Shell Tape Mix Series

Recorded at Crab Claw's spiritual home in North Perth, Speed Ferret throws down a hop skipping hour of ambience, left field house and techno, UK flavoured bass and few tongue in cheek curveballs.

Shell Tape 01 - Speed Ferret

The second edition of Shell Tapes sees big boss Crabbe splice together swirling psychedelic house with raw, in your face club sounds and a healthy dose of contemporary acid.

Shell Tape 02 - Crabbe

A Perth export now residing in Melbong, Tim Gauntlett presents this third edition of Shell Tapes. Warm and hazy music for winter (or summer) afternoons, settle into a groove and let this playful hour of dusty house, disco and worldly sounds that span afro-beat through to Japanese city pop deftly slide a smile onto your face.

Shell Tape 03 - Tim Gauntlett

Shell Tapes returns an with intense, powerful and, above all else, thoroughly enjoyable half hour of power from Verity. A sonic reflection of the Winter just passed, growling left-field techno is deftly mixed with thump-in-your-boot electro, haunting breaks and contemporary rave sounds.

Shell Tape 04 - Verity

Isolation is in, partying is out (unfortunately). 
To fill that gap, Shell Tapes is back with friendly selections and even friendlier selectors. Restarting the series and logging the fifth tape is the inimitable Wil Bixler. 
A cornerstone at the Perth institution that is RTRFM, (youthful) veteran of the WA and Australian scene and mentor and mate to many, he’s presenting eighty five minutes of choice new releases, so hold tight for a slick and eclectic ride that runs through hazy hip-hop, all the way through to manic jungle and beyond. Yosh!

Shell Tape 05 - Wil Bixler

Shell Tape number six comes from one of Perth’s most ruthless disc jockeys, Bruna, playing back to back with Crab Claw’s own Speed Ferret.
Loosely focusing on the theme of ‘crying in the rave’ the duo present ninety eight minutes of heavy hitters that move hearts just as easily as they move bodies, capturing the softness within dance music’s harder side and the ebbs and flows of nights spent both in the club and in isolation. 
Crack one open, line one up and get ready to move and wipe your eyes - there’s no mucking about here.
Recorded on a Wednesday night at Eton St.

Shell Tape 06 - Bruna & Speed Ferret - "Tears In The Rave"

Presenting the first of a double sided dub series is our friend and neighbour, James E.
Dive into the Dub Club for an hour of hazy, spacious and depth defying reggae, roots, dub techno, and associated head nodders from the brains behind the world famous 'Dub Tuesdays' at Northbridge's beloved PICA bar. 
It's called indica because it puts you in da couch.
Recorded on Chelmsford Road, big up the folks.

Shell Tape 07 - James E - "Side A: Dub Club"

As the reel spins on Shell Tape number eight, we turn our ears 'n' eyes to across the Nullarbor for two seamlessly stitched together iso-rave mixes from Naarm (Melbourne) based party crew High Ground.

Headed up by J.P. Sebastian and Master Sofu they've been putting together brain tickling bespoke parties for yonks, while also forging strong friendships with DJs and crews based on our beautiful west coast. Dedicated to their scene and people who make it up, they're everything we treasure about dance music.

Their mix exemplifies that - it's danceable, fun, and packed full of timeless contemporary rave and club sounds. J.P. Sebastian humbly says it best: "I reckon it's a pretty good showcase of who we both are individually as DJs. Elliot took the 1st half, and there's a whole lot of sensibility to it and feels like a proper musical journey. I, on the otherhand, just play really raw club tracks ha, my set's pretty much just a selection of 90s trance records. Sween shared the upcoming Tone Dropout 9 with us, so we've both dropped a track each from that release so there's that as well." 

Crab Claw and High Ground were meant to be showcasing Dawl and Sween's Tone Dropout label inna big party style this past weekend - plans which never eventuated for obvious and reasons. 

In lieu of that, we present this mix to fuel your own party, wherever that may be. Esketit!

Shell Tape 08 - High Ground - "A Tale of Two Mixes"

The affable James E grabs the reigns for a second time on Shell Tape 09, presenting an hour and a half of serious nightclubbin' business; club dubs are indeed the best way to describe this selection of tracks. 
Side B of his tape sees tripsy dub techno brews with breakbeat house, lashings of acid and assorted electronica that all point to one thing - the dance floor. 
Recorded at Chelmsford Rd, big up the Hyde Park crew.

