James Welsh: The Ransom Note Mix
We're very happy to welcome James Welsh to the Ransom Note Mix series. Following releases for the likes of Hypercolour, Futureboogie and Wolf Music, Welsh has found a very good home on Phantasy, where he's put out music both under his own name and his Kamera alias. With his amazing new 12" Thread/North out now, we had a great excuse to coax a mix out of him. Welsh's Ransom Note mix features tracks from the likes of Mr Fingers, Shlomo and DJ Bone, and you already know it's gonna be a cracker so get stuck in below!
Tracklist:
Mr Fingers – Qwazars
Mr Fingers – Nod Ya Head
Tob Jona – Adiabatic
Darko Esser – Juilce
Caldera – Switch
R-A-G – Dreadfully Nervous (Aryds Acid Mix)
Ocke W – Dakong
Shlomo – The Quest
Dark Circles – Cans
Claro Intelecto – Hurt
DJ Bone – Black Patterns (Len Fake Headspce Mix)
O’Flynn – Plutos Beating Heart
Please introduce yourself…
I'm James Welsh, I'm a producer, engineer, DJ and broadcaster. I currently live in the middle of nowhere, North Yorkshire.
What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us?
My friend recently asked me to draw him a toad dressed as Abraham Lincoln so let's say it sounds like that…
Where was the mix recorded?
At my home in glorious Yorkshire.
What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?
I tried to do a mix that wasn’t too hard, so hopefully you can listen to it in any normal situation.
What should we be wearing?
A contented expression.
What would be your dream setting to record a mix?
I really like recording mixes at home after a few drinks with vinyl. The turntables aren't in the studio so I just plug a portable recorder into the mixer.
Which track in the mix is your current favourite?
Well I liked the Larry Heard tracks so much when I pulled them out that I played them both right after each other.
What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?
Not sure, probably something I had when I was really young like Billy Nasty – Journeys By DJ.
If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?
Maybe Tony Blackburn. He pioneered time checks “the time is 9:50” and I think that could be really helpful.
What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?
Numark turntables and a Stanton SK2F. Now it's two 1210 mk2s and an Allen & Heath Xone 92.
What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?
When I'm playing out I always stress more about the first track than the last.
What were the first and last records you bought?
First track was Shaggy ‘Oh Carolina’. Last was Ryan James Ford ‘Discipline’.
If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?
Co-op ‘Truly Irresistible’ Sea Salt & Chardonnay wine vinegar crisps.
If it was an animal what would it be?
A kestrel.
One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?
Bernard Parmegiani – 'Ponomatopees'.
Upcoming in the world of…
Finalising my next release for Phantasy which will be out this year.
Anything else we need to discuss?
Nearly 2 months ago some racing pigeons showed up in my garden and have been here since. I caught one when it came into our conservatory, called the number stamped on its wing and the guy said if I gave them dried peas they’d go home to Liverpool…?
Thread/North is out now on Phantasy. Buy it here.
