Al Kassian: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix
There is a lot to be said about a producer who manages to establish a name amidst a toxically saturated market in the 21st century.
Al Kassian first emerged on the radar as a result of his involvement in the duo Opal Sunn, a live performance project which sees him collaborate with Hiroaki OBA. However, Al Kassian is now emerging as an artist in very much his own right and there are several inclinations which lead to the assumption of future opportunity and success. This year has seen him release two EP's respectively on Planet Sundae and make Love In Public Spaces. Both have been hugely favoured by critics and fellow musicians. We here at Ransom Note have previously featured him on two occasions. Top marks so far… However, we decided that it was time to learn more, to enquire and entice information. He delivers a mix and talks below:
Who are you, where are you and what are you?
Ambassador of Slippery Sorbet Alliance, my name is Captain Al – currently orbiting Planet Sundae.
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)
This painting by label partner Simon Pitt resonates through my music – colourful and confident but with a huge question mark of uncertainty running through the thin hair. (Image 1)
You use vocals in your tracks, would you call yourself a songwriter or producer?
I'm definitely a songwriter. "Baby-Bae, I'll turn into a robot baby?" Those are the lyrics of Roboluv – If you want to give me the best lyrics award for that, I'll happily take it.
What lies around the corner?
The Späti which saves me from starving to death.
Your EP recently came out on LIPS, how did this make you feel?
This EP is a really personal one actually so I went though a lot of emotions in the process of making it. I had doubts about it as I do with most of my releases, but the feedback has been actually amazing, so I'm happy to finally see it out.
It has a funny back story to it actually. Around about a year ago, I signed up to Instagram and I wanted to make a really whack video of me singing on the vocoder. So I prepared a song quickly which eventually became 'Roboluv'. I uploaded it onto Instagram with the caption 'New single on the way' as a joke, but the response was massive, with people asking me to send the track. Rest is history.
I spent the last several months of 2015 with a heavy heart due to a few incidents happening in my personal life and that's when I wrote this EP. I produced 'Default' when things weren't looking great. A close friend was in hospital with a stifling prognosis. I think it's clear there's dark energy in this track. I remember wanting to make the vocoder sound haunted. I realised that I write more honest music when certain things in life shake you upside down, and I need to take advantage over these periods because it's raw energy waiting to be milked.
Where was the mix recorded?
In London at a friends house.
What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?
Under the sun with palm trees in a wooden shack
What should we be wearing?
Ideally swimsuits and a straw hat, big chunky flower necklaces and flip-flops.
Which track in the mix is your current favourite?
Sassy J put out a really special mix called 'There is a love' on Libra Mix which is my favourite discovery of the year so far.
What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?
J.Rocc presents Syndromes 2?
What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?
Both equally important in my opinion.
What were the first and last records you bought?
First: Untitled (How does it feel?) by D'Angelo
Last: Kepler 186b by Genius of Time on Aniara.
If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?
An inside out coconut with chocolate rings orbiting it.
Anything else we need to discuss?
Do you want more vocoder?
Follow Al Kassian on Facebook HERE. Buy his recent release on LIPS HERE.