Shanti Celeste: The ‘Ransom Note’ Mix

Unsurprisingly the motive of purely having fun remains central to these sporadic soirees, and is a sentiment that extends to her productions too. Her productions are full of energy and joy, just like the output of those who’ve made a home on Peach Discs, the imprint she runs alongside fellow Housework co-founder Gramrcy.

Since launching the pair have put out releases from the likes of Call Super, Ciel, Chekov AKA Lara David and Peach, as well as rallying friends and family for their Peach Pals VAs, and it looks as though there’s plenty more to keep tabs on this year.

Last summer, at We Out Here festival, we were joined deep in the woods on our Ransom Note stage by Shanti, sandwiched between sets from Al Wootton and Batu. In signature fashion she jacked the fun levels up to 10 and treated us to a set we’re not gonna forget in a hurry – lucky for you lovely lot we’re sharing that live recording today… Here’s that Monday energy you’re in need of!

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

My name is Shanti Celeste and I’m a DJ and producer in London. I like to paint sometimes as well.

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)? 

My music sounds fun I guess and energetic. I tend to go for happier sounds rather than anything too emo. I don’t usually write music when I’m feeling too emotional or sad so it never really comes out that way.

I also never write music when I’m angry, I only ever feel like writing when I’m in a good mood or happy – when I feel like there’s nothing eating me up inside if that makes sense. That’s why everything ends up sounding uncomplicated and happy… I think.

Where was the mix recorded?

My mix was recorded at We Out Here festival. I was very nervous because Al Wootton was smashing it and I didn’t expect to be playing on such a big stage but it was really fun. First big festival set since the pandemic so it was a good one.

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

Pre-rave I would say. Either before going to the rave, or maybe the gym, or going for a run. Definitely wouldn’t listen to it when you’re trying to wind down to having dinner, or anything like that. It’s more a pre-party mix or maybe even if you’re having an afters and you wanna continue the party. Anything where you feel like you need some energy and drive basically.

What should we be wearing?

Lycra. Raving outfits or exercising outfits. Or you could be naked if you want to, it’s totally up to you.

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

I think my dream setting is just my room, my studio, because I know exactly what I’m doing, I know exactly how it sounds, I’ve got all my records around me. If I need something quickly I can just grab it. Just because recording a mix can be quite tedious, I’d just want to be somewhere really comfortable.

I guess it depends though because if it was a set that was being recorded, my answer would be different, but if I was just recording a mix for someone to publish then it would just be my studio.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I feel like at the time I had two, I mean they are still some of my favourites but it’s getting to the point where I might have rinsed both too much by now hehe. They are Vitess – Continental and Nathan Melja & Flørist – Wonderland (Flørist Version)

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Ok so I wouldn’t say I have one favourite mix, just like I wouldn’t say I have one favourite of anything really but at the moment I would say one of my favourites is Saoirse’s Essential Mix, it’s fucking amazing – it’s so good. I also really like Doc Jay’s mixes. It does depend on the mood. There’s a newish Doc Jay mix, he does a series called Audio In, and it’s the Summer Edition.

I also really liked Moxie’s end of year round up on NTS, the first ones my favourite, though I loved both… And Peach’s Essential Mix too… Basically all my friends haha

Some slightly older ones are also Lukid’s Blowing Up The Workshop… this mix is so beautiful and has had MANY plays in my home and other places I’ve been. Plus Duster Valentine’s TTT Street Soul mixtape.

And a couple of even older ones I love are Miss Kittin’s Radio Caroline, not sure how well it has aged but it will always hold a special place in my heart. Andrew Weatherall’s 1996 Essential Mix too.

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

That’s a difficult one. Maybe Andrew Weatherall back in the 90s when he played house music. In the 90s he played the exact music that I first started DJing. All the house records that I was DJing, when I was working at Idle Hands, that’s the kind of shit he played.

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

My first ever DJ set up was my 1210s that I have now and a very tiny Denon mixer that had two channels on it. Now I have the 1210s, a xone 96, one CDJ2000 nexus 2, and one of those little toy ones, the XDJ 700. I’m going to get rid of it soon and get another Nexus. It feels like it could float if you throw it in the air!

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

Both. The track you start on is super important because that can completely throw you if you don’t know what you’re starting with. If you go into a set and you don’t know what to start with or you don’t at least have an option… I have a folder of openers that I know work, because it’s just the worst thing if you’re nervous and scrambling around for options. It really sets the tone for the rest of the set.

I do also think the last track is very important though, it’s just nice to have that moment isn’t it? a moment people will remember! So yeah they’re both important for different reasons.

What were the first and last records you bought?

The first record I ever bought was… One was Claude Vonstroke – Who’s Afraid Of Detroit and also Sun Can’t Compare by Larry Heard. It’s so funny that I bought a Larry Heard record at the same time as that because it’s kind of different, well actually that Larry tune is still quite minimal I guess, that was the vibe at the time.

The last record I bought was Wavescape – Silicon Jazz EP. It’s great. There’s one track on there that’s a super energetic vibey tool and I love it.

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

Popping candy.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A Kangaroo.

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

Rian Treanor – Good News. It’s not impossible to mix but I find it hard to mix.

Upcoming in the world of Shanti Celeste…

We’ve got loads of exciting releases coming up on Peach Discs. The first is by a Chilean friend called buen clima. We also have a Parris 12” coming out and then we’ve got loads more exciting music in the pipeline.

I’m also working on some shit, getting in the studio…