Al Wootton Mix
Bringing you Tapes #89 is Al Wootton, a producer, DJ, artist and operator of the record labels TRULE and Amidah Recordings. Through his own releases and those on his label he navigates the zone between Techno, Dub, and sparse, hypnotic percussion workouts. He is also one third of the band Holy Tongue.
TRACKLIST
Wolf Muller - Wolfs Trommein
She Spells Doom - Manta
Plus Instruments - Love Is Enough (Jamie Paton Cloudy Dub-out)
Simone De Kunovich - Addio Mondo Nuovo
теплота - Motus Haru
Valentino Mora - Hualien
Inigo Vontier - Mental Letal
Crossing Avenue - Laguna
Petre Inspirescu - Sipot
Planeti Sintetici - Coldurano
Lurka - Powers
New.com - Calistenics
Hardstedt - Esrange (Arkajo Remix)
Toumba - Multipack Of Limes
Polygonia - Hamadryas Amphinome
Distant Echoes - Modus Operandi
Porter Brook - Lipsius
Oscar Mulero - Aire Silencioso
Holden Federico - Snow Like Wool
DJ ojo - Coiled Up
Hey Al, thanks for getting involved in our tapes series! Can you start by introducing yourself?
Hey, I'm Al, I produce and DJ, and I run two record labels.
What was the inspiration behind the mix? Is there an ideal setting to listen to it?
I don't like to plan mixes so I just grabbed a bunch of recent things that I like and got stuck in. I like to listen to mixes when I'm walking or running so I'd say its perfect for that.
You launched your label Trule Records in 2018 with your previous alias Deadboy. Tell us more about how the label came about.
I started the label so I could have more autonomy when it came to releasing records. It can be a real pain having to deal with another label’s release schedule. Having a label of your own means you can control the aesthetic and the context of your releases more.
With a string of releases on Livity Sound as well as Trule; you’ve become known for that signature dubby sound that sits somewhere between techno and garage. Who are your main musical influences?
My main influences in terms of producers are Shackleton, Ricardo Villalobos, Moritz Von Oswald and Mark Ernestus, Adrian Sherwood, Sleeparchives 'hospital tracks', and many more I can’t think of right now.
How much of a role did Bristol play in shaping your sound? How would you compare the scene to London?
Bristol is the second city I play in the most after London. I'm not really sure how the scenes compare, but maybe there is a bit more of a scene? London is pretty fragmented with lots of micro scenes. But yeah Bristol certainly has a hand in the sound I make, all the Livity records and Smith and Mighty in particular.
What's next in the production pipeline for yourself?
I have an album dropping in the summer and hopefully a single before that very soon.
We’re looking forward to having you alongside the Livity lot on April 1st at Venue MOT! How would you summarise your DJ sets in 3 words?
Varied, rhythmic, bongos.