“I’m there to make people feel good—to smile, loosen up, move, and if I’m lucky, lose themselves in the music.” For Kitty Lyons, DJing is less about control and more about connection. Her sets are built on energy, presence, and an intuitive dialogue with the crowd — playful yet intentional, sensual yet deeply musical. Drawing from a rich background in live instrumentation and a strong sense of emotional storytelling, she creates moments that invite people to fully arrive in the now.
Alongside this interview, photographed in Careyes, Mexico, Anouk Brouwer captures Kitty in a beautifully warm-toned series — an intimate, elegant shoot that mirrors the same sense of presence, movement, and atmosphere that defines her sets.
Is there a specific sound, beat or texture that you feel represents you most as a female DJ?
For me it’s a bright, bouncy four-on-the-floor with a warm, rolling bassline—and then something pretty on top: shimmering synths, melodic elements, euphoric chords, or a vocal hook that feels like a wink. I love tracks that have an undeniable “lift” moment with a sexy, happy, and undeniably danceable vibe. I’m especially drawn to music that trained ears can really appreciate—those small, easy-to-miss details or a unique real instrument, like a French horn.
What part of your personality shows up most when you are DJing?
Playful confidence. I’m there to make people feel good—to smile, loosen up, move, and if I’m lucky, lose themselves in the music. In that way, you’re giving people the real gift of presence. I’m very tuned into energy and aware of how vital my role is in that exchange, with everyone looking at you and relying on you to guide their experience. Some DJs keep a harder exterior, but I choose to smile, dance, and vibe along like I’m part of the crowd—because if I’m not feeling it, why should anyone else?
How do you prepare for a gig? Do you have any rituals that you do?
I start by determining the overarching vibe, energy, and experience that I believe will work best for the occasion and the crowd. Once I’ve defined that theme, I gather and prep any new music I’ve discovered since my last gig—even if I don’t end up playing it right away. Then I create a gig-specific folder with subfolders for the beginning, middle, and end, as I usually build energy throughout a set. From there, I listen through tracks and place them into those folders based on energy. If I have a two-hour set, I’ll prep four to five hours of music so I can still make decisions on the fly. Ritual-wise: I choose an outfit and hairstyle that align with the night’s vibe, make sure I have at least two USBs with me, and head out.
“Risk is part of growth — my sound is becoming more dynamic and more daring.”
What is the biggest influence or inspiration for your music?
My biggest inspiration isn’t any specific visual artist, designer, or filmmaker—it’s the desire to gather people and offer them a moment of emotional depth and presence, something they can truly feel and carry with them afterward. Musically, my background plays a big role: I played tenor saxophone for a decade, piano for even longer, and sang in choir and musical theatre. Because of that, I deeply appreciate musicality within electronic sound and am drawn to melodic house, unique driving beats, and sets that feel like a journey. I’m also inspired by mature femininity—a guiding hand, leadership, and sexy movement. Visually, I love romantic, editorial aesthetics, and I try to translate that into sound through clean lines and a beautiful sense of tension and release.
How is your sound evolving?
It’s becoming more dynamic and more willing to take risks—experimenting outside my usual genres. I’m also playing with more unexpected transitions, aiming to create major energy shifts in a smooth, silky way.
How important is the crowd for your sets, and what role do they play for you?
The crowd is everything—we’re intertwined in a delicate dance. I’m constantly reading the room and adjusting in real time: what’s working, what’s not, what they want now, and what they need next. When the room gives you trust, you can really take them somewhere—build tension longer, lift higher, and create those shared moments where everyone looks around thinking, “Wait… is this really happening?”
“I’m inspired by mature femininity: a guiding hand, leadership, and movement.”
What is the highlight of your career or your favorite set?
My favorite sets are the ones where the crowd is fully plugged into what you’re doing—I’m putting it down, and they’re picking it up. I could never name a single “number one” set, because there have been so many moments where it felt like we were all on the same team. In those moments, you feel like you could play anything and the crowd would embrace it, which gives you the confidence to drop a never-before-played, slightly odd track you personally love—and watching the crowd love it too is all the justification you need to keep going.
What is your dream gig, and why?
A Mayan Warrior x Robot Heart sunrise tie-up at Burning Man. When I talk about the importance of the crowd, the Burning Man crowd is the ultimate example—they’re completely in it with you. While there are certainly larger venues, at Burning Man you’re truly one with the people, not separated on a distant stage. Sunrise sets there can mean thousands of like-minded souls surrounding you on your art car, with no strict cut-off times. You can just keep going, flowing, and vibing—until it feels right to gently land the journey.
Photographer : Anouk Brouwer @anoukdbrouwer
Model & DJ : Kitty Lyons @mskittylyons
