LO-LOW Mix
Up next on our Tapes series #43 is LO-LOW, a self-confessed club kid and music enthusiast from London. LO-LOW found her way into the world of music through journalism, writing for CLASH Magazine and is now the co-host of two radio shows; Melatrois on Reform Radio which airs monthly and has been running for 5 years and Love Music Hate Racism’s fortnightly #speakupthursday radio show on Soho Radio. Spirited by nature, the aim of LO-LOW’s sets is to give back to audiences, what the club has done for her. By finding freedom in the expression on the dancefloor, euphoria, community and making you break a sweat. Enjoy!
Tracklist
Paula Tape – Panamericana
Palms Trax & Nonku Phiri – Petu (Original Mix)
Anthony Naples – Ott
Lady Gaga & COUCOU CHLOE – Stupid Love (COUCOU CHLOE Remix)
Leonce – Jungle
Xyla – Feel
Baby – Baltra
Kristy Harper (feat. Samirah Raheem) – My body. My Future.
Avalon Emerson – One More Fluorescent Rush
Ase Manuel – Lawdaa Mercy
Soundstream – 3rd Movement
Loods – Three Blocks
Lxury – Dimly Lit
Breaka x Guava – Fiscal Hibiscus
Ikonika – Bodied (OG Mix)
Beep Tzt – Yes, Ok?
KG – BBM Remix
ASNA – ATALAKU
The Chemical Brothers – Got To Keep On (Midland Remix)
C&G Southsystem & Honey Dijon – Dual EP B1 (Honey Dijon Re Rub)
Lone x KETTAMA – The Way You Feel
LSDXOXO – BURN THE WITCH
ASEC – Catharsis
Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx -Ur Soul And Mine
LCY – teeth
Martyn Bootyspoon – Tom Tom Club
Barker – Positive Valence
LSDXOXO – Baby
Cromby – IXP-42
Gareth Wils – Common Assault
No_4mat – Game Shark
UniiQU3 – 7 Day Weekends
Moma Ready – Nothing Can Save You
SHYBOI – Head Top
Laurel Halo & Hodge – Tru
Skin On Skin – Got Me Fucked Up
OSSX – DON’T CARE, DIDN’T ASK
Witch Trials – Child
Otik – Switchways (Zenkers Brothers Remix)
Black Rave Culture – 4 Matic (Amal x James Bangura)
Mall Grab – Switchblade
Foul Play – Feel The Vibe
Fracture – GETTING DIS PAPR
Yazzus – Sleazy
TYGAPAW – So It Go
Thanks for getting involved in our Tapes Series! It's a pleasure to have you on. Why don't you start by introducing yourself? Where are you currently residing?
Aww thanks for asking me! Hey, my name is LO-LOW aka Lois. I was born and bred in East Ham but currently am based in Ilford (East London/ Essex cusp). Not the most happening spot, but am thankfully blessed by decent transport links.
Tell us a bit about your mix. When and where did you record it? Favourite track inside?
This mix has been a work in progress for a month, which I recorded a few weeks ago, in my room. I started on 214 songs. Went to 134 and finally managed to get the final mix down to 45. This mix is crammed with many of my favourites. I’d say it was the closing track ‘So It Go’ by TYGAPAW from their ‘Get Free’ album, which came out on N.A.A.F.I in 2020. It was one of my top albums from that year and that song always invigorates me with this raucous and boundless energy when I hear it.
Your Instagram bio says ‘Activism. Art’. How do you find yourself connecting the two in what you do?
I think in the realm of my selections I’m always conscious about platforming music by black people, people of colour, women, non-binary and queer artists. Especially being someone who crosses some of these intersections, I ensure they are a permanent staple of any mix I make or set I play.
It’s clear that we need more black artists being represented in our scene, and reclaiming a space they founded. We feel like this has (thankfully) become more poignant and discussed in the last couple of years or so, with some stand out champions like the team at B.A.D.! What are your thoughts on this and what do you feel could be done further?
I’m so glad new organisations such as B.A.D are establishing themselves, black artists and audiences need to take up more space in the electronic/dance/club realm. I’ve had conversations in the past with black people and people of colour who just don’t feel it is somewhere they belong and therefore have never attended certain raves because of this. Which is heart-breaking when they’re such a vital place for connectivity and community.
I think promoters and venues need to increase and keep ensuring their bookings are more inclusive. When you see a broader mixture of artists on the lineup, this is also reflective in the crowd, which I have definitely witnessed at events hosted by LSDXOXO’s Floorgasm and Honey Dijon’s Black Girl Magic tour in early 2019, before the pandemic hit. In New York, they have Dweller festival, which is dedicated to celebrating black electronic artists I really want to go to.
Plus, I hope more collectives and labels like HAUS of ALTR, keep coming to the forefront. Founded by AceMo and Moma Ready, I have discovered some incredible artists/producers through their series of compilations such as James Bangura.
Which artists/scenes would you say have influenced your sound the most over the course of this year?
LSDXOXO and generally the queer techno scene – events such as HTBX, Howl and Unfold at Fold. They’ve also shown me how playful you can be within the realms of club music and that techno can be mixed into any genre you desire. It’s all trial and error and especially with this mix, I’ve incorporated a little bit of everything I love from breakbeat to pop.
**Quick Fire** Dream breakfast?
The Breakfast Club’s Vegan All American, with pancakes, fried potatoes, scrambled tofu, mushrooms, vegan sausage and bacon. And not forgetting the maple syrup with some freshly squeezed orange juice and a vanilla oat milk latte to follow. On a balcony with some palm trees in view, warmth and sunshine on my skin.
Best gig you’ve played so far?
I’ve only played a few small gigs, as I’m starting out. But I’d say this exhibition opening I played for the tattoo artist Sofire’s debut exhibition in Silver Town a few months ago. It was chill, but I received some lovely compliments on my genre flow and selections from the previous DJs who were playing who thought I’d been playing for years. It’s always encouraging when you get that sort of affirmation – especially when you’ve mostly been playing/practicing on your own. And only makes me want to maintain a standard and get better.
Favourite track that ISN’T dance music at the moment?
Wu-Lu – Broken Homes
Ideal line-up?
This is a tough one, there are so many that come to mind. But off the top I’d say: TYGPAW, LSDXOXO, Uniiqu3, Yaeji, Mall Grab, Palms Trax, Yazzus, salute, India Jordan, Effy, Helena Star, Marrøn, AceMo and the UNFOLD (Fold) crew James Newmarch b2b Voicedrone.
Thanks so much for joining us!