Reznik: The Ransom Note Mix

3 Minute Read

Music

Written by Alasdair King

Keinemusik member Reznik delivers an hour of emotive house and breaks showcasing his own intricate approach as a DJ.

Keinemusik are a crew having a bit of a special moment – the Berlin based collective and record label has risen to prominence thanks to a carefully curated string of releases which showcase an innovative, leftfield approach to house and techno music.

Made up of numerous players including the likes of Adam Port, Rampa and &ME the crew has used the Keinemusik platform to release their own material. Most recently they announced the release of a Keinemusik album which will feature guest appearances from the likes of Ry X, Solomun and Little Dragon. The first single featuring Ali Love emerged recently.

Reznik remains one of the driving figures behind the imprint and crew – as a dj he is arguably one of the most consistent and interesting in the collective bringing with him a whirlwind of influences from all genres and styles. This mix is perhaps testament to the versatility of his own style as he blends electro, breaks and downtempo influences into a sprawling, mystical journey through sound.

Octo Octa – Spell For Nature
Moomin – For Willow (Seb Wildblood remix)
Louis Marlo – Earchin’ For Paradise (feat. Sam Brickel)
Reznik & Mikesh – untitled demo
Lauren Flax – I’m Gonna Get You
Baby Rollén – Love Potion
Harrison BDP – Every Cloud
Grant – Bend
Map.ache – Homerun
Aroma Pitch – Oxi Rain
Locked Groove – Nautiluss
Caribou – Sunny’s Time (logic1000 remix)
Nephews – Alternate
Fit Of Body – Punks Unavailable

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

Hello. I go by the name Reznik when playing music in front of people. I’ve been dabbling in journalism as well for quite a while.

Right now I’m in the breakfast room of a hostel in Stykkisholmur, Iceland. Usually I tend to be in Berlin, Germany.

Where was the mix recorded?

The majority of it was recorded on the sofa in my living room.

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

“on“.

What should we be wearing?

Nothing but a wreath of flowers. Then you should all gather in a circle, move gently and hold each others hands.

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

I think it would be nice to do a proper mixtape (on an actual tape) again.

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

It seems I’m not deep enough into what’s going on in the DJ mix universe, so nothing really comes to mind to be honest.

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

I wouldn’t request any b2b, but I’d like t stand in the corner and watch the young Grandmaster Flash practicing his craft.

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

Some Technics MK2 me too products. One of the two even operated on belt drive which made the first forays into beatmatching a bit challenging. As soon as I had enough money IO invested in two original MK2s and the cheapest two channel Pioneer mixer. Mixers have changed over the years, but a couple of years ago i got myself a Taula 4 MR rotary mixer which I’m very happy with. I’d rather use the setup for listening purposes at home than for DJing though I have to admit.

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

I think psychology teaches us that first impressions have the biggest impact. In everyday life it makes sense. A horrible first impression turns you off and there you go, a judgment is made. A first track needs to lure people in and needs to be chosen wisely, but I’d still opt for the ending track. The last one can condense the vibe and dynamic on the floor that you’ve been trying to create within the course of the set and kind of put an exclamation point and your signature beneath the whole thing. I also like an unexpected last track, and sometimes the more radical the cut in tempo or style, the bigger the reaction on the floor.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Quite fittingly, I really like the concluding tune by Fit Of Body.

What were the first and last records you bought?

I can’t remember the first 12“ I bought and frankly, people who can are a mystery to me. That’s pretty nerdy unless it was two weeks ago! I know the first vinyl longplay record I bought was a german punk band, and I remember it so vividly because I paid it with the so called “welcome money“ (100 Deutsche Mark.) This was the moment people from the GDR were given after the wall came down to introduce them to the western model of finding happiness through consumption. The last album I bought was Mandy OST by Jóhann Jóhannsson. I was too lazy to get it when it came out but it’s been haunting me ever since and so I finally got it via discogs and paid double. The last 12“ was just in the mail. It’s the SebastiAn remix of Metallica’s “Don’t Tread On Me + Nothing Else Matters,” and it might be the most mind blowing remix I heard this year.

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

Icelandic flat bread. (Still in that mentioned breakfast room)

If it was an animal what would it be?

Halitrephes maasi

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

Everything from Agoraphobic Nosebleed.

Upcoming in the world of…

Working on new material with my friend Good Guy Mikesh, but everything still on tba level.

Anything else we need to discuss?

Adam Port, &ME, Rampa produced a new Keinemusik album and it’s coming out November 12th. Having said that, we all need to discuss the much needed downfall of capitalism a bit more haha.

Follow Reznik on soundcloud HERE. Buy the new Keinemusik album HERE.