˚ mixes ˚

@ronlikehell

Introduce yourself? Preferred pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 

Hello. 
Welcome to my pipipi q&a. 
He/Him 
Bedstuy, Brooklyn-NY

1 fun fact about yourself? 

My enthusiasm for music of all kinds is appreciated by people who hear me talk about it and present it through my dj’ing. That is my little super power. It provides fun for others. I keep striving to be interesting with that as best I can. 

How is everything going with you right now?

Anxiety tries to get the best of me but I still wake up and want people to gather and dance it out, hug it out, respectfully talk it out! As a very personal and shy person, I am very restless and still want to perform in front of people again as soon as it is safe to do so. Having the opportunity to create a mix for pipipi was super helpful. I hope I can connect with your followers in making them happy with this mix. The joy in making this was very therapeutic for me. Thank you. 

Any fun predictions for 2021?

I love crystal balls and the idea of seeing beyond however I treasure the moment at hand tremendously. It’s all you got so whatever move one makes today, that action potentially creates a step forward for their better tomorrow. With that said, if all goes to plan, collectively we can boogie together sooner than much later. That is my hope :)

Who currently inspires your music-wise?

As of late, my newest obsession on the decks and studio..well...just gonna mention them all up in no particular order...Fred P, Deep Creep, Matrixxman, Sleep D, Zvrra, E-Saggila, Furtive, Prince (forever!), Roza Terenzi, Francois K and Daniel Fisher’s artistry plus attention to detail in his productions.
What was your first gig? How did it go? 

It's all getting so fuzzy. Sorry. One of the earliest gigs that stands out was in 1996, dj’ing in a bookstore on a Sunday afternoon. The party was called Turntable Jazz. Felt great to spin my downtempo & soul records to a crew who were coming down and getting blazed up surrounded by books and the smell of coffee. I want to see more of that in the scene. Dance music and DJ culture should not be limited to getting crazy in a dark room. 

Describe your favorite thing to drink and how it makes you feel?

Watermelon justice with basil or mint or both will do. It’s quite an elixir that comforts my head immediately.

Why do you think it's important to share music?

People love to know what other people do and what motivates them to do so. That curiosity is special particularly when it comes to what we enjoy in sound and how it affects our daily life. Music has always been a safe go-to place. From dancing around alone at home by yourself or surrounded by people at a party, a rise in heart rate while enjoying sound offers introspective relief. I strive to make this happen as often as possible. Sharing music is the best cosmic medicine there is. 

What do your parents think about the music you make?

My parents were party people back in the 1970s so disco and finger snapping music was always playing on the turntable and radio. They always sensed I would work in the music industry somehow so they really like seeing me having genuine fun just as I did when I was young. 

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

Less dependence on the alcohol industry. More connections with community organizations and idealism that is non corporate that are supported and suggested by attendees of dance parties. If people really want “that feeling to last” then people need to approach giving back without asking for anything in return. One idea is to not party too hard and leave the club and go straight to the streets and put trash away, help people in need get their food…. the labor of love has infinite value and impact.

For extended interview & OG pipipi track game  please visit pipipi.life ; )

Ron Like Hell - 77˚F

@dj_leesh
@daisychain_podcast

Introduce yourself? Preferred pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself? 

hi! Leesh here. they/them. currently living in Chicago. one fun fact about me? ich lerne Deutsch und ich liebe es so <3

How is everything going with you right now?

oh you knowww. Life! it’s a Trip isn’t it? emerging butterfly energy lately. changing my ways and riding the waves, doing what i can, loving more, taking care, digging deeper. emotional as ever and learning more about listening deeper, to myself, others, sounds and messages. 

Any fun predictions for 2021?

i predict 2021 will continue to be a blossoming year. 

How did you get your dj name?

Leesh is a nickname family and friends have been calling me for as long as i can remember. when i was trying to decide what DJ name to choose back then, a mentor told me that my name will be “chosen for me”. at the time i was going through such a massive self-discovery, so while doing that through sound i really wanted a name that wasn’t just ~my name~ but still really fit my energy. one that felt very much like “me” but also didn’t feel too mysterious, so when at a club or a Rave or whatever and someone says “Leesh” there’s already this personal connection there. always feels like a friend already and it makes me happy! 

