Interview with Little Leigh (UK)
Just this week, we decided to do a bit of spring-cleaning and managed to find a whole collection of Hustler magazines that we thought we’d lost forever- we also found a pretty sick mix from one of our favourite home grown dj talents LITTLE LEIGH who has now moved to the UK and has been rocking the international scene with her unique sound. We’ve managed to get hold of her, through her very helpful and hot-sounding PR Manager – Raven , to chat about the old days, boerie and a lack of a tan…
You are now based in London & Ibiza, was there a particular reason that helped with the decision to take the plunge and give up the sunshine and boerie (hehe boerie) for a lack of a tan and clubbers with really bad dental hygiene in London?
Little Leigh: HAHAHA…great intro! “BAD dental hygiene” – a BIG understatement. “Lack of a tan?” – NEVER, im greek and fortunate to have all-year-round Ibiza skin and trust me when I say there is a boerie stand less than 1km away from my house with meat grilled to perfection by a South African braai master! There are many reasons why I left C.T, S.A & all that was great. For one, I partied way too much & being a professional beach bum was wearing thin. Second & more importantly, I knew that to be taken seriously on an international level in the music business, London would have to be the city to start.
We may be mistaken but didn’t Jamiroquai once make a song about you?
Little Leigh: Ahhhh, I think im blushing and secretly hoping that JK’s “Little L” did in fact refer to ….well, … ME! 
I do, for interests sake have a classic house track that was remixed & named in my honour by my partner, Sleazy G , called “Pushin On” (Lush Reloaded Rmx).. needless to say, its a BOMB!
You studied Radio Broadcasting some years back in Cape Town, you don’t exactly have a face for radio (we really have to come up with better pickup lines)- what drew you to pursuing this as a study path?
Little Leigh: You guys are great confidence boosters! Radio Broadcasting was in fact the 3rd and final time that I studied as before that I did a computer course as well as study Diamonds…. yes, you heard me correctly and no im not Jewsish and no I dont know how to hook you up on the black market. I knew I had to be in the music industry & was always told that I had an outgoing infectious personality and a great voice so I guess I thought id put it to good use and see where it got me, … and besides…, who doesnt love the thought of being a rockstar?
For those who haven’t heard you on 5FM, what style of music would best describe your dj antics?
Little Leigh: I dont only stick to one sound, “variety is the spice of life”, so depending on the venue and the gig im booked for, it will be a mixture of Deep & vocal House OR Tribal & groovy Tech House. On 5FM, I do whats known as the “Hotspot” every Saturday night from 10pm on Erica Elle’s show where I feature an international festival or event from around the world so make sure to listen up if you’re planning on taking a trip overseas and looking for a great party!
In our opinion you’re one of the only female dj’s, if not THE only one to take their sound overseas and make a success. Was the transition from djing in and around SA compared to overseas a difficult one?
Little Leigh: To be honest, even though I new all the right people, djs and venues in S.A, I didnt really stick around long enough to make a name for myself there. Instead I decided “why be a big fish in a small pond” when I can go overseas and make sure to be a “big fish in an ocean”! The transition is very difficult as when you get to London, you know no one and no one wants to know you. Its like starting all over again except this time you have to work even harder and network your butt off to be taken seriously which makes the success in the end, that much sweeter!
You’ve played and been a resident at clubs like Ministry of Sound, The Whitehouse & Pacha in London, as well as playing at several opening and closing parties yearly at the dance capital of the world- Ibiza. Is there any one gig that stands out as being your favourite?
Little Leigh: Wow…. bit of a difficult one to answer as there have been so many amazing gigs but I think the one that stands out to date was Ibiza 2009 opening parties and playing at a club called Eden on the main floor. The atmosphere was electric, the DJ booth was suspended above the dance floor and all I saw was a sea of 1000′s of Ibiza party people with their hands in the air. It was bliss.
Over here at MyCityByNight we’ve been frequenting the dance and clubbing scene for the better part of 10 years now- how do you feel things have changed (obviously ignoring the decline in the use of poppers, tigerbalm and glowsticks) and have they changed for the better?
Little Leigh: I havent been living in S.A for going on 4yrs now but since returning in Jan 2010 on tour with DIRTYdubbin, I noticed a slight change in sounds that were being played and produced which is good because as you might know S.A is about 2yrs behind on Europe and the clubbing scene in London. It seems that as one genre dies out overseas, that same genre only starts out in S.A. Iv always loved my countries dj’s & dance scene as thats where my roots stem from but living abroad really opens up your eyes as to how much other music & culture is out there. So yes, I think things are definitely stepping up in the right direction in Africa.
What is your favourite track right now?
Little Leigh: Jeepers, I could be here all day on this one ..
This is a pretty standard question for all the dj’s we do chat to, but nonetheless a very important one. Have you dabbled in any music production and if not do you have any plans to do so in the future?
Little Leigh: As much as producing sounds appealing to me, I dont think I have the attention spam to sit in front of a desk for endless hours piecing it all together but on the other hand id like to try and make at least one tack in the near future just to say that iv given it a bash.
We missed you the last time you were down on tour in SA (we’re very upset by this), any plans to come back for a visit soon? Please say yes!
Little Leigh: YES! YES! YES! Il be back in S.A every year on tour from January to March before heading to Ibiza.
With so many South Africans living abroad, is there any event or festival that you’re involved in that caters for all the expat Saffas?(a term used for South Africans abroad)
Little Leigh: Oh for sure!!! DIRTYdubbin is the biggest South African brand in the U.K and hosts an annual event called “The South African Reunion in London,” where a showcase is put on with an insane line up S.A talent consisting of bands, djs, mc’s, comedians and the works!! Just so you know what im talking about, we have added the video to the 2009′s event below:
and now for the famous MyCityByNight would you rather question-
Would you rather drop Dj Sammy- Heaven as your first song in your set after Paul Oakenfold has just demonstrated a masterclass in djing to a Space Ibiza crowd?
Or
Become the spokesperson and face (we use this term loosely) for a new campaign on the dangers of leaving a yeast infection untreated?
Little Leigh: OMG!!!!!!!!! Im speechless!!
Thanks so much for taking the time out to chat to us and being such a good sport, it really has been wicked. Good luck for the upcoming Ibiza summer season and we hope to catch you back down here sooner than later!
Little Leigh: Thanks guys for the wicked interview, its been fun
You can find out more info, footage & details about Little Leigh by visiting the following sites:
http://www.facebook.com/little.leigh
http://www.youtube.com/djlittleleigh
http://www.myspace.com/dj_little_leigh
Be sure to keep an eye out for the exclusive Little Leigh mix done especially for everyone here at MyCityByNight
Thanx Leigh
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