FMB MIXTAPE 229 | MR REDLEY

FMB MIXTAPE 229 | MR REDLEY

FMB MIXTAPE 229 | MR REDLEY (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 229 | MR REDLEY (320 DOWNLOAD)

To kick things off in 2024, we have Mr. Redley in the mix – the DJ, producer and radio presenter hailing from North London. As always, we first caught up to hear about the mix & what he’s been up to recently…

I’ve been reflecting on the successes and challenges of 2023, nurturing my creative energy and refilling my glass. I’m currently taking a moment to breathe before diving into another hectic 12 months.

The mix was recorded in one of Rinse’s studios on a pair of CDJ-3000s and a Pioneer A-9 Mixer

It’s kind of a Homage to House music as a whole..New York, Chicago, Detroit and even some London sounds – there’s all sorts thrown in there. Some big influences for myself such as Steven Julien and Scott Grooves, mixed in with the likes of Ladymonixx and Frits Wentink!

Up next…

I’ve been continuing to develop my weekly show on Rinse FM and have been busy lining up some incredible guests for 2024.

I’ve also just begun working with a manager to start locking in gigs across the UK, Europe and further field for 2024. Super excited to play for more audiences globally in 2024! On top of that I’m excited to kick the year with my first gig of 2024 in London, headlining at Peckham Audio on the 19th of January for The Solstice Collective.

I can’t wait to get back on the dance floor and connect with more people and audiences in 2024!

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FMB MIXTAPE 228 | THE TEKNOIST

FMB MIXTAPE SERIES 228 | THE TEKNOIST

FMB MIXTAPE SERIES 228 | THE TEKNOIST (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE SERIES 228 | THE TEKNOIST (320 DOWNLOAD)

To wrap up 2023, we have The Teknoist back on the mix. With a career that’s lasted over 20 years, Mike now heads up Ninja Columbo Records. We had a catch up to hear more about the mix & what he’s been up to.

Hiya! Since we last spoke, ive been doing exactly what i said i was going to do and get back to being neck deep in hardcore techno and breakcore. Ive released a couple of techno EP’s with Ben Pest and Cocktail Party Effect, a darkside DnB EP with Smyla and am just about to release a new hardcore techno EP with Dolphin. Iv also been trying to wrap up a techno EP for Sunil Sharpe, which tbh is a very big focus as im a huge fan of his and how he uses his presence in music. It’s almost there. Iv also moved house and studio, which after multiple mini breakdowns while i was in the midst of that, now i’m settled, in the new spaces, im finally rebuilding my positive habits, rituals and behaviours and am feeling like moving was and is a positive step for me in so many ways.

This mix was recorded on a modified DJ controller. An old Traktor Kontrol 2 but with a replaced optical innofader 2 and 2 X 10 inch vinyl attached by velcro on each platter. I modified/made it a few years ago, specifically as a ‘portable turntablism machine’. It’s actually the best controller I’ve ever scratched on. It trumps any modern CDJ/controller when it comes to cutting and scratching. I also used a Technics 1210 and Traktor Skratch as a 3rd deck. There’s quite a bit of turntablism throughout the mix so I thought I’d just use the ‘PSU’ (Portable Scratch Unit) to do all of this mix on. I recorded it in my new studio. As soon as I completed the rigmarole of setting up, wiring, positioning etc all of my music kit, this mix was top of my ‘To Do’ list.

Well, i dont think you guys have had an all out hard/break-core massacre on the mixtape series, have you? I wanted to represent the true sound of the most underground genres on the planet before someone came along and did a ‘novelty breakcore’ type set and that be the introduction to said genres to your unknowing regulars. These genres are what i made my name with and if i’m honest, it’s the reason i exist at all. They are constantly misrepresented and misunderstood. I truly believe that hardcore techno and breakcore are, when done right, are the most well produced and intricately brilliant genres in all of music. There is no energy like the energy in each of them, when the best of them are being played. A lot of people can’t or don’t want to hear the brilliance and beauty layered underneath the intense energy and all consuming drum beats. It’s also very rarely ‘cool’ to genuinely be into them. You don’t win points at 99% of after parties, during youtube roulette by putting on ‘Ultraviolent Junglist’ by Venetian Snares. So to be into it, you have to genuinely love it. You generally dont seem cool to regular people, showing them this music. You dont go to a core night to look cool and hook up with someone. There is zero posing. It’s that earnesty that makes it such a sweet scene and area of music. No limitations, no set tempos …pure freedom of expression by way of horrifying kickdrums lol. I could talk for hours on this :)

What are you up to next?

