Steve Lawler - Artist Spotlight
After three decades behind the decks, Steve Lawler continues to chart his own path by fusing instinct, authenticity and a lifetime of experience into every project he touches. In 2025, his creative flame shows no sign of going out.
“I’ve found the perfect work/life balance,” he tells us. “And 2025 has been great for many reasons, but I would say performing at SOUNDTUARY on Jungle Island in Miami is the highlight—they put on a great show!”
While many DJs are constantly in transit, Lawler is currently in a creative flow in the studio. “Now I’m back in the studio as I'm massively inspired by the music I'm hearing,” he says. “Day turns into night in the studio in a heartbeat.”
That relentless connection to the music is part of what’s kept him relevant since the early ’90s, which is a rare feat in an industry known for fast turnover and fleeting trends. What’s the secret?
“I think it’s the same thing as staying relevant throughout your entire career,” he says. “Stay true to yourself, follow your heart, follow your instinct, be authentic, and do what you love. Stick to your own sound and your fans will follow you no matter what the genre name is now or musical trend that dominates the festivals. As Danny T aptly put it: ‘Be yourself.’”
But Lawler isn’t nostalgic for the past. “It’s a completely different scene now for many reasons but that doesn't mean it was better in the past,” he explains. “I am still in love with actual club culture. I'm not and never have been a huge fan of performing at festivals. I personally prefer to perform underground club music, in intimate clubs to discerning fans and people who like to let loose.”
That deep-rooted connection to club culture has been a guiding principle across his career, and perhaps never more so than with PENDULUM, his latest series of events born from a period of reflection and recovery.
“The idea came to me while living in Tulum with my family,” Lawler says. “I had taken almost six months off DJ’ing… this was almost straight after the scene opened back up after COVID. I did a huge tour… but this time without my best friend and life-long tour manager Dean Stratten, as he sadly passed away in 2021. After that tour I told my agent I'm taking some time out.”
In Tulum, life slowed down. Lawler and his wife made decisions “trusting the universe,” and even used a pendulum to guide them. That symbolism became the name for the new party—a return to longer, more expressive sets and venues where the music dictates the experience, not the hype. “The first PENDULUM was at Do Not Sit, a venue loved by many and owned by people who really care,” he reflects. “The party just grew very quickly and it became a thing, naturally and organically.”
Now, PENDULUM holds two monthly residencies: MODE in Miami and Vagalume in Tulum. For Lawler, these aren’t just gigs—they’re homes. “What was always my intention was to build a regular crowd, people who come for the party then know what to expect,” he says. “It gives you room as a DJ to be more experimental and craft the night musically like theatre. It’s absolutely the best reward for a DJ.”
The nights are a family affair of sorts. Lawler insists on consistency, building a stable of resident DJs like Gabe and Mejias in Miami, and Jesse Zotti in Tulum. “Musically we work with each other… the goal is to deliver the best night musically for the whole experience.”
That “whole experience” is especially evident in Lawler’s preference for extended sets, which he sees as a true DJ’s art form. “A two-hour set can only be bangers… you can’t build anything,” he says. “The art of playing a long set is to take your time… read the room, control the energy, hold them in a groove and lift and drop. The longer you play, the better. It’s the real beauty of DJ’ing.”
Looking ahead, Lawler’s schedule continues to mix club nights with fresh studio output. On July 25th, he’ll release ‘Pegasus’ on Franky Wah’s SHEN Recordings, alongside a remix of Tom Crane’s ‘Open Your Eyes’ with the WAHM boys dropping on his own label, VIVa MUSiC on 4th July.
He’s also teasing a brand-new single, ‘Love Cares’. “I’m working with some singers to make this a full song,” he says. “So keep your ears out for that—more news in the near future.”
Decades on from his early days in Birmingham, Steve Lawler remains as dedicated and as grounded as ever. Asked what he wishes he knew at the start, he simply says: “You need to recognise who is genuine around you and who isn't.” And perhaps that’s the thread running through everything, from his events and releases to his enduring philosophy of being loyal to the craft and giving himself the freedom to follow wherever the music leads him.
Tickets for Tulum or MODE PENDULUM upcoming shows
