|-…-.| ‘The ‘Shine A Light On’ Ransom Note Mix

In the age of over-information and over-exposure what control do we have over our public persona? It’s all about the personality, all about our profile, incessant, endless posts to every medium we can lay our hands on.

After 25 years of DJing around the world,  the catchily title |-…-.|  seems like they’ve had enough of all that and switched to the exact opposite and put together a project with no real name, no real public persona or much else besides. But it’s been getting noticed by the right people – Joe Muggs featured them twice in Bandcamp Daily this year, and their latest album “Deliveroo Studio Séances” is the piece that really caught our ear.

“This is all about music being judged on its merit rather than ego or identity, transcending the audiences potential preconceptions and focusing on a sonic and visual journey. ”

The sound pulls from various places – you can hear bits of Aphex Twin, Burial, Daft Punk, and Weatherall in there. It’s genre-fluid stuff that doesn’t fit neatly into boxes, which is probably why the likes of Trevor Jackson and Prosumer have been supportive.

The whole anonymous angle means the music has to speak for itself, which it seems to be doing. So it feels kind of counterintuitive to ask them any questions for this rather tasty mix they’ve put together of original material, intermingled with other beauties. But we’ll do it anyway, hey.

This is electronic music that moves between styles without worrying too much about what to call it.

Listen and read the interview below:

You’re pretty new on our radar… could you tell us:

Who are you?

The artist behind |-…-.| — a cryptic, genre-fluid project that lets music speak rather than identity or ego. I started the project back in November and it seems to be well received. Having an EP featured in “Best Electronic Music on Bandcamp Jan 2025” and also my latest work, a 21 track lifetime achievement being featured in the same list in June.

The symbol came from a choice between binary or morse code versions of my initials. I couldn’t replicate them on a keyboard in morse exactly, and in binary just looked off. I played with a few ideas and this was nice and clean. It just clicked. Turns out it stands for (/), which further represents boundaries and the idea of breaking them.

Since I started the project I have been thinking about how this translates as a searchable term — or what someone would say when shouting me out on the radio. My inner circle keeps asking me too.

But that wasn’t the first thing on my mind when I set out to create an untraceable, anonymous, alter ego…I’m toying with the idea of “anonymous morse music” as a potential for when the time comes or when sending tracks to radio. Or maybe people can just say what they feel. As I say. It’s about the music, not the identity. That’s why I’ve also chosen the neutral gender flag and “ne” pronouns. I’m really trying to remove everything here.

I guess I also find it refreshing and having a few other projects on the go, allows for total freedom. In the beginning I was mainly making Acid House tracks and experimenting with influence from some old records in my collection. Keeping the 303 in there. Then I was experimenting with acid dubstep to change things up. The recent album really just throws genres out the window and is just a collection of stuff I started working on as experiments then developed into tracks – it was actually really good getting featured artists involved too.

Where are you?

Outside the everyday person’s periphery. But closer than you think. Both Southern and Northern. The UK is my home and I spend my time between Manchester and London. Both providing their own musical inspiration and breadth of artists to collaborate with.

And what are you?

The product of an genuine desire to remove identity and ego from music. The sound without the sender. I am nothing and everything. An experimental being in the sonic sphere.

What does your music sound like?

Did you hear about when Skrillex and Fred Again picked up Four Tet in that little boat?

Well imagine the boat’s bigger — and it can travel through time. They stop to pick up Skream, Mr Fingers, Hot Chip, Arthur Rimbaud, David Lynch and SOPHIE.

Now you’re getting somewhere close to the new album.

But whilst it draws from these influences, it is definitely uniquely me. Some of it is glitchy, rugged and raw. But the production is on point. Plus there’s some moments of peace and beauty there. Some of it is straight up tech and acid house I would say. I reckon some would fit on a dancefloor. Then there’s the heavier and glitchier stuff. I call some of it acid-step. Then there’s the spoken work over neo trap beats which is a contrasting variation to the usual style and lyrics. Who knows if these are real terms but they translate in my head and I’ve always loved making genre names up.

Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us?

For this I focused on the new album – Deliveroo Studio Séances. I tried hard using an app called photo blender but it’s a tough one. Then I got ChatGPT to try. It made a cool representation of what I imagine myself to look like if I was DJing under this name. But I still wasn’t sure as it wouldn’t do exactly what I asked (tut tut). So I made my own additions using photo blender again, adding images of the featured artists. Chat GPT said I “absolutely nailed it”. Teamwork I guess. Below is the result:

How does your brain work when making music?

Like a scene from a film, imagined in a dream. It keeps rewinding itself, trying to remember what it thought before it reentered the waking world.

Sometimes music is instinctive, sometimes obsessive. I wouldn’t say I make tracks — I catch them and trap them in a DAW. Quickly, before they escape.

They’re slippery. Like fish. Not all of them are good.

But if you miss one, you’ll never know what might have been. I try not to miss them. I missed a lot in the past. Sometimes it’s tough as you have it in your head whilst laying, trying to sleep. The only answer is to jump up and record it before it’s lost. It can make for sleepless nights. But since the album I feel I can slow things down.

How does it work when you aren’t?

Depends what you mean by “working.”
It gets loud, then quiet, then full of static. It’s analytical, organised, critical. But always creative. I think it dreams music even when I’m asleep.

What was the first electronic record you heard and how did it make you feel?

Answer:
The Richard D. James Album by Aphex Twin — age 14, in 1997. A few of my friends were put onto it by someone’s older brother. It felt like hearing something from the future. I will never forget the love for that album. I have it on vinyl now. It’s so beautiful.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my flat using CDJs kindly lent by a friend and some effects pedals linked, constantly disturbed by musical ghosts and quick moving track ideas. Surrounded by the detritus of debauchery, house plants, hardware and cables.

Ideal setting to listen to the mix?

In the back of a van on the way to a free party or at an afterparty at sunrise, on a sofa that isn’t yours.

What should we be wearing?

Something designed by Roman Ermakov. I would love to see a club full of people dancing in the “Live Sculptures” costume pictured below. You should check out his Instagram. Very cool!

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

An observatory. Maybe Kielder, near my family home. The preferred soundsystem would have to be a Funktion One or something bespoke. I would use Pioneer CDJs as they just give more freedom and the mixer – I guess I know where I’m at with a trusty Pioneer.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I have a real soft spot for my track off the album, This Grrrl. It was co-produced with an artist called Siréne who also did the vocals. I think it has legs as a potential single for the future. If financial constraints allow it would be great to do a vinyl release. But it would be my first, and I’m not sure I’m ready for that jump yet. But I’m just listening back before sending and there’s so many good tracks on there!

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Jamie xx’s first Essential Mix. It landed at a time when I was experimenting with genres myself — and going through tough times. So it always cheered me up. It made me feel good musically too. Like the rules of what I perceived as a mix could be broken, even in the big leagues, and that stayed with me.

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

Weatherall — just to watch him work, and to show him what I’ve produced or David Lynch with a sampler.

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

Numark belt drives with a Vestax mixer for £150 second hand. I did upgrade to Technics which went missing somehow. Never able to get on the CDJ ladder I taught myself in the club, over years of DJing every weekend. Now I don’t have anything. I just produce at home. But as soon as I get behind a pair of CDJ’s it’s like riding a bike.

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

The final track is the one that people hum for days after.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First: Kit Builders – Wake Up (Bolz Bolz Electro World Remix)

Last: Da Da DaDa – D.R.U.N.K.

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

An indulgent smoked salted caramel brownie. You know you shouldn’t eat it all, but you just can’t help it. You may feel a bit sick afterwards. But it’s worth it.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A jellyfish in space.

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

An old compilation with The Magic Roundabout theme on it. I once tried to mix it into an experimental set. People said it was like watching Hunter S. Thompson trying to DJ.

Am I going to my dream job?

Depends what you call a job.This has been my life for a while — but no, I never dreamt of becoming a glorified slave in late-stage capitalism.

Am I being compensated fairly for the value I bring to my job?

