Prepare for some fun as Mixing Mates resident Pangölin takes us through her record collection. A mix full of feel-good synths, chugging basslines and broody builds. It straddles Italo to techno and will leave you with a smile on your face. Catch our interview below.
Hey Pangölin, thanks for coming on the AMF blog, we loved your mix! We always start these interviews by asking our guests to tell us their stories. When did you start DJ’ing and why? What drew you to playing music?
Hi Liam, thanks for having me and so glad you enjoyed it!
So I started DJ’ing coming up to 3 years ago now, and when I say ‘started DJ’ing’ that was essentially me in my bedroom for a good 2 years before I even started putting myself out there in the real world. It was always something I knew I wanted to start up, having being majorly involved in the clubbing scene since I was legally able, electronic music is just something I’ve grown up with from my teenage years and has been one of my main passions since I can remember. The Tuesday Club at Sheffield Uni has to be the main place I’d say I really ‘found myself’ with regards to electronic music and I’d say is one of the main places where my interests really started (back when drum & bass was actual life).
One of my mates from uni started DJ’ing in our first year and got a bit of a name for himself in Sheffield. He ended up opening for Rusko back in 2011 for this TTC night; it was absolutely sickk. I’d basically go to his room in student halls and listen back to his mixes he was putting together and just be pretty jealous of what he was doing… but it was years until I finally decided right, I’m doing it!
I’d say I was drawn to it as music has always just been a life-long obsession, so I think DJing just always kind of made sense for me to pursue eventually. It got to a point where I didn’t just want to be in the crowd at every gig I went to. I wanted to gig myself and bring my own kind of style. Also, I knew I’d be in absolute deep regret if I looked back and didn’t bother (as gloomy as that sounds).
Your mix is a real mixed bag of genres. There’s something for everyone in the hour (We always love hearing Crazy P in a mix) do you always play such eclectic sets and who, if anyone, would you cite as inspiration for your DJ style?
Happy to hear there’s another Crazy P fan! In terms of the genres I like it’s definitely a wide variety, so if I can kind of imbed that into my mixes and sets where I can, then it definitely feels more me. It’s almost a bit of my own personality; easy going but can be (a bit) mental! As my genre taste ranges from italo disco to trance and then everywhere in between and around it, I love it when I hear a mix that bends the conventional rules a bit. I also like the idea of surprises along the way as I feel it definitely keeps things interesting.
In terms of playing out, being a resident for Mixing Mates has enabled me to play so many different genres and at so many different energy levels. Some nights I’ll be in the bar playing a Madonna classic and on and other nights I’ll be down in the basement playing breaks at 1am. The variety of the nights has enabled me to experiment a bit and just have a good one.
I draw so much inspiration from older music and really like to factor some tracks from say the 70’s or 80’s into my mixes and sets; try and make old new if you like. I also love tracks that have a slight worldly/tropical feel to them; if I can make my sets and mixes a little diverse it’s definitely a favourable vibe for me. Electronica and synth is also something I like to involve into my sets; anything that’s got a Depeche Mode or New Order feel to it I usually buzz off!
2020 has been a crazy year for everyone. How did you stay sane during lockdown? Have you been recording a lot of mixes, making music, learning a new skill?
So lockdown was obviously a very strange one. I’ve been putting quite a few mixes together over the duration so that has happily kept me busy. A couple of limbo radio shows here and there also so I can’t really complain.
Another thing that kept me sane is my housemates, to be honest. Every weekend was almost like a little house party except obviously, the same 5 people attended this ‘party’ week on week for 3 months, manoeuvring between the kitchen, the living room, my bedroom and back to the kitchen again. We had my decks out most weekends and made the most of it; but I will 100% look back on these memories and think back to how lucky I was to have such a decent bunch to get through it with, as I realise it’s been a super struggling time for a lot of people.
I’d love to say I learnt a new skill but unfortunately, the only skill I learnt over lockdown was how to carefully balance 30/40 different cans of IPA on top of each other and into one rather small shopping basket without them rolling onto the floor below. However, I’m sure you’ll agree that is quite a skill…
When things eventually get back to normal what are you most looking forward too? Festivals? Normal clubbing? Record shopping?
Honestly, I’m looking forward to so many different things it’s ridiculous! Festivals are definitely something I miss a lot and I think I may end up crying with joy when I next attend one! I think it’s likely the first festival I’ll be heading to will be MELT! at Ferropolis in Germany. I’ve been twice before and it honestly holds a very special place in my heart; new friendships were made there and the memories I have are insane, it only feels right to make my way there once we are able.
Normal clubbing absolutely! There’s nothing better than being in a dark, sweaty and slightly dingey atmosphere listening to some of your favourite music and making mates with strangers. These are the kinds of places you make special bonds with people as you’re all there for the same reason; for the love of the tunes! I think I would have to say I’m most excited about returning to the White Hotel or Hidden; they have to be two of the best venues around. Or even a spontaneous visit to Eastern Bloc where there’s always decent DJs playing… yeah, I think I need to stop talking about this now as this could get quite upsetting as I spiral into nostalgia…
Quick thoughts on socially distanced festival pods. Yay or Nay?
I think we are at a point where things aren’t going to go back to normal any time in the very near future and we need to be mindful of that. We’re trying to lead a (somewhat) more normal life and I think it’s really important to do our bit to support the artists/DJ’s/festivals out there.
The industry has given us some frankly beautiful moments throughout our lives and we need to make sure we keep things going. So I’m a yes, as much as the atmosphere will be a little different, and as much as we won’t be able to go making mates with people on the dancefloor/at the bar, you’ll still get to listen to the tunes and spend some quality time with your bubble! Maybe you can shout and wave and make mates that way?
Let’s chat a little bit more about your mix. Are there any standout tracks in your selection you could share with us? Any hot tips or old classics you need to tell the world about.
A standout track for me on the mix has to be the Jordan edit of the classic ‘All night passion‘ by Alisha. I love the original but as soon as I heard this edit I was like YES: pure Italo disco vibes. Jordan was also my favourite of all the Mixing Mates nights I’ve been to, so I definitely had a reason for popping this into the mix.
‘I don’t wanna lose you’ club mix by Lime I also had to include. This is an absolute tune, and is an example of why I’m pretty obsessed with ’80s produced tracks. It’s very synth-pop/disco with ace vocals and definitely adds a certain something to the mix.
Finally, ‘Glutes’ by Patrice Bäumel near the end of the mix is also an absolute belter. It’s a fairly dark techno track for most of the start but then leads into a gradual build-up that sounds pretty damn eutrophic. I heard this track for the first time a few years ago at a Helena Hauff night at The White Hotel at about 6am it went off! When I managed to find the track months later I was buzzing; some seriously fond memories of that night!
An old classic that has always been probably one of my all-time favourite tracks, with more of a post-punk/gothic rock focus really has to be ‘Cities in Dust’ by Siouxsie and the banshees. These guys are still one of my favourite bands and if I can ever find an opportunity to play a track of theirs in a set/mix I’ll be over the moon.
We normally wrap up these interviews by asking our guests what events they’ve got in the pipeline but with clubbing on ice at the moment that’s a bit of a non-starter. So instead I’d like to ask what your predictions are for 2021? How do you see DJ’ing and the event industry adapting? Are you hopeful? (A heavy question to end on I know)
Ah, this is a heavy question, but definitely something we are all wondering! As time goes on I think the industry will definitely adapt somewhat and I’d hope we will be back to clubbing even if it becomes somewhat of a slightly different experience. I’m hopeful that it will come back bigger and stronger; it’ll definitely have the support behind it anyway, I can guarantee it.