What change do we need in the dance scene post pandemic?

harm reduction ~ i have felt strongly about this topic during my entire Rave life, but even more so now post-pandemic. the sudden change of life that we all have experienced through 2020 i’m sure helped many of us see even deeper into some of our patterns (healthy & unhealthy) and how to be even more careful than we maybe already were. it definitely did for me. of course there have always been initiatives and organizations that have been doing their part to help build dancefloors from a harm reduction / social justice lens. but post-pandemic i think this energy needs to be utilized *fully* at *all* of the Raves. yes, let’s totally play together as psychonauts in the very fun pool we all know so well, but let’s do it safely. let’s gather up all the supplies and ingredients to take better care of each other and of ourselves. Rave is mindfulness, connection, community, insight, passion unfolding. and if we aren’t completely taking care of one another (and ourselves), then what is it? sustainability is key and health is important. DIY baby!  
What is your most recent favorite DJ mix and why?

over the weekend, listened to Closet Yi’s Crack mix in the car on a much-needed, first trip out of Chicago and into nature in a very long time. so beautiful.
 
Describe your favorite thing to drink and how it makes you feel?

i really, really love beverages. so this is hard to choose. so here are 3 that you’ll *always* find in my cooler: 
water: seriously. i love it so much and it feels ecstatic. anytime, anywhere, always. H20 for LIFE.
prosecco: makes me feel exactly as it is ~ bubbly and crisp and bright. 
Cool Blue Gatorade: it makes me feel like a cute, sweet bursting juicy blue raspberry. i love that this fantasy fruit doesn’t even exist. how silly. 

Why do you think it's important to share music?

DJs, friends, and family have literally changed my entire life by sharing music. and when i’ve been lucky enough to figure out what *that track* was when i had a ~moment~, it’s so much more than a track. it’s a piece of experience. we share, we care. 

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

more DIY raving, always. and if we’re in the clubs, venues that aren’t compromising values for the sake of capitalism, racism or harmful societal norms. it’s not good for anyone. 

For the extended interview & infamous pipipi track game visit the website ------> pipipi.life <------------

Leesh - 101˚F

@livwutang


Introduce yourself? Preferred pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself? 

Helloo, I'm Liv, she/her, living in Seattle. I’ve had 7 pet rabbits growing up (Timmy, Stella, Max, Chloe, Hillary, Flower, and Cinnabun).

How is everything going with you right now?

I’m honestly quite overwhelmed between work, creative projects, big life changes, and the return to more IRL interactions but I’m feeling inspired n positive in spite of the anxiety of it all :)

How did you get your DJ name?

In high school, we had a group project in history and this girl was writing our names in the top corner of the paper and asked me my last name, which is Klutse, but she heard Wu-Tang and wrote Liv Wu-Tang. It’s been my nickname and handle ever since & when I started DJing I was just going under my IG alias and never changed it, lol.

What advice do you have to other DJs to keep sane in the DJ world? 

Have a giggle filled b2b with your besties at least 2x a month to maintain your playfulness ~

What change do we need in the dance scene post pandemic?

All white lineups 🥴 Also speaking to the PNW regional scene in particular here – prioritizing booking locals to headline & bolstering our community instead of the biggest and best names in Europe with the same 5 locals on rotation as support.

Who currently inspires your music-wise?

Dana Kelley, Gemini, Maurice Fulton, and Larry Heard tracks are endless wells of cosmic inspiration to me and I turn to them in a rut, every time! 

DJ-wise, in no particular order, I’ve been especially inspired in the last year by Wonja, Kia, Kiernan Laveaux, LT, Ron Like Hell, CCL, Peer Review, Powder, Analog Soul, ADAB, NAP, Razrbark :)

What is your most recent favorite DJ mix and why?

https://soundcloud.com/down-2-earth/dj-trystero Subtle ear caress with that enviable breezy effortless style & flow that I can’t get enough of 

What was your first gig? How did it go? 

It was in my friend’s attic I was sitting down playing Kaytranada edits off of a Traktor controller and I don’t think one person listened to my set LOL

Describe your favorite thing to drink and how it makes you feel?

Rose or lavender kombucha because I feel happy knowing I’m tending to my gut health lol

Why do you think it's important to share music?

Because some things you can just say better with a melody:)

Where do you see yourself in 2060? ;) 

As part of my best friend’s commune, splitting my time between shared intergenerational homes with big wide porches on every continent 

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

Deeper investments into local scenes, communal care and increased harm reduction, more + diversified (i.e. across platforms) archiving of dance music history <3 

------> For extended interview & OG pi track game please visit our website pipipi.life <----------

livwutang - 64˚

@kiernan-laveaux

Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself?

