Forget the running track, true Olympians prove their worth on the turntables and here two of the country’s most medal-worthy mix maestros go head-to-head especially for i-D online. Who wins, you decide…
Last Japan and Marco Del Horno are no strangers to playing back-to-back or even making tracks together (think ‘Pilled Up Again’), but after they tore-up XO Bar for July’s i-D MIX night we thought it would be interesting to pit their DJ’ing wits against one another in a Sound-Cloud-Clash. After the heat of the beat-based battlefield we caught a breath and asked the two competitors a couple of quick questions.
What was the inspiration behind the mixes you’ve done for the head-to-head?
Last Japan: I wanted to take listeners on a little journey with my mix. I’ve kept it true to my sound but added a few little key tracks or acapellas to switch things up and split the mix into sections. I recorded mine using Serato, two turntables, and a bottle of Rubicon Mango.
Marco Del Horno: I like to keep things as varied as possible. I can’t stand linear DJ mixes that don’t go anywhere. I start house and garagey in this one – then it gets tougher and tougher. I always want to try and show all the sounds I’m supporting. Plus I’ve snuck in a couple of my own records and bootlegs as well – it’d be rude not to.
What are you up to at the moment?
Last Japan: Working towards my next EP and trying to schedule some other releases I have coming up. Got a few collaborations in the works at the moment with Shox and Boxwork, also producing for a few vocalists, so getting as much studio time in as possible!
Marco Del Horno:: I’ve just dropped the Courage EP (out this week on iTunes). Then for the rest of 2012 I’m writing club records to give me new ammo for the DJ sets. Plus I’m working on a new project with DJ Swerve as well called Riddim Commission (we hooked up on Ho Riddim previously with P Money), that’s an exciting project for me so keep your eyes peeled.
Where can we hear you playing over the next few weeks?
Last Japan: Well, projects-wise, Luke Oldham and I who produce under the alias N55 have been working hard recently, we have out follow up single to ‘Bring On The Night’ coming soon as well as a few special remixes were super excited about! You can still download our AlunaGeorge remix on Annie Mac’s Music Monday blog. I’ll be playing at Motion bristol with Marco next, plus excited to be heading to a few new places I havent played before in Germany!
Marco Del Horno: Just what I mentioned above plus 2013 I’ll drop my 2nd artist album where I’ll continue the story from ‘Wake Up Call’. Gig-wise I’m with LJ at Motion, then Hospitality in September at Brixton Academy and I’m a monthly resident at this amazing warehouse party in Birmingham called Seedy Sonics.
Anything you’re really looking forward to?
Last Japan: Couple of 12″ releases that I’m not going to mention too much at the moment because I don’t want to jinx them, should also have some free downloads to come soon. Apart from that just the rest of the year really, oh and next summer… I want to be at as many festivals as possible!
Marco Del Horno: Getting these first records out with Swerve for our ‘Riddim Commission’ project. Same way – I don’t wanna jinx it but we have some heavy features all going well!
What are you really into at the moment? Any new artists that are exciting you?
Last Japan: There’s a lot of hype about Route 94 at the moment! I’m definitely into what Happa, South London Ordnance, Paleman and Rumah are all doing at the moment, they’ve all got some exciting things coming to the in the future!
Marco Del Horno: Everything!!! Its an exciting time. I’ll just give you a list of names - 2nght, Shift Key who’s singed to us, Dismantle, Stinkahbell, the dub ratz (look out for their LoveStep EP – its amazing), Alfie, Discarda,, Document One, Bong … everything from super chilled and deep to great vocalists to proper big room and tear out stuff
Click through to i-D’s SoundCloud here to see full tracklistings for the mixes.
soundcloud.com/lastjapan
soundcloud.com/marcodelhorno
Text: Marcus Barnes
