Insomnia Music with IVAN

 
Music

IVAN is the project of Ivy Barkakati and Phran; two Barcelona-based DJs and producers mixing their combined love of house music and Latin flavours. 

Perhaps more known for their individual movements, Phran via his close ties to Luca Lozano’s Klasse Wrecks imprint for whom he’s released three EPs, and Ivy as a producer and vocalist who has collaborated with the likes of Roza Terenzi and Furious Frank, the pair merge these solo influences (and their names) under the IVAN moniker.

First appearing in 2018 on a V/A for Melbourne-based label Best Effort, the pair have since lent their hand on remix duties and, just a few weeks ago, they delivered their first self-released EP Delicious Fantasy. 

Here they share their favourite tracks for those endless late nights…

“As DJs/producers we are both well-acquainted with the super late sleepless night. For that reason we were drawn to this theme, and also because we could think of endless songs about it. These are songs that we associate with sleeplessness.”

Follow IVAN. Buy Delicious Fantasy.

Trupita - Insomnio

Fran: I think this track represents a certain insomnia state we can all relate to really well. The vibe of the music already takes you to this state, but the lyrics are just great. I wish English speakers could understand them. There’s a bit that goes something like this: “While I smoke I imagine the moon talking to me and then, slowly it dawns, slowly it moves away. Neither a goodbye nor a memory nor a poem remains for me. And deep down I like it, I look at it, I forget and I let myself go. Another night more running away from myself, what a fatality, I feel in an abyss, it always happens the same, I end up anywhere, this is not normal and it doesn’t make sense.”

  • Trupita - Insomnio

    Fran: I think this track represents a certain insomnia state we can all relate to really well. The vibe of the music already takes you to this state, but the lyrics are just great. I wish English speakers could understand them. There’s a bit that goes something like this: “While I smoke I imagine the moon talking to me and then, slowly it dawns, slowly it moves away. Neither a goodbye nor a memory nor a poem remains for me. And deep down I like it, I look at it, I forget and I let myself go. Another night more running away from myself, what a fatality, I feel in an abyss, it always happens the same, I end up anywhere, this is not normal and it doesn’t make sense.”

  • Itoiz - To Alice

    Fran: I first heard this track at Moog Club, when Katza, a DJ from the Basque Country, closed his set with it, must have been around 6am. It’s so good. I come back to it often, mostly during insomnia nights. Has a sort of another-world vibe that makes it very sexy. The lyrics are in Basque, so that definitely makes it more special and mysterious.

  • Basic Channel - Phylyps Rmx

    Fran: Most music by Basic Channel and Rhythm and Sound always feels right. It takes me back to my center, somehow, and brings in a sort of comfort feeling that is hard to put into words. Helps me reconnect to my relaxed self. It’s meditation music at very different layers; conscious, unconscious, sonically in terms of the colour of the sounds, and the weight of the bass makes you meditate as well.

  • Erika De Casier - Intimate

    Ivy: Sweet and dreamy, made for a late night. Shimmering. Silk sheets.

  • Mr. Fingers - Full Moon

    Ivy: Larry Heard’s vocals here are wistful and assured at the same time. I can feel the glow.