Name: Buried Hardware by DJ Counselling
Duration: 5 min 6 s
Description: The 4th single taken from Speaking in Code.

Hagop Tchaparian – Round (Four Tet Remix)

bandcamp

Edmondson - Vanarama Bar

Otik's debut on Aus Music, the Xoul Trap EP back in May 2023, showcased his unique blend of atmospheric and breakbeat-powered techno. It is one of many releases over the last decade that have helped establish Ashley Thomas as an artist with a left-of-centre perspective. As well as curating his own Solar Body label he has dropped his singer sounds on Mall Grab's Steel City Dance Discs and Martyn's 3024, where he served up his debut album Cosmosis late in 2024. 

The lush 'Retrograde' is doused in loved-up synth layers and beautiful arps that swirl around a dusty, driving beat. The celestial charm is heightened with angelic vocal motifs that drift through the mix as the lo-fi drums drive on and lock you into a hazy trance.  
'X-Dream' is another melodic masterclass, this time with a garage-tinged and shuffling groove. Gorgeously tender keys rain down from above next to more echoing vocal coos and heavenly synth smears. The whole thing has a hint of melancholy that makes for an even more lasting impact.

Retrograde/X-Dream

Otik - Retrograde

fused (DJ-Kicks)

The three tracks for this EP are lovingly crafted using his collection of vintage drum machines, samplers and expansive modular setup, and are presented in both stereo and Dolby Atmos. Opener 'havin it' is quick-stepping, low slung house cut lit up with glistening chords and gorgeous soul samples that shine through next to low-key but euphoric 90s trance progressions. It makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside while remaining locked to the groove. 'lush' is just that, with summery harp strums shimmering across dusty and speedy deep house drums that sweep you up and fill your heart with hope and joy. It's a richly layered sound with a curiousness that truly enchants. Lastly, 'WNE' straightens your back with upright and snappy drums, woody percussion and frayed edged chords that have a cosy nostalgic glow. Coated in a lo-fi haze, plunging bass and aching vocal fragments pull you in different directions as you hurry to keep up with the frisky groove. 


Buy Here

Matt Karmil - Lush

The 4th single taken from Speaking in Code.

Speaking in Code

Buried Hardware

help me wake up (los angeles)

Underground experience

8 - DOCE

Vongold, Ulises Arrieta - Body Trance (Original Mix)

The Drum Leader (JvD Edit) - Cosmic Gate x Lisa Lashes (1)

South London’s DJ Counselling, aka Ash Arnold, is known for creating hand-played rhythms with an original approach to groove. Being part of the electronic dance scene for over 20 years, Ash has worn many hats: producer, remixer, DJ, record label owner, band leader and, first and foremost, drummer. First surfacing as DJ Counselling with his debut single “Pollard’s Thrill” in 2018, Ash uses real instruments and live recording techniques with analogue synthesisers to create deep, atmospheric music that is as uplifting as it is emotive.

Whether in his home studio in London or mobile studio in Berlin, Ash explains how he knows he’s onto something special “when it doesn’t feel like the music is coming from me anymore. For a moment, I get so lost in what I’m creating that I hear it as though someone else is making it.” The DJ Counselling project gathered momentum in 2020 with lauded releases “Every Day the Sun Comes Up”, “Cool Air” and “Wide Awake in an Open Space”, which drew fans like Tom Ravenscroft and Jungle.

With DJ Counselling, Ash doesn’t intend to deliver big club hits but rather creates music that reflects his mood or location at the time of writing. Nonetheless, his music is hugely popular on the dancefloor; being played by the likes of Richie Hawtin and Bonobo. Esteemed for his eclecticism and versatility, Ash brings the club to the concert hall, and vice versa, with his ever-evolving live performances. Expect percussion instruments, classical sensibilities, and complex analogue synths being given equal attention on stage.

DJ Counselling’s new album, Alt-Mobeat, underscores Ash’s symphonic craftsmanship and esteem as a musician. It is difficult to place DJ Counselling into a specific genre. From tracks like “Cool Air”, one of Spotify’s Best Electronic Songs of 2021, to his latest works, Ash has never tried to fit himself into a box. Instead, he applies an emotional connection to everything he creates, with a strong groove always being the main focus.

https://linktr.ee/DJCounselling

Buried Hardware

DJ Counselling

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