JUODUOMENĖ: The ‘Wednesday Alternative’ Mix

In-between various radio broadcasts, and their own individual ventures online and elsewhere, the trio have brought over a bucketload of esoteric selectors to join them in the booth; namely Interstellar Funk, Mozhgan, Wolf Müller, Elena Colombi and so many more.

Now, seeing this trio live in action is something we wholly recommend, but in the meantime they’ve delivered an hour of hypnotic, driving electronics, best enjoyed (so we’ve been told) whilst wearing pagan pants and a white rolled up shirt. Get stuck in and you’ll soon see for yourself that their musical tastes are just as good as Clicklounge and Tadas’ moustaches…

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

We are Juodomenė – a collective of artists who are purveyors of Vilnius nightlife culture and electronic music. At this point in time and life we do different things – Titas is working at his studio in the old town of Vilnius, Paulius just came back from the snowy Alps of Italy and Tadas is sending his greetings from Lisbon, Portugal. Our forces are usually joined by Opium Club, where the collective itself kicked off. We have been raving here for eight seasons straight. To put it short, we are both very good friends and respectable partners in crime.

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)? 

Our music sound like Troubledours.

Where was the mix recorded?

Mix was rėcorded in the aforementioned Titas’ studio which is located in Medūza Gallery in Vilnius.

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

It is best to hear us perform live, right at the heart of Vilnius, city is celebrating it’s 700 year this year. The energy and support of locals is something else. However, this particular mix was recorded for everyone, not just the nightlife crowd. Feel free to listen to it in whatever rocks your boat.

What should we be wearing?

Casual black pagan pants and a white rolled up shirt.

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

Pepino covered with horseradish.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A lion wearing leather jacket.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

We never have a favourite track, its more about to have favourite parts in tracks or mixes, so for this one we dig the intro – Its a combination of three separate tracks which have this Texas Desert psychedelic and trancy feel combined together, from 09:27 there is this groovy mechanical synth that sounds like a warped transmission, 17:53 bongo time, 28:04 has an aura of 90s rave in the morning, 45:15 some serial killers playing with cops snd the list would go on…

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

Since all three of us come from different backgrounds and have varied roots it would be quite difficult to put into one particular format. Best things happen at random. Or not. Maybe the best setting would be the one where there are none of us.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First: Girls On Fire – I Think About Jackson Pollock, Side 1
Last: Underworld – Spoonman

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Titas: It’s SMALA RADIO 008 by Manfredas and 12 Inču Po Žeme (Simas Slabačiauskas and Marijus Klimaitis)

Paulius: Young Marco RA571 Mix

Tadas: Olta Karawane Easter Gut Mix for Sameheads

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

Every single record is doable, it’s just a matter of creativity & taste of tequila

Upcoming in the world of Juoduomenė

We’re about to have a couple of last hell of a parties this season. Annual Sameheads & Juoduomenė crew gathering at Opium club on March 17th. Afterwards, we welcome two extraordinary female selectors – Claudia from Ankali Prague & Ana Pacheco all the way from Portugal music scene. This is happening early May.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Keep supporting Ukraine.

Photos of Juoduomenė captured at Ant Bangos Festival 2022 by Tautvydas Stukas