Chris Baio joined us in session a few weeks back to work on solo material for a future release. During the session the Vampire Weekend bassist put together a fantastic mix saluting everyone from Lou Reed, C.O.M.B.I to Untold and Henrik Schwarz. The mix provides a little insight into what makes Chris tick as a producer and if you’ve not checked out his debut ‘Sunburn’ EP, we urge you to have a listen.
How did you get into DJing?
Chris: I’ve been DJing longer than I’ve been in the band, when I first got to school I got really involved in college radio. I had a show from 2am - 4am and I liked the idea of setting a mood for that time period. I never really learnt how to mix and when the band took off there were plenty of opportunities to play out on tour – I immediately took it far too seriously and got really into mixing.
Did you ever think in the back of your mind that you would progress into making beats?
Chris: There are so many examples of evolving from a DJ into a producer and I had never really pursued production. I play in a band with an incredible producer and I’m very lucky to do that. I had some time on my hands when we came off the road and I locked myself up in a room and taught myself how to produce.
How does DJing compare to playing as part of a band?
Chris: You feel way more naked when you DJ - the energy is different. When I play out I’m not just dropping bangers, I’m trying to build something over the course of an hour and a half, I like it to be a journey. When I’m with the band we play a fast song really hard and then stop for 20 seconds – it’s a very different energy. I love them both.
Finally what’s your favourite piece of gear in the studio?
Chris: I’ve got a Juno 106 in my studio and that appears on my EP a good amount. I use software and pull sounds off records. My favourite thing is to go to a record store with $40 buy anything that looks interesting that’s $3 and have 14 records to go through at home and start sampling.
Track list:
Supreme Cuts - Trouble (Small Plates)
Lou Reed - Walk on the Wild Side (Holtoug Bootleg) (White Label)
C.O.M.B.I. - It A Late (C.O.M.B.I.)
Nicolas Jaar - Come 'N Get It (Wolf + Lamb)
Pional - Just Passing Through (Permanent Vacation)
Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere (Psychemagik Edit) [PM]
Disclosure - Lividup [Greco-Roman]
T.T. - Party Girl [John Talabot's Friendly Edit) (Hivern)
Redshape - On Da Floor (Running Back)
Baio - Anonymity 1 (Greco-Roman)
Emmanuel Jal - Kuar (Henrik Schwarz Remix) (Defected)
Space Dimension Controller - Flight of the Escape Vessels (R&S Records)
Untold - Anaconda (Tribal Guarachero Remix) (Hessle Audio)
Ramadanman - Glut (Hemlock Recordings)
Super Value - Untitled (White Label)
Check out Chris’ Studio Snapshot
Listen to a Mix Monday by The Heatwave
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