The 'Shine A Light On' Mix: Volar

Music

Volar is a producer and disc jockey based in Bristol. He contacted us out of the blue with a few tracks and we began to strike up conversation. We think his music carries great promise and intrigue, we jumped at the opportunity of him recording a mix in contribution to our series. The 'Shine a Light On' series is designed to represent the new, to showcase the undiscovered. Volar encompasses this and his music is upbeat, driven and highly danceable. Listen to his mix and read the interview below:

Please introduce yourself…Who are you? What are you? Where are you?

My name is Luke & I am a producer & dj from Devon now living in Bristol

Why the name Volar?

Word association based on a previous alias basically

What production gear are you using?

My gear set up is basically a Korg MS20-Mini, Boss SP303 Sampler, Novation Bass-Station 2, some analog pedals such as Memory Man Deluxe & Boss RE-20 delays, a cheap little 8 channel Soundcraft mixer, a Rode NT2 microphone, an ibanez electric guitar, a pair of Technics 1210's & a pioneer 700. Everything runs into an RME UCX soundcard and out to a pair of KRK VXT 8 speakers for monitoring. I also record a lot of my own percussion with little shakers and any bits and bobs from around the studio, as well as my own field recordings. Then obviously the brain of it all is my Macbook running Ableton Live 9.

What projects are you involved in in Bristol music wise?

I run a small intimate no frills night once a month called Join La Dots. These happen bi monthly across two venues, The Crofters Rights & Cosies. I am currently collaborating with a couple of other Bristol artists but will keep quiet about that for now.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my studio in Stokes Croft on my 1210's.

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

Probably on the Trans Siberian Express. At night.

What should we be wearing?

Nothing but a bow tie

What would be your dream setting to record a mix, location, system, format?

In Sun Ra's living room with a few bottles of red, on a pair of perfectly calibrated 1210's lined with swans tears, being handed records selected by Pepe Bradock. That seems pretentious enough?

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Free Access Zone 2 by Shinichi Atobe. 9 minutes and an absolute roller! That piano just gets me every time.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Thats very hard but Nightmares on Wax Dj Kicks Mix is a firm fave

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

I reckon Judi Dench has probably got some skills, wouldn't mind a cup of tea and mix with her. Or Kenny Dope.

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

I didn't have my own set up for a really long time, at school I used to mix drum & bass at my mates houses. My current set up for the last 6 years has been a pair of Technics 1210 turntables and a crappy Stanton 2 channel mixer which broke about a month ago. I now use a pioneer 700. I play records and I use Serato to play digital stuff.

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

I think they are both as equally important for different reasons, but the last will always get the most attention. Its always a fun challenge thinking of a last tune at the end of a night.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First probably being Michael Jacksons 'Off The Wall' last being The Maghreban 'Green Apple'

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

Crunchy on the oustside, soft in the middle… Armadillo!

If it was an animal what would it be?

.. Yep, an Armadillo

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

Kenny Mann Jr & Liquid Pleasure Band – Tin Top was always a bit of a bitch as the timing seems to drift quite a bit as its a pretty loose live recording. I love playing it so I made an Edit to play out.

Upcoming in the world of Volar :

I am currently in the final year of my Creative Music Technology degree so I am getting very busy with that. But generally making lots of music, & focusing on getting some of this stuff out!