We're excited that this month's issue is covered by DJ/Producer, songwriter, and poet, Mia Moretti. She sits at the intersectionality of music, nightlife, art, design, and fashion. She began her career spinning vinyl in LA before moving here to NYC in the LES. She has amassed a curated record collection that serves as the driving force behind her production. We have spent many nights listening to her play at our favorite clubs and events. Her approach to what she plays is due to her discerning taste, and is a foundation in performing at exclusive events in the halls of the Louvre, residences in Las Vegas, and composing runway shows for fashion designers. As an It Artist, we're always interested in seeing where she will pop up next, and what sounds she'll spin and produce.
Her ability to sample iconic house sounds from the US, while embracing strong women who are known to have something to say from all over the world, can be found in her debut single, You & Me; reworking the infectious South African disco bop Sweet Juju by Letta Mbulu; and collaborating with Colombia’s legendary Totó La Momposina on her highly anticipated debut dance EP, TAMBOR. We wanted to know more about how she fell in love with DJing, how she approaches her work, creating her tracks, and more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We last saw you at Bungalow 8 and have enjoyed seeing you at a number of editor and special events. When did you first fall in love with music?
MIA MORETTI: When I was a kid my dad would play the guitar at the dinner table every night – they became my two greatest joys in life, food and music. It must be my way to keep him with me always.
AM: When did you realize that you wanted to be a DJ and how did you get your start initially?
MM: I remember the exact moment. I was at a club in Los Angeles called AD and DJ AM was playing. He wasn't on the dance floor like I had always seen DJs before, he was up in a booth that looked like it was floating over the crowd. He was in complete control of the room. He looked like a composer orchestrating the perfect journey for everyone under him. I wanted to do that.
AM: How do you approach your set list when you're doing an event?
MM: I don’t prepare a set list for an event unless it’s something very specific like a fashion show that I am curating the music for. For most of the shows I do have an idea of what I think I might play, but when I arrive I try to let that go and use my feelings a bit more. I like to see who is there and try to understand what sort of mood they are in. I like to see if they are coming from work, or coming from another party, or if they look like they are ready to stay all night, or just passing through - all these things make my job so different every night. Like life, you can't go around planning it, most of the time you just have to be present in it. That’s when it gets fun.
AM: Do you have any routines that you do prior to playing a set to get in the right frame of mind?
MM: Mmm that's an interesting question I always think I want all my friends with me or a big group around, but the truth is I really just like a few moments of silence so I can pull myself together and do that thing you know “get in the zone” - for me that means I give myself a mental check in. "I'm good, I got this, let's go to work now." It's really important for me to shake whatever day is left over on me and go into the booth clean and clear headed.
AM: Do you have any routines that you do after playing your set to come down?
MM: I love to go out and hear other DJs. I can't go to bed because my ears are ringing, so I may as well go out and absorb some creativity while all the portals are open. Also, pizza.
