Errortica: The ‘Wednesday Alternative’ Mix

Many might not know how exciting the nightlife and music scene is in St. Petersburg. Home to a younger generation, due to its heavy student population, the Russian city has become a hot spot for headsy venues, great club nights and, of course, a host of talented DJs soundtracking them.

Sasha Balykova is one of them. Under the name Errortica she’s been hosting her Melomantica show on Russia’s TEST FM for the last two years, spreading her favourite finds and inviting DJs from around the world to join her. Recently she’s made her first moves into production, contributing a track to Parisian music platform and label Les Yeux Orange for their Driving Safely compilation which was quickly followed up by her debut EP Safely Stowed.

To celebrate the release, we invited her to step up for today’s mix, delivering a collection of wonky, melodic cuts and dubbed-out rhythms.

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

I’m Sasha Balykova – producer from Saint-Petersburg. 

Nerding music since all my life – so to share this unquenchable interest I’m djing and hosting a show ‘Melomantica’ on Russia’s TESTFM radio for two years now (where I had a unique opportunity to invite some amazing DJs from all over the world and to erase the borders and stereotypes of the music scene). 

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us? 

My own music is too sentimental (as for me).  As a listener I really enjoy something melodic. Genres don’t exist. 

So playing on the dance floors I really love mixing random stuff, but keeping a balance of understandable and weird music. So the right emotion is when people are smiling like “whaaaat?”, they keep dancing and are interested in what’s going to happen next.

How was the mix recorded?

This one wasn’t easy, because I really wanted you to like it, which is not easy, but at the end I love it, which is also important hahaha

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

You’d better tell me.

What should we be wearing?

Headphones.

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

In the full club, live, B2B2B2B2B2B2B with everyone I adore. Actually I don’t need to participate, I would be happy to dance and enjoy the moment. 

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

The first one, it’s a Russian not super famous musician called Зарах Май. I really love it because he’s singing “oh, f*ck it all” in this kinda reggae style and extra light mood. 

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

So many, but I will name I-F.

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

I would better choose some musicians, like David Bowie, to write some songs together. 

What was your first DJ set and where do you enjoy playing now?

The first one was in a bar, I dressed in a special way, prepared music, people were dancing and everything it was great… as I thought then, now I’m of course embarrassed hahah 

Now everything is the opposite, especially after Boiler Room which was really cool (thanks to Opium Club and Monika Seta – my b2b in crime). I enjoy playing everywhere, it doesn’t matter if it’s a crowded main or small stage – I’m happy to meet people with similar vision everywhere.

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

“Who do you love more – mom or dad?”

What were the first and last records you bought?

The first one was Shakkatam Change / Run 2017 from Das Ding’s Tear Apart Tapes label.

The last one I haven’t bought – I got it for free, it’s my own Safely Stowed EP 2020 from Les Yeux Orange label.

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

Like Chinese food, all tastes in the one bite. 

If it was an animal what would it be?

it’s a bird because “A-well-a everybody’s heard about the bird”

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

My own music. I’ve seen people playing it, and mixing it amazing, but for me this riddle is still unsolved.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Thank you for this opportunity, I am honoured and really hope you enjoy the music. And I want to thank everyone who’s read this, it means something.

And let’s try to survive these weird times, stay in our minds, become better people; and I guess – meet you on the dance floor.

P.S. Just leave it here ‘Millennium Actress’ 2001, directed by Satoshi Kon.

Follow Errortica. Buy Safely Stowed.