LEA KEY is a German-English singer, songwriter, and artist whose journey started on small stages in Hamburg’s St. Pauli district and has now taken her into the heart of the international electronic music scene. With releases on major labels like Armada, Kontor, and Q-dance, more than 43 million streams, and a Platinum certification under her belt, her voice has become a recognizable force across the global dance community. Following her first solo release Way Back Home earlier this year and the return of her own event series KEY MOMENTS at ADE 2025, we sat down with LEA KEY to talk about storytelling, milestones, and what’s ahead as she splits her time across oceans.
UFO-Network: Your motto “Stories become history” really stands out. How did this phrase turn into a personal life motto for you, and how does it influence the way you make music?
LEA KEY: “Stories become history” was the phrase above the first stage I ever sang on in St. Pauli, Hamburg, my hometown. The phrase never left me, and it reminds me that every song can carry more than just sound. It can capture a feeling, a moment, a truth. In my music, I try to turn personal stories into something universal, something that can live on in others. That motto is like a compass, guiding me to create with passion and depth.
You started out playing small shows in St. Pauli, and now your songs are reaching people all around the world. Looking back, what were the moments when you felt things were really changing for you?
Several moments felt like a significant turning point in my career. From moving to Amsterdam in 2021, performing at my first festival in the Netherlands and seeing the crowd sing along to my lyrics, to getting my songs played on stages like Tomorrowland and Ultra Miami — it suddenly felt like the world was opening up. Looking back, those moments of connection and growth showed me that my path was leading to something bigger. My aim is to always step a little further beyond my comfort zone, because that’s where the spark ignites and the magic begins.
You’ve released music on big labels like Armada, Kontor, and Q-dance, and your tracks have collected over 43 million streams plus a Platinum certification. How does it feel to see your music connect with so many people?
Seeing my music reach millions of streams and even earning a Platinum certification feels surreal. But behind every number is a listener, a person who connects with my music. That’s what moves me the most — the idea that something I wrote can resonate with someone on the other side of the world. It’s a powerful reminder of why I do this. It reinforces my focus on building long-term connections with listeners through storytelling and authenticity.
Last year “In the Silence” was named one of the Top Records of 2024 on A State of Trance and got support from Armin van Buuren and Gryffin. What did that track mean to you personally, and why do you think it struck such a chord?
“In the Silence” carries a lot of emotion for me — it came from a place of vulnerability and strength at the same time. To see it named one of the Top Records of 2024 and supported by artists like Gryffin and Armin van Buuren was deeply empowering. I think it resonates because people could feel both the emotion and the energy inside the track. One of my biggest highlights was joining Giuseppe Ottaviani on stage in Poland recently to perform this song together.
Earlier this year, you dropped your first solo single “Way Back Home” with a special release show in Amsterdam. What was that night like for you, and how different is it to stand fully in the spotlight under your own name?
The release show for “Way Back Home” in Amsterdam was a milestone for me — it felt like stepping fully into my own identity as an artist. It was a KEY MOMENT in strengthening my brand and positioning myself for future releases. It also marked the start of a new chapter where I can define my sound and vision more independently. The most special part of the show was when the crowd handed me their handwritten cards at the end, each one capturing their own KEY MOMENTS memories.
Your event series KEY MOMENTS debuted during ADE and is coming back this year. You’ve said it’s about more than just music. What kind of atmosphere are you hoping to create for the 2025 edition?
KEY MOMENTS is about building a community where music, stories, and connections merge into something immersive. For ADE 2025, we want to create an atmosphere that feels personal yet powerful, where people feel part of something bigger. Together with the boutique event production house AD MGMT (founded by Adeline Dekoninck), this edition will take the audience literally sky-high, as the event will take place in the SKYY Tower of the WestCord Fashion Hotel in Amsterdam. It is not just a performance; it is a platform to honor vulnerability, connection, and shared experiences. Our goal is to make people leave feeling inspired and connected.
You’re spending time between Hamburg, Amsterdam, and now in the future Los Angeles. How do these different places inspire your creativity, and what do you hope to explore musically in LA?
Each city influences me differently—Hamburg grounds me and feels like an anchor, Amsterdam gives me its vibrant pulse and creativity, and I know Los Angeles will encourage me to unlock new horizons and momentum. Different environments bring out different strengths in me as an artist, and merging them is the key to how I shape my brand. I can’t wait to share what’s coming next… Stay tuned!
