FMB MIXTAPE 216 | BIESMANS

2023 has been an amazing year so far. I’ve been fortunate enough to tour 15 countries across three continents, and I’ve had some unforgettable debuts. Last month for example, I had my first shows at Fabric in London and Thuishaven in Amsterdam, both in the same weekend! Apart from touring, I’ve been dedicating a lot of time to the studio, exploring and sculpting a fresh sound. After years of releasing a lot of material, I felt it was important to take a small break and give myself the space to experiment.

I recorded the mix last Saturday afternoon on the main floor of Watergate club here in Berlin. In a past life I was a sound tech in the club so I really know my way around over there. Watergate also manages my bookings and I’m a resident, so I maintain a close connection to the venue. Just to clarify, the mix was not recorded during a club night or for a live audience. I set up a few CDJs and a mixer and immersed myself in the excellent sound system of the booth!

Absolutely! The main idea behind the mix was to give listeners a taste of what a Biesmans club set sounds like nowadays. However, the challenge was to condense a 3-4 hour set into approximately one hour. As someone who appreciates a wide spectrum of music, it was not easy to create a mix that showcases this range while maintaining a cohesive flow. I aimed to provide a proper intro and outro, opening with some house vibes, gradually transitioning into more intense rave-trance-techno influenced sounds for the peak time, and ultimately winding down with some trippy afterhour music. Of course, I couldn’t resist including a few of my own new tracks! There’s a collaboration with Johannes Albert set for release next month and two solo tracks that I’ve been testing on the road in recent months.

What are you up to next?

I’m super excited to finally start touring with my new LIVE set. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be bringing this set to Tomorrowland in Belgium (my friend Nico Morano is hosting his own stage there!), Rock Herk (also in Belgium), Watergate in Berlin, and many other exciting venues. Additionally, I’ll continue touring as a DJ across Europe extensively, and after the summer, I have another tour lined up in India. Besides my touring and music production, I’m launching a small label to release my own work and collaborations. There’s a lot on my plate right now, but I’m highly motivated and thrilled to work on these projects!