I never started with the intention of performing professionally. It began with an obsession for mixing music, but I’ve never felt more alive and connected to others, then when I am performing. The very first time I played a song that I created, I knew this was something I wasn’t going to let go of. As I became more passionate about the artform, I realized I needed to put more time into the project. I needed to commit more of my day to learning, attempting, and failing. I realized that what I was talking about was pursuing the path of a professional artist. I knew that I wanted to spend every moment I could working on music and working on myself. However, making that commitment came with its own struggles.

Finding belief in myself and trusting that everything I was doing was pushing me toward success took time. It didn’t happen instantly, but one day I looked around and realized I was on a path to build something great. It’s something I am truly proud of. Everyday I wake up, being able to pursue this dream is a blessing I will never take for granted.

I first got into DJing in 2017 at a music festival (Electric Forest). My friend had a renegade set up and I got to see how a DJ mixes. When I got into the festival everything was different. The experience had changed. It was as if looking behind the curtain somehow changed the way I heard the music. That moment changed how I experienced live music forever.

When we got back home my friend upgraded his equipment and gave me his old board. For the months that followed I locked myself away and practiced, watched videos, and truly found my love for the artform. My brother was working at a Bar/Club and was able to convince the owner to let me play music there on Wednesday nights. I had a few aliases I tried, but never loved any of them. Not until I came up with the name Lugh Haurie.

The alias is an homage to one of my favorite actors growing up, Hugh Laurie, who famously played a character named ‘House’ on a popular television show of the same name. Since I also played ‘House” (music) and figured a cheeky spoonerism would capture my personality while giving fans something fun to discover. It’s great when someone figures it out. We always get a good laugh.

Since debuting this project, I’ve been grateful for the friends I made early and the opportunities I was given by those who trusted me to put on a great performance. I would describe my performances as narrative through music. I have always enjoyed complexity and deeper layers. I hope that I am able to stimulate that with my art. I try to create a story with my song selections in an attempt to give those that are paying attention something they can look back on with joy. Not everyone has the means to go and enjoy a night out. I’d like to know that if they’re attending one of my parties their time and attention has been well spent.

The most rewarding part of being an artist, for me, is the freedom you have when creating something new. There are unlimited possibilities and no wrong answers when it comes to making art. Some of the most fun I’ve had has been making the worst compositions. I was just trying something and seeing what I liked. When I find something that resonates with me, I’m that much more excited to see it through. If I end up playing it for an audience the feeling I get watching people move to vibrations I’ve found is truly unmatched. Even if I don’t play the song live, just getting to watch an idea go from nothing to something is incredible.

The only limits on art are the limits we set for it. There is something Bill Hader said that I connected with, “if someone says they don’t like something they’re PROBABLY right, but when they tell you how to fix it they’re ALWAYS wrong!” I love this because if you’re making something for others it’s important to understand that feedback is , but you’re in control of the creation and you are the only one that improves the piece. Trust yourself and flow.

I find that “rules” and criteria only come into play when I’m making something specific.

When I first started I didn’t have an answer for that question. I was just learning techniques, going to shows, and trying to get booked. As things got more serious for me, I felt like I needed a goal or mission at least something deeper to justify the attention I was getting. I hadn’t considered how important having a mission is to creating something long-lasting.

This unanswered question was starting to bring “imposter syndrome” and I was struggling to feel like I was deserving of the opportunities I was getting. In an attempt to feel more like a musician I enrolled in some music courses and found a piano teacher. When I walked into my first official piano lesson I was instructed to locate the piano I had been assigned. When I sat at the piano a poem by Marianne Williamson entitled, “Our Deepest Fear” was pinned to the wall in front of me. In a time when I was searching for purpose or meaning I was given one of the best answers I could ask for.

The goal behind my creative journey is to be a spark for those that don’t believe they can be great. The poem says that we fear our light not our darkness. We fear our potential greatness and that is why we shrink away and hide our light from others. However, by hiding our light we prevent others from seeing the light within themselves.

“As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

My goal is to be the reason someone took a chance on something they love. To inspire someone into pursuing something that makes them feel alive, because that’s what I’m doing.