DISRUPTORS: LEX HEARTH

Lex Hearth isn't just one of London's hottest DJs; she's a multi-hyphenate powerhouse disrupting the creative industries from all angles.

When she’s not spinning electrifying sets, broadcasting radio shows or locked in a studio producing tracks, Lex is leading campaigns for global giants like Nike, Samsung, and Uber - quite literally doing it all.

However, her true disruptive force lies in her tireless commitment to transforming the male-dominated music production landscape. She's not just spinning tracks; she's spinning the future of music through the introduction of her platform DMD.

SCISSOR: What's one track guaranteed to get you on the dance floor, no matter how tired you are?
LH: Maneater by Nelly Furtado

SCISSOR: Beyond the decks, what's a secret passion or nerdy hobby you geek out about?
LH: I’m really quite obsessed with music but I’m nerdy about genres which people might not expect. I love classical music. I like to go alone to classical concerts, have a glass of red wine, and just enjoy the calm of it. I’m often bringing the average age down there! I also love a rockumentary - one of my favourites is Pearl Jam Twenty.

SCISSOR: You've worked with some impressive brands. What's the craziest, most unexpected thing that happened in a previous 9-5 job?
LH: Madonna came to a party I worked on in New York last year, that was very cool! She’s a true icon, and I have a lot of admiration for her creativity. At Nike we were always around athletes and so Mo Farah was a part of my leaving day. And at the same token I’ve been screamed at for describing a drink as ‘creamy’ instead of ‘smooth’ on an in-store poster. So there's been swings and roundabouts in that world!

SCISSOR: If you could only eat one London takeaway for the rest of your life, what would it be?
LH: Uh excellent question! I would say Mildred’s because everything they do is good!! And variety is the spice of life. I could keep curry and burgers in my weekly meal plan.

SCISSOR: Sunrise or sunset sets? And why?
LH: Sunrise sets ! No feeling quite like it :)) particularly in Ibiza

SCISSOR: Your 'Five Good Things' Substack is all about inspiring finds. What's the ‘One Good Thing’ you've discovered recently that genuinely blew your mind?
LH: This is also quite nerdy… but Salvador Dali created some illustrations for an early edition of Alice in Wonderland and that was so poetic to me! That story used to really freak me out but I’m obsessed with the following words “It takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!”, and have discovered its genius. Dali, also obviously a real figurehead in the surrealism movement from an art side, so the collaboration was delicious.

SCISSOR: It would be rude not to include a ‘Desert Island Disc’ tribute: You get to bring one non-music item to a desert island. What is it?
LH: What a podcast. But OK, my answer would have to be a pen and paper :) I think I could survive if I could write. This is assuming my laptop isn’t allowed!

SCISSOR: What's a piece of advice you'd give your younger self about navigating the music industry, knowing what you know now?
LH: Firstly, I’d say - you can do it, so don’t be so afraid to try. Secondly, work really hard on all fronts and develop your skills. Then I’d also say, relationships are everything in music, but people are keen to develop them so find some places to show up and introduce yourself to new people more readily. Each of those three points is very important.

SCISSOR: What's one thing you absolutely have to do before you start your day, to get in the zone?
LH: Make my bed.

SCISSOR: If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and what kind of track would you make?
LH: Wow! So hard! I think I would have to say Freddie Mercury because his creativity and talent were so original, I’d have no idea what we’d make but the process would be a delightful adventure. There are so many brilliant producers and songwriters I admire, but I’m happy to enjoy their music as a fan and develop my sound independently.

SCISSOR: What's a guilty pleasure track you secretly love?
LH: Billie Piper - Day & Night

SCISSOR: Your favourite spot in London to unwind and recharge?
LH: My flat is my sanctuary, so that would be one. I also love Wilton Way on a sunny day.

SCISSOR: Finish this sentence: "The biggest misconception about being a DJ is..."
LH: That it’s well paid 🤠

SCISSOR: What's a sound that instantly transports you back to a specific memory?
LH: Oooh a sound, how visceral. The sound of waves makes me think of my parents.

SCISSOR: What's one small act of kindness you've witnessed recently (either IRL or online) that stuck with you?
LH: I had to go into hospital recently and my sisters were incredibly kind. My younger sister left work immediately to come and be with me and I had to stop my older sister flying over from Paris just to escort me on a train. Despite being a DJ I actually don’t really like attention in that context - I’m very “don’t worry about me” - so it was a time where despite my insistence, I was very relieved to have their support. I do think kindness spreads.

SCISSOR: Beyond the music, what's a book, movie, or podcast that genuinely changed your perspective on something?
LH: Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer

SCISSOR: Finally, what's one thing you're genuinely excited about for the future of music?
LH: I’m excited about what the platform I’m building, Dance Music Digest, can mean for re-telling the stories of Dance Music. And I’m excited for women to increasingly have a bigger role in the creation of music! I’m also optimistic about smaller communities and the willingness of people to seek out authenticity amongst the noise.