Hey! Thanks for these thoughtful questions
My pronouns are She/Her or They/Them
I currently reside in Pittsburgh, PA
I eat strawberries whole :)

How did you get your DJ name? 

So one night when I was 18, I was at a Los Crudos show at the venue that a lot of friends and I would later throw parties at in Cleveland (shout out to Martin and any Limp Wrist fans reading this too!). The venue is next door to a terrible gay bar, I went there randomly (weird for me because gay bars are hell on earth 99% of the time) and ended up meeting a group of queens who said they were from the House of Laveaux and that I was their daughter now. They said I needed a name, and the name they chose for me was Kiernan Laveaux. I never saw them again after that night, but a few months later I began to go by the name when I started DJing. It’s become a part of my being in a way I couldn’t have imagined, and also a way of expressing my inner voice in hopes that it reaches the inner voices of others too - and maybe we all start to sing together.  

Who/what currently inspires your music-wise that has nothing to do with music?

Everything is musical & leads back to music for me no matter what, but recently leaning into the fact that I’m the oldest of a handful of young people on the paternal side of my family has been a really inspiring perspective shift of life. The potential of being a supportive & loving older person in the lives of younger people fills me with an infinite amount of joy.

I’ve been discovering more about Jewish heritage of mine that’s been attempted to be erased (as it goes), and in turn learning/reading more about Kabbalisitic thought & ways of being - engaging in magic in my own ways has been expanding my perspective on music/DJing the past several years. 

I’m far from any kind of expert on kabbalah, but the way energy flow & manifestation is written about and practiced within it has been validating to read, in music but as well as the way it feeds back into life. Even just the ability of the word “kabbalah” to translate to “reception”, “tradition”, or “correspondence” <3

Dream line-up?

System of a Down, Nissenenmondai, Cities Aviv, Devo, Mwandishi, The Body, Madam Data, Model Home, Obnox, Neon Phusion, African Head Charge, Cindytalk, Maurice Fulton, Via App, Cyrnai, Rakta, Plack Blague + all the homies DJing for a week straight

What was your best moment on the dance floor?

I’m thankful a lot of meaningful ones come to mind when I think of this - 
the one I always jump to with this question is the first time I saw Titonton Duvante & Bill Converse dj in May 2016, somewhere in Ohio. Both are definitely some of the first people who helped me see how unique & personal you can really be with DJing, Bill’s set that night especially helped show me how deep you can traverse the wormhole. It was just like this completely enveloping & beautiful psychedelic phenomena for me. I don’t remember a lot of the music, but I’ll never forget how it made me feel. Eternally grateful to have any of these experiences in life to help me smile and still feel coursing through my DJing to this day.

Do you have any upcoming releases/gigs?

Lots of ideas swirling in my mind to manifest for the future, but as of right now…

I’m playing in NYC Friday Sept 24 at Nowadays with 
Azu Tiwaline & DJ Voices :)

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

A complete & utter overhaul of the ways we create space, express ourselves, and love one another.

Check out the A/V set to Kiernan Laveaux's 363˚ mix here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAFVqE6tdn8&ab_channel=KiernanLaveaux

For extended Q&A + OG pi pi pi game please visit the website ------> pipipi.life <--------

Kiernan Laveaux - 363˚

@d-tiffany

Check out our website ~~~~~> pipipi.life <~~~~~~ for a photo diary & mini Q&A 

Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself?

Hello I am Sophie. She/Her. I currently reside in Berlin.

How did you get your DJ name? 

I was checking out old Claire’s merch on the internet from way back when. They use to have tiaras that said Diva Rebecca, Diva Stephanie, Diva Tiffany etc. :3

Favorite musical memory? 

The moment when i played the Stairway To Heaven guitar solo flawlessly

Favorite thing to cook currently? 

left over RISA 

Second pick for your DJ name? 

Doug 

What is your favorite time of day? 

Sunrise

Advice for being productive with music? 

Don’t get caught up. 

What was your first gig? How did it go? 

My first gig was with my first band MT-40 at Honey Lounge in Vancouver. There was about 10 people there (the tru heads)  We forgot to bring a stand for our keyboards and had to steal some stuff from a construction site. After 2 songs our amps stopped working. It was exhilarating !

Do you have any upcoming releases/gigs? 

Heading to North America for January! Can’t wait! <3

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community? 

