days-of-steam

[days-of-steam]

Days Of Steam 009: Technique Nado

(Released July 29, 2023)

Slow-fast-slow / fast-slow-fast rhythms from @techniquenado's first time back in the studio in a few months. When I heard it, it sounded like I was watching Koyaanisqatsi backwards on half speed, if that explains anything. No tracklisting for this one - spotters, do your thing.

"This mix is inspired by unbearable, heavy heat - the one you can’t escape // Ce mixe est inspiré par la chaleur insoutenable et lourde - celle dont on ne peut se sauver."

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Days Of Steam 008: Icarus Redux

(Released July 11, 2023)

Restrained freakout sonics and subcranial rhythms from @icarus-redux — “earth-moving kicks, baleful, eyes-dilated synths, and rough, mostly unsampled breakbeats. Fog machine bathing all as one.” Inspired as an artist by a mixed bag of artists and theorists that cast light on the darkness - Fisher, Graeber, Preciado, Shadow, Sprinkles, Tiqqun, Weatherall - this mix is one of the first I’ve heard that approaches AI-assisted technologies (demuxing, polyrhythmic mixing, etc) in a way that reminds me of early cut-and-paste techniques or Richie Hawtin’s Decks x EFX mixes that reassemble contexts on a micro-level, not just layering tracks over each other but reconstructing them, and here it’s far more subtle. It’s enticing and unnerving to me but such is the effect of the dawn of a new form of technology that has the principle for use and abuse. Here it’s done to only positive effect, again highlighting the spaces between the notes, the snatches of memory that flit through your brain. A lot of the tracks from the early 2010s are records I remember hearing and playing when I lived in Leeds, which I had associated with a very different scene that I naively believed at the time would never truly take off Stateside. At the same time, Disclosure were getting big then and I thought the US would pass them over. From downloading italo and house rips off of Bicep's old blog to seeing them headline warehouses in Brooklyn that charge $40+ admission. Mais je divague...

Bianca Scout - Kingdom [First Terrace, 2022] Herbert - Deeper (Basic Soul Unit Remix) [Curle, 2016] T++ - Dig [Honest Jons, 2010] Avatism - Self Control [Vakant, 2017] Basic Soul Unit - Jak'd Freq (A Made Up Sound - Puur Natuur Mix) [Crème Organization, 2010] Ayln - Victim [Nous, 2018] Tenebre - Axe Nord-Sud [WNCL Recordings, 2018] Reckonwrong - Morton [Pinkman, 2015] Taraval - Bart's Sanctuary [Text, 2016] Blawan - Iddy [Hessle Audio, 2010] Martyn - Body Music [Dolly Dubs, 2018] Pugilist - Déjà Vu [Banoffee Pies, 2022] Ryan James Ford - Brixa Endt [SHUT, 2018] Shed - Lumber Fix TT [The Final Experiment, 2018] Private Press - Wetweird [Of Paradise White Label, 2022] Clark - Superscope [Warp, 2014] Andrea - Rainbow [Ilian Tape, 2015] Glaskin - Grey Lines [Hotflush, 2018]

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Days Of Steam 007: Dileta

(Released June 19, 2023)

I could probably write a thesis at this point about the sonics of suburban ennui and self-discovery — for now it’s mixes like this that help me realize that no I was not truly alone out in the suburbs, there were other kindred spirits scattered hither and yon. @diletamtl is one of said spirits - a dear friend and absolute mind bending dj / selector / artist / whatever who has developed a keen sense of atmosphere and world building. "Ducking Life: a record of urban seclusion" est une heure d'ennui cinématique, familiar to many that grew up in suburbia at the start of the end of history.

"This one is mostly cinematic synth-heavy slow beats: downtempo, industrial, post-punk, slowfast motorik, experimental atmospherics - with a couple unsettling emotional favourite "centerpieces". I tried to capture the feeling of (sub)urban disconnection - walking aimlessly for hours and feeling like an outsider in your own hometown, with a melancholic warmth in your chest, terrifying thoughts and beings smashing around. (Also about feeling like a ducking duck)."

