Martin Glass: The ‘Monday Is Okay’ Mix

Anyway, when the mysterious Martin hit us up saying that he had a brand new project on the way at the tail end of last year we thought it might be the perfect opportunity to lock him down and ask if he’s like to record a mixtape. After a lot of back and forth, many phone calls, a lot of hold music and some grumpy receptionists he eventually agreed.

The result is this wonderful dreamscape, just under an hour of magical weaving ambience, downtempo and a nod to ‘Love On A Real Train’ all thrown in for good measure. It’s a bit special…

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

I am Martin Glass. I am at the Esalen Institute, California on Mondays and Tuesdays, then Forest Gate, East London for the rest of the week. Hybrid worker ordinaire.

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)?

Drifting off reading a business book on a sun lounger with early Seefeel on your Discman. I can only draw powerpoint slides, so no you can’t have an image.

Where was the mix recorded?

With my pal Rich Greenan (Kit Records, NTS) in his patented music cave, New Cross.

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

Tuesday morning new business meeting on microsoft teams – a browser window you forgot was still open. A blurting burst of you.

What should we be wearing?

A regretfully overpriced hoodie.

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

I’d like to do a live radioplay type thing with brilliant actors + actresses. I haven’t really thought this through, but that would excite me…

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I like using non-musical elements a lot – so little snippets of snatched audio from various places. I use a fair bit of recordings of 60s and 70s seances here for example – I think the posh term is ‘voice phenomena’? In terms of tunes, The Emeralds track always hits me in the solar plexus. There’s a bravery to it in a way. It flirts with subculture, of course, but is perfectly willing to come and please you. I respect that.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I remember being obsessed with the Mixed Up In The Hague mixes back in the day…The mix that launched a thousand failed arpeggios. I used to listen to that on Croydon Tramlink and feel like I was in St Tropez.

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

Somebody so utterly hopeless that they wouldn’t embarrass me terribly. I am – fairly evidently – no technician on this stuff. I just like DJs who want to push the format beyond neat and tidy mixing I suppose…

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

Erm…I guess it’s Traktor + Ableton really. That’s the way it’s always been. I can’t pretend to be something I’m not…well, not on the subject of DJing at least…everything else I am perfectly happy to pretend.

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

Ariana has it right. We truly live in the age of Thank You, Next. Start well if you mean to go on.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First record – All Saints debut album on a P&O cross channel ferry.
Last record – Space Afrika Honest Labour.

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

The little shrink-wrapped biscuit they serve alongside your cappuccino on eurostar.

If it was an animal what would it be?

My repertoire is too basic to answer this with any of Martin’s normal verve.

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

I love early Roedelius material, but – even if I could mix with any skill – I guess I would find the wonky tiki taka of its percussion pretty challenging

Upcoming in the world of…

Yes, so Martin Glass has a new record out – “21 Commissions for Business” (KIT). It’s a collection of psychedelic corporate miniatures, customer hold music, and even office soundtrack design. Give it a go. It’s all designed to be irresponsibly addictive.

Anything else we need to discuss?

…here’s the record. Hope this mix is vaguely enjoyable.