Authenticity and transparency

D. Tiffany - 69.420˚

@iv-dripp

For extended Q&A + OG pi pi pi track game please visit our website ~~~~~> pipipi.life <~~~~~~~

Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself?

Hello! I’m Ivy (she/ her) and I live in Eora (Sydney), Australia :-) + I have a 2 year old cat called Frankie 

Who/what currently inspires you music-wise that has nothing to do with music?

I’d say that my emotions generally inspire me, as well as different times of the day. I tend to get the most ideas when I’m trying to figure out what music to listen to in a particular setting - like whether I’m walking around the neighbourhood at dusk, at the park on a beautiful day, cooking something really yummy and comforting or if I’m in a bad mood and need to let some angst out haha


Favorite sound of the city? Describe how it makes you feel. 

I don’t know if this is specific to the city but I love the bird calls that magpies make - I can hear them outside my house early in the morning and it makes me feel like I’m on holiday in the country somewhere :-) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYEYc8Ge3nw&ab_channel=crocdoc2 

Dream line-up? 

Sandpit Alias - sundown to sunrise 

Who do you think is the most underrated artist of our time?

Alex G <3  

If you had to describe yourself as flavor, what would it be and why?

Cinnamon - a little spicy but also sweet and delicious ;P

What is your favorite party/collective where you reside and why?

Such a tough question! If I had to name a few - Nectar, Pure Space and Vibe Positive for always putting endless love and care into their events - from lineup curation to constantly working on how they can make spaces safer, more accessible and representative of Eora/ Sydney’s diverse music community :-) 

What was your best moment on the dance floor?

In 2019 Moopie and Bayu closed a small festival called Echo Flats that was a few hours drive away, they played like 4 - 5 hours of the best, grooviest tech house I’d ever heard until the sun came up - it was a life changing morning :’)

What is your favorite temperature? What kind of music goes well with it? 

Probably something between 25 - 28 degrees celsius with some downtempo RnB :-) 

Any advice to upcoming DJs? 

Practice makes perfect! 
Preparing/ pre-planning your sets - especially when you’re nervous about a gig
Backup your shit (!!!!!!)

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community? 

More 24hr licences for venues - less gronks - more tech house

Ivy - 32˚C

@sharlese

For extended Q&A please visit our website ~~~~~> pipipi.life <~~~~~~~~

Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself?

Hello, I’m Sharlese Jul-anetia Metcalf, she/her pronouns. My DJ name is Sharlese and on IG it’s Sh6rl6s6. One fun fact about me is I like to write fan mail. I’ve made many friends this way. I like to tell people that I like their music or their mixes so they feel appreciated. 

Who/what currently inspires you music-wise that has nothing to do with music?

Riding the bus. I ride the bus to and from work, mostly and sometimes I don’t listen to anything, but the natural noises from the bus. Sometimes it gets real wild with situations and other times, it’s just regular busy bus noises. 

Favorite sound in nature? Describe how it makes you feel. 

I love the sound of the wind. Sometimes she starts screaming and I feel like she’s telling me to stop overthinking. I find some comfort in hearing the wind, she’s moving things around and adding some texture to the world. 

What was your best moment on the dance floor?

Watching Pablo Bozzi at the XXX-Floor at Berghain and crying for his entire set. Questioning my life, my contribution as a DJ and my overall purpose and absolutely dying over his set. I kept dancing and I wore sunglasses and kept getting compliments on them. Some people noticed that I was crying and asked me if I was ok, others offered me drinks and the rest complimented me on my sunglasses. This entire situation might sound awkward, but crying felt good and thinking about my life felt necessary and seeing Pablo was essential because I love him. I was alone and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I learned so much that day, about myself and a bit of the club world and I’ll never forget it. I’m still processing and also finding it a bit funny that I was so dramatic. 

Longest you've stayed up and why?

Three days because I was at Movement in Detroit and I didn’t want to miss one thing so I went for it and it was all worth it.  

What is your most recent favorite DJ mix and why?

Lobster Theremin Podcast 212 // DJ HEARTSTRING - https://soundcloud.com/lobster-theremin/lt-podcast-212-dj-heartstring

Pure, fucking, ravepop, happiness! 

Dream DJ gig?

XXX-Floor at Berghain or Dekmantel :) 

What was your first gig? How did it go? 

