MDC.327 E-Talking

A crate of sunrise treasure on full display from Berlin's E-Talking! Two joyous hours of finely fashioned tech house groovers and cosmic progressive nuggets, channeling the spirit of the Aussie bush doof.
@e_talking
Q. What sounds, places or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being most enjoyed in?


A. I recorded this mix in the heart of Berlin winter and I had one place in mind while doing it: the Australian bush. My perception of it might be skewed since it’s already been a few years since I last visited down under but I would easily imagine this mix being played at the end of the night or at sunrise. It oscillates between tech-house and progressive which are two styles that I assimilate with beach/bush parties. I have very fond memories of these and this mix was probably my way of returning to them mentally, if not physically. 

Q. Are there any records in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these songs that resonate with you so much?


A. Definitely, “George Sarah - Drag Ass (Swayzak Filter Dub)” which comes in towards the end of the mix is one of these dubby oddballs that you cannot play in every context. It’s a 13 minute long remix which showcases Swayzak’s mastery at the peak of their career (imo). It’s so lush yet minimal and the production hits exactly where it should. I can’t get enough of this one. 

Q. I loved your New Yesterday EP last year on Nummer Music, and I can hear you’ve drawn on a wide range of influences there finding this energy filled hypnotic blend of progressive trance and groovy housey-techno. Have you been recording music on a similar tip of late, or is there another direction you’ve been leaning further into?
A. All of these tracks were recorded in the year preceding my son’s birth, about two and a half years ago. Since then, a lot has happened and I’ve found myself gravitating toward slightly slower, more organic grooves, which is now translating into my productions. As BPMs kept creeping higher and higher a couple of years ago, I realised I’d reached a certain threshold and it felt logical to slow things down a bit. In the meantime, I rediscovered a lot of old UK tech-house gems (I was a bit late to that train, I know..!). I found a sound that I’d been looking for for many years. The energy, groove, and wonkiness of some of these tracks is unrivalled. Only a handful of producers today manage to match that vibe (Liquid Earth does it wonderfully, for example).
So I suppose this is where I’m headed in the coming weeks and months, but knowing myself, I might decide to switch things up entirely without notice..haha.