Graintable: The ‘Monday Is OK’ Mix

Last year Portland native Graintable released his debut album on Ransom Note Records, a cassette release that exposed the world to his deftness at navigating the relationship between melody, emotion and texture. Marking his first physical release, sonically the LP, entitled Herons, tipped the hat to past masters like Steve Roach and Brian Eno, categorised by those feelings of being adrift, never stationary. 

His return to the label came earlier this month with another cassette in the form of Universal Ash; a leftfield ambient synth journey that, as the titled suggests, touches on themes of loss, rebirth and truth. With this LP he pushed his boundaries even further, building on the stylistic textures and emotions present on his debut through a series of one-take jams. 

Adept in the soothing and the mind-altering, he's pieced together a selection of new age records to help ease you into the week… 

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

Graintable, Portland, Oregon, Capricorn. 

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)?

Like one of those "magic eye" posters.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my zen dungeon.

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

Wherever you are right now is exactly where you need to be.

What should we be wearing?

Something comfortable.

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

Maybe outside on a beach with some effects pedals and stuff for fun.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

That whole Herb Ernst tape gets played a bit at home.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

DJ Q-Bert's Demolition Pumpkin Squeeze Musik.

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

For experimental weird stuff probably Delia Derbyshire.

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

I had one Technics 1200 (with the orange face) and a Discman hooked up to an old Marantz receiver growing up. Now it's a pretty simple 2 x 1200s and a Pioneer mixer. I wish I still had that receiver though!

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

You can probably say more with the opener.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First record ever? Probably some Beastie Boys. I think that Larry Leeder record in the mix was in my last stack from Speck's in Portland.

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

Peyote.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Pangolin

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

Charles M. Bogert ‎– Sounds Of North American Frogs

Upcoming in the world of…

My tape with Ransom Note! Super happy to share these tunes with everyone.

Anything else we need to discuss?

So much really, but we can save it for next time.

Tracklist
Herb Ernst – Awakening Stars (1986)
Don Roberston – Ships (1984)
Georgia Kelly – Seapeace (1978)
Larry Leeder – Ascent (1985)
Kitaro – Cosmic Energy (Uchu Enerugii) (1982)
Steven Halpern – Keynote B: Violet (1977)
Steven Halpern, Georgia Kelly – Ancient Echoes (1978)
D'oa – Song of the Dove (1979)
Darol Anger, Barbar Higbie – True Story (1982)
Elements – The Psychologically Ultimate Seashore (1970)

Follow Graintable. Buy Universal Ash.