Damian Lazarus is bringing magic back to dance music

You just released Magickal. So many great collabs. The opening track with Jem Cooke sets the tone.

We recorded face to face on this record in Mark Ralph’s studio in London and she’s a proper professional. I like to think that the album will stand the test of time. It’s not going to be something that people listen to once and forget about. 

What’s your vision for bringing back club culture?

I’ve been a resident at the number one club in the world for the last three years, Hï Ibiza. In the room I run there every Saturday, you close your eyes and think, “what’s the most ideal nightclub space?” I have great lighting and incredible sound. But at various clubs and festivals and stuff online, there’s the phone in the air thing. And I just thought, it’s taking away their energy and the connection that people can make and, well, it’s annoying for other people standing around having their view obstructed by people’s phones. So I just asked people politely to please not use their phone and they started to really respond to it. 

Mythology and ritual are part of your world. Why?

I want people to remember that magic happens. It’s happening around us all the time. And you just have to have your eyes open to notice it. In this album, that was the key thing. How do I express, musically, the idea of magic? My DJ booth at Hï Ibiza is an ancient temple. Day Zero is based in the ancient Mayan civilization with temples up the road. 

You dedicated a stage at Day Zero Festival to local artists. 

One of the most exciting projects to me is Secret Echoes — a three-piece band. It’s almost like a Mexican supergroup. We released a debut single on Crosstown Rebels this year. There’s been a very strong resurgence of Mexican dance music. I hope we’re playing a little part in that.

What’s the state of dance music?
There are some very formulaic areas of electronic music right now. There’s some questionable music at the top of the commercial end and it’s my life-long mission to remind people that there’s something deeper, more wholesome, more challenging, to be found. There is magic in the music.