Today we’d like to introduce you to Liona Stone.
Hi Liona, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I will start the story of when I decided to become a DJ. I was a TV presenter on a music TV channel in Ukraine until 2014. While on TV, I was exposed to different musical trends and had the opportunity to interview prominent artists, including world-famous DJs and producers. Unfortunately, everything changed after the Revolution of Dignity when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, which led to the stoppage of many TV and entertainment-related projects. Because of many other difficulties resulting from that conflict, I had to change my lifestyle completely. Since it was closest to me, I turned towards music. So, Since 2015, I have been traveling the world as a DJ, holding residences in some of the nicest clubs overseas, especially in the UAE. When the COVID pandemic began in 2020, performing in front of an in-person audience was no longer possible, so I started streaming my DJ sets on Twitch with the help of a friend. This experience radically changed my life because I found an incredible community that inspired me to become a streaming DJ and content creator. I could never have imagined how everything turned out so well as my channel is developed rapidly, and the community and networking opportunities have been endless!
Would it have been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
On February 24, there was a new sharp turn in my life when Russia invaded my country, and I had to leave unexpectedly. When heading abroad in the most traffic I’ve ever experienced, fleeing the war, I had no idea what to do next. I only knew I needed to cross the border and find a safe place. I was very concerned about my career because I could only stream consistently for a few months once I arrived in the USA in April 2022. Thanks to my incredible community of “Space Lions” who supported me throughout the journey, I am here now. I am incredibly grateful and inspired by them for the great start of yet another new page in my life. My Space Lions remained in contact with me as I left Ukraine, and when I was able to return to streaming, they were compassionate, caring, patient, and understanding. I felt very safe and realized how important it is to have “community” and a “safe space” in my life.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My followers started calling me a “Cyborg” and “Dopamine Machine” because I perform “marathon DJ streams” from 8 – 24 hours. My maximum stream was over 30 hours – can you imagine? Also, during my DJ sets, I did cardio exercises on a step machine. During my stream, we discuss different types of fitness training and various details on self-development, and we certainly joke and troll each other a lot – my channel is full of sarcasm and dry humor, so be prepared! I help my community stay productive and creative, the results of which we often share on my Discord server. My motto is “My manifesto One life – Best life.” During my streams, it’s my mission to inspire Space Lions to exercise, have fun, and be as productive as possible. In addition to virtual DJ streams, my mission will also spread to clubs.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I need to take care of my dopamine level, which is why an activity like running is very important to me. After a run, I always have a great mood, which I can share on my steam. The city has many p[aces that I’ve found to be very pleasant for running. My favorite place is a park near the Congaree River in West Columbia. Of course, I enjoy walking downtown and visiting the Nickelodeon cinema – they have the best popcorn! I got my first opportunity to play on stage in the USA for the New Year. It was really special for me and will always have a special place in my heart. Finally, I appreciate the many networking and sponsorship opportunities that have resulted from random connections in the city. I’ve had many “chance meetings” downtown with interesting brands, entrepreneurs, and restaurants. It has been a refreshing experience, and I take advantage of every wonderful chance life gives me. Something I’m missing in our city is more eclectic and not-so-mainstream nightlife. I have only found a few places to go where I can hear dance music that’s not tailored to college students. I miss that very much, and I hope more people open their minds to a wider range of dance music, not only EDM and commercial dance. I am still learning more about this city and hope to find many new “favorites”!
Pricing:
- Twitch Subscription ($5 – $25 per month)
- Patreon Access ($3 – $12 per month)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://twitch.tv/lionastone
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/liona.stone
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LionaStone
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/lionastone
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lionastone
- Other: https://linktr.ee/lionastone
