Duncan Gray – The ‘Wednesday Alternative’ Ransom Note Mix

 
Music

We've all had promises that we just couldn't keep – whether it be 'I'll be there in five minutes' or 'I will be coming to watch your big moment in the play, Ciaran'. However, Duncan Gray is a man of his word and he's, somewhat conveniently, got a brand new EP on the way entitled Promise. Before the EP finds a way into your ears, Duncan has provided us with this week's Wednesday Alternative mix to help your that noggin of yours excited.

Time to tune in and listen on as we leave you in the capable hands of Mr Duncan Gray;

Please introduce yourself…

Who are you, where are you and what are you?

I am the one called Duncan Gray. The glamorous metropolis of Slough. Chief file-shunter at tici taci.

Describe your sound without using any vowels.

FNKY KRT RCK.

How would your music look as an interpretive dance?

I don't know, but it would almost certainly involve drag queens.

When did music last make you shed a tear?

Nimrod by Edward Elgar at my Dad's funeral.

Who inspired you to get into music? Who inspires you now?

So many inspirations over the years – Can, Electric Miles, Eno, Inner City, Green Velvet, Carl Craig, Fila Brazilia, Talking Heads, Melvins, Kraftwerk, blimey the list is endless…if I went on I would be basically quoting the lyrics from LCD's 'I'm losing my edge'.

Lots of inspirational producers around now – Andrew Weatherall continues to lead by example, Sebastien Tex, Vox Low, Rodion, Alien Alien, Dionigi, Future Bones, Rich Lane, Id!r….

How do you like your eggs in the morning?

Fried with a soft yolk please.

Of all 50 shades, which is your favourite grey?

Polished Concrete.

How high can you dunk?

Waste Paper basket.

You've recently released on Nein records, this one's a double-header… 1. What's your favourite thing about Germany? 2. What's your favourite number?

1. The music – from the late '60s until now, truly the creative hotbed of modern music.
2. Vier – which offers almost as many puns to the English speaking jokester as Nein does.

What’s your shoe size?

Weirdly enough Nein… and a half.

Do you read books still? If so, what?

I love books, me. What better way to spend time at an airport or on a plane? Currently reading Justin Pollard's biography of Alfred the Great. Also recommending Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart, and Museum Without Walls by Jonathan Meades.

What would be your ideal date?

Something highbrow, followed by something lowbrow, followed by sex on drugs.

Do you still wear flip flops?

I do not.

Are you a good kisser?

It rather depends on what I'm kissing and the enthusiasm/reluctance factor.

Have you ever trapped your finger in a car door?

Yes I have when I was about 10. I still bear the scars, physically and emotionally.

Onto the mix…
 
Where was the mix recorded?

At home.

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

Wherever you are, right now, sippin' gin.

What should we be wearing?

Ladies Slacks.

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

Dirty little sweatbox with one red light, great sound and a room full of people who appreciate great music.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Alien Alien – Myoosiq : been all over that since it came out. Dancefloor magic.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Coldcut's Journeys by DJ.

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

That would have to be Andrew Weatherall. I'm not keen on playing back to back but for him I'd make an exception (which is big of me). Besides which, I know the way he mixes and pretty much learned how to do it myself by hanging around like a bad smell and watching what he does from behind the decks.

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

1210's and a Numark mixer with no channel EQs.
These days it's CDJs with a Pioneer mixer. FX are not my thing, and neither are Laptops.
Believe it or not I have had the same pair of headphones for about 20 years – the Technics ones with the foldy up bits. They are tatty but fully functional, despite having once spent a month in Eliiot Eastwick's dirty laundry bag.

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

In a club it's the one you start on – you'll always be able to find a great closing tune once you've read the crowd.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First: A Pickwick Top of the Pops compilation
Most recent : Dionigi – The Slow Sound Chemistry

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

Hot sweet builder's tea.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A Siamese cat.

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

Ear Wax Control – 2 Live.

Upcoming in the world of Duncan Gray?

Let me see… there's the Rock To The Beat EP – Promise with remixes from Lokier and Steve Ekman which follows hot on the heels of my EP for Play Pal (Proper Bogan). Releases and collaborations planned which I can't mention yet. I'll be doing some DJ work, some remixing, some guitar sessions and some producing, plus tici taci will be releasing something each month starting with Iko & Gibb's Tracy on August 21st, followed by an EP by Veneno in September – very excited about this, Argentine Voodoo guitar via Mexico.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Yes. Support your favourite producers by buying their tracks. It's dirt cheap, it only takes a couple of minutes, and your support keeps small labels running. Same applies if your mates are putting on a night, get off your arse and support them. 

And remember, kids, the musical universe is expanding more quickly than you can consume it. But you should try to anyway.


Promise is out on 24th August via Rock To The Beat.