FMB MIXTAPE 58 | RON BLANCO

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For this week’s FMB mixtape we’ve recruited Dublin born, Berlin based Ron Blanco. He’s recently released his debut EP on Rhythm Nation with a Mall Grab remix. We had a chat with him to hear more about what he’s been up to:

“Somewhat recently I moved to Berlin. It’s been about a year and a half now but still feels like I’m getting used to the place. Other than that, I’ve just been keeping my head down in a musical sense and mostly drinking too much on the weekends. 

The mix was recorded in my apartment after a long day in work. To record it I used my roommate’s Pioneer controller for the first time because most of my gear and records are still in Ireland. I was actually pleasantly surprised by how nice it is to use, it felt surprisingly close to CDJs. 

When I went to record this mix I mainly wanted to showcase some tracks that I’ve been really into at the moment. After that it just became a process of figuring out how I wanted to structure and present them. It came together much quicker than I thought it would, which was nice as mixes normally stress me out. I always end up “considering” them far too much if you get what I mean? I also decided that, with it being an hour long, I wanted to focus on club tracks which obviously helped confine me. 

Currently I’m working on a project with TRP, a producer from Heilbronn. It’s wicked working with David, we click really well musically and both of us seem to prefer each other’s music, which helps. Two of the tracks we’ve done are actually in this mix. And then obviously I’m still working away on solo tracks as always too.”

FMB MIXTAPE 58 | RON BLANCO

FMB MIXTAPE 58 | RON BLANCO (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 58 | RON BLANCO (320 DOWNLOAD)

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FMB MIXTAPE 57 | OR:LA

orlagh

Delighted to have our friend Orlagh providing this week’s FMB mixtape.  She’s part of the AVA festival family and she will also be with us at this year’s FMB Warehouse Project residency in December!  As usual we had a chat with her to hear what she’s been up to:

“Aside from moving flat and living upside down for a month, I’ve been working towards my next party (Meine Nacht) in Liverpool on the 1st of October, where we have Florian Kupfer and Deejay Astral coming down to play. I have also been busy working on my new label ‘Im Tanz’, alongside the other co-founder of Meine Nacht; it’s due to launch in early 2017.

The mix was recorded on a pretty basic set up; two Pioneer CDJ’s, two Technics 1210 turntables and a Pioneer mixer, nothing too fancy.

I think (and hope) this mix gets across my love for breaks. I spend a lot of time looking for music and new records, so for an hour-long mix I want to get that across as best as possible. When it comes to recording mixes, I always try to incorporate more than one genre, and to only use tunes that I feel really passionate about –  not just throw in any track to fill a gap here or there.”

Up next…

“My main focus for the coming months is to build on my own label and spend lots of time in the studio working on new music. I also have an EP coming out in November which I’m really looking forward to sharing (listen out for one of my forthcoming tracks near the end of the mix). After making tunes for around four years and not putting anything out on a label, it feels great to know that I’ll be able to let others hear what i’ve been making. On the gig front, i’m looking forward to playing in Bristol, Sheffield, Belfast and of course at The Warehouse Project for the FMB night in December! “

FMB MIXTAPE 57 | OR:LA 

FMB MIXTAPE 57 | OR:LA (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 57 | OR:LA (320 DOWNLOAD)

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FMB MIXTAPE 56 | AVE ASTRA

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Delivering this week’s FMB mixtape we have Ave Astra. He’s part of Istanbul label Roit Recordings, check out their stuff! As usual we have caught up with him to hear what he’s been up to:

“I have been working on my label lately while also digging up pieces of old Turkish music, choosing ones I like to edit/remix to play on my live sets.  

I recorded the mix on Ableton on holiday at some Mediterranean city, definitely inspired by the Mediterranean vibes.

The idea behind the mix was to compile bootlegs from different musical scenes in the world. However the emphasis was definitely on my Turkish edits, trying to introduce some old yet fresh Turkish music to you hopefully.”

Up next…

“We have a new release with my label Roit Recordings, after this one we have another release up on our sleeves this year. I’m also live DJing whenever I can. You can follow me and my label Roit on Soundcloud for all new things to come.”

FMB MIXTAPE 56 | AVE ASTRA 

FMB MIXTAPE 56 | AVE ASTRA (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 56 | AVE ASTRA (320 DOWNLOAD)

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FMB PODCAST 55 | ANDY HART

Andy Heart

This mixtape contribution comes from none other than Voyage records boss man Andy Hart. We hit him up to find out whats been going on and future plans.

