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Lindsay Luv is an equally amazing musician as she is a person. We’ve been listening to her music for quite some time, she was the resident DJ at our Soho Grand Parties, and we finally got the chance to chat with the entertainer about her move to LA, her musical dreams, and her passion for poetry.

What was the best moment in your DJ career so far?

It actually happened this past weekend. It was my birthday eve–I had just moved my home base to LA a day before to begin my weekly summer residency at The Mondrian (Saturday Poolside Party)–and within 24 hours I was DJing at the legendary Playboy Mansion! A rising artist I had done some production/remix work for, pop star Kimberly Cole, had performed at the mansion before and recommended me to the events team who in turn ended up hiring me to DJ their big charity event May 15th in support of our wounded soldiers.

To arrive with all my bags in LA, on my birthday weekend, and find myself in a black SUV parting the gates at the Playboy Mansion to DJ was by far the most incredible moment of my career. The Playboy Mansion is one of the most famous properties of American culture, and, similar to Neverland Ranch, is a place that only a very exclusive crowd attends as guests and even more exclusively as the talent. Being able to play at such an iconic establishment hosted by Hugh Hefner was simply a dream come true. The fact that my music was also part of a great cause made it that much richer an experience. The night was incredible and the property and attendees were as glamorous as I imagined. I really felt like I entered my new ‘home’ with a bang and on my birthday no less!

Where do you dream to spin?

I really want to spin in Italy! I am Italian and my heritage is something I have always taken great pride and interest in. To spin any hot club in Italy would be my first choice…I love the country to visit as is, so to DJ there would be a dream. I also would like to get to Asia soon…the DJ/Club scene there is apparently amazing and it would be great to see a new part of the world.

What are some of your fave genres to spin?

I love all music but I generally like do open format sets and combine 80’s, 90’s, rock, old school west coast hip hop, pop, house and electro/remixes.

Pick 3 people you want to have dinner with?

Madonna, Chelsea Handler, and Brad Pitt. Madonna is my all time favorite artist. I love her music, I respect her image, I admire her career, and I simply idolize her! Chelsea Handler is hilarious and totally is my type of gal pal. She is uncensored, yet funny rather than rude, and she has a great upbeat warm energy. I think she would be a blast to have dinner with! Brad Pitt isn’t for any meaningful reason other than the fact that I ADORE Brad Pitt! He had me from “Thelma in Louise” and kept me forever at “Legends of the Fall”. He is handsome, talented, and cares about making the world a little bit better with his significant humanitarian efforts. He would be an amazing dinner date although I think I would be too excited to eat. And if I could have a fourth it would be Beth Ditto from the Gossip- she is simply an incredible artist and has beat all odds in a way-too-often superficial industry. She is powerful and sets trends. I worship all things Beth!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I am not really sure exactly where I will be in the spectrum of the music industry but I know I will be rockin’ it because I ALWAYS work hard and hustle. I started out in the music industry on the more business side with management and events work and came out more recently as a talent. I don’t think I will ever lose either side of that spectrum as they both have been needed on whichever end I was in. You need talent to understand business, and you need business to be the best talent. I could see myself morphing a lot of my past work from both spectrums into a new take on my career however. I would love to get some form of a hosting gig: a radio show or music-based TV program or attend events and festivals interviewing bands and artists. I am extremely knowledgeable about music and the industry and can relate to artists on a multitude of levels. Plus, I have an engaging and energetic personality so I think it would be fun to combine my knowledge, skills and persona and host. No matter what though, I will definitely be Djing as this is a passion! I can definitely tell you that my career will ALWAYS be about music and nightlife!

If you weren’t a DJ, what would you do/be?

If I were not working in the music industry, I would’ve loved to be a chef! I love cooking and find it extremely relaxing. I love concocting my own creative dishes and feeding whoever’s around to see their reaction. I like the way food brings people together and I love great food! I also love riding horses and told my parents when I was young how much I wanted to be a wrangler. In an alternate universe I would own a dude ranch and ride all day!

What do you love and what do you hate about nightlife?

I love the energy of nightlife. I like that it is the opposite of ‘working’. In a country that spends countless hours working with very little time off, I like that nightlife offers an escape. It allows people to blow some steam off, dance the night away, toss back a drink or two, meet new people and listen to great music! Nightlife is sometimes dark and naughty, but extremely exciting and adventurous. You never know whom you will meet or what kind of night you will have. There is something about going out each night that makes you believe anything can happen. I remember many evenings where I went out with a friend for happy hour and that morphed into finding myself at 3am in the DJ booth with Mstrkrft fist pumping to a packed crowd. One night I scaled a building to sneak into a NIN concert. You simply never know what’s going to happen!

