Melbourne Deepcast

LA’s Juan Izguerra raids the dusty end of the bag for the latest MDC mix, pulling together summery 90s UK house, early-2000s West Coast nugs and a couple of records with serious mileage on them. Chuck it on for a run, a road trip, or an extended period staring out the window.

@juanizguerra

MDC: What sounds, places or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being thoroughly enjoyed in?

Juan Izguerra: Hi Myles : ) I’d say my trip this year to Melbourne definitely motivated the direction I’ve been heading in. The people, energy, sound systems, parties, and even the weather really drew up inspiration for me when making this mix. I’ve also been collecting and listening to a lot of 90s UK house and techno, as well as some early 2000s west coast house which I discovered from digging through Tweekin Records' catalog.

Where can I imagine this mix thoroughly enjoyed…on a solo drive, road trip, or run! If ya need some stamina and want to get lost just a bit, this is it.

MDC: Are there any records or recent digs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these tunes that resonate with you so much?

JI: Definitely! I’d say the first track that kicks things off, “Double-Fraise” by Steve Check (s/o to Alonso aka summer league aka DJ flirt for letting me digitize his copy jeje). I actually featured two tracks off that EP in this mix. It’s classy, has that “Remind Me” by Patrice Rushen sample that is timeless, and overall just a tasteful french house EP with a lovely cover as well.

Lastly, Ultimate love (Microman’s club mix) by Neresa Maye. An absolutely dusty and scratched-up purchase in my collection but still has some miles on it. It’s a euphoric, high energy UK house/garage track that I just never had an opportunity to play out, so I thought I'd share it here :).

MDC: Tell us a bit about your current involvement in the underground scene in LA, what or who in the local scene is keeping you inspired musically at the minute, and what’s the latest with your DJ Flirt and Homage Brewing collabs?

JI: In short, I’d say my involvement is by bridging the underground to the ground by giving underground promoters and DJ’s a place to play without all the rental fees, BS, and risk.

But to be truthful, It’s a complicated relationship with the nightlife/underground scene in Los Angeles. That said, I do want to give flowers to all the underground promoters here in L.A., including capes aka Ray Barragan, who throws a small intimate warehouse party called Surface. My friend Joseph (Pollensource) also organizes great parties with his friends called Wellness Check.

There are also parties such as Auntie, Fast at Work, and of course Canary, which is a gallery that hosts the best fog filled room with amazing sound. s/o Hood Rave as well! All keeping me musically inspired. Can’t forget Jarren, Summer League, and Bianca Lexis as well.

DJ Flirt is working on a mixtape which hopefully will exist on tape/CD, and of course here on Soundcloud. Showcasing 90s archival house tracks that are more suited for mixes and not really for clubs. But still keeping it fun, sexy and cheeky!

And for Homage collabs, we’re aiming to work with audio freaks to revamp our sound system and lighting. As well as working with some new designers to whip up some new merch!

Holding it down from sunny Madrid, Tombolo party starter and notorious tastemaker OG Juan treats us to two full hours of tripped-out bliss, guiding us from beachside chill through to hypnotic house, with sprinkles of synth-pop, Italo and UKG for the ultimate summer seasoning!

@therealogjuan

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

A. When the engine of the bus (that takes me to work) starts roaring I put my headphones on and try to travel with my mind. Sometimes I envision myself taking an astral trip over the stars, riding a multicolor snake rollercoaster or surfing a giant perfect glassy wave in the sunny coasts of Namibia. Gathering music for this mix I imagined somebody driving a Cadillac Impala around a breezy San Diego in the early 90’s…

Q. Are there any records or recent digs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these tunes that resonate with you so much?

Some of the digs that I would point out would definitely be “Celestial Ocean (In Between The Seven Seas)” by Astralasia or “Chamber Music” by Rory Philipps. Even though they are from different periods of time they both seem to have beautiful acid energetic baselines that gives you a “hands-in-the-air” feeling. I’m feeling a bit trippy and wonky at the moment so I guess that is why they sound good with me!

