A Strange Wedding: The ‘Wednesday Alternative’ Mix

Saint-Etienne-based producer Adrien van de Velde moonlights as A Strange Wedding, the alias for his live sessions and productions.

Inspired by trance, EBM, techno and psychedelic rhythms, he creates his own interpretations of these different styles and sounds – his own personal universe as he calls it. 

His debut release on local imprint Worst Records introduced us to his hypnotic sounds and his ability to create incredible atmosphere; a lineage he continues for today's Wednesday Alternative Mix… 

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

Hi! My name is Adrien van de Velde, I was born in the south of France and I'm currently living in Saint-Etienne where I'm studying art and space design. I also do music (no joke), I like doing DJ sets but I'm mainly a producer type of guy. I also do live sessions under my alias A Strange Wedding

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

If I had to use words, I would say that my music is a personal interpretation of trance, somewhere between archaic tribal stuff and modern EBM/techno/psychedelic-infused beats. I really like the idea of re-interpreting many styles of music in my own way, blurring the borders to create a very personal universe.

Where was the mix recorded?

The mix was recorded in my studio in Saint-Etienne.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

Well I like to think that this kind of music can be danced to both physically and mentally. And I'm really attached to the idea that this music is meant to be listened to with other people, that it is creating a connection between them. So if I had to choose one ideal setting, I would recommend a smooth listening session while tripping with friends in a cosy garden at the end of summer. But as it is not really the good season, I guess that you could also listen to it at the end of a long after party with your top four best friends in your cosy living room!

What should we be wearing?

Light clothes and feet naked of course. 

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

When I record a mix, I have more of a producer's approach than a DJ. I really think of it as a one to two hour composition than an actual DJ set. The idea of blending everything together in layers of beats and atmosphere is really important to me. So the perfect setting for me to record a mix is in my studio, with all my gear because this is where all my musical ideas are born! This one was recorded through Ableton, with 3 decks, I also add voice samples on some tracks.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Tough question! If I may, my answer would not be one track but rather the work of one artist who really blow my mind these days. Valentino Mora is an artist that draw a bridge between the downtempo and faster yet still very atmospheric and psychedelic techno I know really enjoy to play, and also start to produce.

What's your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Katzele's Krossfingers podcast (n°79) was the recorded mix I listened the most. It had so much impact on my music over the past years. And recently the mix form Vladimir Ivkovic at Terraforma is absolutely amazing.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Without any hesitation, my strongest experience of playing back to back was with my dear friend Antoine, boss of Positive Education and half of « Les fils de Jacob ». It was at Monticule festival last summer and I would give anything to do it again, but I wish instead of playing at night in the « grange stage » we could play a 6 hours long ambient/tribal/shamanic DJ set at the ambient stage.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

My first DJ set up was a crappy DJ controller that I used for no more than two or three months. Now I have a pair of CDJsand a xone 92 at home that I use very regularly but as I mentioned, I rather like to use ableton for recording mixes at home.

What's more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The track you start with! I try to build strong atmospheres in my mixes, and the first track is the one that will introduce all the universe I'm going to present so it is crucial to choose it carefully.

What were the first and last records you bought?

I do not recall the first record I bought, but I can tell that I spend most of my youth listening to my father's vinyl and CD's. The last one is the second Eiger Drums Propaganda on Macadam Mambo!

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Shrooms!

If it was an animal what would it be?

That tropical bird on the jacket of Woob's Woob2 4495 on em :t records

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

I guess I have a lot of obscure experimental didjeridoo stuff that would be a pain in the ass to mix! But also Drawned sea from Plaid on Warp. I love this track but it never fits whenever I try to play it.

Upcoming in the world of A Strange Wedding…

I release a track on the Worst records first V/A : Worst Greatest Hits (out on january 12th). I'm also working on several EPs, two collaboration projects, first one with Antoine and the second one with Christian Coiffure, and I'm currently building two new live sets. Plenty of stuff should see the light this year!

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