alt. title: (c)hicago, a summer blend
i found this flower in lakeview, chicago
i made this mix for my college best friend’s first day party

This past July 2023, I had the opportunity to catch up with my dear friend DJ T-Swift by flying to Chicago and spinning the opening slot of his first ever day party. 

This was the first time I DJ'd in another state, it was my first time mixing on moving platter turntables, and my boy Tyler gave me specific directions regarding my curation: R&B/Hip-hop, summer vibes, nothing TOO HEAVY, and easy on the ratchetness.

This assignment was one of the most difficult I've had in years and I was quickly humbled through my struggle. I wasn't even fully ready by the time the gig came around and although I didn't trainwreck my set, it absolutely was lacking.

In the two months since my visit to Chicago, I really lingered on this set and did a deep dive on afrobeats, up-tempo R&B, and funk as I felt it was probably time I pushed outside my comfort zone again and really try to live up to my self-proclaimed, "Open Format" label.

I still wouldn't consider myself an expert in whatever genre this mix would be called, but I'm really happy with what I've made. It reflects the many significant changes I've been going through in my personal & professional life and it really encompasses the summer vibe as I felt it personally. I hope you had a good summer in 2023 and I hope this mix captures that memory of this season for you too. But if it didn't, then I hope by the time the flower of this album cover blooms again, your life will have changed for the better.

Love you, thanks for reading!

late bloom \\ side c

Open format DJ based in southern California.
Bookings/Contact: andrew@shinguuk.com