Oscar Mulero - Exhale and Expand [Semantica, 2018] McGregor - Clean Lines [Sure Thing, 2023] Camboja - Safe Word [Pho Bho, 2022] Machka - Nuits D'Argent [Quarantine Sonic Squad, 2021] Takayuki Shiraishi - Fluorite [Syzygy, 1997] Lostsoundbytes - Dogme Paradox [Big Science, 2022] Bibi - Arbre Magique [BB., 2022] Isabassi - Speaking Heads [Super Hexagon, 2023] Locust - Fruit Molecules [Apollo, 1994] Simple Minds - King Is White and in the Crowd [Virgin, 1982] FOQL & Fischerle - Comunication Swamp [Paralaxe Editions, 2020] Taro Nohara - Shikantaza [Growing Bin, 2022] Los Pashminas - Turtle Haze Convolution (Tassilo Vanhöfen Remix) [Subject To Restrictions, 2022] Saeko Suzuki - Hacker Ariuwa 2 Ear Drums [Dear Heart, 1984] Identified Patient - Second-Hand Nostalgia [Nerve Collect, 2023] Godflesh - No Body [Hospital Productions, 2017] Low Khey - Casual Rapture [Comic Sans Records, 2023] Vision of 1994 - Midnight Bells [Harmless Youth, 2022] Immediate Proximity - C Met 2-3 [IMPROX, 2023] nardius12 - Gods Loved [Self-released, 2021] Katatonia - Unfurl [Peaceville, 2007]

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Days Of Steam 006: Silver Tank

(Released May 26, 2023)

Returning from hibernation with uncompromising and enveloping sonics from København's @silvertank / I keep telling myself I should write some sort of essay about the notions of queer ambience / sound sonics (the relationships + significations they have with each other), and then I hear a whirlwind of a mix like this that says more than an essay ever will.

"Inspired by the phrase you hear in the beginning of the mix from the late Vito Russo, a theme of disruption runs through the mix, from the blending, to the changes in sound, vibe, and tempo"

Kara-Lis Coverdale - Fantas Morbida [Editions Mego, 2021] Vito Russo - Disrupt Their Lives [Anthology, 2023] Claire Rousay - Discrete (The Market) [American Dreams, 2021] Dustin Wong - Yves Tanguy [The Jewel Garden, 2021] Burial - Rival Dealer (Jon Hopkins Edit) [Unreleased, 2015] Boards Of Canada - Kid For Today [Warp, 2000] ABADIR - II [Genot Centre, 2021] aya - i know tsundoku (lxc x odeko) [Self-released, 2019] Sekelembele - Simbisa [Nyege Nyege Tapes, 2020] Slikback - Waxfigure [Self-released, 2020] Adolescent Behaviours - Rubberband [A Colourful Storm, 2021] Coil - Something [Chalice, 2000] Frog Of Earth - Salamander Dub [wherethetimegoes, 2021] Jago Nwaternbe - What's My Combo [GORGE.IN, 2022] Michael J Blood & Rat Heart - Woaaah Mumsie!!! [Bodytronixxx, 2022] Zedgar Infiniti x Maya Songbird - Blame Game (Queen Of Hell x Ghost Remix) [New World Dysorder, 2020] Clippng - Black Up (Dave Quam Remix) [Sub Pop, 2021] Boc Scadet - Sel Alterat [Clickclickdrone, 2004] Autechre - Drane [Warp, 1999] Flare - Turbinates [Sublime, 1996] Caterina Barbieri & Lyra Pramuk - Knot Of Spirit [light-years, 2022]

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Days Of Steam 005: Natural Language

(Released November 8, 2021)

@natural_language (born in Evanston, based in Nagano) is one of the few people I've entrusted to take over an entire episode of one of my radio shows (shoutout @newtownradio) - this mix epitomizes that trust in the way it flows through ghostly transmissions, gauzy IDM, ambient techno bliss, and buried affirmations. (Czech their show Recursive Steps every 2nd Thursday on @sutrofm)

"in some ways the first half is supposed to be deep and introspective and the second half is a self that's been found and more confident, emerging from this period of thinking but still grounded"

