one at a time...
playlist updates, album recs & some loose change
Before I get into it, wanted to shout out a few upcoming happeningz/events:
Lish Grooves debut vocal album, exec produced by yours truly, is arriving on April 24th! To celebrate, we’re throwing release shows in Berkeley on April 25th and LA on May 9th. Alex has assembled a dope band to perform a medley of songs from the album and I’ll be DJing after for both shows.
My next dublab show is THIS WEDNESDAY FROM 2-4PM PST. I’ll be welcoming my good friend Miles for some fun b2bing - expect house, techno and bass music.
Lately I’ve felt pulled in a million directions between work, radio, gigs, travel and general life. All the while the world around us continues to deliver blow after blow of heartbreak.
The increased screen time involved in these activities induces a cacophany of swirling thoughts. In this moment, I’m both writing to you and loading tracks to my USB for the next radio show. Trying to get off my phone and take things one day, one task, one thought at a time.
Anyways, I am overflowing with music to share. This newsletter only contains a sliver of what’s been stacking up so hope to have a few more of these in the coming months.
pause…
I initially opened the upcoming edition of the soft gaze playlist with a multi-song instrumental intro, which I ended up trimming. But this music is well worth your ears. These will pair nicely with perusing this blog, reading or zoning out under some trees.
Susumu Yokota - “Shinsen”
I first came across the late Japanese producer Susumu Yokota via this excellent Bandcamp article around the 25th anniversary remaster of his beautiful album Sakura [Spotify | Apple Music]. An incredibly prolific artist, he made equally gorgeous dance music under a variety of aliases.
Green-House - “Hinterland III”
LA-based duo Green-House’s latest album Hinterlands [Spotify | Apple Music], their first on Ghostly International, is pure cosmic bliss. It’s also a welcome evolution of their sound extending slightly beyond pure ambience into subtle grooves.
Anthony Naples - “Dustos”
I see Anthony Naples, I click. On In Studio Magic [Spotify | Apple Music] I was pleasantly surprised to hear him trade in his usual heady club music in favor of stunning downtempo full of engaging synth & guitar melodies.
the soft gaze (updated) + album recs
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube
This playlist has been evolving over the course of 4 or 5 months but I ultimately decided to trim it down to 20 songs. Keeping it concise! Highly recommend listening in order and with the crossfade function on if available.
If you dig, listen to… deary - Birding (Spotify / Apple Music)
I got really into reading about birds and all these historical stories and poetry about them. You find these beautiful images of birds that represent hope, but they're also animals. Some of them, like vultures and crows, are a sign of death to some people. They represent all these different elements, which I think sum up a lot of the album. - Dottie Cockram, deary singer/guitarist
Apparently I’m a sucker for nature inspired shoegaze. For fans of Slowdive and Coteau Twins, UK trio deary deliver some expertly executed shoegaze and dream pop on their debut album. True to that quote it’s hopeful and heartwarming without shying away from the darkness.
If you dig, listen to… Obskuros - La Puerta (Spotify / Apple Music)
The universe of “gazey” music touches many genres and post-punk / darkwave is one that I’m not as well-versed in. LA band Obskuros’ latest album pairs programmed beats with driving guitars and ethereal Spanglish vocals. Here’s another favorite on the dreamier side…
extras
If you’ve somehow made it through all the music in this newsletter and want to keep the same energy, I’ll leave you with 2 more tracks and a mix…
Not For Radio - “Puddles (Zero 7 Remix)”
A very cool generational link up between Not For Radio (solo project of María Zardoya of The Marías) and the iconic UK trip-hop duo Zero 7.
TAKAAT - “Ijit N’elwan 4”
TAKAAT is a band comprised of the rhythm section of psychedelic Tuareg rock group Mdou Moctar. TAKAAT, which translates to “noise,” strip back their sound, typically layered with Mdou’s virtuosic guitar, into something darker, louder and more hypnotic.
ESPRIT 空想/George Clanton for Elevator Music
Vaporwave pioneer George Clanton delivers one of the coolest non-dance music sets I’ve seen in a long time. An absolute dream of a mix and cool to see someone DJing with SP404 — something Lish and I messed around a bit with earlier this year.
