A radiant beacon of light and energy, Naarm's longtime curator, tastemaker and worldly dance music selector Adriana steps away from the d-floor to serve us a delightful blend of soulful hip hop, r'n'b and neo soul, moving between vintage and contemporary cuts with complete ease and steeze! Opa!

@goodlucktoyourdad

Q. What inspiration did you draw upon when putting this mix together? Is there a sound, feeling, or time/place in dance music history that connects all the different elements in one way or another?

A. This mix has been inspired by what I’ve been listening to as of late which has been heaps of rnb, neo-soul, hip-hop and afrobeat. Thrown in the mix are some real classics from the 90’s as well as some contemporary jams that have really impressed me. I think it’s too easy to get caught up in having to play only what is considered to be “underground” when in actual fact there are some fire mainstream releases as of late.

Q. Are there any records in the mix that are especially close to your heart, or old favourites that you’ve been keeping up your sleeve for the right moment?

A. The last jam ‘Come Dance with Me’ by Sleepy Brown definitely takes me back to my childhood and ignites a fire in my heart!! I wasn’t too sure if bringing up the mix by another 10bpm to finish was a wise move but I’m so glad I did! 

Q. A massive winter edition of your ever evolving Spasta party is happening this June with an mega lineup just announced (Jex Opolis, Ruf Dug & Adi Toohey to name a few), how long has this one been in the making, and what kind of vibes might we be able to expect over the two stages?

A. This Spasta is our biggest one yet and the enthusiasm behind it has been mind blowing!! People are so keen for a day festival in the Winter - especially when the lineup and location are undeniably amazing! 

As always, Spasta will emphasise my Greek culture - this time with a Florinian band to welcome guests upon arrival, Greek statues projected across the convent walls and ouzo to be catered at the bar.

We also really pride ourselves on the artists that we book - this time mixing it up between fan favourites and underground figures who deserve a spotlight on them because they’re so damn incredible!

Spasta prides itself on not being pretentious which is why it feels so welcoming. I am proud of the community that I have created alongside Finding Figaro, and am grateful that people are so trusting and receptive to our vision and values! We simply cannot wait to do it all over again with them this June! :D

MDC.296 Adriana

Interview:  https://truantsblog.com/2024/truancy-volume-334-myles-mac/ 

Soundcloud: @myles-mac

Access the tracklist and download on our Patreon (patreon.com/truants). If you need any IDs leave us a nice comment here and either us or Myles will get back to you! Your support helps cover all our costs and allows Truants to continue running as a non-profit and ad-free platform.

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Myles Mac

Truancy Volume 334: Myles Mac

For this episode we welcome the extraordinary talents of Aaron J, Brooklyn's Sure Thing record label and podcast founder, known for hosting an immense list of explorative modern techno artists from around the globe. Altering our consciousness for the first time in 2023 with a particularly awe inspiring set at Sustain-Release, Aaron's deeply considered and intricate approach is something of sheer beauty, and coupled with masterful technical ability, his inspiring DJ sets allow for fully immersive dancefloor experiences. 

Here Aaron explores the softer edges of his expansive sound palette, meditative soundscapes and tranquil IDM converging in total harmony for what he describes as a 'recalibration of the senses'. 

@arn_j
@sure_thing

Q. What sounds or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. Of all the mixes I’ve put together over the years, this one definitely feels the most vulnerable. The months I spent thinking about and working on this mix accompanied an intensely busy time in my life, and the process helped me stay in touch with the simple joy of listening as a way of stepping back and letting things go. There is a direct connection here between the music within and the emotions that live inside me. At the same time, I’ve tried my best to mix this as transparently as possible, so that the act of DJing takes a back seat and allows the music to take center stage.

The inspiration behind the tracks I chose and the story of the mix is one of finding balance, so I hope listening to it feels like a casting off of the present day and a recalibration of the senses. I’d love for people to listen to the mix in a setting where they feel most protected from the changes and stressors of the outside world, whether that be sitting outside in nature or laying on a couch surrounded by the comforts of home.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. There is a track in the mix by Autumn of Communion called “Goodbye PK” dedicated to the late Peter Kuhlmann, who many of your listeners will know as the legendary Pete Namlook of FAX +49-69/450464. It’s an immensely moving track that manages to convey both the tragedy of his loss and the depth of the beauty he left with the world, and I feel we’re so fortunate to have music and influences like this in our recent history. I included it early to set the tone of the rest of the mix, which is quite different than any I’ve done before, and to pay my respects to those who’ve inspired our scene from the very beginning.

Q. I was lucky enough to witness your set at Sustain-Release in 2023 and was in awe of your ability to practice restraint while steadily building up tension and energy in the set with such clinical and seamless execution. Is this part of the DJ craft something you spend a lot of time planning and refining?

A. That was such a life-changing moment for me, so I’m really glad you were there! You really nailed what I hoped to accomplish with that set, and I definitely spend a lot of time thinking about where my sets will begin, where I would like them to end up, and what sort of path I might take to get there. Understanding the minutiae of how a transition will affect someone’s state of mind and how to propel someone forward without jarring them back to reality is something I’m always working to improve on. That said, the upward trajectory is not always the most interesting one, and there are so many other ways of charting a course through a set that I hope to be able to explore. For the mix I’ve made for you, it’s not so much a set that builds energy as it is one that expands and contracts, hopefully in a gentle and purposeful way.

MDC.311 Aaron J

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