Pale Cocoon - 少女の歌 [Pafe Record, 1982] upsammy - Flutter [Dekmantel, 2021] Painkillers - U.F.O. [Pi Recordings, 1996] Pete Namlook/Higher Intelligence Agency - Intruder Detector [Fax +49-69/450464, 1997] Excentrique Noiz - Moonlight [EX, 1987] E*Vax - What We Meant [Audio Dregs, 2001] Kassem Mosse - Untitled C1 [Workshop, 2014] Der Spyra - Seeds [Self-released, 2001] Hiroshi Morohashi - The Starry Sky [Shield Records, 1997] Gescom - Viral Rival (Rmxd By Ae) [Skam, 1998] The Black Dog - The Weight [Black Dog Productions, 1989] Exquisite Corpse - Sacrifice [KK Records, 1992] Laurel Halo & Hodge - The Light Within You [Livity Sound, 2018]

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Days Of Steam 004: Mischa Lively

(Released September 21, 2021)

Recorded not long before moving from Nashville to LA, @mischa.lively's (New Love Unlimited) earnest touch with electronics buoyed a necessary voice in a city known for its cultural and historic power in the American music industry, but overlooked by many off the usual dance music itinerary. I reached out to him this summer, drawing an Oblique Strategy to serve as a prompt, and having drawn 'think of the radio' we jettisoned directness in favour of "the glass prism as a multidimensional object". Starting with Crystal Ball era Prince, offering playful advice and guidance, Mischa's mix spirals down Drexciyan wormholes, restrained riddims, acidic peaks, his favourite Derrick Carter remix (not who you would expect), dance hypnotics, and contemplative and reflective energies.

Prince - Power Fantastic (Live In Studio) [Paisley Park, 1987] Miles - Queuing [Modern Love, 2013] Tiziano Popoli - Iunu-Wenimo [RVNG, 2021] Equiknoxx - A Rabbit Spoke To Me When I Woke Up [DDS, 2016] Pangaea - Send It In [Hessle Audio, 2016] Drexciya - Bottom Feeders [Tresor, 1999] Virgo - Untitled A4 [Trax, 1986] 808 State - Flow Coma [Creed, 1988] Tortoise + Derrick Carter - D’s Winter Outtake [City Slang, 1988] STL - Getting Deeper [Perlon, 2006] Trans Am - Positron [Thrill Jockey, 1999] K-Lone - Yelli [Wisdom Teeth, 2020] Demdike Stare - Haxan [DDS, 2009] Larry Heard - Feathers Floating [Alleviated, 2008] Lumisokea - Whirling Dervishes [Opal Tapes, 2016] Pan Daijing - Lucid Morto [PAN, 2017]

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Days Of Steam 003: Deejaygee

(Mix released August 9, 2021)

Blistering, mind-bending geometries from @deejaygeejaygee that run the gamut from sludge to full speed ahead, and much of it either self-released or from smaller labels outside the usual centers of production (NYC/LDN/BER)

"It's a celebration of percussion, dancing and global collective ecstasy."

Excerpt from “School of Rock Hawaii 5-0 Drum Fill” Y.a.M.A - Circle [GORGE.IN, 2021] Amor Satyr - Delight #2 [Wajang, 2021] Unperson - Mind Distract [Only Ruins, 2019] Pev & Kowton - Junked [Hessle Audio, 2013] Tribal Brothers & DJ Polo - The Problem [Livity Sound, 2021] Yak - Ocean Floor [3024-FYE2, 2018] Amazinggaijin & Lighght - Cacophonie [All Centre, 2021] Excerpt from “Krautrock: The Rebirth Of Germany” Guedra Guedra كدرة كدرة - Uggug [On The Corner, 2020] Henzo - Trickery [Self-released, 2020] Indus Bonze - ゴルガンツ GorGantz [Self-released, 2021] WULFFLUW XCIV - One54 [Hakuna Kulala, 2020] Rey Sapienz & The Congo Techno Ensemble - Santonge [Nyege Nyege Tapes, 2021] Beneath - Shambling [Hemlock, 2021] LAPS - Who Me? (Duppy Gun Remix) [DFA, 2018] Horsepower Productions - Boogaloo [Tempa, 2011] Nazar & Citizen Boy - 2 African Sickos (Scratchclart Remix) [Hyperdub, 2020] Manix - Special Request (DJ Guy Version) [Sneaker Social Club, 2020] Farsight - Renegade (Interplanetary Criminal Remix) [Scuffed Recordings, 2021] Suchi - Gula I Deg [Ganzfeld Records, 2021] Tessela - Hackney Parrot [Poly Kicks, 2013] Excerpt from “Bernard ‘Pretty’ Purdie presents The Legendary Purdie Shuffle” Kush Jones - Keeps Playing With The Breaks [Self-rleased, 2021] Dizzee Rascal - Jus A Rascal [XL, 2003] Circa96 - Cave Dweller (Dwarde’s Caving In Remix) [Disrupt Records, 2020] Bone Head - Fantasy Violence Anthem [Self-released, 2021] Morwell - There Is No Time (DJ FLP Remix) [Self-released, 2021] Es.tereo - Drifter Dub [YUKU, 2021] M-Beat & General Levy - Incredible (Instrumental) [Renk, 1994] Nilotika Cultural Ensemble - Kekusimbe [Nyege Nyege Tapes, 2021]

