Tom Sharkett – The ‘Altered Currents’ Mix

Now based back in Todmorden, Tom has carved out his own niche releasing on Optimo Music and System Olympia’s Okay Nature label… and it’s a bloody brilliant niche!  His production approach remains coloured by those early days of bedroom experimentation with friends, citing the peerless Andrew Weatherall’s fearlessly exploratory spirit as a key inspiration. It’s interesting how he keeps coming around and around again, doesn’t it? “His approach reminds me of the excited feeling I had trying to record things in my bedroom with my friends with anything we had at our disposal and just experimenting with the weird and wonderful results,”

When it comes to disc jockeying, Tom brings that same experimental energy. This mix was recorded in his panoramic valley-view studio in Todmorden, captures that ethos perfectly, opening with Spacemen 3 before wandering through territory that spans from Tirzah-esque experimentalism to classic New Beat.

Between touring with Julie Byrne, collaborating with Raf Rundell – more on that to come soon pop pickers – and working on a new solo record featuring multiple vocalists, Tom’s not a ‘sit still’ kind of guy.

Just how we like it.

Get it on, let’s go… read more below.

Who are you?

Tom Sharkett

Where are you?

Todmorden – where I’ve recently moved back to with my partner after living in Manchester all my life with a brief stint in Leeds. I recently discovered that everywhere I’ve ever lived fits onto one single page in the AA Road Atlas, which makes me feel very unadventurous.

And what are you?

I’m a producer making music on Optimo Music and System Olympia’s Okay Nature label. I also play in a band called W. H. Lung and with the wonderfully talented NYC artist Julie Byrne.

What does your music sound like? Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us…?

If I had moodboards for making music they’d almost always look like this…

How does your brain work when making music? how does it work when you aren’t?

It’s whirring, overthinking, and second-guessing as the default mode! Making music can either make it worse or is the perfect place for an overactive brain, and I can zone in for hours.

What was the first electronic record you heard, and how did it make you feel?

I remember my dad playing Pet Shop Boys a lot, and ‘Left to My Own Devices’ was the tune that stood out. I liked how he said ‘we’ll do some shopping’ and mostly speak-sings the verse. I had no concept of how you make music like that or where to even begin. T

The first time I heard an electronic record and could picture how it was made and wanted to give it a go myself was Replicas by the Tubeway Army.

Where was the mix recorded?

My home studio in Todmorden – the first mix in the new place!

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

We’ve managed to put a hammock up in our flat and it’s absolutely great, so in a hammock I reckon.

What should we be wearing?

Absolutely whatever you fancy!

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

Probably at home! We’ve got loads of windows so there’s lovely panoramic views of the valley. I would add a fancy rotary mixer in there though and if I could have the combined collections of my friends’ records to browse through as well as my own, that’d be pretty great.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I am obsessed with ‘no good’ by OHYUNG at the moment. It’s equal parts Tirzah and Chris & Cosey and I absolutely love it.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

I do love JD Twitch’s ‘This Was Belgium 1987-89’ mix. It was the first time I’d heard a lot of those songs and I love it when there’s a theme to a mix.

I love Lupini’s Liverpool post-punk specials on NTS for the same reason.

Another one I keep going back to is ‘TempoMix001’ on Tempo Dishi’s Soundcloud. It’s so live and I love it – you can hear them going wild on the pitch fader and it sounds janky as anything but great.

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

Andrew Weatherall hands down! His approach to making music but also just art in general was so authentic. You can hear in his music that it was always exploratory and experimental and always moving forward to find something new. His approach reminds me of the excited feeling I had trying to record things in my bedroom with my friends with anything we had at our disposal and just experimenting with the weird and wonderful results we came out with. The minute I discovered who he was, he very quickly became one of my heroes. I also absolutely love Avalon Emerson, I think she’s great.

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

Two Audio Technica SL1200 copies and a Numark mixer! It’s basically the same now but with some old CDJs that just take CDs, that my friend has kindly given me on an indefinite loan. He’s also leant me his old Pioneer mixer which is pretty great.

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

I don’t necessarily think it’s more important, but I always love choosing a starting track. I feel like it’s the perfect opportunity to do whatever you want and show who you are a little bit. I always like starting with something mostly beat-less (even in a club if I’m brave enough, but definitely if I’m on first) and out of context, which is why I’ve gone for Spacemen 3 in this mix.

What were the first and last records you bought?

I had bought lots of charity shop 7’s when I was younger, but the first 12 I bought that sparked my love with buying dance records was Ragysh by Todd Terje. It’s incredible and way more subtle and timeless than some of his big hitters for me! The last I bought was Eddy Grant’s Time Warp in Alfama flea market in Lisbon.

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

Burrata!

If it was an animal what would it be?

A little black and white cat called Rabbit who lives with my friend.

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

It should be so simple in theory, but for some reason, it’s ‘Important Message’ by DJ City is impossible to mix into on vinyl. The kick is absolutely slamming, and the pads are quite in your face from the off, so it’s very unforgiving if you’re a bit out of time (which I often seem to be!)

Am I going to my dream job?

Of course. 

Am I being compensated fairly for the value I bring to my job?

I’ll make sure of it. 

Do I feel energised, rested, and confident?

Absolutely. 

You just had a fight with the person you are closest to. do you not speak to them until they apologise…or do you apologise first?

I think my least favourite thing in the world is the silent treatment, so I’d always go for talking it out over leaving it to fester! 

If you were trapped on a desert island with one other person, who would you choose? 

My partner.

how long would it be before you eat them?

She can eat me first. 

Your doctor says you need more exercise….what do you take up for exercise?

Swimming! 

If you could travel in time…where in time would you go? Why?

Any time pre-2000 where we could make records for making records sake and lots of weird synthy soundtrack records as side hustle. 

Upcoming in the world of… 

I’ve just joined the Spun Out roster, which I’m very happy about. I’m off on tour in February/March, have an incoming collaboration with Raf Rundell and a solo record in the works with different guest vocalists on each track, in a sort of Mount Kimbie fashion! 

Anything else we need to discuss?

Keep your diaries free for March 28th if you’re in the vicinity of the Golden Lion in Todmorden…

Tom Sharket Soundcloud right here

Tracklisting:

Spacemen 3 – So Hot (Wash Away All of My Tears)
Cosa Rosa – Die Fantasie Reicht Bis Zum Knie
The Cure – Lullaby (Dream State Mix)
Boy Harsher – R.O.V. (New Beat Edit)
Bunzinelli – Call In Blue
Anna B Savage – The Ghost (Tom Sharkett Remix)
Sinéad O’Connor – I Want Your (Hands On Me)
Cabaret Voltaire – Here To Go (Little Dub)
OHYUNG – No Good
Roe Deers – Move To the Beat (Edit)
Francisco & Cosmo – Juno Beat
Charli XCX – Unreleased Justin Strauss Remix
Tom Sharkett + Raf Rundell – Unreleased