Airhead: The Ransom Note Mix
One of the UK’s most understated and innovative producers returns with new music on Hemlock and a new mixtape which demonstrates his deep understanding of ambience.
Airhead retains a relatively low profile, to an extent this seems to be out of choice. Emerging in 2010 his sound was deep and introspective, paired alongside counterparts from the UK bass scene such as Pariah, James Blake, Joy O, Peverelist, Shackleton and others.
Some of his music worked well in the newer school of clubs, for those keen to challenge preconceptions and conventional constraints of dance music. However, a lot of what he has released over the years is also a perfect accompaniment to a late night walk home or a view from the bus window. It’s always atmospheric and tinged with a sense of poignant nostalgia.
Earlier this year he returned to Hemlock Recordings, the imprint run by Untold. He released an extended collection of music which dances and weaves between broken beats, delicate melodies and synth laden experiments. It’s arguably his most accomplished to date and having been released digitally will be followed up by a vinyl version in the new year.
This mixtape showcases his versatile approach to selection, spanning an array of styles and sounds.
Listen below:
Please introduce yourself…
Hi I’m Airhead, I’m a producer and DJ from London
What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?
Where was the mix recorded?
At home on a clear Autumnal day in South London
What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?
A boxing gym
What should we be wearing?
Gloves and wraps
Which track in the mix is your current favourite?
I love them all the same but there’s something new from me hidden in there which holds a special place in my heart at the moment
What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?
Grooverider – live at Metalheadz Sunday sessions
If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?
dBridge he’s very versatile and forward thinking, still can’t get over his fabriclive mix with Instra:mental
What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?
1210s and a behringer mixer, same decks now but ended up with a xone 22 mixer somewhere along the way
What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?
In a recorded mix probably the first one but in a club I guess the one you end on
What were the first and last records you bought?
First would’ve been one of the early Tempa releases, most recent the new ML Buch
If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?
Maybe some special mushrooms, after the high things starts to mellow out into a nice soft landing
If it was an animal what would it be?
A restless one
Upcoming in the world of…
More of everything
Anything else we need to discuss?
My new record ‘Lightness’ is out now on Hemlock.
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