“Summer is nearly over, so I am getting ready to head back to Australia before winter shows its face here. Aside from this, we’ve just finished our first Wax’o Paradiso tour in Europe (notable shows in Berlin with Volcov, London with Bradley Zero and Gent with San Soda) and now we’re planning some parties back in Melbourne and a few others cities in Aus. Personally, I’ve been working on a follow up EP for Voyage, hopefully to come out at the end of the year and getting things ready for Youandewan’s Luna Via release, which is out next week.

With regards to the podcast I’ve just set up Traktor scratch in my apartment for testing the various digital bits that come my way. This was the first mix using that set up, a combination of records and digital stuff. I had a few records in mind for the mix, mainly the newer stuff, but ultimately the sun was out and i was just mixing records at home.

 

I guess the mix is a reflection of the summer that’s finally arrived in Berlin, but also a collection of new records (and some discogs bits) that i wanted to put into a mix. A few choice cuts in there would be one from Francis Inferno Orchestra’s next EP, Urulu’s Keplar Sound District project, Valentino Mora’s new IDO thing and some classics from The Persuader, Tim Harper, Delsin and more, more, more.
This weekend i’m playing with Jovonn on Friday night and warming up for Mood II Swing on Saturday at ZeeZout. Two incredibly important inspirations, so i’m very much looking forward to it, albeit frantically preparing all week. After that, there are some last shows in Europe before a quick tour of Asia and then back to Australia for the summer.”


FMB PODCAST 55 | ANDY HART

FMB PODCAST 55 | ANDY HART (iTUNES)

FMB PODCAST 55 | ANDY HART (320 DOWNLOAD)

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FMB MIXTAPE 54 | TREVOR JACKSON

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Pumped to have Trevor Jackson delivering this week’s mixtape. He recorded this mix live at the New Dance Fantasy Festival in Berlin earlier this year, sounds big! As usual we caught up with him to see what he’s been up to:

“I’m currently in the middle of releasing a weekly series of nine vinyl only Playgroup e.p’s titled ‘Previously Unreleased’, old music, demo’s and unreleased tracks from the original recording sessions i worked on for my Playgroup album during 1998-2001, 30 in total. A selection of New Wave, Electro, Dub & House tracks, I re-edited many of them with Sasha Crnobrnja from Inflagranti, Ed Dmx as well as Kieran Hebden appear, and Mike Z from the seminal 80’s new wave band Crash Course in Science added some vocals.

I recently completed a remix of ‘ Old Skool’ by Metronomy, made an Old Skool Party Hip Hop version featuring the american rapper Oddisee, and designed the artwork for Clams Casinos recent ’32 levels’ album campaign. 

I also host a fortnightly radio show on NTS tuesday nights from 8-10pm, love being able to play loads of diverse new music thats not necessarily directed at the dance floor, so much great new music around, its constantly inspiring to do. 

This mix is a portion of a live DJ set i did at the New Dance Fantasy Festival at Griessmühle in Berlin earlier this year. I was asked specifically to play a retro set something i rarely do as i’m currently far more interested in playing modern music. They convinced me with lots of flattery and assurance the audience would be enthusiastic and open minded which they were, the crowd were fantastic, diverse, unpretentious and wild, felt like great clubs in Berlin used to be. Hearing my favourite Industrial, Electro, Freestyle, Nu Beat, Early Techno, 80’s Pop classics and obscurities (many things i rarely play out anymore) in such a great environment was amazing, Perhaps one of the best sets i played this year?, really glad i was involved, and very pleased the set was recorded. 

The festival was three days of non stop music curated (in the words of the prometors: www.sameheads.com) to incorporate the best in contemporary cutting edge electronics, rare international live showcases, festival heads, label owners and the kings and queens of rare vinyl acquisition into a twilight world of entertainment. 

The line up was great, lots of other artists who’s music i enjoy, Chloe, Toulouse Low Trax, Alessandro Adriani, Photonz, Mr TC, Rodion + more

I was attempting to entertain and educate in equal measures, take a few risks and mess up peoples heads as much as possible whilst keeping people dancing and myself happy”

Up next…

“After the series of playgroup EPs i’m planning more releases of my archive recordings, clearing my head and hard drive in the process ready to make some brand new music something i haven’t done for sometime.”

FMB MIXTAPE 54 | TREVOR JACKSON

FMB MIXTAPE 54 | TREVOR JACKSON (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 54 | TREVOR JACKSON (320 DOWNLOAD)

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