I covered a lot of this in the first question but along with what i said there, i’m still running the Grey Meta label with my 3 other partners. Coming up on that is some really exciting stuff. No genre limitations there and also a hot sauce that we’ve been working on with Khoo from Khoo’s hot sauce for maybe a couple of years now. It’s not just a ‘put our name’ on a product thing, Khoo has been a huge supporter of all of our music for decades and his insistence on creating something that fits us as an organisation really resonates with us and our belief that authenticity is paramount. Iv also got new releases on my original hardcore techno/breakcore labels ‘Ninja Columbo’ and ‘Our Fucking Jungle’ imminiently coming out. Also, a nice diary of gigs. I have to give a shout to my agent and friend, Ash Scheme Boy and his Varispeed agency here as without him and his work, i’d be lost, literally, in a big ASDA, every day. You try being my agent lol

So yeah, i hope your regulars open their curiosity barriers for this one …and if anyone has any questions, please hit me on my socials or email info@varispeed.eu for booking enquiries

Thank you again for having me spread my wings a little, for the 2nd time this year and thank you guys for your constant interest and support. It means the world to me.

Peace and love

Miike

 

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FMB MIXTAPE 227 | STEVIE COX

FMB MIXTAPE 227 | STEVIE COX

FMB MIXTAPE 227 | STEVIE COX (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 227 | STEVIE COX (320 DOWNLOAD)

This week’s mixtape guest is Stevie Cox. She’s a resident at Glasgow’s Subculture and released her EP ‘Daydreamer’ last year via Remmah Records. We asked more about the mix and what Stevie’s been up to recently…

I’ve been battling some rather odd hairstyles growing out a shaved head. Thank god for wigs and hats! Aside from that, I’ve just finished a weekend of shows in Edinburgh and Aberdeen for Steel City Dance Discs, and some shows in Glasgow including a b2b with Domenic Cappello and another with Ewan McVicar. I’ve also been finishing some productions –  a moody debut solo release on Holly Lester’s awesome label Duality Trax for a PCRF fundraising compilation which is out now, and a remix for Ben Sims out on EPM in January, and my debut solo EP coming to you via Optimo Music on the 19th January. I also just finished a wee drum and bass number for Hammer’s label Remmah which will be out in April :) 

The mix is a musical love letter to the Sub Club in Glasgow. I’m lucky enough to be a resident there for Subculture, the world’s longest running house and techno night alongside Harri, Domenic and (the best DJ in the world ;) ) Telford. Subculture’s got a really specific sound and vibe – it’s emotional, hypnotic, directional and atmospheric – all the good stuff. The same people are in the crowd week in and week out, which makes it really special.

When I first got asked to do this mix I was initially going to submit a peak time hour live from the club, but the recording failed. Classic. I still wanted to use this mix to celebrate Subculture, so I approached it in the same way I’d play at the club on a Saturday night with the family – I made a wee playlist of tunes I’m feeling at the moment, hit record, had a boogie and went on a journey from warm up into peak time. So I guess this mix is what the warm up is like at Subculture as I ran out of time just as we hit the peak mark… anyway, warm ups are the hardest part of the night to get right but the most rewarding, and I think they translate to home listening quite nicely.

My friend Naomi told me she’d never met anyone who hated household chores more than me so hopefully if you find doing the laundry as boring as I do and need something to bop about the house to whilst you do that or some other tedious task, this mix makes it a bit more enjoyable for you. Hopefully you discover a new tune or artist you love as well. The mix features music from some great artists such as Forest On Stasys, and some unreleased numbers from Manakinz (Harri + Max Raskin) and myself.

And what’s next?