My first gig was at a space called Electric Tea Garden in Seattle. I played witch house, minimal synth and cold wave. They were a bunch of tracks I found on a blog site at the lowest of the low quality. I was trying to mix it, but I had no idea what I was doing. Someone actually came up to me and asked if I was a new DJ and I felt so embarrassed. Overall I give myself an A+ for cool tracks and knowledge, D- for the quality of the tracks and C- for not knowing how to handle the situation and an E+ for feeling embarrassed. 

Any advice to upcoming DJs?

Do it because you love it and you don’t have to say yes to everything and you don’t have to be at every after-party to get a gig. 

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

More headlining slots featuring black and trans women and the termination of hierarchical name positioning on event flyers.

Sharlese - 333˚

@kia-sydney

For extended Q&A & OG track game, please visit our website ~~~~~~> pipipi.life <~~~~~~~~~~

Introduce yourself? Pronouns?  1 fun fact about yourself?

Hiii I’m Kia, (people often ask me what my real name is so I thought I’d specify that). Pronouns are she/her. 

Fun fact - my name is a car dealership (Kia Sydney), and people often think that’s a joke too. My Croatian grandfather changed his last name to Sydney when he moved there in the 50s as a means of getting a job in what was a very (and still for the most part is) racist society. 

Biggest musical influence from childhood?

Well when I was going up I played the piano, clarinet and percussion (played the glockenspiel in the school band lol) so that definitely led me to be musically minded from a young age. When I was 13/14 I remember getting into electronic music via big idm producers like aphex twin, four tet and aleksi perala. Because I was into really melodic stuff I think it was the first time I’d heard it done in an electronic way and I remember finding that really exciting. 

Favorite DJ mixing trick? 

Cobblestone jazz - India in me. It’s not particularly easy to mix per say, but it’s an insane 14 minute roller that completely shifts vibe in the middle, so I always play it if I feel like I need a breather or an energy shift in a set.

Write us a haiku about this mix… 

Sounds of travelling
Australia and beyond
People, places, moods

(Sorry that was really hard lol)

If you had to go back in time music wise what era would it be and why?

Early 2000s. So much good tech house. 

If you had to describe yourself as a flower, which one would it be and why?

Sunflower. I flourish in the summertime and I really really hate winter. 

What is your favorite party/collective where you reside and why?

Vortex <3 (https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/Bi3dZPdKhT2QCHmC7 )

femme collective consisting of my friends Meg + nenagh, who book the best lineups. We also do a collab party animalia x vortex and the parties always have a really special energy. 

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

More community run clubs and more people who listen and participate in the scene understanding the importance of community in dance music generally.

Kia - 27˚C

@dj-healthyy

Visit our website ~~~~~~> pipipi.life <~~~~~~~~ for extended Q&A + pi pi pi track game >:)

Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself?

My name is Masahiro but most of people here call me Masa (He/Him). I currently reside in NYC but I’m from Japan. I like sauna haha

Favorite sound in music? Describe how it makes you feel. 

One of the sounds I’m fascinated by is synthesizer. It touches emotion.

How do you avoid burnout? 

Eating good food and going to nature

What is your favorite party/collective where you reside and why?

Mutual Dreaming
CNC
False Peak

Any advice to upcoming DJs? 

9/30 Doghausu at Mood Ring
10/01/22 Maserati at Paragon
10/14/22 Bossa
11/18/22 Doghausu at Mood Ring
12/09/22 Pacific Mode at Public Records

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

More Healthy one…

DJ Healthy - 14˚C

@secondcousins

For the extended  Q&A plus OG pi pi pi track game... please visit our website -------> pipipi.life <---------

Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 

Ello, I’m Jackson. Pronouns are He/Him. Residing in Eora/Sydney

Who/what currently inspires you music-wise that has nothing to do with music?

Water and light mostly 

What is your favorite party/collective where you reside and why?

Too many faves. Some heavy hitters off the top are Umami/Echo Flats/Heavenly/Community Chest. They are %100 in it for the experience. Community Chest is a joint force crew of about 7 great crews from Sydney – It’s kinda like when the power rangers come together to make that big robot fighter guy

What was your best moment at the supermarket?

They were playing Bill Withers in a Woollies once and it got me

What is your most recent favorite DJ mix and why?

Max D – Indie Rock on C- was maybe the last one that got me good. Max D only plays by Max D’s rules

Any advice to upcoming DJs/producers? 

Enjoy your life & be kind to others

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

More love and respect, always

Cousin - 8˚

@dj-ggggg

For the extended Q&A please visit our website ----> pipipi.life <--------

Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside?

