How did you first fall in love with rave culture?<\/p>\n
Hi! Thank you so much for having me. Ever since my first rave in 2010, I\u2019ve been completely infatuated with it. The loud bass, the flashing lights, the total sensory overload, the energy of the crowd. It just does it for me. I started as a dubstep fanatic and worked my way through pretty much every sub-genre of EDM. I love it all.<\/p>\n
What sparked the idea for LO PRO?<\/p>\n
In 2023 to 2024, Hard Techno and Hard Dance really started blowing up, especially in Europe, and I began paying close attention to what was happening over there. I got invited to Verknipt in Croatia in summer 2024 less than a week before it started, figured why not, and booked my flight. Experiencing European rave culture firsthand, I was hooked. I realised there wasn\u2019t really a collective bringing this brand of techno to DC, and I saw that as my opportunity to build something unique in the city. I brought the idea to my two close friends and business partners, AJ Sharafeddin and Mike Wagner, and together we brought LO PRO to life, growing it into an internationally recognised brand in just under two years.<\/p>\n
![\"Nate](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Nate-Fleming-LoPro-by-EthanHughesFilmPhoto-1024x683.jpg\")
Lo Pro \/ Ethan Hughes<\/p>\n
Community and diversity are central to LO PRO. Why is that so important to you?<\/p>\n
Diversity isn\u2019t just encouraged at our events, it\u2019s vital to who we are as a brand and who we are as individuals. All dance music stems from queer and minority communities. Raves were created to be a safe space, a space to express yourself freely, an escape from the outside noise, a place where, at least for those few hours, nothing else matters. We don\u2019t put on shows to be trendy or popular. We put on shows that are real. Real energy, real connection, real community. Our passion and dedication to creating these experiences and growing this community can\u2019t be faked. People recognise and appreciate that, and as a result, our community has been growing rapidly.<\/p>\n
How much of the LO PRO experience is inspired by European rave culture?<\/p>\n
I wish I could take credit for being entirely original, but really, we\u2019ve just been trying to mimic European rave culture. From marketing materials that capture the vibe of a real European rave, to custom playlists that help newcomers get a feel for the sounds we\u2019re bringing. We\u2019ve been fortunate to book some incredible European acts: Fatima Hajji, Nicolas Julian, Joyhauser, BYORN, Aisha, The Purge and more. Bringing that European sound to DC for our crowd to experience for the first time. It\u2019s incredibly fulfilling when the community reaches out thanking us for bringing artists they never thought they\u2019d see live in DC, or for introducing them to techno and how it has positively affected their lives. That\u2019s why we do this.<\/p>\n
Which US collectives have inspired LO PRO?<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t only draw inspiration from European artists and promotion companies, but also from incredible collectives that have popped up here in the States. From Trinity and Wasted Presents in LA to Agap\u00eb in New York, these collectives have shown us what\u2019s possible for Hard Techno in the US.<\/p>\n
![\"Nate](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Nate-Fleming-01-683x1024.jpg\")
Press<\/p>\n
There are other techno collectives in the DMV. How do you view that scene?<\/p>\n
In the DMV (DC, Maryland and Virginia), we weren\u2019t the first techno collective, and we don\u2019t claim to be the best. Maya Events, Neorave Nation, Heaven Dancing Club, ArpTen and Vault 99 are all DMV-based underground collectives pushing the sound forward in their own way, and we recognise and appreciate each of them. We\u2019ve already collaborated with some of these collectives both locally and out of state, and we plan to collaborate even more in the future. Not just to expand our brand, but to truly grow the techno movement here in the US.<\/p>\n
How do you approach genre when curating a lineup?<\/p>\n
There are so many sub-genres of techno and hard dance, and we try to book across the entire spectrum, from the hardest industrial techno to the most fun, bubbly hard bounce, and everything in between. Our goal with every show is to make sure everyone in the room is moving from the second they walk in to the moment they leave.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ve made a point of showcasing North American rising talent. Why?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to us not only to book the big European names, but to showcase the rising stars in North American Hard Techno. We\u2019ve had MADGRRL, Domina, Angel Cannon, CUTDWN, Zerosum, Luca Lush, Neek, CLAWZ, ECLPSE and more grace our stages, and we\u2019re so proud of these artists for showing what the US has to offer.<\/p>\n
Tell us about the venues you work with and LO PRO Live.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve made building this community locally our top priority. We are fortunate to partner with some of the best venues in the DMV for our events, from Bertha, Flash and Strand in DC to Mosaic Nightclub in Baltimore. These venues have allowed us to remain consistent with bringing quality hard techno to the DMV. We\u2019ve also started a YouTube series, LO PRO Live, where we film a live set from Baltimore\u2019s historic Graffiti Warehouse, an art installation and gallery that is a famous Baltimore landmark. We invite our community out, free of charge, to meet artists and other members of the community and rave together.<\/p>\n
Tell us about the resident artist program.<\/p>\n
Most importantly, we created a resident artist program. We made sure to carefully select the best DMV-based techno and hard dance artists. Our goal is to assist in their development and eventually help them grow beyond the DMV. It is so important to us that each of them, as well as any other supporting act, feels supported and has trust in us, and that we give them opportunities to showcase their talents on stages they have dreamed of playing on, with artists they\u2019ve dreamed of supporting. After all, every single one of the biggest names in the industry started as a local artist with a dream.<\/p>\n
July 2026 is LO PRO\u2019s biggest month yet. What\u2019s coming?<\/p>\n
Our goal is simple: create as many memorable experiences as possible and grow our community as large as we can. Achieving that will take a lot of hard work and dedication. Starting with this July, our biggest month to date, we\u2019re bringing HHUNTER, Junkie Kid, Anoluxx, Shogun and Kayzo IN A CAGE to DC. These will be our biggest and best shows yet.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s next for LO PRO beyond events?<\/p>\n
A goal of ours is to expand our LO PRO merch line. We\u2019ve released our signature LP trucker hats, with designs for tees, jerseys and more already in the works. We want LO PRO to be synonymous not just with rave culture, but with high-end streetwear culture too. We also have plans to launch our own record label. We want to help push the sounds of the artists who inspire us, and discover new talent and give them a platform to be heard.<\/p>\n
Where do you see LO PRO going next?<\/p>\n
Our ultimate goal is to expand the brand beyond the DMV into new US markets, as well as Europe and South America, sharing the LO PRO experience with the world and spreading love as far as it will reach. LO PRO was created by ravers, for ravers, and that will never change. In short, WE LOVE THIS SHIT, and we hope you will too!<\/p>\n
Keep up with everything LO PRO via their official Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n