles, looked up at me and gave me a nod and put his fist up. I'll never forget that experience. as for bad experiences, you can ask any DJ and they'll tell you the only bad experience a DJ can have is not getting paid at the end of the night or having a promoter dodge you lol
Dey: What was your favorite event?
Lissa: i think my favorite events have to be the events where i can get all dressed up and just have free reign to spin...but thats everytime i play out lol
Dey: What do you do in your free time?
Lissa: Lol free time? I try to spend as much time with family as possible. I have a baby neice, so I try to go visit her and my sister. make sure my family remembers my face lol
Dey: What motto do you live your life by?
Lissa: Its a jay-z line, "I'd rather die enormous than live dormant" i dont know where id be if i wasnt DJing.
Dey: What advice to you want to give the young ladies of Tdot?
Lissa: A wise man once told me, "dont get caught up!" it may sound cliche or cheesy, but keep your eye on the prize and keep your reputation safely tucked away, because thats the first thing anyone will try to snatch from you.
Thanks Lissa for the interview and for being an inspiration to the females in our generation and for the ones to come.
Bisou Bisou,
TseDEY
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