Spotlight: Where are you from originally?
Lhea: Every time someone asks me this I take a deep breath in and eventually just answer...everywhere! I've moved about quite a lot and I don't really have a sense of being from anywhere. I was born in Devon, lived in Lincolnshire, then studied "up north" and ended up in London. However as a child I was often ferried over to Ibiza with my parents who visited friends over here.
Then when I was 17 my family emigrated to Gran Canaria and later Lanzarote. At first I remained in the UK doing some modeling but it didn't take me long to realise it was much more fun hanging out on the beach all day and clubbing all night, as opposed to running from casting to casting around a gray, cold and expensive London! Despite my passport, I don't have a great sense of being particularly English; I'd never contemplate moving back there. For me Ibiza is my home - I think I've always known this is where I want to be.
When and How did you end up in Ibiza?
I was three the first time I ever came to Ibiza and I can remember very clearly me running around Cafe Del Mar as they were trying get ready for the opening. My father's friend was due to play a gig there that night and I was being a complete monster; dipping my hands into all the newly applied paint! (Eventually the owner locked me in a toilet!) After that we came every year until I was 14 and I remember sitting on the corner of Hotel Montesol on Vara del Rey watching all the street parades gather. It was at that point that I knew that was what I wanted to do when I was older! I started coming back here in 2001 just for the summers but it became tiring packing up my life at the end of each season. Going backwards and forwards just didn't make any sense, so I decided to stay all year round.
What did you get up to in your first few years here?
I think I did what everyone does in their first few years; party too much, sleep very little and work just enough to live. I think I managed to attend every party that was thrown at me and got fired from quite a few jobs for not turning up! I worked in everything from selling henna tattoos, doing some PR for Privilege, trotting up and down the beach with an enormous glittery letter A (pAcha), club dancer, bar person, clothes shop manageress. I set up my own promotions team and did some work for people like St Germain, Faithless, Fisherspooner & the Kaiserchiefs and parties like Manumission at Privilege and Salvacion Ibiza at El Divino.
I was the promoter/guestlist for Mr C with his super cool Superfreq party in DC10 and for Spain's top Hip-Hop artist Mucho Muchacho and his party The Hip Hop Institute at Pacha! I seem to remember spending every night either working or hanging out on Calle de la Virgen in Ibiza Town or the neighboring steps of Noctambula and Akelarre bar. It was like a small community down there which had a great vibe but sadly that is all but gone now. Party wise I used to love the Manusmission Hotel and Carry On parties at Space with all fancy dress bits and bobs. I don't think I have laughed so much at any other party than there - great times! I also used to be a hardcore attendee of DC10 but unfortunately work doesn't allow me to get there as much as I'd like to now. I am keeping my fingers crossed for this year.
What would most people know you for in Ibiza?
Interestingly enough I've recently discovered that every time I meet someone new they say – “yeah yeah I've seen you about”, but I think when you've been here this long people just know you from "about". It is also quite possible that people know me from my summer work as I have been doing it for over 7 years now and has gained me the nickname of ‘El General' (I think the implication is I'm a bit bossy!) I work as assistant director for a party which was called Salvacion and held in El Divino for 9 years. In 2009 I re-branded the party as Republik Ibiza and in 2010, after the demise of El Divino, we moved to the main terrace of Space every Saturday alongside Cafe Ole. But I think it's the living here all year round that gives you more notoriety. When people see your here in winter you get more of a residents reputation. (Also dressing 1940s and towering over everyone at a ridiculous 6 ft (in heels) tends to gets you noticed!)
How would you describe LaNu and how did it come about?
My partner in crime, Sarah Main, and I had probably had a few too many glasses of wine at our local tapas/cocktail bar on Vara del Rey, La Cava, when simultaneously we said to each other, "why don't we do a party here?" We didn't want to do another house night but wanted something that fitted the venue with its sleek minimal neon feel and cocktail vibe. I was just starting to take an interest in Nu-Disco and so we decided to work with it, and it became a huge success! This year we came back for our second winter season, only we couldn't return to La Cava, so we decided to go mobile with a MOBILE DISCO theme changing locations all the time. I think people really appreciated this vibe, bringing new venues to light that even some of the die-hard residents did not know existed.
We have had some amazing winter parties in places like La Bodega, Lo Cura, Dakota, Shardana, Somni and a monthly residency in Aramon, an old 1920s converted cinema right in the middle of Ibiza Town - an incredible hidden gem! We were also showing another side to many house DJs...you would be amazed at how many of them love Nu -Disco. We have had Andy Baxter , Dave Phillips, Colin Peters, Jason Bye, Ryan O'Gorman, Mark Ramsey, Justin Field, Luca C, Daisy Heartbreaker, Grayson Shipley (Deep Groove), Tape to Tape, Alex Wolfenden, Jon Howell, Big L, Javi Mad-Dog Herrera to name a few! We now have our winter closing party on the 4th of May at Pacha which is a great opportunity for us and we are contemplating maybe doing some summer parties too.
Tell us who your unsung hero of the Island is?
Ibiza is full of so many amazingly talented characters that I don't know where to begin. All my friends are my heroes but if I was to mention anyone it would be an old friend who passed away last year and definitely has left a void here on the island - Allister Logue. Amongst many things he was Manumission's make-up and hair stylist. Anyone who knew him can tell you he was crazy and fabulous and often infuriating, but he was my friend and it's a massive shame he's gone. He really did represent that hedonistic vibe Ibiza is so well known for. Where ever he may be now I'm sure he is still telling someone "I'll make you famous you know...."
Allister Logue 1954 - 2010
Do you have any other special people or places you would like to mention?
Ibiza is full of cool places, things and special people. I'm fortunate enough to be surrounded by some incredible people who are a constant source of inspiration. Always when I least expect it I meet someone new who throws a new angle on life. Ibiza is great for that, we are such a melting pot of nationalities, cultures, beliefs and attitudes. We really are a strange but interesting lot. I love winter on the island much more than summer. It's not an easy place to stay all year round especially financially but if you really want it - it's doable! I have more time to enjoy myself with my friends, who I see very little of in summer.
I love spending hours sitting around Plaza del Parque drinking uncountable cups of coffee, walks on the deserted and unrecognisable Salinas beach, picnics overlooking Es Vedra and all the crazy winter nights that start of as "let's just pop out for one wine". I love spring time also; the light, watching the island re-awake and all the trees blossom. If I had to pick one place it would probably be my new favourite restaurant La Paloma in San Lorenzo. I was there for my birthday dinner recently and the place is super cool! It is a small organic restaurant in the middle of nowhere but the food is just ridiculously good and the service is very friendly. I would highly recommend a visit.
La Paloma
Is there anything else you think we might like to know?
I would like to see the government relax on the whole clubbing scene. Everything has become a tad clinical and "legal". Half the fun was all the messy after parties and villa parties but that seems to have disappeared. The hedonistic vibe Ibiza used to have is dying out slightly. Other than that, Delano is opening up again this year under new management and I will be down there looking after the promoters and artists so come in, say hi and check out whats new. Also Republik Ibiza with it's new theme KOMITEE is back for another season at Space every Saturday from the 18th of June - hope to see everyone down there for a drink (or two) with me on the main terrace.
Thanks to www.VictorSpinelli.com for the photo of Allister Logue.
