Stem: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

Music

Stem is the new guise of London-based DJ and radio host Jenny Cheng. Sonically her DJ sets and radio shows move through deep bass explorations and crisp shuffling rhythms that feel distinctly fresh and distinctly UK. These energetic selections have seen her grace the airwaves of stations like NTS, Noods and Rinse as well as holding down a residency called Sublime Portals last year on East London's Netil Radio.

Having recently moved in a new direction with her DJ name, we thought what better time to introduce the world to the sounds of Stem…

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

Hello! I’m Stem, a DJ and radio host based in London.

Where was the mix recorded?

At home.

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

A party situation! But also I would listen to it on the train or at home ha

What should we be wearing?

Whatever you feel comfortable in, always.

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

Good soundsystem, somewhere beautiful and rocky next to a pool of water to jump in.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

So difficult.. impossible actually. The Felix Lee and Lanark Artefax are on repeat a lot, such beautiful tracks.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I don’t listen to loads of mixes and definitely don’t have a favourite of all time. I like listening to recorded club sets – for example Simo Cell at Atonal Festival 2017. Especially when someone is on the mic or you can hear the crowd because you really feel the energy of the club. Plastic People’s closing party too because the space was important and meant a lot to people.

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

In Berlin my flatmate and I bought a technic and ‘borrowed’ another from this weird bar we used to work in. That was my first set up. Now it’s 2 turntables and 2 CDJs.

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

Both are important but I think it’s better to end well than to start well. For me the start can be rocky whilst I feel out the space but I love going out with a bang.

What were the first and last records you bought?

Can’t remember exactly… my first was some house records in Record Loft. Last was a selection from Low Company.

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

V spicy.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Something that jumps around like a goat, or a frog.

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

I wouldn’t say anything is impossible to mix 🙂

Upcoming in the world of Stem?

Strangely looking forward to winter and having a bit more time to breathe after just finishing my Master’s. Starting new projects. Other than that just the usual gigging.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Don’t think so!

Tracklist

Felix Lee – Void (feat. Whitearmor)
Boreal Massif – Angel Of Dub
Toby One – Higher Self Riddim
Galtier – Mind Aggregate
Ishan Sound ft. Rider Shafique & Miss Red – A Wa Yu Want
Piezo – The Mandrake
Significant Other – Brain Fingers
Kellen303 – Tulpa
Shayu – Meyola
Beneath – Outsource
Mantra – Mindgames
Cop Envy & DJ Plead – Hinged
MM – Terrible Muscle
House of Suns – Transistor
Ziúr – Taiga
Kuthi Jinani – Corals
Breaka – Damn Hot (Danny Scrilla Remix)
?? – ??
DJ Chap – Brujeria
Slikback & Hyph11E – SHIMIAN
Baransu – IS (Katatonic Silentio Remix)
Lanark Artefax – Corra Linn
KABLAM – Mouthing (Recycled)
Oli XL – Rogue Idiot
Air Max ’97 – Falling Not Walking
Ziúr – Fever (Born in Flamez Remix)