Minou & Vandeleur: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

 
Music

So “Freedom Day” is finally upon us, or so we’d hoped…

As we begin mourning another month of lost dancing, sore heads and drained bank accounts, thankfully we’ve got a soundtrack to ease the pain a little. We couldn’t have found a better pairing to usher in the 21st of June (Mike Skinner wasn’t available); this duo are no stranger to a good old knees up, as both DJs and punters.

Julia and Tom, AKA Minou and Vandeleur respectively, are partners in life, crime and on the dancefloor. Individually the London-based DJs have their own ventures; Julia has been gracing dancefloors solo and as part of collective, club night and Balamii show Bubble Chamber, while Tom’s doing much of the same as part of Family Tree and as Plus Ones, who host regular soirees at The Lion and Lamb. 

While we most certainly won’t be asking where the bag is on a Monday afternoon, we’re more than happy to have Tom and Julia get us suitably revved up for the week ahead with a mix of squelchy, groove-driven cuts, moving through hypnotic electro to techy rollers and soaring trance.

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

We are Julia (Minou) and Tom (Vandeleur). We’re based in London and we’re DJs, both separately and together.

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)? 

J&T: It’s a frog chair.

Where was the mix recorded?

J&T: The mix was recorded in our living room in East Dulwich on a lovely, sunny day.

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

J: As a precursor to a BNO.

T: Cold drink in hand, pre-night out (Uber en route) with friends. Like the good old days.

What should we be wearing?

J: Removable layers.

T: A boot with a lift.

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

T: All of those times I wished I’d set up the recorder when having a mix.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

J&T: The opening track is a real beauty from a friend of ours called Astral Wayne.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

J&T: It’s a tie between a few mixes that were on heavy rotation during lockdown: Francesco Del Garda live at Robert Johnson, Truly Madly’s Bodygurn mix and Marlon Hoffstadt on Red Light Radio. 

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

J: A Traktor Kontrol S2 I begged for and subsequently hated and never used.

T: First setup was Virtual DJ off my HP Elitebook at university. We’ve now graduated to 1210s, CDJs and a Xone 92.

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

J: Definitely the opener. First impressions are crucial.

T: In life or in this mix? I think the first track of a mix is more important. If that’s not right, it won’t hook people and set up the rest of the mix.

What were the first and last records you bought?

J: My first was Cher’s “Believe” and my latest was a Sticky Tapes birthday compilation.

T: The first record I bought was a Futureboogie record (can’t remember for the life of me what it was though). The last record I bought is a super nice one called Muziquant by Ricc on The AJM.

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

J: Something slaggy as it’s treat day.

T: Fruit salad, yummy yummy.

If it was an animal what would it be?

J&T: Frog chair.

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

J: The beginning of Plaid’s “Clock” has fucked me over a few times.

Upcoming in the world of Minou & Vandeleur… 

J&T: Hopefully lots of actual dancing. We’ve got a few gigs coming up both solo, together and with our collectives (Plus Ones & Bubble Chamber) as well as some fun mixes.

Follow Minou and Vandeleur.