Hey Ash, thanks for joining us! Can you tell us about your recording and what the idea was behind it?
I’ve curated a mix reflecting on what I’m playing out at the moment, some old and new records in there plus forthcoming projects from myself and friends. There’s definitely an element of warmer textures and tones inspired through meditation practices and sound healing and the mix was also recorded straight off the back end of a great tour in Central and South America and that vibe has certainly filtered through
Could you tell us a little bit about your background, perhaps where you grew up and what first got you interested in music?
I’m from the UK and grew up in Birmingham and Leamington Spa. I was fortunate enough to discover the passion for electronic music at an early age through the radio just before the explosion of the internet and streaming platforms. There was a real naivety about it and discovering music through radio, magazine and cover art was a real treat and drove me to go deeper. Main inspirations as twelve year old came through the Radio 1 Essential mixes, these live mixes and Mixmag were the only real insight into the club environments I wanted to see at that age but being so young I had to be patient, this was fuel to work on the craft and I would spend endless hours on the belt drive decks practicing every day.
Can you tell us a bit about how you usually approach recording a mix or a set?
I approach my mixes in a similar headspace to my studio sessions. I like to capture the moment and energy but not be too over-pedantic as I like the free flowing energy that you experience in a live environment. I do of course plan a rough playlist and loosely check the transitions. Once recorded I leave it a few days then listen back with fresh ears to see how the flow is
What’s your preferred method for finding new music – do you still enjoy digging around in dusty crates or do you prefer to buy online?
I look for music online and dig in record stores. Online is more convenient of course but there’s always something special about being in a record store especially when touring new towns and cities, that buzz will never die.
What do you have up your sleeve for 2022?
2022 is an exciting year for me on a personal level as I feel back in the flow in the studio and that has been missing for years. I had an early entry point back in 2012 as a producer and was in a great flow then but naturally things drifted and for me and the last few years was really about discovery. Now I feel in a great headspace in the studio again and back with some great projects lined up including Expression with Luther Vine on ‘Fragments Of Reality’, a forthcoming release with you guys at ‘Phonica’, tracks on Youandewans label ‘Small Hours’, a release on ‘2020/Vision’ including a remix from Adam Pits and a tight schedule forthcoming on ‘One Records’.
I’m also collaborating with some great artists on a new downtempo, experimental project under Ashique Ali so that’s also in motion with a new live show.
Thanks, Ash!
