Lovers Audio Mix: Gee Lane
Few DJs channel pure soul and rhythm quite like Virginia Elena Ramírez Iragorry, the Barcelona DJ and producer known as Gee Lane. Born in Venezuela and raised by a musician father, Gee developed a deep appreciation for the emotional power of music at a young age. Later, in New York, she fell under the spell of Body & Soul’s legendary Sunday parties. Now based in Barcelona, she has been moving dance floors for over twenty years with a sound rooted in funk, Latin grooves, hip hop, jazz, and house. You can hear her experiences flow through her sets, which are full of warmth, swing, and feeling, always delivered with her signature energy.
Now a key member of the Toy Tonics family, Gee Lane has released standout twelve inch singles like Synesthesia and Metamorphosis, bringing her soulful sound into the spotlight. She has played everywhere from Panorama Bar and Primavera Sound to Melt and Sonar, always with an open ear and a desire to connect through music. Whether she is digging into streetwear, curating her Table for Two radio show, or sharing booths with icons like Honey Dijon and Gilles Peterson, Gee brings intention and heart into everything she does. This mix and interview offer a glimpse into the world she creates: groovy, grounded, and full of soul.
Lovers Audio: New York City has been a big influence on your style. What are some of your favorite dance music memories from that time?
Gee Lane: My favorite memories from that time that really influenced me were going to Body & Soul every Sunday. That definitely filled my heart.
Lovers Audio: What inspired your move to Barcelona? Has living there impacted your sound?
Gee Lane: In 1999, I was working in Finland for a festival, and I decided to go to Barcelona for a break and to visit the Sonar Festival. I immediately fell in love with the city and told myself, “I want to live here for a little while.” That was in 1999. I came back in 2000, planning to stay for a maximum of three months. I'm still here. To be honest, I don’t think the city has inspired me musically.
Lovers Audio: Your father is also a musician and composer. What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned from him about music? Does he give you feedback on your productions?
Gee Lane: My father taught me that love for music is the most beautiful lesson I’ve ever learned, and it will stay with me forever. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to hear my work as a producer, as he passed away at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020.
Lovers Audio: Who else has had a major influence on you as a DJ/producer/music lover?
Gee Lane: It was artists like Frankie Knuckles and Larry Levan that pioneered house music who inspired my work with their innovative sounds and techniques. Also, Joe Claussell from the Body & Soul team, and of course, Masters at Work. I love New York and its music culture. Growing up in a diverse environment, different cultures and their music played a significant role in shaping my musical identity.
Lovers Audio: How did you become a part of the Toy Tonics crew? What has that experience been like?
Gee Lane: I came to Toy Tonics by chance. Kapote was looking for new artists, and I was recommended. There were a few so-called tests, and in the end, here I am.
Lovers Audio: You’ve been DJing for over 20 years. How has the music landscape changed in that time?
Gee Lane: Music has always been part of my life. From jazz, soul, and funk to disco, house, and hip-hop, it’s all evolved with me. There were breaks, times when I stepped away from the scene, but I always found my way back to the dance floor. My love for music has never changed.
Lovers Audio: Do you have any advice for younger DJs?
Gee Lane: I’d just say: do it with love. Being a DJ isn’t a joke, it’s a passion. And come on... please learn how music is structured. Use your ears. Forget the CDJ screens.
Lovers Audio: Previously you performed as Virginie. What led to the transformation to Gee Lane?
Gee Lane: Well, I was a little bored of Virginie—it was too popular a name. I wanted something more catchy and different for my new journey as a producer. So I changed it to Gee Lane, which is also part of my real name: Virginia Elena. “Gini Lane” became “Gee Lane” with a twist.
Lovers Audio: What are your future career goals or dreams?
Gee Lane: To earn enough money to buy a house for my mom! Haha. (Laughs)
Lovers Audio: What has been exciting you outside of music lately?
Gee Lane: Fashion—and spending time with my dogs.
