Photo courtesy of LAVAGXRL
The first in a new monthly series of curated guest mixes from local DJs, producers, and artists comes courtesy of Boston-based polymath LAVAGXRL. A rapper/dance producer/noise artist/DJ/visual artist AND audio engineer LAVAGXRL is truly at the forefront of anything creative in the New England area. Oh, and she is also an accomplished event promoter and music journalist in case you thought you were slacking just by virtue of never updating your Soundcloud. This mix– which LAVAGXRL has lovingly dubbed “redemptive”– is a reflection of the multi-hyphenate’s restless mind, which is to say that a very eclectic hour of house, techno, hip-hop, and experimental club awaits you. Scroll down and press play while reading on about the mix and what drives her as a DJ.
Allston Pudding: What is the best setting/way to enjoy this mix?
LAVAGXRL: I think ideally it would be outside, in the hour right before sunrise. Or under a full moon — there’s lots of chaotic energy to it. Get stoned if you’re into that.
AP: Is there any sort of concept to this mix?
LG: Not really, just a bunch of songs that have made me forget the heaviness of the world lately.
AP: Do you have a favorite moment in it?
LG: I like the transition into the Pop Smoke song — I feel like it’s unexpected in the context of the mix.
AP: If you could describe this mix with one adjective or emotion what would it be? Why?
AP: Is there a particular genre or label or tempo that you especially gravitate towards when mixing? Why or why not?
LG: 126 bpm is a sweet spot for sure. I could hang out there for a while. But I’m always trying to up the intensity, and I love techno as much as house, so I can get carried away squeezing all the disparate genres that I like into one mix. I usually let it build up, with the fastest stuff near the end.
AP: Do you have a favorite and/or formative dancefloor memory? What made it so memorable?
LG: I do. I feel like these moments are hard to describe with words. What’s memorable to me is the combination of the music and the people I’m with — the music creates a surreal space for relating to people in a unique way. Because I have synesthesia, sounds have a visual component in my head, so the color of the music I hear is definitely a big part of that world-building too.
AP: How would you describe Boston’s dance music scene? What changes would you make (if any)?
LG: Eclectic and underrated. There’s a lot of talent and there’s a lot of potential in the Boston scene. But in my experience attending and throwing shows, it’s hard to find a space that’s safe and good for making a lot of noise that isn’t corporate-owned and gentrifying. And I’ve seen more and more cracking down on DIY venues over the past couple years. I want to see more spaces led by trans and queer black people, but I don’t see official resources being allocated to that, which is unfortunate, but there are people doing great work in the DIY scene in spite of this. And now that lots of events are happening online, the concept of what sort of “space” is needed for a show totally changes. In a way, the digital shift is good for accessibility.
AP: What inspires you as a DJ? And what do other DJs do that inspires you?
LG: I love when stuff that shouldn’t go together goes together. So when people bring a variety of genres to the table and make unexpected mixing choices, like throwing 80s pop next to screamo, or encouraging glitchy effects in the music, that makes me experience the songs in a new way. The songs get a new life. As for me personally, I get lots of inspiration from sounds of nature and things I hear walking around the city. I find myself taking field recordings all the time because there are so many sounds that are just captivating.
AP: Are you someone that frequent(ed) clubs? Either way, how does that influence the way you DJ?
LG: Not right now, given the pandemic, but some virtual club experiences that people have put together have been really exciting. But yeah, when I make a dance mix I’m still imagining a big sweaty group of people all vibing in an unfinished basement. That’s how I’d have it in a perfect world.
AP: When you play/create sets do you play with an idea in mind or do you cater to the audience’s energy? How so?
LG: I try to feel out the vibe on the day of a show as much as possible. Sometimes I’m not sure exactly what I’ll be playing until I’m there in the moment. But I usually will set an intention for how I want to feel by the end of the set, and make performance choices under that mindset. I sometimes like taking requests too, because it forces me to improvise and get creative with how I fit everything together.
AP: How does DJing inform the music you produce? Dance music or otherwise.
LG: I love sampling when I’m making beats, so I feel like DJing is very intertwined with my production process. It encourages me to push my mental boundaries of what sounds I can put together. Sometimes I’ll mix two songs and feel it so much that I can never hear one without the other also playing in my head. Or I’ll catch a special moment and then dream up a whole song based on the feeling that it conjured. Listening and creating are always connected for me.
TRACKLIST
Fango – Crono
(Unknown) – Love In The Night
Ghost Culture – Mouth (Shan & Gerd Janson Club Mix)
Greyl – Planetarium
Hush Hush – Stay Close
Demuja – Loose Legs
Aaliyah – One In A Million (Giegling Remix)
Mike Mareen – Dancing in the Dark
Djum Djum – Difference
Duke – So In Love With You
Chevry All Stars – Le Monstre Du Lockdown
Mosca – Tilt Shift (Swing Ting Remix)
Warp Brothers – We Will Survive (Club Mix)
Pop Smoke – Demeanor
Rubba – Way Star
CCL x Floral FM – Liquify Interference
Djoko – Hooked on You
Radical G x The Horrorist – Here Comes The Storm (Kobosil 44 Terror Mix)
Trudge – страсть
I Hate Models – Heartbreaker
L Ʌ V Σ N – I Thought You Were Real
Flowtron – Tickle My Dolphin (Dolphin Safe Tuna Mix Retickled by Cain Edwards)
Шакке (Schacke) – Кислотный Пипл (Kisloty People)
Mr. Free – 24 Hours
Future Sound of Hardcore – Eden
Crim3s – Still Goin
KAS:ST – Insomnia
Klute – Leo 9
Deep Blue – The Helicopter Tune
dj lostboi – JOIN ME (RAW)
You can find LAVAGXRL on Soundcloud