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Days Of Steam 002: svvimming

(Mix released March 20, 2021) "Lemongrass Mix" is the only descriptor given me when @benjamin_munoz sent this over. Much like how his music feels like mobile sculptures hanging in midair, attached by strings but with no solid ground, left to float, this mix brings together surrealist soundworlds and unclassifiable infinities. Herzog, Kureishi, and Miyazaki meeting at the local. Mutant pop consorts with free jazz, hyperpop blasts dissolve into musique concrète - the bleeps and scattered tones of a mind forming itself, and revealing itself to the world.

svvimming - Birth Of A Tragedy [Unreleased, 2021] Asao Kikuchi - Echo Room [Childisc, 2001] Marion Brown & Gunter Hampel - And Then They Embraced [Improvising Artist, Inc., 1978] Frank Reidy & Eric Allen - Void [Bruton Music, 1978] Masayoshi Fujita & Jan Jelinek - What You Should Know About Me [Faitiche, 2016] Silzedrek - Gwen’s Pen [A Colourful Storm, 2020] Coil - Teenage Lightning 2 [Wax Trax!, 1991] Boris Kovač - Caravan Orient [Points East, 1989] Mary Lattimore - Silver Ladders [Ghostly International, 2020] svvimming - Untitled (soup knives) [Unreleased, 2021] Tony Hymas - Pictures Of Departure [Nato, 1988] Berenice - Dry River Bed [Telephone Explosion, 2020] svvimming - Flywheel [Unreleased, 2021] Giuseppe Lelasi - Part 1 (Another Stunt) [Schoolmap, 2008] Timo Lassy & Teppo Mäkynen - Nyanza [We Jazz, 2019] Roxanne Turcotte - Olé-Léa-Léo [Empreintes DIGITALes, 1994] Shushu & Vebe Suprada - Crush [Abîme, 2019] Maxwell Sterling - Synthetic Beach [The Death Of Rave, 2017] Moro - Xxandi [JANUS, 2018]

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Days Of Steam 001: Norah Lorway

(Mix released February 16, 2021)

Days of Steam is a new mix series, in tandem with the eponymous radio show on N10.AS, hosted by Neonlichter. People play music - some danceable, some not - with no regard to age or style. Some of the guests may not even be producers or DJs.

Starting off the series is Vancouver-born, UK-based composer Norah Lorway (@norahlo), one of my dearest friends who is a formidable (and suitably lauded) artist and lecturer. Their label Xylem (which I’ve released on) has been releasing algorithmic and electroacoustic compositions since 2012. Their mix for us plays like a nostalgic mixtape where evocations of childhood and the club exist in tandem.

Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - Görlitzer Park [Mexican Summer, 2015] v a p o r w a v e - Ｄａｎｃｉｎｇ　Ｑｕｅｅｎ 女王 [Self-Released, 2020] Coastdream - Untitled 16 [Salt Mines, 2015] Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - Swell [Mexican Summer, 2019] Stanislav Tolkachev - Sometimes Everything Is Wrong [SUBSIST, 2011] Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - Songs Of Forgiveness [Baro Records, 2014] Auscultation - Lost You In The Fog [100% Silk, 2015] Jefre Cantu-Ledesma - In Summer [Geographic North, 2016] Patricia - Hadal Zone [Opal Tapes, 2015]