This Soft Machine – The Ransom Note Mix

Any of us here at R$N Towers would head off on a DJ tour of Asia at the drop of a hat and we're all very jealous that This Soft Machine has been off having a lovely time. He had such a fun time, in fact, that he's documented his trip in photos for us AND put together a mix that'll keep you from getting too jealous of his adventures. What a lovely man.

Go on then, get your head deep into the world of This Soft Machine;

Hi, This Soft Machine, what can you tell us about yourself and what you do?

Hey! This Soft Machine is band project produced by Tim Sullivan. Everything you hear was recorded in a studio. From the hand claps to the drums to the synths, bass & vocal. Everything! I released my debut EP via Eskimo Recordings 3 months ago and I’m currently finishing off the second EP which is due for release in October. I also DJ around the place and will be taking This Soft Machine on the road as 4 piece live band in 2016.

Where can we find you on a typical Friday night (OKCupid profile question, right there)?

Usually at home. Cooking dinner and drinking some wine.

What is your favourite mode of transport?

Train.

When was the last time you cursed your public transport provider?

When I was coming home from the airport earlier in the week. 18hrs of travel made my patience thinner than usual.

Do you like to listen to your own music in private?

The only time I listen to my music after I’ve finished the song is when I’m watching the videos made for the songs. It seems to be a good way create a new life for the songs that almost drove me insane.

Is there any artist that you could say your music was better than?

Nope. Music, like any art is a subjective medium and very personal. I’ve always thought that. It’s better to like music regardless of genre than not at all.

What kind of film would your music soundtrack?

A Hollywood romantic comedy. 

When did you start producing?

I started playing in bands when I was around 14 years old.

We’re at a bar, and I’m paying, what can I get you?

A decent Whiskey on the rocks, Thank you.

Were there any transitions in this mix you were particularly proud of?

In and out of the Dimitri From Paris remix of Diana Ross – The Boss.

What are your favourite tracks in this mix?

I think Diana Ross – The Boss is one of my favourite songs of all time.. So I can’t pass on that one.
The Marvin Gaye edit by Pional & "DJ Shanté – Turn Around" & "Thick As Thieves – It's Musicc" are pretty special records too.

Have you ever played a set to an empty room?

Yep. Who hasn’t? 

What’s in your fridge?

I actually just got back from a trip to the supermarket. So it’s full of fresh fruit & vegetables and some white wine.

What speakers do you use in your home?

Genelec M040.

What artists do you think we should be keeping an eye out for at the moment?

Currently I’ve been enjoying Jaakko Eino Kalevi, Jack J, Tobias Jesso Jr. & Pale Blue.

Do you have any dream collaborators?

Any member of Yellow Magic Orchestra.

So you went to Japan, eh?

Yep yep and Korea and Singapore. Lucky enough to do a lil Asia DJ tour to celebrate my debut EP.

Were Japanese crowds receptive to your music?

For sure. It’s about the music. They do seem to less conscious of others around them and there was no photographers “capturing the moment”. 

I heard that clubs in Japan have to get special dancing licenses for you to be able to groove, otherwise you just sit down to listen to the music. Was this what you experienced?

The only sitting down I saw was when someone had drank too much and was enjoying a “disco nap”.

What was the best Japanese delicacy you ate while in the country?

Anything on the menu at Kaikaya in Shibuya. I’m not sure if that’s a delicacy but I had some Raw Chicken Sashimi that was delicious.

What things in Japan do you wish they had here?

Japanese people are extremely polite. That’s always a nice trait to have.

Have you seen Death Note, the film? That’s also the name of the goth version of our website.

No, I haven’t. I just watched the trailer on youtube. Looks like something I’ll have to watch!

Onto the mix…

Where was the mix recorded?

At home. Contains mostly tracks I’ve been playing recently.

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

Anywhere with friends.

What should we be wearing?

Something comfortable. 

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

Island beach, friends, caipirinhas, speakers in the trees and down the beach, Urei/Dope Real & crates of my favourite records (Which magically made their own way to the island without me carrying them).

