Episode 78 is a deep and groovy mix from London-based DJ, Wilmer. It’s 70 minutes of warm, heads-down house music perfect for a post-party afters.
Catch our interview with him below:
Wilmerf, hello. Thanks for coming on the AMF blog. I always like to start these interviews by asking our guests to tell us a bit about their DJ journeys’. When and where did you start DJing and what was the catalyst that got you behind the decks?
I’ve been a head and a clubber for well over a decade now, but despite listening to a lot of music and buying a lot of records I didn’t take the plunge until relatively recently. I always wanted to play and knew I would enjoy it, but work is always busy and I have a lot of other commitments which made it seem quite daunting. I really didn’t want to buy a pair of decks only for them to end up on the shelf gathering dust.
During lockdown, however, I found myself with a lot more free time and a desire to express myself creatively. I bought a pair of CDJs and a mixer and never looked back.
DJ-wise, who do you cite as an inspiration for your sound? Are there any club nights, DJs collectives, or producers you really admire and try to emulate in your mixes?
A night at Hoppetosse in Berlin last year reignited my love for flowing, minimal house sounds – atmospheric stuff that is made for long play. I’ve really enjoyed going back and listening to earlier mixes from the likes of Lawrence, Smallpeople, DJ Koze (this mix of his from 2006 is mindblowing), Cassy, and Move D, as well as more recent bits from Vlada, Dustin, Binh and DJ Masda. Carsten Jorst’s recent XLR8R podcast was amazing.
You’ve started DJing quite recently, how have you found picking up (metephorically speaking) the CDJs? Was the learning curve quite steep for you or did it come quite naturally? What was the biggest hurdle for you when you were learning the ropes and how did you get over it?
It’s an interesting one because I came into this with a strong understanding of the principles and a pretty good selection of tunes, so I don’t think it took me long to get the basics of mixing (not being legally allowed to leave my house probably helped me take to it quite quickly too). That said, playing out is a completely different beast and it’s always tricky adapting to a new setup on the go. I’m getting more comfortable with it but there have been some hairy moments.
Can you tell us a bit about your mix? How did you approach it? Do you like to meticulously plan your sets or go in blind and feel them out once you start playing?
I’ve approached it as if I am playing a 2am slot before the sort of night I really want to go to. There’s so much stuff out there that you really have to be quite selective when you’re at home and not reading the crowd or vibe.
Are there any standout track you wouldn’t mind sharing with us? Any you’re really digging at the moment and think they’ll be a permanent fixture in your record bag for a while?
Frantzvaag’s LP on Smallville earlier in the year was massive – there are a lot of tracks from that I could pick. Let’s go with Solo Super as it’s in the mix. In terms of broader tips, I’ve been consistently enjoying records put out on Shall Not Fade, Berg Audio, Feines Tier and Delsin.
Lastly, what’s on the horizon for you? Any more club nights or mixes you can tell us about?
I am playing in Camberwell every month with the guys at Kinetic South, and will hopefully be embarking on a few new projects in the new year. I’ve also heard on the grapevine that an exciting Cumbrian duo (Blog founder Liam Oliver can back this rumours) might be about to burst onto the scene, but that’s under wraps for now.
