Lumia is a New York-based DJ, producer, and artist known for her hypnotic blend of bass-heavy house and whispered, left-of-center vocals. She’s opened for artists like Bedouin, Chloé Caillet, Chase West, Tinashe, Patrick Mason, and Devault, and was dubbed “New York’s Coolest DJ” by The Cut.
Her independently released debut EP Kite marks a major milestone, earning editorial support from Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon, spotlighting on Insomniac Radio’s Artist Discovery series, and landing a support slot for Bedouin at Teksupport.
Lumia’s music and presence continue to resonate across culture: she’s been featured in Office Magazine, interviewed by LP Giobbi for Femme House Radio on SiriusXM BPM, supported on air by Triple J, and has delivered sets for The Lot Radio, Ones to Watch, and Pinterest.
Beyond the booth, Lumia is embedded in fashion and nightlife culture, having performed for global brands including Giorgio Armani, Marni, SSENSE, GANNI, and Gentle Monster. She represents a new wave of electronic artists, merging genre-defying sound with a sharp, multidisciplinary creative vision.
Lumia recorded her set at the Superior Ingredients rooftop in New York for our Prima Lux series, and we had a little chat with her to talk music, inspiration, and more. Enjoy!
WWD: You recorded this Prima Lux mix at the Superior Ingredients rooftop in New York — how did the setting and the energy of the space influence the way you approached this set?
For a day party at Superior Ingredients, I wanted the energy to feel lighter and playful. I approached the set with Parallelle’s sound in mind and wanted to include some classic feel-good cuts for the crowd.
WWD: Your sound sits in a very specific space between bass-heavy house, minimal tension and whispered, almost intimate vocals. How conscious are you of building a “sonic identity” when you’re selecting tracks or producing your own music?
When it comes to production, initially, I wasn’t very conscious of a sonic identity. I definitely approached music making from an experimental place, and the whispered vocals paired with the heavier production was something that happened naturally. I feel like I have freedom to sonically move into any space I want to when it comes to music making, turning inward and figuring out what feels right to me rather than looking to external sources of inspiration. At this point in the music making process the whispered vocals are a staple in my tracks.
WWD: Prima Lux is a series focused on atmosphere and long-form storytelling rather than peak-hour impact. What kind of narrative were you trying to create in this mix?
I’ve heard so many heavy sets and bro-ey tech house in New York being played at the wrong times and I wanted to provide some relief. It has a lighter spirit – I wanted to ease the crowd into a more high energy sound towards the end of the set. It was a slow burn.
WWD: Your debut EP Kite marks a clear step from being known primarily as a DJ into presenting yourself as a fully formed artist. What shifted for you creatively when you started working on your own material?
DJing was always a creative process for me, but making my own music allowed me to get much deeper into this process. I’ve always been obsessed with music – making tracks has made the experience of listening to music and selecting tracks even more inspiring for me. I feel a lot more freedom and openness when curating sets, and making the type of music that I want to hear – being able to play my tracks at shows has been a really cool experience.
WWD: Vocals play a very personal and subtle role in your tracks, especially on Kite. What draws you to that whispered, restrained vocal approach instead of more traditional club-focused vocals?
The overly poppy and manufactured vocals oftentimes found in dance music never really resonated with me creatively. I resonate with a more carefree, lighter expression. Some of my favorite female artists have raw indie vocals – I find these types of vocals to be most aligned with my artistic expression. It came naturally.
WWD: You move very naturally between underground club culture and fashion and brand worlds. How do those environments feed into your artistic vision rather than pulling you away from it?
These worlds fall under the same umbrella for me – they’re all spaces that provide room for self expression.
WWD: You’ve shared stages with artists like Bedouin, Chloé Caillet and Patrick Mason, all of whom approach performance very differently. What have you learned from those experiences that has shaped the way you perform today?
Each of them are incredible artists in their own way. It’s made me a better DJ to learn to adapt to each type of sound and read the room accordingly. I’m really inspired by Chloe’s track selection, Patrick Mason’s stage presence and Bedouin’s creative consistency.
WWD: New York is a huge part of your story and your image as an artist. How does the city continue to influence your sound and your mindset as you step into this next chapter after Kite?
New York always has this active energy present, so I’m constantly inspired with new ideas. There’s also a lot of legends around that I’ve been lucky to learn from. There’s so much happening in the city – it’s taught me how to quiet the noise and stay focused on my vision through all the chaos.
Lumia: Instagram / SoundCloud