Shell Tape 09 - James E - "Side B: Club Dub"

"Kicking myself I didn't buy the Adidas outfit." Don your best tracksuit, limber up and prepare to geddit - Girlname presents the tenth Shell Tape with 'Relentless Audio Facepunch'. BYO warehouse!

Skittering percussion, off-kilter basslines and kick drums that aim straight for the solar plexus should all be anticipated in this hour-twenty stomp through the night (listener discretion advised).

A figurehead of the Perth (and beyond) music community, Girlname is a friend to pretty much anyone and everyone and tirelessly plays and produces music along with regularly radio spots and a bevy of heavyweight gigs around Perth. Check the mix and hold tight, you're about to get fucking rocked!

Recorded on Whadjuk Noongar boodjah.

Buy Music Club track list from Girlname: https://buymusic.club/list/girlname-relentless-audio-face-punch-for-shell-tapes-perth-whadjuk-noongar-boodjah

Shell Tape 10 - Girlname - "Relentless Audio Facepunch"

Will you tumble down the rabbit hole? Slip into the spa? Or stomp down to the swamp?

The 11th instalment of the Shell Tape series comes from Crab Claw co-conspirator Doug Swamp. A crate digger of the Discogs generation, Doug's selections are as eclectic as they are functional, applying modern dance floor sensibilities to classic sounds with panache and cheek.

With one foot in the 80s, another in 2030 and a double negroni in hand, the mix takes us on an hour long journey that sees proto-house rub shoulders with worldy electro-pop, cinematic italo-disco and anthemic floor fillers with a vintage twist of lime.

Open your mind, get on your feet and pour up your favourite budget drink - Doug Swamp is at the helm.

Recorded at Eton St, out to the sleep-out crew.

Shell Tape 11 - Doug Swamp - "Aldi Beer & Pink Lights"

As our collection of Shell Tapes enters the dozen-zone friend and art collaborator Yikes orbits back into the Crab Claw solar system, bringing with him a blend of blends that flit in and out of cozy and comforting to out-of-this world and alien.

Reflecting the music that's accompanied Yikes during the weeks of solitude just past, Shell Tape 12 sees him gracefully moves from jazzy and gentle home-listening orientated sounds to more jagged and aggressive electronics, all underpinned by a distinct groove and swing. 

Pop, techno and high-tempo bass sounds all rub shoulders together in an intergalactic lounge room - head nodding housemates and friends along for the ride. This is music you can sit to, stand or (preferably) dance to.

Recorded at Kev's home.

Shell Tape 12 - Yikes - "Cosmic Solitude"

Friday rolls around again and another Shell Tape appears. There's rain on the ground and something special in the air. Stand up, focus in and cock your gun fingers - Shy Time holds down this week's slot.

Tape 13 provides a hedonistic brain tickle in the form of relentlessly sidewinding bass, otherworldly percussion and arcing synth lines. Harking back to pre-COVID experiences of sweaty basement and endless nights the mix sees maximal left-field techno back flip into mutant bass anthems, side step into grime and skip from one side of the warehouse to the other, leaving no stone unturned.

Coming from one of Perth's most accomplished DJs and producers, this edition of Shell Tapes is a masterclass in party tunes, hitting all the right spots. Breaks, grime and hip-hop remixes blend into one hour of power that'll give you an extra satisfying stank face. Geddit!

Recorded in West Perth, out to the oh five.

Shell Tape 13 - Shy Time - "Skip to the Sub-Bass"

Mondays can be rough. Addled brains, hanging hangovers and the spiritual commute into the working week are difficult and draining. Luckily today's Friday and SNAGs are serving up Shell Tape 14.

Kyle and Braeden (our duo of silly sausages) are no strangers to either side of DJ booth, a fact evident in this week's mix. Running the sonic gamut of a night out in just over an hour and half, they seamlessly slot together dub techno, euphoria-laced breaks, sweet 'n' sour acid and analogue electro. 

A tour de force of heavier underground sounds this tape is definitely one for the rave corp. Describing it using the word 'Monday' seems silly - this mix is the polar opposite of a 9 to 5.

Recorded in Boorloo.

Shell Tape 14 - SNAGs - "Please Use the Word Monday, in a Sentence"

The sun is out. It's winter, but it's not quite cold yet. Is it actually winter? The sounds of Shell Tape 15 say no, delivered by the ever-sunny Larry D. 

