Black Eyes: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

 
Music

Black Eyes AKA Matthew Earnshaw is the mind behind Mancunian party Lost Control: a hive for some of the best electro, acid house and techno from the outer dimensions. Since cutting his teeth with his first student rave Micron, the DJ, NTS Radio host and producer has gained a cult following with Lost Control, which is now celebrating its seventh year of existence. 

Ahead of part one of their birthday celebrations at the White Hotel with Cygnus and Reedale Rise, Black Eyes gives us a taste of what both him and the party are all about. We'll leave you with a few words penned by Matthew about the mix…

"This mix was recorded in the 5th Dimensiøn using 1 glass of wine, some parallel dimensiøn recording equipment and a mega love for all things musically that make your body move irregular. We think this mix sums up what Lost Control is about. We hope you enjoy it…"

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

Hi, I’m Matthew, I’m from Manchester and a producer/DJ.

What does your music sound like?

The 5th dimension.

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

Where was the mix recorded?

At home using 2 Technics 1200 MK2s and an Allen Heath 92 mixer recorded in Ableton. A glass of wine fuelled this too.

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

Getting ready to go from 5th dimensiøn to 7th dimensiøn. Or space cruising at warp speed.

What should we be wearing?

Didsbury Techno Militia t-shirts.

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

Same equipment I recorded it with but on a space station circling Saturn.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Lost Trax – The Saturn System

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Jon K – Fact Mix. It’s very clever and keeps you listening all the way through. The tracks are mega as well.

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

Two purple Numark belt drive decks and a Behringer mixer which never worked properly.

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

Start as it’s the first thing to attract people to listen to a mix. You can play anything at the end really.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First record was Tiga – Louder Than A Bomb (I’ve still got it). The last was a record on Luke Eargoggles label Stilleben. Can’t remember the name but it’s by Kuldaboli and it’s raw Icelandic electro.

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

Magic Mushrooms.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Ecco The Dolphin.

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

I actually can’t think of one. I tried to but nothing is that hard it can’t be mixed…I think. I have a terrible memory though.

Upcoming in the world of Black Eyes?

Debut Black Eyes EP on my on label Lost Control soon. Also gonna be doing a set for Berlins newest video stream vibe Hör on 18th February.

Anything else we need to discuss?

It’s Lost Control’s 7th birthday at The White Hotel on 22nd February. We have Cygnus from Texas and Reedale Rise from Liverpool both playing live for us. The second part of the birthday is on 26th June at the same venue too. #keepthe5thdimensionalive


Follow Lost Control. Photo credit: Laura Lee Wade.