Q. Tell us about the evolution of your Tombolo party series, you’ve been frequently hosting a range of house and techno’s heavy hitters over recent times, with a particularly stacked weekly run earlier this year with PAL_co and Club Magno, tell us about how that all came about, and what’s next for Tombolo?

A. I created Tombolo in 2018 and have been running it since with the goal of helping the culture of my city whilst sharing music and having a good time. So far it has played marvellously. Met incredible people in the journey, did super fun parties, and had a sick time. Pal_co is a club night that I started with a friend a couple months ago in an old theatre. I would lie if I said it was a success. We had an opportunity with this venue that ended up being quite weird and even though we had amazing artists coming by (Legowelt, Tama Sumo, Daniele Baldelli…), it wasn’t selling enough. I guess sometimes you just have to try!

The future of Tombolo is uncertain as the energy and time to organize events is not the same as before but I intend on keeping it up with passion! For now I have a party coming up in September, I want to push my label in different directions and who knows what else is on the road!
Thank you so much for having me.

Oakland renegade royalty in the place for the latest transmission! Humble legends of the Bay Area underground, Kate & Miro aka Very Much Romance offer a special live recording from a foggy rave by the ocean on the outskirts of SF last summer. Plenty of nods to the iconic 90s & 00s West Coast house sounds, with some delightful dips and trips along the way. @verymuchromance

Q. What sounds /places /feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this set, and what environments do you feel might be best suited for listening back?

A. The spirit of this particular renegade spot is so special, where the big trees and the ocean collide, and you never know if some misty fog will come through or the most beautiful sunrise. We wanted to play dance music that feels pure but has an overall feeling of spatial-ness, so you can dig your heels into the sandy bluff and dive freely into the long night/morning ahead.

We were already in great spirits before this party, having just returned from our bests’ small festival in Berlin called Rambazamba, feeling grateful for many years of connecting to music with beloveds. Then even more blessed to come back home and host you and Maria for the second time. We remember sharing some delicious tagines beforehand and then hauling all the equipment out to the spot with a big group, trying to not laugh too loudly and wake up the horses nearby.

Listening back, this set feels 100% summer. It says, all bets are off! Maybe you listen when you have some patience to not skip around but also want to have some fun, like if you are going to a party in the middle of nowhere with a very long drive ahead.

Q. Are there any records in the mix that you were especially excited to share that night, and what is it about those records that resonate with you?

A. Kate: Knew I had to play 3 Brotherstrong’s Feel The Beat for this one. For me it encapsulates elements of the Bay Area renegade sound: a big stripped down beat, guitar rips, a little bongo, loops coming and in out… sort of ominous and tough but circular and goofy. Also played this Kaskade song which was my summer anthem. It sounds like it belongs only on a CD, which is such a particular moment in time that I think we’re all dreaming of, before the internet swallowed us..

Miro: I had bought one silly tech-y/tribal-y record by Meat Katie and Justin Drake with a voice sample that goes something like “Damn, I’m still here”…but it sounds like they are saying the name Dan, I’m still here…we thought it was super funny because of our best Dan Dix…and were joking that the track was referring to him so wanted to play it that night.

Q. Being there at the party myself while this was recorded, it felt like you guys were totally in sync with your selections that night, with one groove flowing synergistically to the next. After playing records together for so long, is there much discussion or prep taking place at home before a b2b, and are you generally just freestyling / flowing with what’s in your respective bags on the night?

A. Even after a decade playing as a duo, we always, at the least, discuss what type of arc we want to create. Thinking through the “feeling” together helps us ground the set and pack our record bags accordingly, so we can then freestyle with intention and think about each other.

With the particulars of planning, it can go either way. Sometimes we prepare a skeleton of a set if we want to create a fairly tight intentional journey. Other times, like for this set, we just discuss the very very beginning. This is especially nice when it’s familiar equipment, and there’s been care in tuning the system so you can really hear what you’re doing and take more risks…really needed when playing records in darkness and wet fog!

