Purelink: The Wednesday Alternative Mix

5 Minute Read

Music

Deep, pensive sounds from the Chicago trio making moves.

Purelink have emerged as underdogs of the Ambient and Downtempo scenes – the past couple of years has seen the group release a number of records which showcases a deep sense of understanding and ambition toward a genre which is often misunderstood and misheard.

Tommy Paslaski (aka Concave Reflection), Ben Paulson (aka Kindtree) and Akeem Asani (aka Millia) have been releasing music as Purelink – broadening the narrative around their sound as they weave intricate layers, samples and melodies together to create a new age world of their own making.

Their music is atmospheric and rooted in moments of personal reflection and self awareness. They rework material and samples to create something else entirely and the music itself is as much a soundscape or a backdrop to the world of the listener.

Recent releases have come on Peak Oil, UwU dust bath, Naff and Lillerne Tape Club.

Listen to their mixtape below:

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

We’re Purelink, living in Brooklyn, and we’re vibing.

Where was the mix recorded?

On the computer, while sitting on the couch together

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

Ben: I think it’s a good mood for when you wake up, and are still a bit sleepy. Maybe a bit of weed and tea, zoning out, if that’s your type of thing.

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

Ben: 6 CDJS and the big pioneer mixer. My whole iTunes loaded onto the usb. No one around.

Tommy: Probably 12 CDJs and two big pioneer mixers and bens iTunes library

Akeem: 2 CDJs, 2 Tech 12s, and all the future bangers i haven’t made yet on my USB. Location shared day of event

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Ben: Really loving the blend from the new Ultramarine into the new buttechno

Akeem: and the unreleased remix we did for Seahawks, but I’m biased

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Ben: Perila & Ulla ‘Silence Mix’

Tommy: RA.761 – Forest Management

Akeem: Radio Tank Mix: AG Cook

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

Ben: One of the guys from Massive Attack maybe, because I’m assuming they’d play nothing I’ve heard before.

Tommy: I have no business going back to back with him, but DJ Rashad is one of the best to ever do it and it would have been a pleasure to have the chance to meet him. Otherwise, I’d love to go B2B with Dust-e 1.

Akeem: the DJ playing the Blood Rave in Blade, because it would be neat.

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

Akeem; Started off with a beginner Numark controller, YT to MP3 converter and a dream. Currently have 2 CDJ-900 Nexus, Technics 1200 deck and a Pioneer mixer.

Ben: I’ve never really had a set up. Tommy just got a DDJ-1000 which is cool. Usually just use Akeem’s CDJs.

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

Ben: If it’s an internet mix, the first. If it’s in the club, the last. But every track is important so…

What were the first and last records you bought?

Tommy: First CD I remember buying was Demon Days by the Gorillaz when I was 10. Most recently, it was trip9love…? by Tirzah. I am a Tirzah completionist so I had to buy the record right away.

Ben: First CD I bought was Linkin Park. First Record I bought was probably a Slanted and Enchanted Reissue in high school. I recently sold a bunch of my records in exchange for cash and an original pressing of Vladislav Delay ‘Entain’.

Akeem: First record was probably a Vampire Weekend album, and most recently Castillo by DJ Trystero and MJ/Janet 12”s

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

Tommy: Jacqueline du pre – Elgar cello concerto

Akeem: John Oswald – Plunderphonics 69/96

Upcoming in the world of… Anything else we need to discuss?

Akeem: Hardcore (1979) by Paul Schrader is getting a 4k Restoration, go watch it if you haven’t