Spiritually? Yes. Financially? I can only laugh. But it’s not about the money — it’s about living in the moment.
As for “real” work — it’s tough out there right now, so I’ll leave it at that.

Do I feel energised, rested, and confident?

I feel like I’ve achieved something I never could with previous ventures. An album. Recognition. A bit of peace.That’s enough for now.

You just had a fight with the person you are closest to. Do you not speak to them until they apologise…or do you apologise first?

I’d write an apology but forget to send it. Then to my surprise, they unexpectedly send one to me. I reply like nothing happened. Life goes on.

If you were trapped on a desert island with one other person, who would you choose?

The love of my life. We get on so well, and we make a great team. Plus they will probably be reading this interview!

How long before you eat them?

I’d forage for food and learn the ways of the land. I don’t think it would come to that as I’m pretty resourceful. I don’t think I could eat another person. Plus I don’t want to dig myself into a hole here. So also see above….

Your doctor says you need more exercise….what do you take up for exercise?

Night skating with headphones on full volume or interpretive dancing in the aisles of my local Aldi.

If you could travel in time…where in time would you go?

1997

Why?

Well, that would have been when I bought my first electronic album. So I’d go back and whisper a few things to my younger self.

Upcoming in the world of |-…-.|?

Hopefully the whisper becomes a wave. The album is still available to buy on Bandcamp so if you haven’t yet go pick it up. It’s “pay as you feel” so no excuses.

Then. More music. Or further collaborations with the artists from the album. Or anyone looking for a bit of experimental fun hit me up on Instagram (@__._._._I’m). I’d love to be able to get out and DJ in disguise or work on a live show one day. But it’s still early days.

For now — I’m letting the record breathe, because I need to.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Don’t be fooled by trends and fads. They aren’t what stand the test of time. Judge music, where possible, on its merit. I prefer the audience not to know who made the music. Not to see the artist. Not to have expectations. In fact, I don’t aim to impress the audience at all. I simply aim to do my best, demonstrating new sonic adventures, encompassing what I have learnt in this precious life. Sharing my music, and the unheard voices for those who want to hear. Keep your eyes open and be patient, there will be more to come…if it’s not your bag. You don’t have to listen.

Oh – there’s also a new single (so much for breathing) called “Is This Chicago” from the mix I’ve just put up on Bandcamp. Plus the albums up there available for any price.

Tracklist 

Intro – Too Much Personality In Music
1. |-…-.| – Cherry Red (feat. Ad-Liv)
2. |-…-.| – This Grrrl (ferat Siréne)
3. |-…-.| – Vivid Violet
4. Siréne – Selenite
5. Granary 12 – MancMania
6. Riton – Fake ID (feat. Kah-Lo)
7. |-…-.| – Oooh! Ah! Eeeh! Ah! (feat. neel-at)
8. Soniku – Sweat (SOPHIE Remix)
9. Dan English – Pop Juice
10. |-…-.| – Acid Red (Melodic Refix)
11. Princess Superstar – Goddess (|-…-.| Remix)
12. |-…-.| – Strobe White
13. Todd Edwards – Wishing I Were Home
14. |-…-.| – Rose Gold (Acid Garage Mix)
15.Champion, Four Tet, Skrillex & Naisha – Talk2Me
16. Juke – Chicago (DJ Slugo Remix)
17. |-…-.| – Is This Chicago?
18. |-…-.| – Purple Sapphire (UK 303 Acid Step Mix)
19. FKA Twiggs – Eusexual (Part 1)
20. SOPHIE – Rawwwww (feat. Jozzy)
21. |-…-.| – Petty Passions (feat. Ad-Liv)
22. |-…-.| – Make a Man Dance (feat. Skittles)
23. |-…-.| – The Magic Harp
24. See Thru Hands – The Waves
25. Hot Chip – Ready For The Floor
26. |-…-.| – Missing My Madonna (feat. Ad-Liv)

Follow |-…-.|

Listen and maybe even buy Deliveroo Studio Seances here  currently Pay What You Feel on Bandcamp!