Betonkust: The ‘Ransom Note’ Mix

It’s been a fruitful relationship, one that’s also birthed his most recent solo release Concrete Coast, which finds a home on Palmbomen’s World Of Paint imprint.

Described as “electronic goth pop” (yes please), the LP ruminates on themes of “transience, giving up and the infinite sadness of humanity” and sees Swiere taking a different approach to his dance floor-focused productions, weaving his vocals through twinkling synths and shimmering electro pop melodies.

His mix for riffs off some of these influences, coasting through synth-pop, electro, dub and a personal favourite of mine by Gabriel Yared from Betty Blue. Tune in and take a load of this Thursday afternoon…

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

I’m Betonkust, a producer from Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

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)?

pic.twitter.com/6urhvuwR2r

— Betonkust (@betonkust) June 25, 2017

Where was the mix recorded?

The mix was recorded at my best friend Ofra’s place. Joey (her cat) really seemed to enjoy it.

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

During travel, on a bike through rainy Holland or on a plane at night, something like that.

What should we be wearing?

Whatever feels comfortable, I’m not the one to tell you about fashion, really.

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

At Tropicana, the abandoned swimming pool in my hometown. It’s the most beautiful thing ever built. The PA would be something they’d use in the 80s or 90s, and I also want those old Par 64 lights that get very hot, not the LED stuff. A couple of CDJs and a Xone mixer would be nice too.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

‘Untitled’ by The Cure has been my favourite track for a couple of years now.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Definitely I-F, either ‘Mixed up in The Hague’ or that Bootleg DJ Cafe set from 2004.

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

To be honest I’m not really good at back to back, I’m better off alone. I wouldn’t feel comfortable to play back to back with a ‘hero’ of mine.

If I have to, I’d play back to back with Evil Jared from Bloodhound Gang and just have a massive party. Sloppy mixes, great tracks, all genres.

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

I used to have one of those 19″ rack double cd player units from SkyTronic. If you can make tight mix on that thing, I salute you. I never could. Later I bought CDJ-1000 players and burned a lot of CDs. Right now I don’t have a DJ setup at all.

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

The last track is the one people will remember, the first one kind of depends on what the situation before your set is.

What were the first and last records you bought?

The first one was a compilation of Dutch 80s pop (Doe Maar, Toontje Lager, Kadanz, Het Goede Doel). The last record I bought was a Nirvana album but it was a present.

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

Fries with peanut sauce and a blue Slush Puppie on the side.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A black cat that doesn’t like humans.

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

Anything with real drums really, I’m not that good of a DJ. Wire – The 15th?

Upcoming in the world of …

There’s still a music video coming out for this record, or maybe it’s already out when you put this online.
I’m also working on a new record for the dancefloor, and I’ll probably meet up with Innershades for our third collab EP.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Go see ‘Ambient Trip Commander’ by Legowelt.