The Off The Record mix series kicks off its year with a bonafide legend in the game. Having close ties to artists like Flying Lotus, Ras-G & more Kutmah has blurred the lines between beats, hip-hop, new wave and Lo-fi. Having flipped the script on sampling and making his own sound from a little bit of column A and a little of column B, the DJ (whose mixing skills are nearly unparalleled), has always found himself indistinguishable in terms of genre. This has gathered him a very firm fanbase who never know what to expect from a Kutmah set. That being said we did not know what to expect either, and in this excitement received an hour of pure raw distorted guitars, ambient waves and lo-fi beats. We had a brief chat with the man himself about the mix and what he has cooking in the pipeline.
Hey Kutmah, thanks for joining us! Can you tell us about your mix and what the idea behind it was?
I’m stoked to contribute to a legendary record shop with my mathematic ghetto bump styleeeee (laughs). I don’t know why I said ‘’Stylee’’ I’ve never said that in my life.
Can you tell us a bit about how you usually approach recording a mix or a set?
The Mix: I’m taping in with a bit of a nod to the slow and slumpy Mo’Wax, Jazz Fudge, Asphodel era mixed in with some new new newwww tracks from some homies alongside classic tracks that are shazamable.
What are your preferred methods for finding new music—do you still enjoy digging around in dusty crates, or do you prefer to buy online?
Usually when asked for a mix I grab new bits I’ve been into and then go through old playlists for joints I forgot. Then I’ll go through bandcamp to see what’s up. I’ve been recording a lot of records on the wrong speed which is being displayed on this mix. After the house I was living in burned down along with 20 crates of records, I got on Serato immediately and started buying records again. Then I had to leave L.A and now my records are with Gaslamp and Brandy Flower. After this I stopped buying records like a maniac and only buy records I know I will love forever or something to sample for a little beat, To answer your question: I mainly dig on bandcamp for digital tracks.
What are five records you couldn’t live without?
1. EDEN AHBEZ – EDEN’S ISLAND (OG PRESSING)
2. J-DILLA – DONUTS (TEST PRESSING)
3. SHUGGIE OTIS – INSPIRATION INFORMTION
4. SONIC YOUTH – BAD MOON RISING
5. DJ SPOOKY – SONGS OF A DEAD DREAMER
What has been one of your most memorable sets over your career?
I have never DJ’ed in public before. I do have my first gig in two weeks. People usually headbang in Hotel Lobbies at 2pm right?
What do you have up your sleeve for 2025?
I do not consider myself a producer at all but I do love making beats and flipping samples. Having said that I do have two records being made to come out early in the year of 2025. One is my second tribute beat-tape (on vinyl) to my Brother in Beats Ras_G. It’s called ‘’Sacred Conversations’’ and it comes out on All City Records Dublin. For this release we have a t-shirt designed by SAMIYAM. He also has a new record coming out next year which is CRAZY! I also have a double 8’’ lathe coming out called ‘’Old Ghosts” on Insect Records from Texas. This record has me being rude with loud drums, 808’s, Cult movies and witchy voices. It’s not for everyone.
Thanks Kutmah 🙂