Next, I’m off to Berlin on the 9th December to play at Paloma Bar on a *hot* lineup to celebrate 3 years of SÄVY, a great label I really recommend checking out, then I’ve got my Subculture residency shortly after. Also really looking forward to banging it out on New Years Eve at La Cheetah with Djrum, Nightwave and loads more. Spicy lineup. Big shout out to Wardy for the invite there! Production wise – making some DnB with my amazingly talented pal Rob Etherson :-) 

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FMB MIXTAPE 226 | DAISY MOON

FMB MIXTAPE 226 | DAISY MOON

FMB MIXTAPE 226 | DAISY MOON (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 226 | DAISY MOON (320 DOWNLOAD)

This week’s mixtape guest is Bristol-based Daisy Moon. She has a background in contemporary performance, leading her to be the curator of the mix series ‘Off-Kilter’ and has released music on Rhythm Section International and Control Freak Recordings. But you know we had to chat to her first to hear more about the mix & what she’s been up to recently…

It’s been a really busy time recently! I spent some time in Copenhagen running workshops with theatre maker Rachael Clerke as part of the Live Art Danmark festival – we worked with teenage girls and formed punk bands in just a day. They performed as part of the festival, it was tiring but very empowering and super fun! I played at Macadam in Nantes recently which is a club I’ve always wanted to play… and have just got back from doing an all-night Off-Kilter show in Berlin. My time in Bristol has been spent in my studio finalising an EP which will come out next year. I’ve been doing a lot of mentoring for aspiring producers/DJs, we launched a Mix Nights intermediate DJ course and I’ve also been working on Mix Nights takeovers for next year.

The mix was recorded in my living room on my little but trusty XDJ700s and an Allen and Heath Xone 23 mixer straight into Ableton using my soundcard. I didn’t play any records in this one, most of the music is new stuff I’ve been playing recently.

I wanted to do a driving techno mix that represents the kind of stuff I like to play late at night. I’ve had a few peak and closing club shows recently and this energetic, trippy, fast techy sound is something that I’m enjoying getting stuck into atm. The kind of stuff that suits the season.

And up next?

Got some Housework parties coming up which should be fun. First one is this weekend with Josh Caffe at Strange Brew. I’ve just about finished up an EP due to come out next year, and am halfway through another one so my focus is on finishing that. Doing some live Off-Kilter shows next year so I’ll also be planning and preparing for those.

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FMB MIXTAPE 225 | LA LA

FMB MIXTAPE 225 | LA LA

FMB MIXTAPE 225 | LA LA (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 225 | LA LA (320 DOWNLOAD)

All the way from Glasgow, we have La La on the mix this week. She has her own imprint, Brand New Records, which empowers Scottish artists and where released her own mixtape this year. The sister label, Sound As, exists as a platform for people further afield. We caught up with La La to see what she’s been up to recently and hear more about the mix…

This year has been non-stop, I just finished my Radio 1 residency which was a phenomenal experience, something I’ve always dreamed of being a part of. I released my 10 track mixtape “give yourself a try” which came out on my label, Brand New Records. 2023 has been about pushing myself out of my comfort zone, which hasn’t been easy but to say it was a worthwhile endeavour doesn’t quite cut it. People often shy away from shouting about their accomplishments but I am really proud that this year I walked on new terrain and it’s pushed me to go even further in 2024.

I was meant to record this mix while I was in Dublin last week, in true form I ended up having to rush to the airport onto the next show. In short I landed back in Glasgow and went straight to Pirate Studios at 12 am in a full tracksuit only to be met by a room full of boys on the decks.

Playing in clubs is my safe space, it’s where I get to really let go. But trying to create the same atmosphere for someone listening to a mix or radio is a challenge I love. My passion is helping people discover new tunes that make them want to dance, whether that is on the dancefloor, in their car, sitting at home, wherever they are. If I can evoke that intrigue, that ‘wait, what is this?’  feeling then I know I’m on the right track. All puns intended. I discover most of my favourite songs sitting on my laptop and I love the idea I can then pass that onto someone else who is maybe just dancing around their bedroom like I am.

And up next?

Next month I’m releasing an extended version of my mixtape ‘give yourself a try’ as well as working with so many talented artists on my labels ‘Brand New’ and ‘Sound As’ Records. It’s such an honour to be carving out a space for quality dance music, whatever the genre. Right now as I write this I’m in the studio creating some new work and I’m excited to see where that takes me…

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