Balam: The ‘Wednesday Alternative’ Mix

Music

Balam is one of a handful of recent contemporary producers whose music you can pinpoint within just a few bars.

The Argentinian DJ, live artist and producer’s signature approach to drums and percussion is influenced by his Latin roots; there’s a ritualistic sway and bounce to his productions that locks you in from the off.

Merging the synthetic and the organic, his creations are brought to life with analog synthesizers, live percussion and guitars mixed with shamanistic samples and atmospheric FX. While these original stylings have found a home on Playground Records, Esthetique, Multi Culti and Hard Fist, where his most recentChants Of Pachamama EP saw the light of day, he also finds time to put his hand to edits of some of his favourite bands — the likes of Black Sabbath, Cymande and in the case of today’s mix, even The Beatles.

Alongside an interview, get acquainted with his tastes and style, inclusive of several of his own hypnotic works…

Ransom Note · Balam: The 'Wednesday Alternative' Mix

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

I am Balam from Buenos Aires, Argentina, that’s where I am right now, and I am a musician , producer, dj and also I do a Live act, ah! And you can also call me Gaby.

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)?

Where was the mix recorded?

Sitting in my Dining Room

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

Any place with grass.

What should we be wearing?

Sunglasses at night (?)

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

A party on a plane sounds cool.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Ground – Utau Narukoyuri. I love all the album that contains this track.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Any of Andrew Weatherall’s.

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

Again, Andrew Weatherall. I always respected him and in his last tour he was dropping some of my tracks, and then he passed, would have been awesome knowing him and of course sharing a dancefloor.

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

First was to discman and a mixer long time ago. Now I have two turntables and a mixer, but I use CDJs in clubs, and also I do it LIVE with modular synths, percs and mpc.

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

Both.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First was “Technotronic – Pump up the Jam” in cassette. I have it yet that cassette and last was yesterday, “Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation” and “Miles Davis – Amandla” both on vinyl. All, first and final, are from 1989.

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

A salad mix.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A jaguar.

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

Everything can be mixed.

Upcoming in the world of Balam…

Is my new EP on Hard Fist, the second part of “Chants of Pachamama” Digital and Vinyl and with a remix of the great Matias Aguayo, so I’m really happy with this release. And more releases on Multi Culti are coming too…

Anything else we need to discuss?

Thank you and hope we can all be together on a dancefloor soon in any part of the world!

Tracklist
The Beatles – The Inner Light (Balam edit)
Balam – Yagé
Ground – Utau Narukoyuri
Balam – Golfo
Thomas Von Party (feat. Mera De La Rosa) – Ritmo (Tyu Remix)
Balam – El Curandero
A-Tweed – Big in Norway
Balam – Cowbells from Hell (unreleased)
Vontier Mago – Derrumbes Y Escaleras
Tierra de Ovnis – Conexión (Thomass Jackson Remix)
Red_Axes – Maztomeret

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