Villella: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

5 Minute Read

Music

Well informed selections demonstrate depth and versatility – Villella has both.

In a world in which there is so much music it can be difficult to know whose perspective and opinion to trust. Often those with the most public profile and reputation receive the most recognition. However, behind the scenes there is a whole array of folk who picked them and so on and so forth…

Villella has been involved in the underground music sphere for many years – as a leading curator behind Truants and as a DJ in his own right. Having been exposed to a broad array of sounds and styles across well over ten years in Dance music it is interesting to see what has stuck not only in the mind but in the record collection of a DJ who has seen a hell of a lot come and go.

This mix has been a little while coming – something Villella apologised for upon delivery. However, all things considered, we were glad for his respective patience as the result is well worth the wait.

This mixtape features two hours of music spanning an eclectic array of sounds. It’s a real mix from start to end – a journey through sound done proper which really feels considered and put together in a way which few DJ’s tend to these days.

Listen and read the interview below:

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

Hey there, I’m Villella and after 11 years in London I’m currently enjoying some downtime on the seafront in Brighton. I’ve co-curated the Truancy Volume mix series for 12 years whilst also being a graphic designer and enjoy playing tunes at parties 🙂

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)?

I like to go all over as a DJ but I think my go-to has always been nostalgic, feel good, rave euphoria. As for what it looks like, this is easy, me and a couple of my close friends will always share the gif of Andy escaping from Shawshank when one of us posts a ‘euphoric, feels banger’ in the chat.

Where was the mix recorded?

Went through it a few times at home on Rekordbox and then went to nail it at Pirate Studios on a nice Friday evening with a couple beers.

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

Ideal setting would be a 7-9 sunset slot at a small intimate wood based festival with sun creeping through the trees. Slight bit of haze It’s a builder.

What should we be wearing?

Anything you feel comfortable in to get your dance moves on 🙂

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

Packed out hazy 300 capacity warehouse with all my friends, an amazing artist on AV and me on some 1210s. Posted to Youtube.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

I’m going to choose two here sorry – a new one and an old one! Solar Suite – Big Drift as it’s a current track from a new producer I love, and a track that just has that rolling, euphoric feeling I look for. And then SLP – Supernova (Main Mix) for same reason but being from the 90s 🙂

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Jeez, this is a hard one but I’d have to say it’s James Holden’s 005 CD1 mix. It’s just one of the best electronic music mixes ever made and still holds up 20 years later. Timeless and goosebumps every time.

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

HARD! It’d probably be John Digweed and Sasha in their Northern Exposure days for b2b2b. Or either Andrew Weatherall and Tony De Vit 🙁

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

Omg it’s hardly changed much in 16 years haha Started with a pair of belt drive Numarks and then upgraded to my pair of trusty 1210MK2s. They’ve been through the ringer and been serviced by the Deck Doctor many a times lool

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

I’d say both are equally as important. If you’ve got a full crowd the first tune can really dictate if the crowd are going to be along for the full ride. Then the last tune you can pull for the emotional feels bangers 🙂

What were the first and last records you bought?

If we’re talking records, I bought a few drum and bass records in one go from a now defunct record store in Brighton called Rounder Records when I first got my Numark decks. Think it was Mutt – Shades Of Blue PT.01, some DJ Marky one and Calibre & High Contrast – Mr. Majestic. Last record I bought was Chis Raven – I Lost You.

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

A nice mango and lemon gelato

If it was an animal what would it be?

Cheetah running carefree through the Savannah on a hot day.

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

I’ve always wanted to put Groove Armada – Paris into a mix but those amazing live drums by the late Tony Allen are in a world of their own. Wouldn’t want to do them a disservice by mixing anything into them too!

Upcoming in the world of Villella…

Lots of great mixes to work on for some amazing people. A new mix series on Truants, and finally dropping some Truants merch 🙂

Anything else we need to discuss?

Think we’re covered! Hope everyone has a great weekend 🙂