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Jacques Lu Cont – Fabriclive 09. I was 18 & working at Tower Records (London) in the Punk & Metal section when this was released and it changed my idea of what dance music could be.

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

Mudd Club in New York between 1979 & 1981 with Justin Strauss. Listening to his recent mix he did for Test Pressing based on music he played back then really spoke to me. Not to mention it was the first time people were hearing records by The Slits & Gary Numan for the first time. Must of been a mind bending and a really exciting time for music.

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

First set up: 2 x Technics SL-1200 & Behringer 2 Channel mixer. Now a Pioneer CDJ1000 has been added.

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

I’d say the first. It usually determines the last.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First… The Smiths – Strangeways, Here we Come
Last… Suzanne Kraft – Talk From Home

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

Parisian Poulet Rôti.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A Lynx.

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

I doubt I would try to “mix" it but anything from Black Flag would be interesting.

Upcoming in the world of This Soft Machine?

Second EP out in October. DJ gigs around EU/USA/ASIA till early 2016 then 4 piece live band shows around mid 2016.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Politics? Global warming?

Here's a guide to This Soft Machine's trip to Japan in pictures:

1. When you get to experience the places you get to travel to while doing music it makes it more worthwhile. These women were taking part in “Matsuri" in their local park.

2. Catching the Shinkansen in Japan will never get old. This train was bound to Tokyo from Osaka.

3. These guys were the ticket inspectors on the Shinkansen. Smiley chaps!

4. Arrived at the Shin-Osaka station to see 100’s of school kids dressed like lil sailors coming back from their school vacation. I took this photo in the middle of all the mother’s waiting for their children. 

5. The sewage caps in Japan are really beautiful. There are 1,000’s of different designs all over the country. This one was taken in Osaka.

6. Morning light in the hotel room in Osaka.

7. Tokyo Party.

8. A local delivery service in Okinawa.

9. If you are visiting Okinawa at anytime you need to try Blue Seal ice cream. The salted cookie flavour is super.

10. View from the hotel in Okinawa.

11. The island of Okinawa was 90% flattened during WW2. When the Japanese surrendered the Americans had a huge influence on the Island. The painting is an example of the influence of American culture on the Japanese music scene.

12. Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku, Tokyo. It’s a completely ridiculous place to visit but having said that it’s something you have to see/experience. 

13. Airport in Kuala Lumpur. In transit from Singapore to Tokyo. Unfortunately, I was only in Singapore for 13hrs and forgot to take my camera out with me to the party.

14. Flight from Tokyo to Okinawa.

15. My new Vans in Seoul hotel.

16. The lovely guys from DISCOEXPERIENCE in Seoul. They put on a really great party till the sun came up!

17. DJ Grid played a super set in Seoul.

18. Korean food & beers before the party.

19. My Shogun Eyes jacket in Seoul hotel.

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Fine out more about This Soft Machine here.

Track listing

1. Pional – T.A.M.B
2. Marvin & Guy – Dancenergy
3. DJ Shanté – Turn Around
4. Todd Terje – Alfonso Muskedunder (Deetron Remix)
5. Victor Romeo feat. Leetrece Brown – Love Will Find A Way (Club Mix)
6. Chocki Hookon – In The Street (Jacques Renault Piano Mix)
7. The Working Elite – Freedom (Tuff City Kids Acid Over Remix)
8. Diana Ross – The Boss (Dimitri From Paris Remix)
9. Thick As Thieves – It’s Musicc
10. Pale Blue – The Math
11. Serge Santiago – Black Jack (Alternative Mix)
12. Red Axes – Pil Sagol
13. Max D – High Life (Willie Burns Remix)
14. No Pain – It’s Gonna Be Alright (No More Pain Mix)
15. Jacques Renault – Talk System
16. Sabre – Ghetto Prophet
17. Tornado Wallace – Ferntree Gully
18. King So So – King So So In The Sky