Mixed largely with vinyl and put together with love, care and attention, this week's mix sees us turn towards the brighter side of dance music. Afro-Caribbean ditties mingle with Latin influences and sounds, whirling, twirling and step-ball-changing to a irresistible organic pulse.

Enjoyed best after knocking off early and pouring yourself an easy-going glass of Don Julio (or equivalent beverage), Tape 15 takes us out of the warehouse and into the sun, a fittingly feel good soundtrack for the end of the week. Step out of your metaphorical cave and put your hands in the air, Larry D's got this one on lock.

Shell Tape 15 - Larry D - "Zouk for a Zentury"

Raves are back! Yew! Ibiza is not. That's ok though. To celebrate we turn our gaze in a hyper-local direction for this edition of Shell Tapes, enlisting the Mumma Crab herself, Crabbe.

Big beats, big bass and big backspins are the name of the game for this Tape, with Crabbe laying down an hour and a half of increasingly frenetic left-field techno, breaks and jungle. Shifting from cinematic sound experiments to slinky K-hole climbers before exploding with high energy riddims, the mix reflects a diverse and open minded approach to dance music and partying.

Enjoy your weekend, party safe, party hard and party long. See you inna dance?

Shell Tape 16 - Crabbe - "No Ibiza this Year"

"This is anti police music." It's a statement that (traditionally) calls to mind righteous anger, technicolour flares and plumes of smoke. Shell Tape 17, courtesy of local producer seior, is almost the exact opposite but still bristles with emotion, intensity and cathartic energy.

Blending ambient interludes with intense flash-in-the-pan electronic experiments, outsider pop and hip-hop deviations and a clouds of sea scented smoke, the mix lithely veers from serene dissociation to blow-your-head moments of all encompassing emotion and vigour.

Tumultuous times are afoot and even the calmest moments carry a feeling of fragility. Whack on some anti-police music, support your friends, support your local and support the minority.

Graphics via seior.

Shell Tape 17 - seior - "Solemn Seashore - Anti Police Mix"

Long nights, never ending mornings and a complete surrender to a meditative state of flux. Dripbay presents this week's Shell Tape and it's as spiritual as it is hedonistic.

Boorloo rave royalty and one of the nicest people we've encountered, Dripbay's hour of power is an all gas, no breaks affair with a single minded devotion to tracks that dance across your brain straight to your motor cortex - the only drink breaks are granted in the form of head spin inducing synth breakdowns. 

Traversing high tempo techno and euphoric trance, Tape 18 will transport you to an undisclosed industrial building at 4am all from the comfort of your own home. Heavy tekkers for your nearest and dearest.

Shell Tape 18 - Dripbay - "A Strobe Light and a Salt Lamp"

Just as gilded rays of winter sun break through chilly clouds and chilly times, this week's Shell Tape showers us with spiritual smiles and warm euphoria.

Coming direct from Boorloo tastemaker, party starter (repping Turnt Tables, Hypnox, Sealed Section and RTRFM's Full Frequency) and all around lovely person Ephacy, "Winter Dream" is exactly what it says on the box. A sublime dance music excursion that clocks in at just an under hour, the mix was beautifully described as "those little pockets of sun you get through the clouds" by EPHACY herself and we reckon those words sum it up perfectly.

Coasting effortlessly through dreamy downtempo styles, tripsy techno experiments and hands-in-the-air-eyes-closed house rollers, step out into your garden and have prance during this evening's golden hour. You won't regret it.

Shell Tape 19 - EPHACY - "Winter Dream"

20 rotations around the turntable later, we arrive at another Friday and another Shell Tape. This edition comes straight from cyber space, delivered swiftly by the extremely talented I33A (pronounced eye-three-three-aye for all you linguists out there).

Step out of our current world and into a high octane mechanical footrace replete with neon icicles, glassy metallics and bone crunching percussion. In just under an hour I33A traverses a soundscape reminiscent of laser fight on a futuristic autobahn - but like, one where everybody is a hell good dancer.

Cutting edge low end sounds rub shoulders with mutant grime instrumentals as twisted techno chops it up alongside experimental cosmic dancehall sonics. Limber up, stay strapped and get down, 'cause this one is large.

Shell Tape 20 - I33A - "Infra Energy"

Life's a beach, dig deep...

Boorloo/Perth based music platform and dance party, operating on Whadjuk Noongar Country.