Let’s Talk About Leo Leonski

Can you imagine an artist born in the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland, shaped by the pulsating nightlife of Berlin, and now calling the vibrant streets of Mexico home? Well, Leo Leonski‘s journey is as eclectic as his sound.

As the founder of Night Heat Records and the creative force behind Salon Tropical, Leonski has carved out a unique niche in the industry. His music is a tapestry of influences. It weaves together house rhythms, tropical flavors, and indie dance sensibilities.

On the eve of releasing his latest track, “Canto Da Sereia,” we sat down with Leo to delve into the story behind the tune, the challenges of running an independent label, and the inspirations that fuel his creative fire.

Join us as we explore the world through the eyes and ears of this Swiss-born.

How did your experiences in Berlin’s rave scene shape your approach to DJing and music production?

That definitely had an impact. Moving to Berlin very early and seeing all those techno and underground clubs back then, was a fun thing and still reflects in my production. The eclectic sounds of Bar25, Sisyphos, Berghain, and even some bars with disco grooves are for sure a thing that influenced me over the years.

Can you describe the journey from your early days playing in small bars to becoming an internationally touring DJ?

I guess the biggest difference became traveling. You know back then you were more local, in your city with friends, going for dinners, playing venues around town, and having fun. Suddenly it’s one city after the other and a lot of time at airports. That’s something you have to balance somehow, especially in your social life.

How has your Swiss background influenced your musical style, if at all?

To be very honest, not really. There’s not much of an electronic scene here that moved me back then, but also I moved early to Berlin and started experiencing the scene more over there. Nightlife in general was very different than in Switzerland.

What inspired you to found Night Heat Records, and what challenges have you faced as a label owner?

The idea for the name came up when I was in New York City. A hot summer night. I saw all those neon lights while we walked around and went to some bars for some drinks. Busy streets, music everywhere, people wandering around. There was something going on. That whole ambience led me to the idea of the night heat.

I think the biggest challenge for now is to come up as a yet unknown label, being a niche project and then finding your way into the market to enter playlists on big platforms.

How do you balance your roles as a DJ, producer, and label manager?

Food and sports. Keep a good focus during the week. Eat as healthy as you can. This keeps me in shape in general. Mind and body. And while I go for a run, I can listen to new music and releases, which is always inspiring.

How has living in Mexico influenced your music production and DJ sets?

I would say Mexico in general had quite an influence. When I worked and lived in Tulum for a while, we had a lot of afro house, disco, and jungle vibes out there. It was some amazing years, right at the peak of Tulum before the pandemic.

But then also Mexico City has an inspiring scene for the more underground and indie sounds, which definitely reflects in my sets.

Can you walk us through your creative process when producing a new track?

Oh honestly for me it mostly starts with a simple kick. A beat, an idea, that gives me direction. A sample I heard somewhere, a melody that inspired me then came on top.

But to produce the song itself, isn’t that big of a part, I can be pretty quick with this. Add percussion, and give it a nice groove. The hardest part though is the last thirty percent. The mixdown, a good master, and then to actually get it out and release it.

What’s the story behind your upcoming release, “Canto Da Sereia”? How did the collaboration with Bruna come about?

I met Bruna in Mexico City and we sat down one day in a studio to record some vocals on a track that I started a while ago but haven’t finished. The whole thing turned out really well and in the end, I was happy to finish the tune with some proper Brazilian accent on the vocals to match the Latin drums and elements.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned about the music industry since starting your own label?

Keep working hard, really. And don’t let yourself be too influenced by others’ opinions. It’s such a huge market and style varies so much. If you are talented and passionate, it will pay off.

How do you discover and nurture new talent for Night Heat Records?

Mostly to meet people over friends or at events. That’s how these topics come up when you talk about music. Get to know a person, the sound and work they do, and collaborate together.

Can you share an unexpected challenge you’ve faced as a label owner and how you overcame it?

To create nice artwork, and to pay attention to it.

So I started to draw and create covers myself. That’s something I really enjoy.

How do you see the role of independent labels like Night Heat Records in today’s music industry?

I mean, be prepared to spend a lot of time on it. Becoming a leading label in nowadays’ market is a hard way, but totally doable. Just depends on what you want to reach, some labels want to stay away from the mainstream, which I highly appreciate.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for your career as a DJ, producer, and label owner in the next few years?

Keep traveling, see new places, play more festivals, keep growing (myself and the label), and definitely keep making music

As our interview comes to an end, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Leo Leonski for sharing his time and insights with us. We can’t wait to see where his journey takes him next.

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