Azemad: The ‘Wednesday Alternative’ Mix

Music

Azemad is part of the wave of Egyptian producers merging traditional Arabic sounds with forward-thinking breaks, bass and IDM.

Alongside producers like Hassan Abou Alam, Kareem Lofty, Postdrone and Molotof, he’s finding ways to pay homage to the sounds of his motherland whilst pushing experimenting with future-facing club sounds.

Based in Berlin, Azemad splits his time between his work as an automation engineer and producing his own music. The last two years have spawned two EPs, a debut for Milan’s Kaleido Muzik and his most recent six-tracker, Afriki, for Awkwardly Social which demonstrated his knack for creating emotive, melodic arrangements.

His mix for us on this fine hump day provides a snapshot of these sounds. He journeys through otherworldly ambient and lush IDM to tribal rhythms and crisp breaks, all laced with Arabic melodies and sounds, whilst platforming some of his Egyptian electronic music contemporaries.

Ransom Note · Azemad: The ‘Wednesday Alternative’ Mix

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

I’m an Egyptian Berlin-based producer. My music production journey started in Berlin since I moved here almost eight years ago. I have a full time job as an automation engineer as this is what I have studied. I started learning music production while doing my bachelor studies and now I’m juggling music and being an engineer.

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)?

Sounds like electronic music with a fusion of Arabic sounds and breaks.

Where was the mix recorded?

At home.

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

The set is very diverse so I cannot picture it in a specific setting. Just maybe somewhere alone without a lot of distractions and some really good speakers to enjoy the elements that the tracks have to offer.

What should we be wearing?

Anything down to earth that you feel comfortable wearing?

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

It would taste like Arabic fusion food.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A dog.

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

Well after watching Giant Swan playing live in Kraftwerk in Berlin. I somehow felt that I would love to play live in such a setting.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I feel Kareem Lotfy’s track ‘Molten Tactics’ or Postdrone ‘Mahragan El Arp’

Ransom Note · PREMIERE: Postdrone – Mahragan El Arp [RAKETE]

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I don’t really listen to any mixes in particular but if i do then I enjoy watching Dataline and also Djrum – I love how they both perform. But I’ve never had a specific one in mind that I feel is the most special to me.

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

To be honest I am always fascinated by Djrum and how he plays so smoothly, so going back to back with him would be a special thing for me.

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

It was a small Hercules controller and a pair of 3 inch M-audio speakers. Now I have a pair of Reloop RP-6000 vinyl players and an Allen and Heath Xone 23 mixer and a pair of KRK RP6 for Djing.

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

I would say the one I start with is a bit more important as it plays the biggest role in grabbing the listeners attention. But also the last track is the one which finalises the mix or gives an end to the story.

What were the first and last records you bought?

Well the first record (vinyl) I bought was Shed – The Traveller. But I guess the first digital track I bought was Josh Wink’s ‘Are you There’. The Last record I bought was Cignol – Misaligned Logic

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

It is a digital only EP from Zuli called Habibi Loops Vol.1.

Upcoming in the world of …

Not sure to be honest.

Anything else we need to discuss?

I guess not 🙂

Photo credit: Alana Naumann