Avion: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix
Next to appear in our showcase series is a producer and disc jockey from Berlin. An artist who has made his mark as of late having just released on Marcel Fengler's Index record label. The release has come after many years of hard work for AVION who has appeared at the likes of Gerberei Schwerin Waagenbau and Tresor.
Originally inspired by the likes of Jeff Mills, Depeche Mode and Bjork his sound has since evolved with age. In the present he crafts an elegant blend of dubbed out techno, punchy, purposeful yet with a somewhat melodic edge. It's as much in the atmosphere as it is the drive for a producer whom we expect to see more of soon.
Listen to his mix below:
Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you?
Hi I am AVION – DJ, producer, nerd, Engineer, born beginning of the 80s, human, man from the Baltic sea settled down in Berlin approximately 8 years ago. Founder and Label owner of Crossing and released music and sounds on Index Marcel Fengler, Crossing and PURE.
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)?
Hard to say but I think it sounds like if you are in a submarine going on a deep dive meeting beautiful and scary creatures down in the deep and dark and never know what to expect next.
Where was the mix recorded?
The mix was recorded in my little studio at home last weekend with my neighbour knocking against the wall from the other side trying to reduce the volume or stopping it, but he was not successful.
What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?
You should have time to listen, be open minded and maybe using headphones to avoid being distracted. If you need some space for some extra-terrestrial dance moves you should move away your sofa.
What should we be wearing?
According to some questions before maybe a black wet suit to be prepared for deep dive and the extra-terrestrial dance moves!
What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?
I love my set up at home including my knocking neighbour. Absolutely sufficient for me.
Which track in the mix is your current favourite?
At the moment I am playing very often +Plattform – Morne – Ploink Rec. A friend of mine gave me that note to have a listen and an eye on this artist and I discovered this track from an actual release of his. Brilliant reduced mood in this track which needs some space to show up complete.
What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?
I have 3 favourite mixes which I love and heard so many times:
Jeff Mills Mix Up Vol. 2, a recorded mix from Derrick May at the Music Institute Detroit end of 80s and the 1st HR3 Clubnight Radio Show with Thorsten Fenslau in 1990.
If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?
To only pick one is not easy but for a back to back I would love to go with Derrick May. He is still one of the most skilled DJs and he is a style of DJing in itself. Therefore a back to back with him would be a big challenge with lots of fun and intensity.
What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?
The first set up I used secretly was the one from my brother (he didn’t know at the beginning). 1 Reloop and 1 other brand belt driven turntables and a battle mixer without EQs (Later a Reloop mixer 3 Channels with EQs). Now it is 3 Technics MK2 (one of them needs to be repaired) and an Allen & Heath XONE 42 Mixer. To play digital tracks I am normally using Timecode Vinyl in connection with Traktor Scratch. For the mix I additional borrowed a Pioneer XDJ to get a 3rd Deck to work on.
What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?
From start to end everything is important. It is a journey where you should take the right entry to reach the destination you wanna leave the listener.
What were the first and last records you bought?
The first two records I bought together were DJ Misjah – Psyko Feelings – X-Trax and Technotronic – Get Up – SBK Rec. and my last record I bought was Function – Recompiled I/II – A Ton.
If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?
I think it could taste like Sake. Strong, clear and flowery with a little kick inside.
If it was an animal what would it be?
I hope that animal does not exist…
One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything…
I think it should be one record which should never be mixed and stand alone for itself.
Boards of Canada – Amo Bishop Roden – Warp Rec.
Upcoming in the world of…
AVION Crossing/IMF/District 66: The new Crossing 010 will see its light end of the year with tracks from Thomas Hessler and myself. My new ‘Dispersion’ EP is out now on Index Marcel Fengler and available at your serious record dealer. It is for me a very special release due to the fact that it is my first full EP on an external label (and one of my favourites ones too!). Additionalyl there will be a track on a compilation for my friends from District 66 in Hamburg.
Anything else we need to discuss.
There are lots of things to discuss but I think we should do that next time. Let’s see how the world will look like at that time. Enjoy the mix and many thanx for having me.