Graintable: The ‘Monday Is Okay’ Mix

Portland producer James Cooke aka Graintable is landing on Ransom Note Records next week! Out 27th April on digital/limited cassette, his debut album Herons is home to 10 tracks of mind-altering ambient, drone and synth that wash over you like tides at the mouth of the Columbia River. We're very excited for you all to hear it.

To whet your appetite for the main course, Graintable has put together this brilliant mix for us, featuring music from the likes of Midori Takada, Actress and Visible Cloaks. Get stuck in below, then scroll down for the tracklist / Q&A.

Please introduce yourself – who/where/what are you?

Graintable/Portland, Oregon/Capricorn

Tell us about the Monday Mix you've put together for us. Where was it recorded?

I hope this isn’t cheating, but these are actually Sunday morning records for me. Which is when I recorded the mix, at home.

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

With headphones in a park, at home, some place chill and comfortable.

What should we be wearing?

Sweatpants.

What would be your dream setting to record a mix?

I’m pretty happy just playing records at home. Would be nice to have a fancy mixer or speakers I guess.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

'Strands' is a jammer!

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

DJ Qbert – 'Demolition Pumpkin Squeeze Musik'

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

Early Coldcut seems like they would be a lot of fun!

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

I had one Technics 1200mkII in high school, but I didn’t really know how to DJ, I would just try and scratch on it. Now I’ve got two 1200s and a cheap Pioneer mixer, still trying to figure out how to DJ.

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

On a recorded mix? Probably the opener, first impressions and all.

Who got you hooked on electronic music?

My friend’s older sister who gave me a copy of the Ninja Tune compilation Zen Cuts.

What were the first and last records you bought?

I can’t remember the first, probably Beastie Boys? Last, Steven Halpern – Starborn Suite.

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

Xanax.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Capybara.

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

My cracked copy of the Rocky IV soundtrack.

What are you obsessed with at the moment?

My dog, Charlie. He’s a big black rescue mutt I got a little over a year ago. We’ve been inseparable ever since.

What's your answer to everything?

The scooter emoji.

Upcoming in the world of Graintable?

My cassette release with Ransom Note!!! I’m super excited to share these tunes with everyone!

Anything else we need to discuss?

Pizza.

Herons is out 27th April on digital/limited cassette via Ransom Note Records, and you can pre-order it here.

Mix tracklist:

Henry Wolff, Nancy Hennings, with Drew Gladstone  —  Khumbu Ice-Fall & Rainbow Light  —  Tibetan Bells
Kay Gardner  —  The Temple of Ishtar  —  Moods & Rituals
Midori Takada  —  Mr. Henri Rousseau's Dream.  —  Through The Looking Glass
Laurie Spiegel  —  Old Wave  —  The Expanding Universe
Steve Hauschildt  —  Strands  —  Strands
Actress  —  Jardin  —  R.I.P.
Tim Hecker, Daniel Lopatin  —  Scene From A French Zoo  —  Instrumental Tourist
Visible Cloaks  —  Vocal Study  —  Visible Cloaks
Huerco S.  —  A Sea of Love  —  For Those Of You Who Have Never (And Also Those Who Have)
Terekke  —  Closer  —  Plant Age
Ñaka Ñaka  —  Sec 2  —  Mundo Harsh