I’m Gareth. Pronouns he/him/his. I live in New York.

Describe in detail your favorite place to sit & listen to music.

The bleachers at the back of the dance floor at Nowadays.

When you are in the crowd… where do you like to stand and why?

I’m quite tall and don’t like feeling as though I'm in the way so I prefer to stand at the back or off to the side.

What color would you pick to represent the way you DJ?

Infrared.

Best gig of your life so far?

Bossa on a Wednesday night in October last year. It was my first time back there since it reopened after the flooding. I shared the bill with three people I love and admire and got to do it up in a space that has been very important to me down the years. Vibes were premium that night!

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

There are a few things…

I’d like to see more recognition of DIY dance music / club culture as legitimate culture across all levels of government in the US and support systems put in place to uplift it that are equivalent to those enjoyed by more traditional sectors of the arts. It’s starting to happen but there’s still a long way to go.

I’d like to see the development of more minority owned and operated spaces. (If there happens to be any POC/femmes reading this that want to know how to make nightlife spaces work, I’m very down to share what I’ve learned over the years about how things function.)

I’d like to see less emphasis placed on what gets posted to social media networks and more on making sick art and actual culture happen in the real world.

And I’d like to see less chatting and more dancing inside the speakers.

DJ G - 100˚

@morelian
@feveram

For the extended Q&A and og pi pi pi track game please visit our website ----> pipipi.life <------

Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 

Hi My name is Mor, My pronouns are She/Her but i'm also comfortable with they/them.

What sound would you listen to… if it was the only thing you could listen to 24/7?

Rain sounds.

What film has the best score?

There will be Blood By Johnny Greenwood , or Tar’s by Hildur Guðnadóttir who also did Chernobyl. 

Describe in detail your favorite place in the club?

The dance floor, there's no club without a dance floor and no party without a solid dancing crowd (not quantity, quality) its where all the magic happens!

What is your favorite party/collective where you reside and why?

Reef and Subglow, both parties organized by dear friends. Reef is a special space for bass music on the edges centered in the best club ,Berghain. It's great seeing that music have place there and work so well. 

Subglow is a new party that is already cultivated an amazing community around it, its incredible to see energy on the dance floor at those parties.

If you could transfer all your knowledge from what you do now into something completely different, what would it be and why?

A have a secret wish ( well not anymore lol) to be a booker at a club or a festival, building balanced diverse line ups is an exciting task. Probably not easy as well.

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

Quality over quantity

Mor Elian - 68˚

@ciel_dj

Introduce yourself? Pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 

Hello, I'm a producer and DJ going by the name of Ciel. My real name is Cindy, my pronouns are she/her, and I'm based in Toronto, Canada.

How do you deal with being nervous before a gig? 

Try not think about it :) It doesn't always work, but i find it happens from time to time if I'm really exhausted from not sleeping on tour and my brain has naturally shut off. If I can't stop thinking about it, I will try to select the first track from my vinyl bag and have a vague sense of what Rekordbox playlists I plan to play from. I ad-hoc all my sets because I love picking tracks in response to the audience's energy, but sometimes that is a lot more stressful for me and I find myself doom scrolling the USB. Devising a strategy, even if I end up not following it, does a lot to soothe my anxiety. 

Where do you see yourself musically in 2044?

I don't know what the future holds but I hope to be a full time composer of film and TV scores when I'm in my 50s and no longer want to tour constantly.

If you could have anything on your rider… What would you choose?

An indica-sativa hybrid joint (no tobacco), nice bottle of orange wine, German flat peaches, and a bathroom in the booth (anything is possible, right?)

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

Less celebrity worship, less influencer culture, less fame & money-chasing, more focus on behind-the-scenes folks (whether DJs or producers or labels) who foster community and tirelessly build their local scenes.

Ciel - 36˚C

@mikemidnight

For cheeky pi Q&A... please visit our website

pipipi.life

Mike Midnight - -2˚

@hystericalloveproject

For Q&A with Hysterical Love Project... please visit our website 

(((((pipipi.life)))))

Hysterical Love Project - 31˚C

@adobeprincess

For Q&A with adobeprincess... please visit our website

(((((pipipi.life)))))

adobeprincess - -9˚C

@2shy2dj

For cheeky Q&A with DJ Fart in the club... 

https://pipipi.life/mix/djfartintheclub

DJ Fart in the Club - 12.7˚

@justbeige

Introduce yourself? Hometown? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself

I’m originally from the SF Bay Area, CA (Silicon Valley--the worst part) but have been mostly nomadic since I was about 15. I’ve lived in New England, Texas and Australia but Detroit has been home for almost four years, and this is where I’m putting down roots. My fun fact is that I dropped out of high school/never got my diploma but finessed a college degree anyway. 

