Italian label-head, radio host and DJ Elena Colombi has been holding it down on platforms like NTS and stages like Dekmantel for close to up to a decade. Their ear for the out there crossings of experimental, industrial and techno sounds is truly next to none. Not only does this show their skills on how to blend these styles to accuracy world wide but reflects on the music they pick for their excellent Osàre! Editions imprint since 2019. We are very excited to have Elena on the Off The Record series with a live recording of them at UBU club. A power hour of acid, bleep and techno sounds. We had a brief chat with Elena about the mix and what they have coming up:
Hey Elena, thanks for joining us! Can you tell us about your mix and what the idea behind it was?
Delighted to be part of the series! This mix comprises the first half of my closing DJ set at the Ethos Records night, hosted at UBU club in Rennes. Just days before the event, I received unexpected news that slightly threw me off, and I channeled my response into the set. I was fully in a free-flow energy state. I hope you’ll enjoy the journey!
Can you tell us a bit about how you usually approach recording a mix or a set?
I used to cherish mixes as sacred, themed, and timeless creations, especially back when they were mainly available on physical formats, like CDs and cassettes. As a young listener, I’d play them on repeat until some started showing signs of wear and have playback issues. When I began receiving mix requests early in my career, I dedicated days, even weeks, to select, record, and refine them, meticulously. As beautiful as this process can be, these mixes can end up being a bit too manicured – if you know what I mean? The demand for relentless “fresh content” keeps rising – without any indication of slowing down – and my schedule can be busy, so I’ve adapted to more spontaneous methods, often opting for one-takes or live recordings, like in this instance.
Your label Osàre! Editions touches a lot of different interesting sounds. as a label owner finding music, do you have an approach to finding new artists and projects?
It’s a good mix of demos sent to me and new artists I discover and reach out to. Some projects can start after a very short exchange, others take years before they come into fruition! ..The thing with running a label is, from the outside it is perhaps hard to see how much “behind the scenes” investment there is. It’s a full-time job, with huge financial risks, especially post-pandemic and Brexit. There are moments I question my sanity for pouring so much into it, but the joy of discovering and sharing music, making friends, and bridging divides along the way—it’s pure magic, especially in times like these.
What is your dream setting for a DJ set?
As I delve deeper into curation, my dream DJ set envisions a night where I curate the entire lineup. Ideally featuring a roster of kindred artists in a club with a great sound system, friendly staff, warm atmosphere, and an open-minded crowd!
What do you have up your sleeve for 2024?
On top of the regular touring and running the label, I am working on a release that should be out at the end of the year, as well as a live show and I’m curating some special nights and festival stage takeovers to celebrate the 5th year of Osare Editions.
Thanks Elena 🙂
