The Mix
Where and how was the mix recorded?
"The mix was recorded at our apartment in Barcelona. We crafted a special studio mix with a selection of songs we are currently vining off of, interspersed with some of the loops and sounds from our live set."
Talk us through the track selection of the mix.
"Any time we create a studio mix for a podcast or radio broadcast we enjoy taking the listener on a musical journey, usually starting with some ambient or electronica music and slowly building our way up to a peak and then slowly taking it back down again. The music we choose for a piece like this is meant to be listened to and enjoyed in a relaxed environment. It might make you move your feet and bob your head, but it is intended to be thought provoking and memorable."
What are the musical influences that have allowed you to arrive at this mix?
"Lately we've been expanding our horizons listening to a lot of “vinyl only” cuts coming out of Romania and Russia. They are doing an incredible job releasing amazing music right now. Notable influences as of late include Ricardo Villalobos, Petre Inspirescu, and Pink Floyd."
In what setting is the mix best enjoyed?
"This mix is best enjoyed before or after a party, in your headphones, car, or living room with a good sound system and friends. It's a listening piece more than a dancing raging party experience. Introspective, mind expansion, harmony, spiritual: music."
The Plug
So, we were introduced to you through the cool Flying circus parties at Sankeys. How did your involvement come about? Had you both been working together before FC or Audiofly picked you up?
"We've been working on music together for about seven or eight years now. The Dance Spirit project is a relatively new musical journey for us we started three years ago. Our involvement with Audiofly started back in 2007 when we met them as they passed through Southern California on tour. We have been friends all these years, and it's only recently they started paying attention to our music once our productions started getting better in 2012."
We see many rising artists tell similar stories of having someone with experience in the scene guide them along their journey to success. It seems this was the case with you two and Audiofly. How did you benefit, would you suggest others look for the same?
"Anthony and Luca are amazing mentors. They provide us with invaluable knowledge and insight into the business of this wild industry. Without a doubt it's extremely beneficial to work with people succeeding in the industry, whether it's interning in studios or for labels or for DJs as personal assistants, whatever: at the end of the day you're picking up bits and pieces of the inner workings of the business which you can apply to your own career."
Explain the setup and idea behind your live performances… they're a great way to kick off the parties I think.
"Currently our live set up consists of two midi synced Ableton rigs, one running the beats and effects, and one running the synths and effects. One rig is controlled via the Livid Instruments CNTRL:R, the other one via a KORG nanokontrol and a midi keyboard for the synth work. We also use a VoiceLive Touch for live vocal work, then we've been bringing out the KORG VolcaBeats lately for some trippy percussion effects."
You've stated you're both chuffed to have been received so positively on the European scene considering you're from the LA scene. What are the key differences that makes you appreciate this?
"The key difference we notice is that dance music is still a more acceptable and mainstream form of music in Europe than it is in the US. It is easier to be appreciated and accepted out here as musicians. Of course all our friends back home listen to great music, but even with the EDM / dubstep craze in America at the moment, rock and hip hop still reign supreme."
What's the latest on the production side of your lives? You have a new EP out, right?
"Since being in Barcelona for the summer we've just been locking ourselves nonstop in the studio and creating lots of new music and material for our live set. We've knocked out a couple of exciting remixes with Anthony, and then some originals with Anthony, Luca, and Isabella. It's been a super productive summer! We have a new EP out on Supernature which was received extremely well with amazing remixes by Fred P. and Bedouin. This fall we will be following that up with a full length LP, “The Sun Also Rises”, which right now set for release this Autumn."
Presumably you've plans to go beyond the stage you're at now, what are the next steps do you think?
"The next step for us is expanding upon our live performance and going as live as possible. This is only going to happen through extensive touring. We would like to get to a point where we have an extensive analog gear set up and bring other musicians in on the jam as well. Also, constantly staying in the studio and improving upon our skills, techniques, and style is of the upmost priority."
Lastly, imagine you've got some well earned time off on Ibiza. What would you do? Who would you go with?
"Having only been to the Island a few times now we've only just barley scratched the surface. We know from the stories we here there's many magical places: hidden beaches, amazing sunset rocks, crazy villas — for now they seem like fairy tales, and we can't wait to explore more of the many rugged and off beaten paths and the adventures that lay within."
Biography
Dance Spirit is a philosophy based on attaining subconscious harmony through rhythm, timbre, melody, and movement. Featured on Supernature, Maison D'Etre, Superfreq, and others.
facebook.com/DanceSpiritHyperspace