On the flip side, I often don’t like a lot of the pretentiousness of nightlife: the strict doormen and bottle service standards. I liked the idea of the old New York City where everyone mingled. When you make things too constrictive then you start to exist in a bubble which essentially gets boring and attracts boring people to your ‘exclusive’ lifestyle! However, sometimes exclusivity can work well if it is a special event as you may be in a room surrounded by some of the most stand-out people in a particular industry to network with. I also don’t like the pressure from many nightclubs to conform the music to ‘safe’ stuff – top 40’s and songs like “Tik Tok’ on repeat. I like when DJ’s keep it interesting and break records. The DJ’s that play it safe by using a fine-tuned setlist/mixtape every time to keep the crowd/bosses happy bores me. Nightlife to me is about a melting pot of sound and color and an “everything goes” attitude. To constrict that is a shame. I also don’t enjoy when I see good people go in a downwards spiral that they can’t get out of. Alcoholism and substance abuse can go hand in hand with nightlife and I don’t respect how nightlife can push the idea that the ‘cool kids’ get smashed. Addictions are a deadly game and have sadly claimed lives of many nightlife greats–some which were friends/mentors of mine.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to write! I‘ve been writing poetry since I was a kid. I also love blogging and have a blog called “Luv$ It” on joonbug.com. I also enjoy jogging in the Hollywood hills, reading books, playing my new harmonica, cooking, horseback riding and shopping. Like many gals, I love to shop! I also love a nice day at the beach or a fun group BBQ!

Tell us 5 songs you have in your IPOD?

The Bird and the Bee: I Can’t Go For That (Cover)

The Gossip: Heavy Cross

The Raveonettes: I Want the Candy (I actually make a little cameo in the video)

Madonna: Give It To Me

Boys Noize: Oh! (ATrak remix)

How was your high school prom? If you could do it over again, what would you change?

My Junior Prom was the best one! I went with my high school sweetheart. He picked me up in a massive yellow Camaro! I had a gorgeous long black dress with side cutouts, which is oddly enough the hot look again in 2010! He got me a special corsage with red roses and silver glitter to make sure it was ‘rock-n-roll’ enough for me. We had the BEST time and were the last ones off the dance floor at the end of the night. My feet killed and he carried me to the car… It was a magical prom and I wish I had gone with him again to my senior prom.

You have been getting a lot of recent press on your style…how do you define your style and who are some of your favorite brands?

I always loved fashion but I never felt like I was trying to play up any specific fashion trends. I have always worn as much black as possible and dressed to feel comfortable. I think my style centers around comfort with a stylish and sexy flair. I like worn-in tees and funky leggings or skinny pants and motorcycle jackets and boots are definitely a staple in my wardrobe. I am kind of ‘biker/rocker/glam chic by night, ‘tomboy schoolgirl’ by day. I like to wear as many accessories as possible without being obnoxious. I love vintage jewelry and anything that has a past or some kind of meaning to me.

My favorite designers are Brian Lichtenberg, Alexander Wang, Wayne, Vena Cava, Costume National, Helmut Lang, Diesel Black Gold, Wildfox Couture and Siwy Denim. Brian Lichtenberg is incredibly talented and I swear I couldn’t make outfits that are more ‘me’ than his hooded pieces and glittery one shoulder padded dresses and ripped T’s. Everything is rock n’ roll sexy without trying too hard, comfortable yet super glam. I really like when a designer uses interesting cuts and shapes to make something spectacular rather than throwing down a ton of bedazzling or prints. I like great black pieces that have interesting and flattering shapes and understated glitz. I think for everyday wear, Siwy denim makes super flattering and comfortable jeans for women and paired with a cozy and kitschy Wildfox Couture Tee and boots you’re ready to go!

Any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

Right now I am just trying to get settled into Los Angeles– my new second home- and get things cranking here on the west coast. I have started off with a bang and am ready to bring some of my NYC flair to their nightlife! I am working on some exciting new projects including a potential endorsement deal with a major brand, production of remixes for various artists including pop star Kimberly Cole, further touring including Lollapalooza, new mix CD’s–a possible EP, and am interested in pursuing some hosting/radio work to coincide with my DJ career. What I can promise you is that I am not slowing down anytime soon!