Karen Gwyer – Harangue The DJ
On Good Friday the Guardian Guide published a Harangue The DJ feature with Karen Gwyer. The published article had been edited, with Karen’s answers including female artists cut from the final version. Here is the full text, with the sections mentioning female artists restored.
The track that currently gets the most rewinds
Hubris Part 1 – Oren Ambarchi ft. Ricardo Villalobos, Joe Talia and Will Guthrie
So effortlessly beautiful and driving with the sickest, crafty chord combinations. How I would have loved to be a fly on the wall during the production of this track.
The track I wish I’d signed to my label
Comprehensively swamping the two biggest bases in my quest for dancefloor badness, this track is at the same time quite weird and very banging.
The track that’s been unfairly slept on this year
A1 – Viola Klein with Ndongo Samba Sylla, Whodat, Abdoukhadre, Abdou Aziz, Adramé Diop & Family
To be fair, A2 is gorgeous as well on this brilliant Meakusma release.
The track I’d play to show off my eclectic tastes
14 Temps – Barney Wilen and uncredited others
A drifting journey through 70’s Africa, full of overwhelming generosity and occasional tragedy: the story behind the recording of this and the rest of the tracks on the wonderful double LP “Moshi” is as incredible as the music, and the lovely liner notes don’t even tell it all.
The track that got me out of bed this morning
This particular piece among Carl Stone’s many masterpieces helped iron out the chinks just a little bit.
The track I wish I’d never played
Everything about this track is exactly what I would give my right arm to be able to do and it kills me that I can’t even touch its shifty little details. Like a teasing, greasy piglet.
The track I’d play at my auntie’s wedding
Raga: Meghmalhar – Charanjit Singh
Judging by her bafflement turned enthusiasm for the profusion of dancefloor oddities at my wedding, my aunt would be happy to lose a few degrees of dignity to this one.
The best track by my favourite new artist
Sentiment Analysis – Softcoresoft
Oof, it’s just pure heat, this one. Needs a proper release!
The ideal festival track
DJ-Kicks (The Track) – Claude Young
One of the meatiest, most beautiful techno tracks there ever was, this would be my ideal big dance crowd tune in a parallel world where I’m a big dance crowd DJ. It whips up a frenzy, then it’s time for a little breather, and finally the whole thing pounds back in like a heavenly hailstorm.
The track I’d play at my funeral
Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2 in E flat major – Chopin
When I was small, my mum would often play this and the other Nocturnes on the piano, and it’s one of the first pieces of music I can remember hearing. And still so beloved. Perfect to go out on.