Hard techno doesn’t leave much room to hide, and neither does the life that surrounds it. For French artist LESSSS, the pace of the scene—and the pressure to always be “on”—has only sharpened her focus. Her recent collaboration with KØZLØV, “No Way Back,” drops May 16 via Trouble Maker Records and pushes that philosophy forward with intensity and purpose.
It’s a heavy-hitting track built for dancefloor catharsis, but beneath its impact lies control—meticulous structure, hard-won stamina, and an unwavering sense of direction.
In this interview, LESSSS talks about discipline not as a burden but as a framework for freedom.
From crafting club weapons under deadline pressure to staying grounded between Boiler Room sets and full-throttle weekends, she reflects on how routine, rest, and readiness shape every part of her output. It’s a rare, candid look into how one of the most exciting artists in French techno keeps it all moving—without burning out.
LESSSS socials: Soundcloud || Instagram || Facebook || Spotify
How do you define discipline in your creative life?
For me, discipline is about showing up consistently, even when inspiration isn’t there. It means treating music like a craft that requires time, patience, and structure.
I set regular hours to work (for producing, digging new tracks, practicing my DJ skills), I stick to deadlines, and I push through creative blocks instead of waiting for motivation to come. But discipline isn’t just about the creative process—it’s also a lifestyle. It’s in the way I take care of my body through sport, maintain a healthy routine, and stay aligned with myself mentally.
All of that directly fuels my creativity. When I feel good in my everyday life, I’m more focused, more inspired, and more connected to the music I make.
When has discipline actually protected your creativity?
There have been times when I felt completely uninspired—no ideas, no motivation, nothing flowing. In those moments, discipline was one of the things that kept me going. Just sticking to my routine, working on music even when I didn’t “feel like it,” helped me stay connected to the process. Sometimes, it’s not about creating something amazing, it’s about staying in motion.
That steady rhythm protected me from falling into long creative droughts. Also, having structure in my everyday life—sleep, nutrition, exercise—keeps my mind clear and balanced. That mental stability gives me the space I need to keep creating without burning out.
What structure or boundary has improved your output the most?
Having a big show coming up has often been a major boost to my creativity. It pushes me to create new tracks, build a fresh set, and go beyond my usual routine. Deadlines from labels have also helped me give the best of myself—they force me to focus, to be more productive, and to finish things I might otherwise keep tweaking forever. But all that pressure can also become a source of stress. Sometimes, you push yourself so hard that you reach your physical and mental limits. You feel like you’re on the edge of burnout.
And it’s in those moments that you’re reminded of how important it is to take care of yourself. Rest, disconnecting for a while, reconnecting with life outside of music—all of that ends up fueling creativity again. Taking a step back often brings new energy and perspective.
Have you ever surprised yourself with what discipline made possible?
Absolutely. Discipline has allowed me to accomplish way more than I ever thought I could. It taught me how to organize my time better, especially during intense periods with multiple shows, releases, photo shoots, and all the rest. There were weeks where I had so much going on before the weekend shows, and somehow, thanks to structure and focus, I managed to get everything done without completely falling apart.
It’s in those moments, when you’re juggling a million things but still delivering, that you realize how far discipline can take you. It turns chaos into something productive.
What’s your relationship to creative freedom within structure?
For me, structure doesn’t limit creativity—it protects it. Having a clear framework or schedule gives me space to be fully creative without getting lost in chaos. When I know my time is organized, I can dive deeper into the music without stress. It’s a bit like building a house: the structure holds everything up, but inside, you can design whatever you want. Freedom needs boundaries to really thrive.
Without any structure, it’s easy to lose focus or stay stuck in endless experimentation. With it, I feel free to explore, but with purpose.
How do you reset when you fall off your routine?
It definitely happens. Sometimes my routine gets completely thrown off by a packed schedule—meetings, photo shoots, travel, or even personal stuff. When that happens, I try not to panic or feel guilty.
Instead, I take a step back and reorganize my time. I look at what’s essential and make sure I still carve out space for myself and my music. Even if I can’t follow my ideal routine, I try to create small moments that keep me grounded, whether it’s 30 minutes in the studio, a quick workout, or just time alone to breathe and refocus. The key is flexibility: adapting without giving up. Falling off doesn’t mean failure—it’s just a reminder to realign.
[embed]https://youtube.com/watch?v=XvCah-L3Ph8&si=GB23SmJhdwd2MgS4[/embed]Do you ever feel resentment toward your own system?
Yes, it happens quite often. I always want to do more, be at my best, push myself for my music, for my personal growth, for my family and friends. I set high expectations for myself, and sometimes that can become overwhelming. I end up exhausted from trying to do everything at once.
When I reach that point, it’s a signal that I need to pause and reflect. I take the time to rethink how I organize my schedule, and how I can make space again for what truly matters—myself and my music. It’s about finding balance and learning to protect my energy, not just my productivity.
The post LESSSS on discipline, burnout, and pushing through creative chaos appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.