Morning, ‘Noon, & Night: Behind the Mix Series 002
As we prepare the transition from a physical gathering to a virtual livestream, we continue to look back at amazing sets that helped define past Coalesce New Years events. From abstract to thumpin’ - dial in again as we delve into the artists perspective behind their music and gain a heightened appreciation for their talents.
In this monthly blog series, we’ll be breaking down our collection of stunning mixes to shed light on the intention that goes into these performances. Highlighting three artists who played at different times of the day—morning, ‘noon, and night—we asked them about the content behind their craft, how their previous experience shape their style, and the strategies behind their sound. Keep reading to learn more about the perspective of a musician and how they keep the boogie going on the dance floor!
The desert presents an interesting opportunity for those who seek to conjure and congregate; the seemingly desolate isolation combined with an almost deafening silence act more like a foundation to construct a persons imagination from the ground up. The artists picked in this post resonate with the idea of bringing out the deceptively empty scenery with their mixes. Mark Farry uses the advantage of an opportune morning to introduce exquisite tunes for an august morning using a variety of ethereal tones. Press that play button and read on!
Sweeping movements of string instruments lift listeners off their feet as the beginning of the set ascends and sets the tone for the rest of his mix. Gentle reverberations and penetrating vocals in songs such as “Written in the Language of Dreams” by Newman engage a feeling of nirvana through uncorking of the mind and decompressing after a fervent party. It’s easy to just lay down and close your eyes while allowing the music to expand the psyche. The middle of his set proves no different; a big break leverages distant vocals and repetitive measures as if taking a large breath during a meditative state of being. Towards the end of his set, he transitions from the trance-like spiritual state into notes that bounce and pop, with a nostalgic edit of The Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony”. By the time Mark Farry finishes his slot you feel refreshed both physically and mentally, looking at the once bleak dirt landscape and saying, “I’m ready!”
“I try to balance an engagement of their ears, their mind, their hearts, and their bodies.” Mark Farry reveals as he digs deeper into his mix. '“I also remember people off the dancefloor, out of my immediate view, who are watching the sunrise from atop an RV or in a comedown cuddle puddle with their friends or laying down in their tent watching a dancing fractal performance on the backs of their eyelids. I truly enjoy DJing sunrise sets because I believe my musical style in general is already so compatible with that liminal mood, bridging music for dancing and music for listening. My experience with music is multi-layered, such that different timbres and tones communicate with me on different levels. The kick, bass, and rhythm in house/techno music all speak to my physical body making it move and dance in ways that words cannot. Groovy patterns, epic drops, and lyrical vocals speak to my brain. The ethereal (non-lyrical) vocals and hypnotic instruments speak to other aspects, beyond the body or conscious mind, something along the lines of the subconscious, the inner realms, the soul/spirit, etc. Desert environments are often such an empty, desolate expanse but also very much a blank canvas. There are fewer external points of reference. With this blank slate comes greater freedom and opportunity in expression because I do not have the same expectations as I do in day-to-day city living. So in this mix, I felt free to go deeper and further, get trippier and more sentimental without regard for or adherence to an artificial sense of 'normal’.”
Transitioning from morning to daytime out in the Mojave has its own important role for gatherings. You start to wake up more and get ready for your day by scrubbing up, eating, or checking in on friends. It’s time to re-explore your surroundings after a night of debauchery and prepare for the new day’s adventure, compunding tension and excitement. Rhythm Selector’s unique afternoon set aids in this planning process and guides this energy using blends of interesting timbres to synthesize textures that build in tempo. By the end of his set, you will find yourself dance floor-ready and amped for the new day!
From beginning to end, Rhythm Selector weaves sensations that feel as good as they play. Fading lows draw in listeners to enchanting melodies that become highlighted as a result, growing in liveliness as the set progresses. Listening in between tracks such as “Trapped” by Cristi Cons & Sublee and Joris Voorn’s mix of “Vapour” demonstrates this idea, morphing into hypnotic movements possessing complex qualities. His mysterious tracks resonate with the unique environment and melds the landscape with the soundscape into one metaphysical composition. Halfway through the mix, the musical zest subsides and the artist brings in wonderful grooves at a modest tempo. Vocals become more frequent and leads the psychedelic journey until the mix returns to its M.O. of dank rhythms. He levels out the rhythmical adventure one last time into hipper beats and a classic house feel, gently bringing his audience back into reality. It’s no wonder how Rhythm Selector earned his name.
Rhythm Selector discusses his perspective and elaborates, “I wanted to fit in a couple of abstract minimalistic sounds to helped lock the crowd in as the day went to night. The sounds I play out motivate me to truly try to create a specific atmosphere for the dance floor and to try and have everyone on the same wave length in hopes of people entering a trance like state using stripped back grooves and spacey/atmospheric textures. The way I see sunset time slots is basically preparing everyone for a change of energy from the day time vibe. Personally for me I wanted to keep a consistent groove and building exciting moments where they fit right. Sometimes it’s nice to just ride out the groove without any of the low ends playing to create some excitement instead of using a reverb or echo effect, however I do use a HP filter. I also draw inspiration from old school hip hop battle DJs.”
The genre artists choose to specialize in tend to require a more specialized time to truly capture their ambiance. KYSI is no exception; their unfiltered poetic techno is best performed at night as they also continuously drum out hard licks to elevate the dance floor. The dynamic duo prepares extensively to balance their curations and skills to craft an intensified air of awe. One can easily find themselves either moving their bodies in sync or gazing at the night sky while getting lost in their airwaves.
In comparison to other Coalesce sets, KYSI pushes a persistent cadence that carries over skillfully from intro to outro. They strategize lulls of open breaks with rises into gritty lows that push the bass like professional peddlers who sell sick beats. Symphonic sounds brighten the stage and translate into a glow-in-the-dark-like spectacle perfect for the night time. Their introductory track exemplifies what they’re going for; profound introspective themes amalgamated by pummeling percussions. Rinsing and repeating this motif, KYSI’s mix garners additional components such as distant vocals and quick jabs in noise that add to the mystique in their performance. The crowd can easily keep it going with their assistance and bring out our own internal desert spirit we’ve all grown to love since our first event. All of sudden it’s morning, and the only thing that remains is a memorable performance relived through tales and, fortunately, a posted set. A night time gig is well deserved for these two, as their glorious techno is heightened by the barren darkness and contrasting lights.
“We usually prepare for a set by making playlists, first individually, and then play together to see how well our styles mesh,” KYSI explains for their methodology. “We then adjust and practice until it feels like we reach a common niche. It can be a lengthy process, especially if we don’t communicate our ideas clearly! It's important to have a set that breathes, as moments of softness make space for big drops and grinding baselines. By making comprehensive playlists whose contents double the scheduled time, we find a balance between what we think we will play and the spontaneity of the dance floor that is creating with us. While playing, we listen to each other's tracks and expression, adjust to the needs of the dance floor environment, and remember to not force any tracks, even when we have a current track obsession! We also take into account the time of night, since each hour holds subtle but different variances, and each seems to speak to different moods. Our style of techno has a raw, emotional element to it. Playing at night, allows us to tap into the energies of the environment with focus and intention, so we can take people on a deep journey of sound and emotion. In general, we are in our element at night; on and off the dance floor! We had so much fun playing at Coalesce last year! It was rad to feel so supported and welcomed by everyone, especially since we went into it not knowing very many people. Having an opportunity to play the last full night of the decade was a truly special experience. We channeled this raw intensity into the space and really felt like we offered a place where people could let go of anything they didn't want to take with them into the new year.”