For this one, it felt right to just build off of each other’s energy and follow the little trails. That’s the best for us, it feels like everyone is in on it together, and it gets you even more excited for what’s to come.

Berlin house music authority Mandel lifts the lid on some scrumptious recent digs, blending up a delightfully groovin' 90 minutes of deep n dusty goodies to keep your spirits well and truly elevated!

@mandel

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

A: I went for a deeper sound, whichI think is always representative of me. I wanted to explore different shades of "deep" that I've enjoyed over the years, as well as e reminiscing about the first MDC mixes I discovered back in '09–'12. I could picture people listening to this at night while biking, walking, or driving through the city. That's one of my favourite ways to experience music. There's just something special about the depth of the night and the city.

Q: Are there any special records or recent digs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these songs that resonate with you so much?

A: I’ve been collecting Pete Moss for a while, and lately, I’ve been obsessively trying to finalize collecting the last pieces of his discography. I included his track "Changing Wave," which perfectly defines my idea of a deep sound. The second Loop Stew, is by my homie Snad, from his latest release on his own imprint, Spandrel (04). When he sent me the files last year, I told him we had to cut a couple of dubplates because I needed to play them at Panorama Bar. I’ve been spinning them every chance I get. The whole release is great!

Q: I’ve loved getting some insight into your digging methods around Berlin with your ‘hunting for records cheaper than your snack’ series on IG! What have you enjoyed about the process of making that little series, and what potential strategies or tips have you picked up along the way while digging for these slept-on house burners?

A: I started the series because I kept hearing people say they'd love to buy vinyl but found it too expensive. While it can be, there’s also so much great, affordable music out there. My budget limit is 7 euros, the average price of a döner in Berlin. You can either get a snack or a record, depends on your priorities. A record is much healthier.

I love sharing my weekly routine of biking to different shops, alongside tips on labels and producers for anyone just starting out. If I've learned anything over the years, it's that consistency is key. Sometimes you find a a lot of gems, sometimes nothing, and you never know which shop will deliver. The positive feedback from people definitely keeps me doing them.

A crate of sunrise treasure on full display from Berlin's E-Talking! Two joyous hours of finely fashioned tech house groovers and cosmic progressive nuggets, channeling the spirit of the Aussie bush doof.

@e_talking

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



A. I recorded this mix in the heart of Berlin winter and I had one place in mind while doing it: the Australian bush. My perception of it might be skewed since it’s already been a few years since I last visited down under but I would easily imagine this mix being played at the end of the night or at sunrise. It oscillates between tech-house and progressive which are two styles that I assimilate with beach/bush parties. I have very fond memories of these and this mix was probably my way of returning to them mentally, if not physically. 


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



A. Definitely, “George Sarah - Drag Ass (Swayzak Filter Dub)” which comes in towards the end of the mix is one of these dubby oddballs that you cannot play in every context. It’s a 13 minute long remix which showcases Swayzak’s mastery at the peak of their career (imo). It’s so lush yet minimal and the production hits exactly where it should. I can’t get enough of this one. 


Q. I loved your New Yesterday EP last year on Nummer Music, and I can hear you’ve drawn on a wide range of influences there finding this energy filled hypnotic blend of progressive trance and groovy housey-techno. Have you been recording music on a similar tip of late, or is there another direction you’ve been leaning further into?

A. All of these tracks were recorded in the year preceding my son’s birth, about two and a half years ago. Since then, a lot has happened and I’ve found myself gravitating toward slightly slower, more organic grooves, which is now translating into my productions. As BPMs kept creeping higher and higher a couple of years ago, I realised I’d reached a certain threshold and it felt logical to slow things down a bit. In the meantime, I rediscovered a lot of old UK tech-house gems (I was a bit late to that train, I know..!). I found a sound that I’d been looking for for many years. The energy, groove, and wonkiness of some of these tracks is unrivalled. Only a handful of producers today manage to match that vibe (Liquid Earth does it wonderfully, for example).

So I suppose this is where I’m headed in the coming weeks and months, but knowing myself, I might decide to switch things up entirely without notice..haha.