Favorite collective/scene at the moment?

GFX in Pittsburgh recently brought me out to play one of their events at Hot Mass and I had the absolute best time. For such a small city PGH has a super-thriving scene and heaps of homegrown Midwest talent--Davis Galvin, Tabasheer, Sis Girl, to name a few. Detroit recently lost Ali Berger to PGH, and I’m pretty sure the entire In Training crew just moved there too from Cleveland so it’s definitely a place to watch! Close second goes to Philadelphia and their radio-based warehouse rave scene: shoutout Chris B, WKDU and Terry Radio. 

Favorite mix series?

I’m biased because they commissioned the first mix I ever put out, but I think Daisychain has been doing incredible work elevating the profile of literally dozens (it’s weekly!!) of women/femme, and non-binary/non-conforming DJs since they launched not too long ago. It’s also a great resource to debunk the usual excuses promoters give for not booking gender-diverse lineups, when they supposedly “can’t find” anyone but cis dudes with talent, taste, and technical chops. 

Favorite late night snack? 

Flaming Hot Cheetos (even though it gives me heartburn) 

Advice to beginning dj’s?

Make sure you are really clear on *why* you want to play music for other people and what about it feels good or necessary to you about it regardless of external validation. If your motivations revolve at all around an arbitrary number of bookings or standard of success, you’re gonna have a bad time. Checking your own ego will help you retain your beginner’s joy, curiosity, and drive to improve while avoiding burnout. 

Secret weapon track? 

I don’t know if I would call it a secret but this track has never not killed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k30MSgY1brg

Where do you see your rave self in 30 years from now?  

I’ll probably be dead in a climate disaster but if not I’d like to be an Old Head showing the youngins how it’s done and cultivating joyful intergenerational spaces. I have lots of great role models for that in Detroit. 

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

I would really like to see more people (artists and dancers) understand the political *potential* of rave as well as its political past. Communal experiences of celebration aren’t frivolous, they’re actually a necessary part of any struggle to make the world better. Fighting for change without making room for fun is unsustainably exhausting, and pure hedonistic indulgence without a sense of purpose is super alienating. Understanding rave culture as a form of “pleasure activism” helps to bridge that gap. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that party spaces (in and outside of the DJ booth) are accessible to the most marginalized, who might need that relief to make it through the next day. On that note, when I say that dance music is “healing” I don’t mean it in an abstract way--I’ve had some of my most lasting, personally transformative epiphanies on the dance floor, and now as a DJ, playing music for other people is an important way for me to keep social anxiety and depression at bay. I want that for more people. With that said I also think we could all stand to take ourselves and the “techno game” a little less seriously in some ways!! This is supposed to be about having fun and connecting through music, not fighting to the death over clout!

Beige - 108˚

@adab

Introduce yourself? Hometown? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself

Hey, my name is Miah Benton aka ADAB. I’m Chicago born, Cleveland raised, and currently Pittsburgh based. A fun fact about myself is that I’m largely identifiable by my weird pants people see me wearing all the time.

Favorite music collective atm?

There’s a few at the moment for me actually. TUF (Seattle), Honcho (Pittsburgh), Sublimate (NYC) and Room 4 Resistance (Berlin) are all doing some of my favorite stuff right now in one way or another.

Favorite mix series?

Definitely more than one for this category as well haha. Rave Scout Cookies, Daisychain Podcast, Abstract Without Extraction, Spontaneous Affinity, Neptunian Influence,Beyond/Below,HNYPOT and Truants are a few continually putting great stuff on my radar these days.

Describe the vibe of your ideal party? Space? Smell? Drinks? Anything you can think of ;)

My ideal party is a heavily POC and Queer warehouse that smells of shea butter, Palo Santo, Sage, Leather and Latex. The decorations are a blend of pan african/afrofuturist interior design and dystopian neon lighting. And it’s BYOB but there is a juice bar to keep everyone feeling balanced.

Dream b2b? 

