Lokier: Becoming a Successful DJ by Practicing at the Club
- Filip
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
In a world where overnight fame seems more attainable than ever, Yoan Lokier—known simply as Lokier—chose the long road. She built her career not through viral moments but by losing herself in the club, weekend after weekend, until the music became second nature. Now, with an unmistakable sound blending dark electro, EBM, and techno, she’s a mainstay on the international circuit. But her journey wasn’t always smooth. In our conversation, she opens up about losing inspiration, finding it again, and why the best DJ lessons happen on the dance floor.
"The club was my classroom"
Like many artists, Lokier’s early days were spent obsessing over music. But instead of bedroom DJ sets or YouTube tutorials, she found her real education in the clubs.
“I used to go to the club every weekend and stay until closing,” she says. “Not just to dance, but to understand the energy, the flow, the unspoken dialogue between the DJ and the crowd.”
It wasn’t passive listening—it was study. She immersed herself in the underground, absorbing everything: track transitions, audience reactions, the way a set could turn from hypnotic to euphoric in seconds.
“Practicing at home is essential,” she says, “but the club is where theory meets reality. It’s where you learn to read the room, to adapt, to truly connect.”
The burnout and the comeback
As Lokier’s career took off, so did the pressure. The excitement of playing to bigger crowds was intoxicating, but it came with an unexpected side effect—burnout.
“There was a point where I just lost motivation,” she admits. “I was playing so much that I started feeling disconnected from the music.”
For an artist so deeply tied to the emotional pulse of the dance floor, this detachment was unsettling. But instead of forcing herself through it, she took a step back.
“Whenever I felt lost, I’d return to the dance floor,” she says. “Seeing the raw emotion, the uninhibited joy of the crowd—it reminded me why I started this journey.”
That return to the club as a raver, not a DJ, reignited her passion. She let go of expectations, rediscovered her love for selection, and started making music that felt authentic again.
The art of selection
It’s easy to assume that DJing is about technical skill—flawless mixing, perfectly timed drops. But for Lokier, the real art lies in selection.
“It’s not about playing the biggest tracks,” she explains. “It’s about creating a story. The best DJs take risks. They make you feel something unexpected.”
That philosophy is what sets her apart. Whether she’s weaving together pulsating EBM basslines or hypnotic, industrial grooves, there’s always intention behind her choices.
“You can hear when a DJ is just going through the motions,” she says. “I never want to be that person. Every set should be an experience.”
From student to master
Today, Lokier has made her mark on dance floors across the globe, from Berlin warehouses to major festivals. But she still sees herself as a student of the craft.
“The club was my classroom,” she muses. “And the dancers, my teachers.”
In an era where many chase shortcuts to success, Lokier’s journey is a reminder that true artistry takes time, dedication, and, most importantly, a deep love for the music.
