If ever there was a name deserving of an entry in Masif’s Hard Dance Icons series, it would have to be Lisa Lashes. After ranking as the world’s #1 female DJ in DJ Mag’s Top 100 poll last year, the tireless hard dance advocate is already in the thick of an “amazing” 2010.

With her Lashed Music label still firing and a full slate of gigs stretching towards the European summer, downtime is not a concept familiar to Lisa. Hard Dance Icons 003 sees the DJ-producer journeying through tech-trance and hard dance across two discs, capturing the energy she brings to clubs. ITM hears about the new compilation from the leading lady herself.

So, how has 2010 treated you so far? Have you been consumed by touring?
It’s been amazing. I’ve had the busiest February I think I ever had on record nothing like starting the year with a bang. So far I’ve played in six different countries including South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. I’ve mixed and released an album, re-launched my Lashed events brand to great success at the Atomik Weekender last week and also launched my own Lashed merchandise range. All this and we’re only into March. It’s going to be a very exciting year!

Is it a daunting task to represent what you do as a DJ into just two discs, or do you see it as an enjoyable challenge?
I would say it’s quite the opposite. Having two discs instead of just one allowed me to showcase my international trance sound as well as the harder sounds that I have become know for. I also managed to squeeze a good few of my own release from my Lashed Music label onto there as well.

How did you approach the two discs on the mix? Did you want each to have its own distinct feel?
I wanted to show the progression of the tracks I like to play from early in the night to peak time and also showcase my favorite producers at the moment, as well as the more European hard dance sound I’ve been playing in my sets. The first disc starts off nice and trancey with tracks by the John Askew, Shy Brothers, Jordan Suckley, Mark Sherry and Giuseppe Ottaviani building up into slightly harder territory over the last few tracks into that tougher Scot Project sound, which crosses over between hard trance and tech-trance.

The second disc starts off where the first ends, with tech-influenced European sounds. It focuses more on hard dance sounds with tracks on there by ASYS, Organ Donors, Phil York, Technikal, Fausto and Kidd Kaos, really showcasing the next generation of hard dance producers coming through the ranks at the moment!

You’ve included your track with Phil York, Bondage & Whips, on the mix. Does collaborating with other producers in the studio encourage you to try new things?
Most definitely. You can always bounce ideas off each other and every producer has their own sound they are trying to push. I can fuse that with my own sound for a unique take on hard dance. Phil was great to work with as he has a good vision of how to fuse elements of different genres together but still keeping that hard dance power running throughout the track.

Given the name of the series, who else of your peers do you consider a ‘Hard Dance Icon’?
Kutski? Anne Savage? Scot Project for productions?

What’s the latest for Lashed Music? Have you picked up on any upcoming talent recently?
We’ve just had our monumental tenth release on the label which was my favorite production Dancefloor Orgy, with massive remixes from Alex Kidd, Kidd Kaos and Mac and Taylor, which I am delighted with the response from. Forthcoming releases include collaborations with future stars BRK3 who have been one of my favorite producers to come through the ranks over the last year. I’ve also been hard at work for a theme to coincide with the relaunch of my Lashed events.

Do you feel hard dance is in an exciting place at the moment?
Hard dance is more diverse now than it ever has been. It allows it to be played in many different areas, ranging from the tech-trance sound all the way up for hardstyle. This really excites me, so I can play a really broad spectrum depending on night, set time and crowd.

Masif Hard Dance Icons 003: Lisa Lashes is out now on Masif through Stomp.

CD1:
1. Shy Brothers – Perfect Storm
2. Jordan Suckley – Out Cold (Original Mix)
3. Talla 2XLC vs Robert Burian – Déjà Vu (Giuseppe Ottaviani Mix)
4. Shy Brothers – DFM (Original Mix)
5. Steve Allen featuring Michelle Hutcheson – Shades of Green (Eddie Sender Mix)
6. John Askew – Bad Apple
7. BRK3 – Phrenology
8. Shy Brothers – Mystery
9. Organ Donors – 99.9 (Mark Sherry & James Allan’s ‘Under The Knife’ Mix)
10. Lisa Lashes & Phil York – Bondage & Whips (Scot Project Mix)
11. Phil York & BRK3 – Traffic
12. Steve Hill & Technikal – Welcome to My World (Luca Antolini & Andrea Montorsi Mix)
13. Gary Maguire – True Colours

CD2:
1. Lisa Lashes – Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll (Intro)
2. Lisa Lashes vs Alex Kidd / Kidd Kaos – Nu Religion
3. Kidd Kaos – Exit 9
4. Steve Hill & Technikal – Are You All Ready (S.H.O.K.K. Mix)
5. Organ Donors – Devolution (Anne Savage Mix)
6. Phil York & Technikal – Something Different
7. Alex Kidd – Kiddstock Theme 09 (ASYS mix)
8. Fausto – Get Low (FJ Project Mix)
9. Lisa Lashes vs Alex Kidd & Kidd Kaos – Dissaray (Original Mix)
10. Organ Donors – Looking For Drugs (FJ Project’s ‘Under The Knife’ Mix)
11. Lisa Lashes – Maxwell (Luca Antolini Mix)
12. Iain Cross – G.O.D.
13. Organ Donors – Tranceplant
14. Luca Antolini – Control Your Body (United Styles Controlled Mix)
15. Lisa Lashes – Dancefloor Orgy (Alex Kidd & Kidd Kaos Mix)