French female techno artist LESSSS is currently building herself to not only be a major name in the French scene, but one of the most interesting new forces in international hard techno. One of her breakthrough moments came in 2023 with a standout set on Boiler Room for Teletech, where she showcased the full extent of her talent and took her artistic project to a whole new level. Now with a new “Ethos” EP coming out next week, we caught up with her to find out more about her creative processes, how important she finds the visuals aspects of her artistry, and what else she has in the pipeline for the future…

Hey LESSSS, lovely to meet you! How has 2025 been for you so far, what’s stood out most, both musically and personally?

Hi! 2025 has been super intense so far, in the best way possible. Most of my time has been dedicated to working on my upcoming EP ‘ETHOS’, from long studio sessions to preparing the visuals, planning the rollout, and doing photoshoots. On top of that, I’ve been playing a lot of shows around the world, which has been amazing. It’s definitely been a busy year, but I’ve loved every second because it pushed me to grow a lot musically. I also got to experience a lot of firsts, like shooting my first music video and recording in the studio with a french rapper (ZZERO) etc… I really enjoyed stepping into that space.

France is seeing a strong rise in techno’s popularity, especially among younger crowds. What is the main reason do you think for this?

I think the main reason is that techno gives people a real sense of freedom and connection. The younger crowds are looking for something raw and intense, and techno delivers that energy in a very pure way. In France especially, there’s a whole new wave of kids who want to experience music differently, not just listening, but really living it together at raves, clubs, festivals. It’s more than just the sound, it’s the culture and the community around it that makes it so powerful right now.

‘Ethos’ is described as your boldest and most intimate project to date. What was the starting point creatively and how did the concept evolve?

The starting point really came from the reaction to my remix of Drone, which dropped on January 30th, 2025. The energy around that track was huge, we just passed one million streams a few days ago, which still feels surreal. Seeing that response, and knowing how much I’ve always loved rap, I felt like it was time to push the idea further and create a real crossover between the two worlds I’m most passionate about. With ETHOS, the goal wasn’t just to put out a few hard tracks, it was about breaking barriers. I wanted to show that you can actually bring rap into hard techno in a way that feels authentic and powerful, something that just wasn’t happening much even a few months ago. For me and ZZERO, making music is our way to let everything out, to turn all the rage and pressure we carry into something liberating. I think a lot of people feel that too when they’re on the dancefloor or at a show. That’s why the EP is called ETHOS. At the end of the day, it’s about the idea that we’re all together, united around sound, a sound that makes us vibrate, sweat, scream, and release everything we’ve got. It’s raw, it’s intense, but it’s also deeply human.

You’ve built a unique space between hard techno and rap. What draws you to that intersection?

What draws me to that intersection is the raw energy both genres share. Hard techno is all about intensity, drive, and pushing your limits, while rap brings this attitude, storytelling, and rhythm that hits in such a direct way. Combining them felt natural to me, because they’re both outlets for expressing rage, freedom, and emotion, just in different languages. When you put them together, you get something even more powerful, something that connects with people on the dancefloor but also speaks to them on a deeper level.

Your collaboration with ZZERO – how did you two first connect, and what was the process of building ‘INNER ESCAPE’ and the rest of the EP?

The connection with ZZERO actually started right after I released my remix of Train Fantôme’s track : Drone. I went to see them live in Paris, and we met backstage. We instantly clicked, both on a personal and artistic level.Then, I suggested we hit the studio together and just try making something to see how it would feel. At first, we didn’t set any expectations, even making one track would’ve been great. But the musical chemistry was so strong that we ended up creating four tracks, each with its own vibe. From the hardest, raw energy of Savage (Mode) to something with a more sunny vibe with Maximum, which we worked on alongside the producer Todiefor, from Belgium. That range really shaped the identity of the EP and made the whole process super natural and exciting.

There’s a strong emotional charge throughout ‘Ethos’, even in its heaviest moments. What role does catharsis or even rage play in your music and live shows?

For me, rage and catharsis are at the core of what I do. Hard techno has this intensity that lets you channel all the frustration, pressure, or darkness you might carry, and turn it into pure energy. In the studio, that’s my way of letting go, and on stage it becomes even more powerful because you share it with the crowd. Even in the heaviest moments of ETHOS, there’s always an emotional release behind it, it’s not just noise or aggression for the sake of it. It’s about transforming something raw and sometimes painful into a collective experience that feels liberating. That’s why my shows often feel like this giant release of energy: people scream, dance, sweat, and for a few hours, all that weight we carry turns into something positive.

You’ve described ‘Ethos’ as an ‘artistic manifesto.’ Can you explain the philosophy behind the title and what ‘Ethos’ means to you personally and politically?

I called the project ETHOS because I wanted it to feel like more than just a collection of tracks, it’s really a statement of who I am as an artist right now. To me, the word ‘ethos’ is about values, identity, and the way you carry yourself in the world. On a personal level, it represents freedom, honesty, and the idea that music should be an outlet where nothing is off-limits. Politically, it’s about breaking barriers and refusing to be boxed in by genres, labels, or expectations. I started my music journey loving both rap and hard techno, and for a long time those worlds didn’t intersect. ETHOS is me saying: they can coexist, and when they do, they create something powerful that unites people. At the end of the day, it’s a manifesto about expression and liberation, about turning rage and struggle into a collective energy that brings people together, no matter where they come from.

The visual identity of Ethos is strong with the music video, the photographs etc – how important is it for you to build a world beyond just the music?

It’s super important for me, because I don’t see ETHOS as just music : it’s a whole universe. The sound is the core, but the visuals, the photos, the video, they all help tell the story and make people feel something deeper. I want the audience to step into a world, not just listen to tracks. Building that world also lets me express sides of myself that don’t always come through in the music alone, whether it’s the raw energy, the darkness, or the more vulnerable moments. For me, visuals are a way of extending the message and making sure the experience stays with people even after the music stops.

Your upcoming tour is massive, with stops in France to Mexico and Berlin. How do you translate the intensity of ethos into those shows?

For me, the live shows are where ETHOS really comes alive. In the studio you can shape the energy, but on stage it’s about pushing it to the limit and sharing it with the crowd. Every track from the EP was made with that in mind: how it would feel when hundreds or thousands of people are screaming, dancing, letting everything out together. Whether it’s in France, Mexico, or Berlin, my goal is the same: to create a space where people can fully let go. I bring that intensity through the music, of course, but also through the lights, and the way I interact with the crowd. It’s about building a collective moment of catharsis. Something raw, heavy, and emotional that people will carry with them long after the night is over.

What else do you have coming up?

Right now, I’m already back in the studio working on new tracks with more international artists. The idea is to push the style even further and keep breaking barriers, blending genres, exploring new sounds, and creating music that surprises both me and the audience. I want to keep expanding the world of ETHOS while discovering new ways to connect people through the energy of the music.

LESSSS’s “Ethos” Ep is out soon, pre-order it here www.lessss.com