An electronic artist with a long-standing career, Steve Lawler has remained a consistent presence in global club culture since his early days organizing motorway raves in the 1990s.
Photo credit: afterhoursphotoshoot
With releases on labels such as R&S, Drumcode, Cocoon, Hot Creations, and his own VIVa MUSiC, Lawler has built a catalog that mirrors his evolution as both a DJ and producer. His imprint has also served as a platform for artists including Jamie Jones, Davide Squillace, Ilario Alicante, Waze and Odyssey, Doorly, and Christoph.
A central figure in Ibiza’s history, Lawler held a nine-year residency at Space, earning the title “King of Space,” while also shaping key nights at venues like Sankeys through his VIVa Warriors concept. His career spans performances at major festivals including Ultra, Creamfields, and Parklife, alongside regular appearances at events such as Paradise, elrow, and ANTS.
In this conversation, Steve Lawler opens up about his recent EG Podcast mix, his upcoming Blue Marlin Ibiza residency, and a renewed focus on studio work and personal balance.
EG: Hi, Steve! Welcome back to EG. It’s always a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been doing?
Steve Lawler: I’m great! Thank you.. loving life, loving balance!
EG: First of all, thank you for your contribution to our EG Podcast Series! What can you tell our readers about this mix?
Steve Lawler: This was recorded live in San Diego, from my co-headline set with Black Coffee at the Rady Shell Stadium. It was such a beautiful day, I played sunset into dark, which I love because I can change the energy in the music as the day darkens to night, and I love performing outside. I think you will hear the shift in energy in the set.
EG: By the way, congratulations on your upcoming Blue Marlin Ibiza residency! You must be stoked with this. What can we expect from your residency?
Steve Lawler: I’m so happy about this residency, like I just mentioned above, there is something very, very special about playing under the stars and playing sunset into night. It is above all my favorite time to perform, and outside will always beat inside. I know from my many years playing on terraces. I’ll be playing the closing 3 hours outside and expect some surprise performances inside the club after too!
EG: This is actually your third residency in Ibiza, having been a part of the Space Terrace days and Sankeys. In your opinion, what is the importance of residencies? How do you tend to approach a residency as opposed to a one-off somewhere around the world?
Steve Lawler: I love residencies way more than being a guest DJ. This is why I have had residencies in my career from day one. Even to this day, I still make sure I have my own night. It’s how you really fine-tune your craft as a DJ. How you get to perform like a proper DJ. Like it’s an art form. I take great pleasure in curating the night and providing the best experience for the audience. It’s what I really love about DJ’ing.
“Remembering who we are, purifying what we are not, then expressing the luminous essence”
EG: Having been an Ibiza mainstay for so long…how do you feel about the evolution of the island? Is the “original” ethos completely gone?
Steve Lawler: This is a BIG question I am hearing from so many regulars on the island, and there are equal opinions both ways, honesty. The truth is, I like to always look forward and move forward, and you have to embrace the future, but I always like to think the most important thing is quality, no matter what happens, as long as it’s quality. We have to just think about quality, not weather its new or old. In my own opinion, I want to see and feel the original Ibiza, that’s why Blue Marlin Ibiza is so important to me, that’s why it’s my choice, because it’s what I want. It’s the REAL Ibiza, dancing under the stars is how you really feel the energy of this island.
EG: Now, on to your music… Congratulations on the release of your ‘Point of View’ EP! How are you feeling about this one now that it’s been out for a couple of weeks? What has the initial reception been like?
Steve Lawler: It’s been great! I have spent a lot of time in the studio as I couldn’t travel due to my green card application in the US. And in the 8 months, I could not travel, which was very hard for my career as a touring DJ. I decided to throw myself in the studio as it was killing me not being able to perform as much as I wanted. In that time, I made 9 new singles, which are ALL signed now and will be coming out over the coming months, leading right up to the end of the year, plus some remixes.
EG: Speaking about releases…we know you have a packed schedule for 2026. Is there anything that you can anticipate with us? Any drops that you’re particularly looking forward to?
Steve Lawler: I’m really looking forward to a single I signed to Pete Tong’s Places & Spaces label. I have been discussing the plans for it with Pete for some time; it’s a biggie. Also, my bootleg I have just finished of Jakarta’s One Fine Day. This is honestly one of the best things I have done in my life. I’m going to start giving this out to many of my DJ friends in readiness for the summer.
EG: On to a broader subject…What would you like to accomplish as artists this year? Is there something “tangible” that you’d like to go for?
Steve Lawler: I am so deep in the studio right now, fully inspired. I just want to write that I have that bug back, and I have in mind some artists I want to work with. So watch this space!
“Remembering who we are, purifying what we are not, then expressing the luminous essence”
EG: What are some of the challenges artists will face in the near future? What advice would you give to your colleagues? What would you like to see more and less of?
Steve Lawler: It’s good to see the music industry is finally waking up to phones on the dance floor. I am blessed because mainly my audience is mature, I would say from 30’s – 50’s, and when they come to the party, they come to dance, so my audience is amazing, not too many phones out recording. But it’s good to see many clubs start to see the damage that it causes to the party. I also think they need to be more focused on quality over quantity. People get famous way too quickly and easily these days, and it’s in and out in one day. Let’s get back to quality.
EG: Finally, what’s next for Steve Lawler? Where can your fans catch you next?
Steve Lawler: I have a full touring diary now up till the end of July, but when I say full for me, that means no more than honestly 6-8 gigs per month, and even that feels like a lot! I needed balance back in my life. I could not keep up the 12 gig a month schedule anymore; it just made me miserable, and no amount of success of fame is worth that. I now try to keep to just 1 gig per week, but in the summer, I am sometimes playing several times a week, so just keep an eye on my schedule on my website
EG: Thank you for your time, Steve! We wish you all the best for the future. See you out on the dancefloor soon!
Steve Lawler: Thank you guys! See you soon!
Steve Lawler’s EG Podcast is now available. Listen here.
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