Barnt: The Ransom Note Mix

5 Minute Read

Music

Written by Alasdair King

A no holds barred extravaganza from one of electronic music’s most innovative characters.

Barnt is a producer and a DJ who is hard to place – one minute he’s making avant garde, experimental sounds on his co founded label Magazine, the next he’s making peak time trance on Kompakt. Perhaps this is what makes him so exciting, you never quite know what you are going to get.

Earlier this year Kompakt announced the release of a superb EP which had already been heard doing the rounds in the clubs, a big room trance inspired club track which had been destroying dancefloors all over. Of course it was Barnt.

The release was his first new material for several years, the pandemic has offered Barnt the time to reflect on his own direction and from the sounds of it left him longing for the nostalgia and big room sounds he grew up on in the 90’s.

The EP comes off the back of recent releases on the likes of Mule Musiq, Comeme, Hinge Finger and Holgen. However, it made perfect sense that his latest should feature on none other than the German powerhouse that is Kompakt.

We were delighted when Barnt agreed to record this mix for us, as one of our own personal favourites we can’t help but think that he’s done a wicked job.

Who are you, where are you and what are you?

My name is Barnt and I am a DJ and producer in Cologne, Germany.

Where was the mix recorded?

In my studio in Cologne. Half of the mix consists of tracks by friends, five or so of them being unreleased at the moment. It seemed to me like something connects them, maybe it’s because they are emotional and have a positive undertone at the same time. I based the mix around them.

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

It would make me happy if you would play the mix to your friends at home on a good sound system. Before or after going out.

What should we be wearing?

Something that makes you feel good and beautiful.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

LoSoul – You Know Feat. Malte. It’s the only old track in the mix, but I fell in love with it again. It’s from 2004 and I still remember hearing it for the first time that year.

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

Two situations, not easily comparable. Luckily the Ransom Note Mix starts and ends with the same track.

What were the first and last records you bought?

Reyes – K.N.O.R. 009
Superpitcher – Lush Life

Upcoming in the world of…

I have some things finished. They’ll come out soon!