I think most of my dream b2b’s right now with the sounds I’m into are with people I know personally in one way or another:

Titonton Duvante x ADAB
CCL x ADAB
Tabasheer x ADAB
Clark Price x ADAB
SOLD x ADAB
HI-VIS x ADAB
FANA x ADAB

All of these would be really fun and interesting in their own unique ways.

Let’s play a pipipi game… I give you a situation and you give me a track 

Just got a groupon to a zero gravity plane with surround sound
https://youtu.be/r1VwMnTPFVs

Swamping around in a greenhouse in a desert
https://emrecords.bandcamp.com/track/gazing-beat

Stuck in an underground subway filled to the brim
https://youtu.be/ICPSGQnEc_w

In love with someone at first sight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUxN0K1ykNo


Any ritual performed before djing? 

Every set I bring at least one african mask from my personal altar at home and set it up in the booth.

Describe the weirdest club moment you have experienced?

I was closing one of the Motherbeat parties we do in Hot Mass and at one point started to lose control of my hands via them cramping/clenching shut. Had never heard of it happening to other deejays so for a minute I was worried I was having a stroke or something lol.

Which current friends in your life inspire you on a day to day basis?

Well off top my partner Ayn aka FANA, the entirety of the In Training crew (Mx.Silkman, Father of Two, and Kiernan Laveaux),Tabasheer, Julie Mallis, Ali Berger, CCL, Russell E. L. Butler, Savile, Kamal Naeem, Eris Drew, Octo Octa, SOLD,and Hi-Vis.

Advice to beginning dj’s?

Don’t get discouraged. It’s all in the time you put in. Practice and don’t fixate on others accomplishments. And never ever be afraid to be weird...

Describe the best dj/live set you have seen this year? 

I saw a lot of great sets this year but I’ll keep it short and say seeing our beloved Eris Drew play Now Way Back as I did backstage security was a thrill.

Favorite DJ trick? 

A well placed backspin is always a ton of fun. 

Look on whatever platform you use to listen to music and what is your most listened to track?  

This is one of the most heavily listened to tracks in my youtube account: 
Spiral Tribe “MI5” https://youtu.be/M8viegBjUTM

DJ dream of yours? 

Currently it’s playing the Nyege Nyege Music festival in Uganda. Some of the others are weirdly already happening haha. 

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

I’d like to see more diversity in sound,audience make up, and booking in the dance music community.In my personal opinion too much of it is still very homogeneous and doesn’t reflect the inherent diversity/resistance of this powerful form of music.

ADAB - 999˚

@roza-terenzi

Introduce yourself? Preferred pronouns? Where do you currently reside? 1 fun fact about yourself?

Katie (she/her), currently living in Berlin.. & currently learning how to shuffle cards. 

How is everything going with you right now?

As good as things can be, happy & healthy so I can’t complain. There have been a lot of things to be grateful for this year. 

What are you missing from pre-covid life?

The possibility to travel and see friends and family in different parts of the world.

Who currently inspires your music-wise?

MassieDome, Cousin, Plush Managements (Regfant, D. Tiff), GOD69, Space Cadets, Low Flung.. Lots more!

4 djs you would want to see on a lineup for the first party post covid asap?

Millu, Lis Dalton, DJ Fart in the Club, Byron Yeates 

Let’s play a pipipi game… I give you a situation & you give me a track 

*** 18hr acid trip with your childhood crush

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0EFeZ0LyzA&ab_channel=RL

*** waist high foam party in lisbon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSJXDI_4a7k&ab_channel=earthspark78

*** first step of an endless spiral staircase

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_dlVVMTdJo&ab_channel=DeepSleepOperative

*** 1 track to explain 2020 to future generations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWk8M0633N4&ab_channel=Scubadevils

Favorite weird drug experience?

Being dressed head to toe as one of the twins from the Matrix on a New Years Day boat party in Perth. Picture full-length trench coat and horrific makeup on a 39°C day whilst everyone else looked smexy in leather bikinis. 

What would you like to see in the future for the dance community?

Smaller venues are hopefully able to stay open. More consideration from promoters in curations of parties, appropriate bookings with intention of a night rather than names on a bill. Deeper value of local scenes and the willingness to work together in these - less gatekeeping. More day parties, outdoor parties. Genuine progression with overall diversity, less tokenism.

For the whole interview plz go to the brand-spankin' new website  >:)
-----> pipipi.life <-----

Roza Terenzi - 11˚C

mix series and label by @deep_creep

Q&A's on ----> pipipi.life <------

label ~ https://pi-pi-pi.bandcamp.com

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