FMB MIXTAPE 227 | STEVIE COX

Posted on December 7, 2023 by Feel My Bicep

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

Posted on November 23, 2023 by Feel My Bicep

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

Posted on November 9, 2023 by Feel My Bicep

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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FMB MIXTAPE 224 | YRAKI

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Feel My Bicep

FMB MIXTAPE 224 | YRAKI

FMB MIXTAPE 224 | YRAKI (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 224 | YRAKI (320 DOWNLOAD)

We have London-based artist and producer, Yraki, on the mixtape this week. He released his debut EP ‘Argento’ last year, but first up, we asked him more about the mix and what he’s been up to recently.

I’ve been working on a lot of new club-oriented music, which this mix represents as well as more experimental / ambient stuff. I’ve also been soundtracking some cool multimedia projects and started sharing my Max for Live devices, which are getting a really good response also from big name producers. Recently, I released a remix for Barker and Baumecker’s “Strung” on nd_baumecker’s Freundinenn label, a highlight for me as a long-time fan of their work since I discovered Ostgut Ton!

I’ve recorded this mix at my place, borrowing some standard decks from a friend for a few days. Most of the tracks I used had been pre-edited in Ableton as I enjoy making subtle structural tweaks to them – always with respect for the original artists – I just change things that I think will make them fit better in the mix.

Ever since I got into music, I’ve always been djing from hip-hop to techno but with my new alias, I’ve predominantly focused on live performances featuring my own productions (mostly ambient / electronica). Anyway, I never stopped loving djing, probably it’s because I stumble upon so much incredible music from fellow artists every day, and I’m always itching to spin it in a club setting. This mix is a reflection of what you can expect from my DJ sets, traversing heavy-bass tracks, transitions to softer melodies, and more unpredictable and less dance-centric tunes.

What are you up to next?

I’ve been involved in diverse projects, including bespoke composition, sound design, mixing, and mastering. Excitingly, I’m nearing the completion of my first ambient/electronica album, alongside a fresh left-field club EP planned for release in 2024.

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FMB MIXTAPE 223 | BEN SLEIA

Posted on October 26, 2023 by Feel My Bicep

FMB MIXTAPE 223 | BEN SLEIA

FMB MIXTAPE 223 | BEN SLEIA (iTUNES)

FMB MIXTAPE 223 | BEN SLEIA (320 DOWNLOAD)

We have French-born Ben Sleia on the mixtape this week. She has since spent years living in the UK with a residency at Liverpool’s 24 Kitchen St before blessing the dancefloors of Berlin! We asked more about the mix and what she’s been up to recently…

I’ve been travelling a fair bit these past few months, for work, fun, and also to just relax. September was quite busy gig wise which was great, and I was able to play a couple of back to backs with some friends. That was particularly fun as that’s not something I’ve had the opportunity to do much these past few years. Apart from that I’ve been doing an intensive German course alongside working full time, and I was also lucky enough to get a place in an Ableton course ran by Femme Bass Mafia (a FLINTA collective from Berlin which focuses on knowledge sharing and platforming artists from their community, check them out) to finally learn how to make music. It’s been an intense few months to be honest but I’m feeling super inspired lately! And I’m loving being able to explore a new creative side by making music myself. It’s a hard process but it also feels very rewarding.

I recorded the mix in my flat in Berlin on my home set up which is 2 XDJs 700 and 1 Xone 23. I’ve been finding this set up kind of limiting recently and I would love to upgrade, but actually being limited probably makes me more focused on what I’m doing.

I think the main thing I wanted to achieve with this mix was to show who I am musically. As a music listener, I am always drawn to artists who manage to showcase all the different facets of their personality through their music, be it as producers or as DJs, and this is something I’m also trying to do constantly. I listen to a lot of different kinds of music, and I’m always looking for ways to connect the dots between all my influences to represent who I am. This is exactly what I did for this mix; I did not want to limit myself as to what genre, style, atmosphere, or anything else I could go for, but rather create something new with all the tracks I picked together.

And what’s next?

The next big thing for me is the launch of my new project: Bruits. In reality, I was already working under ‘Bruits’ for a long time as it was the name of my first radio residency on Melodic Distraction Radio (RIP) all those years ago, and it was also the name of my subsequent radio residency on Refuge Worldwide. I’m now taking it further and to the club as I’m launching our first event on November 25th 2023 at Zur Klappe (in Berlin) for which I’ve invited MELANIN to play, who is this incredible DJ based in Paris who plays the flute over her mixing, as well as my friends Impurity and Blume. I’m really excited to be back in the curator seat, and these events are actually only the first phase of this project. In the new year, I’m hoping to take it out of the club and around with me, but I’ll give more information about this later on. I’m very excited about it all anyway!

Tracklist:

Azemad – Halal Rage

Simo Cell – blow the conch

Verraco – jajaja

Toma Kami – Quad

Howie Lee – Flea

RAVL – Outrenoir

uu008 – a1

Diessa – Boiling Over (feat. Grove) – Original Version

Sepehr – At The Gates Of Heaven

Hojo – 16 O’s feat. Novelist

Pete Cannon & Denham Audio – Off Me Pickle (lmAjors cOMPLETELY pICKLED mIX)

DJ Zinc – 138 Trek (POLO LILLI 145 Edit)

Ma Sha – Myrtle Warp

From The Depths – Neutral Buoyancy

Dawn Razor & Confluence – Decollerate

Joey Beltram – Energy Flash (Original Mix)

Mani Festo – Plunk

Ayesha – Buzzz

Fango – Rectum

Klahrk & Stolen Velour – Fight Me

Jokes Kultüros – Split

Daniel 58 – Dirk Nowitzonski

Bell Curve – Quicksand

 

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