Hello? Is this thing on? Right where were we… ah yes, so a mere 4 months on from the last entry in our mix series we’re back with a mix from DJ, producer, label boss, scholar and gentleman, Semtek.

Hello Mr Semtek, thanks for providing this mix for us, possibly the last ever one in our distinguished mix series and one that’s taken me about 7 months to put up (sorry). For our readers who might not be aware of your works please feel free to introduce yourself!

So this is the last ever Slutty Fringe mix! That’s sad, although I feel honoured to be the one to do it. I’m Benji, I produce as Semtek and I run the Don’t Be Afraid label. I’ve been writing music since I can remember really, had my first studio around ten years ago which consisted of an Akai sampler and an Atari. I haven’t ever really stopped since then.

Don’t Be Afraid was set up a few years ago primarily to release my own material but since then I’ve realised it’s a lot more fun having a label to support other artists as well so we are expanding our roster and currently have four acts ready to release music with us in 2012: Photonz, Mr. Beatnick, Clause Four and myself.

Your own label DBA has been knocking out some pretty essential tracks this year, what have been your highlights?

The hightlight was certainly the Synthetes EP from Mr. Beatnick. I knew it would be killer from the moment I heard the demos, but it wasn’t until Gilles Peterson started his Radio 1 show with it back in April that I realised it would be one of the year’s biggest releases. It got licensed to a bunch of comps, one from Gilles, the Scuba DJ Kicks and the Deetron Balance mix.

We sold almost all the copies within the first few weeks of it being out. The feeling of having a 12″ on the shelves which is really causing a stir is unmatchable. I’m fully expecting Nick (Mr. Beatnick) to repeat the success of the first 12″ with his next, which drops early next year.

Apart from your own releases what’s particularly caught your ear this year?

At the moment I’m loving the stuff that Running Back are putting out. They’ve been my favourite label in 2011. Disco Nihilist, Marco Passarani, and now Redshape have all contributed stunning releases. The Disco Nihilist was especially big for me, it had a track on it called ‘Keep It Simple’ which has a raw, dirty edge that noone else has really come close to. Shed’s outing as Head High on H2 – ‘Love Thing’ was another huge track, with similar merits.

Of the new guys that are coming through, Braiden’s without a doubt my favourite DJ. He’s got a sound entirely of his own. Alice Moxie’s sets have been superb as well. Finally I got to hear the new Cave Paintings records that Andy Blake’s been working on and all I can say is that 2012 will be, deservedly, massive for him and his essential World Unknown parties.

What have you got lined up for 2012?

2012 is going to be an exciting year for the label, with releases from Photonz, Mr. Beatnick and Clause Four in the bag and ready to drop. We’ll be ramping up the release schedule so expect all those to drop before May, with another couple TBC to come after that. I’ll be working a lot on developing the label and trying to turn it into a real contender amongst other independents. Personally, I have a track on one of the upcoming World Unknown releases, and a couple of tracks on a new label from someone very established which I can’t say too much more about right now.  

Next week (Dec 8th) you’re throwing a rather special looking party at The Horse & Groom, care to tell us a bit about that?

I sat down with Louis from Hyponik to talk about doing a joint Christmas party a few months back and we both felt that finding a way to do it but benefit someone other than ourselves was essential. It has been hard year for the world in general, with much-publicized riots, economic hardships and global civil unrest taking their toll. We have been lucky enough to have a good year so we’ll be giving 100% of the proceeds from the event to Shelter, the homelessness charity because for once we’re in a position to help someone else.

The night is called ‘The Big Wheel’. All the DJs including two massive secret guests have given their services for free, and we can already announce that Duff Disco (Join The Dots), Capracara (DFA / UTTU), Greenmoney, Chairman Kato and a host of others from labels we love like Huntleys & Palmers will be showcasing their skills.
 
And finally what are you hoping to get for Christmas?

I’m not sure John. Maybe some nude backgammon with swimsuit models? Can you arrange that at all? I’d like a new dressing gown. Um… Asking for world peace might be a bit unrealistic as everyone seems intent on kicking the s**t out of each other at the moment. To be honest, I’d settle for an afternoon in the pub getting wankered with some old friends, a pair of socks (genuinely) and a tangerine in my stocking (that’s not a euphemism).

Slutty Fringe Mix 23 – Semtek Tracklisting

Atom Heart – Apart – Herbert’s Underwater Remix (Rather Interesting)
Remote – Remote (Kill The DJ)
Chloe, Krikor, Plein Soleil – Casus Belli (Live At Robert Johnson)
Coringa – Escape From Zicaland (Luiz Pareto mix) (Rebolado)
David Gilmour Girls – Skelter Skelter (Relish Recordings)
Marco Passarani – Black Dwarf (Running Back)
Water Lilly& St. Plomb – Fit Track (Mental Groove)
Capracara – Panic Beats (Diskjokke Remix) (Fine Art)
Apparat – Arcadia (Telefon Tel Aviv Version) (Shitkatapult)
Cosmorama – Discodromo (Internasjional)
Aerosmith – Walk This Way (Arista)
Mirror Men – Elektric Evening (Clone)
Unknown (Pete Herbert Edit) (Unknown)

Author: John Power | Categories: Mix Series, Music | 0 Comments