Free Zing and Oliver Moon: The Wednesday Alternative Mix

In the words of Free Zing & Oliver Moon:

“This mix was born under the spontaneity of a beautiful coexistence. Two vast record collections living under the same roof inspiring each other, and a same vision: slower, sexier, warmer and mildly twisted electronic music.

For two hours you delve into the minds of Free Zing and Oliver Moon, two people playing with their favourite b2b. The pair press record on a Monday morning and work through a window of their collection. The mix was seemingly unexpected but had been planned subconsciously for some time over previous sessions, probably influenced by a very inspiring summer.

Moon starts with the latest release from the talented London based Studio Batsumi and Maria finishes with a beautiful pitched down piece by Martyné, a producer they both deeply admire. Everything in between is for you to discover… Enjoy the ride 🤘🏻❤️”

Photo Credit: Gabriela Andreica

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

OM: I am Oliver Moon, I am a DJ/Producer and founder of record label Dancing With Strangers born and raised in West London.

FZ: I am Maria aka Free Zing, I am a DJ/Producer based in London. I am also a mathematician working in electronics in the tech department at RAK studios. I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain.

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?

The mix was pretty spontaneous in the fact that it was recorded on a Monday morning mid-August in our living room in Homerton. However, we had been planting seeds in that direction for quite some time over previous sessions, probably influenced by a very inspiring summer.

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

Between us we’ve listened over the mix countless times. Whether commuting, at work, at home, on a lime bike, before going out, after going out, on headphones or on speakers. It hasn’t made much of a difference… It does get you moving and wanting for more though so that’s something to consider.

What should we be wearing?

Something cosy and danceable.

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

OM: I remember a long time ago helping put on some parties in Ibiza near Cala Conta in an opening of the rocks, a cave-like situation where you can see the sea. The energy was pretty special there.

FZ: I would love to record something in the jungle, deep in my roots, with my shoes off connected to Mama Tierra.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

OM: I have to shout out the opening track by Studio Batsumi, Enharmonics called ‘Kirtan’ from their most recent release. Their music is super unique and they are wonderful people.

FZ: There are lots in there which are not leaving my bag at the moment, but I do think my favourite is the last one by Martyne. A beautiful piece of music which I don’t play out that often but I really enjoy listening to.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

OM: My dad, before I existed, made my mum a mixtape and called it ‘The Love Dat’. It is full of house music from around that time. As a child, I used to listen to it on repeat using a little cassette player during almost every car journey. That tape and the album ‘Lil Louis & The World – Journey With The Lonely’ were my first memories of electronic dance music so they hold a special place in my heart.

FZ: I don’t usually listen to podcasts, I tend to stay in my bubble, which is probably something I should change. I grew up with a big punk and rock music culture thanks to my dad as there was always music in the house. I really enjoy listening to non-electronic music during the week, something which I think is very important and has a great influence on my sound. And when everything gets a bit too much I can only listen to Radiohead.
I did get obsessed with the recording of Andrew Weatherall @ 303 Liverpool Birthday. Electronic music, slower and interesting. It is like comfort food, and my “go to” most of the time.

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

Neither of us can think of anyone other than the late, great Andrew Weatherall.

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

OM: I actually started off with a hand-me-down laptop with Traktor and a set of controllers around 15 years ago.

FZ: I began with one Numark and one Stanton and a mixer that would stop working as soon as you would move it a bit. Somehow I made it work. Soon enough I was saving for my Technics, and I managed to buy a 1200 MK2 which I had to use with a borrowed CDJ 200, so I would download my records from youtube to be able to mix them. Our current set up at home is a pair of Technics MK5G’s, a Rodec MX180mk2 and a pair of Tannoy M15’s alongside a Technics amp.

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

We strongly share the same opinion on this… As DJ’s who like to go on a journey, the first record is most important. Whether you’re opening up a room or playing after someone, that record should be one that grounds you, the one that plants you on your feet and sets the tone/energy. It is the first communication you are having with the dancefloor, building trust between you and them is vital.

What were the first and last records you bought?

OM: One of the first records I bought was ‘Ryan Elliott – Kicking Up’ and is actually featured in this mix. The last record I bought was from Palace Vinyl this morning, a warehouse find of an old Bombis Record ‘Starts with an S, Ends with a T’.

FZ: The first record I bought was ‘Claro Intelecto – Peace of Mind’. I would play Peace of Mind (Electrosoul) over and over again. I bought it when I first came to London when I was 17. Coming from Madrid and a heavy techno scene it showed me electronic music can be beautiful, and that is where it all began.
I recently picked up ‘Split’ from Smallfish Records at Disk Frisk in Bristol, lovely IDM Experimental stuff.

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

A ramen. It is warm and rich and full of flavour and can be eaten every day if you wanted.

If it was an animal what would it be?

It cannot be just one, it would have to be a dynamic duo of an Otter and a Raccoon (our spirit animals), equally cheeky, playful, raw, sometimes dirty and always full of character.

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

We are pretty much both of the opinion that there is generally some way of making the transition, whatever the track. If you look at DJ’s like Vladamir Ivkovic and Hicham, they manage to drastically shift tempos, genres and energies effortlessly throughout their sets and it still flows… That being said ‘Aphex Twin – Windowlicker’ can be a bit of a headache.

⁠⁠Upcoming in the world of…

OM: We have literally just come back from playing in Madrid together for Halloween at Cadavra and then afterwards at Vertigo where we closed each party. It was nice because we got to play completely different vibes in each set but both were equally incredible. For the moment, I am mainly focusing on studio projects, I have some music I would like to release next year so tying things up there.

FZ: I am playing in Oxford next week and after that I am happy to have some “me time” until the end of the year. I am back in the studio after some time not connecting with it and working on finishing projects and a very special remix for a band I deeply admire. Putting together a special mix for next January, something I really enjoy doing. Stay tuned…

⁠Anything else we need to discuss?

We stand against all genocides going on in the world right now. Everyone deserves living in hope and not in fear.