NY-based deejay Mia Moretti won't let grumps stand in the way of a good time. A lover of fashion, music and bold lipstick, her taste spans from soul to pop to indie rock: we subjected her to our ZigZag Questionnaire to find out how she found her calling and her secret to setting the dancefloor on fire.
What's the last song you listened to (We mean: really listened to, as opposed to heard casually in the subway or in a store?)
No One's Gonna Miss You by Margot, it's been on repeat in my head all week.
When and how did you decide that you wanted to be a DJ?
I was first and foremost a fan, then digging and collecting records became a hobby, then I was a selector - simply playing my choice records at lounges and in hotel lobbies. Finally, when I moved to New York about 7 years ago, I began to take it more seriously as a profession and I sought out gigs and opportunities to mix and throw parties.
Is there a song in your sets that always gets the people dancing?
Well, it always depends on who the people are, but Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba is a personal favorite.
You've got five minutes to pack for an overseas trip: what do you always take, what do you usually forget?
Sunscreen, bodysuit, caftan, sunglasses, clutch, platform, red lipstick.
I always forget fashionable flats!
What's your strategy for when you're faced with a crowd that just won't groove?
I don't fall into their trap. If one person is dancing that's better than none, and sometimes that person has to be you.
Give us three adjectives that describe your personal style.
Dangerous, Delightful, Delicate.
What is it about Missoni that attracts you?
It's classic, but it never forgets to have a good time. That's important for a DJ!
These days it's like every other pop hit is EDM. Have we finally reached EDM saturation point?
Quite possibly! Once any genre goes pop, that usually means it's on its descent. The people that spearheaded a lot of the electro movement have now migrated towards minimal or deep house.
When celebrities attend your sets, do you get starstruck and play for them or are you nonchalant enough to ignore their reaction to what you're playing?
There is always someone who stands out at a set, whether it's a particularly intoxicated bro, an over ambitious promoter or a celebratory celebrity. It's best to go with the flow of the overall room. If I see that a stand-out is influencing the room I may lean towards their interests, but if it's just someone looking grumpy in the corner I'll continue uninfluenced.