Talik Mix
Tapes #46 comes from Talik, a London-based producer and DJ quickly gaining prominence for her intricate, impassioned productions and equally expressive mixes.
Treading the febrile ground between IDM, broken techno, and post-dubstep, her Tapes mix reflects a carefully considered approach to narrative construction and an astute ear for conjuring space through rhythm.
Despite only taking up production in 2020 after moving back from Berlin, Talik already exhibits a distinct musical style, citing Forest Drive West, Anunaku, and Martyn as key influences.
She has released two EP’s with Dutch label Intercept, as well as contributing music to Yushh’s Pressure Dome label and Martyn’s 3024 label. Consequently she has garnered support from Mary Anne Hobbs, DJ Mag, Crack Magazine, KEXP, and many others. Furthermore, Martyn reworked the title track of her first EP, ’Cold Silver’, into a bass-heavy 2-step wobbler which came out on Intercept in late 2021.
Tracklist
Kincaid - Slowly breaking away
Kode9, The Spaceape
Kim[bal] - Troubled Stone (Factories Edit)
Impurity - You’re Losing Yourself
Jubley - Caked
Sobolik - Diamond
Talik - Cold Silver (Martyn’s Time Freeze Mix)
French II - Bodyheat
Small Crab - Yerba Cereal (Talik Remix)
Pugilist - First Contact
Low End Activist - Clocks Ticking
Destrata - Counterweight
Tony Q & Barry Scran - Bout 2 Get It
20kPa - Pulse / Procedure
Simo Cell - YES.DJ
McGregor - Aonaranach
Hyph11E - Escapism (Vemanei Transmission 072720)
Hello Talik - Thanks for recording this one for the Tapes Series! Happy to have you involved. First things first, let’s start with introductions. Give us a weird fact or two about Talik?
Thank you for having me on! Hmm.. 29 and still suck my thumb?
What got you into producing / DJing?
I’ve always been a big follower of electronic music and played the piano growing up, but I guess I never attempted producing until I moved back from Berlin and went through a bit of a rocky time (lockdown/breakup etc). I was hooked straight away :)
Tell us about your latest release on Intercept, ‘Let It Break’. Such a beautiful 4-tracker! Absolutely smashed this combination of uplifting, organic feels with these darker, more percussive, alien-like electronics. Is this something you were purposefully trying to achieve?
Thanks so much, really appreciate that! I didn’t really have anything I was aiming for, to be honest, I think it was just the headspace I was in at the time…it seemed to flow a little more naturally. Finishing the first EP was a steep learning curve, and the 3024 & Pressure Dome releases helped me settle into my sound, so I felt more comfortable with the second one. I had just moved back to London and was feeling super happy/reflective - so maybe that’s why it was a little lighter and more melodic :)
What are you using to write your music?
Ableton - I work predominantly in the box but also use my keyboard and Machinedrum.
Got to ask about that wobbly Martyn remix of ‘Cold Silver’. Was this something that came about after your release on his label 3024?
Yes, absolutely over the moon with the remix! Yeah, we spoke about it a month or so after, when I had just run through a draft version of the second EP with him. Felt really special having it released exactly a year after Cold Silver was signed by Intercept!
And that track on Pressure Dome was nuts. Shouts to Jen for snapping you up!
Thank you! Jen has become a good friend and big support. Love everything she is doing with Pressure Dome - so many wicked producers and unique sounds on there <3
2021 was a big year for you with premieres by Mary Ann Hobbs, releases on Intercept, Pressure Dome and 3024 and gigs on some wild lineups. What have you got planned for 2022?
Aw thanks so much - it was a bit surreal as I didn’t expect to get anything released :) A few exciting bits coming up so just trying to get my head down at the moment. A couple of remixes and V/A tracks, then working on a new EP which is TBC!
**Quick Fire** Most listened to artists of 2021?
Anunaku / TSVI
Loefah
Martyn
Forest Drive West
Joy O
Instra:mental
Simo Cell
Boards Of Canada
Favourite London Club?
Pickle Factory or FOLD.
Yoga or Pilates?
Yoga! I’m a trained Jivamukti yoga teacher :)
Dream lineup?
Martyn, TSVI, Yushh, Joy O, Ehua, Batu, Danielle, Ploy & Laksa.
Thanks so much for joining us!