Aletha: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

Music

Manchester-based DJ Aletha‘s tastes stretch far and wide.

She’s just as comfortable meandering through blissed-out ambient and jazz, in its many forms, as she is shelling out electro, acid, jungle and breaks in a dark room. This versatility is exactly why she’s had such a meteoric rise in the last few years.

As well as playing at a lengthy list of venues and festivals across Europe, when at home you can find her channeling her wealth of musical finds through her monthly radio shows on Sable and Melodic Distraction.

2021 has seen her rise even further up the ranks. On top of sets at We Out Here, Lobster Fest and Dimensions, she became one of this season’s residents at The Warehouse Project, alongside the likes of Jaguar, India Jordan and Gina Breeze.

She steps up to the plate for this week’s mix which is another testament to her ability to effortlessly blend different flavours and styles, from broken beat and UK bass to acid and vintage house.

Ransom Note · Aletha: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

I’m Aletha, a DJ from Manchester.

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?

In my apartment in Manchester.

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

In bed or on a couch laying down with lots of blankets.

What should we be wearing?

Pyjamas (I live in them so I feel it’s only right).

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

Cosmic Slop sound system in Leeds because it sounds amazing and the room feels like home.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

EDMX – Euler.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Kyle Hall’s trax magazine mix, it’s my go to summer mix to listen to when it’s a sunny day and I’m in a good mood.

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

Jayda G, as she was a big inspiration for me to start DJing in the first place.

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

First it was 2 technics and Urei 1603 and a pair of Aiwa hifi speakers

Now it’s 2 technics, 2 cdj xdj 700s and a xone 43c (the Urei 1603 needs some serious servicing/fixing) and Aiwa hifi speakers.

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

The track you end I think is always more memorable as it’s the last thing you hear and take away from a mix.

What were the first and last records you bought?

The first was Apoll and Kriece – Australian Alpes.

The last was DJ Stingray 313 – molecular level solutions.

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

A small fairy cake.

If it was an animal what would it be?

Do sea creatures count? I’d say an octopus as they are quite strange and otherworldly and the mix reminds me of space towards the end of it.

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

So many as I have loads of jazz records, but probably Binker and Moses – Escape the Flames as there’s lots of experimental stuff on there.

Upcoming in the world of…

Playing at NTs loft on the 27th November. On the 4th of December at hidden for bubbly social with Darwin, Djrum and Angel D’lite. 10th December with Job Jobse at The White Hotel.