LAMP Weekly Mix #144 feat. Chris Hayden

LAMP Weekly Mix #144 feat. Chris Hayden

This week we turn our focus back to local scene and welcome DeepAura Music resident, and So-Cal native Chris Hayden to the Guest Mix. As a self-proclaimed "ronin of electronic music unbound to any one specific style" Chris has been making himself known across the underground scene with reflective sets that take his audience on contemplative journeys. MR PUZL got chat with him about his early musical beginnings, trips to the desert and his DeepAura family.MR PUZL: In your bio you refer to yourself as a ‘ronin of a electronic music’ and tend to play music that inspires you in the moment. Tell us a bit about your song selection for this mix and the narrative you are trying to present to our listeners.Chris Hayden: For this mix I really wanted to transport the mind of the listener to the starry skies of the great Mojave Desert during twilight hour… my personal favorite musical setting. To me, there is just something so incredibly special about going a sonic journey through the darkness of the desert with the wind howling and the stars beaming upon you and your friends, and then watching the sun come up together over the mountains. The feeling I get in those moments is indescribable quite frankly, and I hope to give the audience a little taste of that with this mix.MPL: Keeping your ear to the ground is half the fun of being a DJ, and for your diverse tastes I’m sure you comb through a lot of music. Who’s inspiring you right now and are there any particular labels that you’d like to shout out that aren’t running through the mainstream channels?CH: Wow, this is a tough one as I am constantly hearing new good music all the time, but off the top of my head I’d probably say Ran Salman is getting the most playtime in my headphones right now… and the musical genius of Stephan Bodzin is also a pretty regular source of inspiration for me. — As far as labels go, I have to give a huge shout out to Chapter 24 Records. They’ve been putting together an incredible cast of artists that I really respect, and have been consistently releasing massive tunes of a deep, melodic, and techy nature. I’d also like to give a big shout out to local LA based labels Wülfpack, and Noise Revolt... The artists on these labels are truly the heart and soul of the Los Angeles underground, and I’m insanely excited to see what’s in store for their future.MP: Tell us a bit about your background in music. How did you first get involved in DJing? What were some moments early on in your career that fueled the fire for the passion you have for music?CH: I’ve pretty much had a passion for all types of music since I came out of the womb, but as far as playing and creative music myself, my journey began like a lot of kids… playing an instrument in grade school. I learned violin starting in 4th grade, played a few years and eventually lost interest when I found the guitar. Self taught on guitar and keyboards, I played on and off during my teen years. I had always loved dance music, but as I got older and more into going out, I started becoming increasingly more into electronic music, and oddly enough I actually ended up getting into DJing because of a sports injury to my hip and lower back. When I got injured I was sort of just looking for a way to pass the time, and I had a close friend who had recently acquired a pair of turntables and some old school house vinyl. I tried spinning once on his setup and from that point on I pretty much had the bug… I was hooked. Eventually got my own decks and mixer, started searching for ‘my sound’, and the rest is pretty much history. I’ve had some awesome times along the way, traveling to beautiful destinations, playing powerful music on utterly monstrous sound systems, but to me the moments that truly stand out as fueling the fire for me personally are the EPIC connections I’ve made with so many amazing human beings that I’ve met in the course of my journey.MP: DJing can generate all sort of inspiring, creative moments. Many DJs have gone on to producing as a result of that, starting with edits, remixes and then eventually their own productions. Do you see this as part of the future of your own career?CH: Absolutely. I’ve been creating various forms of electronic for a few years now in my small home studio, and slowly building my collection of analog hardware. I had originally planned a debut EP for September 2016, but things have been delayed a bit and it’s looking like end of 2016 / early 2017 will be the time frame for my first official release.MP: Deep Aura is your home as a resident DJ. How would you describe the collective in your own words and what it means to you in regards to the vast musical landscape here in Southern California?CH: DeepAura is my family. We’re definitely a very tribal collective, we’ve always got each others backs. Musically I think our crew is pretty much the embodiment of deep techno. As a collective, I like to think we bring a vibe that is powerful on more levels than just the dancefloor... We reach deep into the hearts, minds, and souls of our audience and inject them with a feeling of having gone on an authentic sonic voyage.MP: I had the pleasure of meeting Holliday and watch him spin a b2b with Aenera a few weeks back. He has made an effort to hand select the artists represented on Deep Aura, each with their own unique style. How did you first meet and how do you feel you contribute to the overall aesthetic of the group?CH: I first met Holliday a few years ago at a popular weekly function in Newport Beach, called Focus OC. We ran into each other a few more times at various renegade desert gatherings, and I sort of just kept expressing a constant interest in DeepAura until Holliday eventually noticed I probably wasn’t going away, so he brought me aboard and I’ve been with the fam ever since. In regards to my personal contribution to the overall aesthetic of our group, I’m not sure I am the best person to ask that being as I’m just not much of a horn tooter, so you could probably get a better answer from one of my fellow DeepAura heads... However, I can tell you that my passion for music as a whole, my zest for life, and my staunch pursuit of forward thinking and experimental forms of music are all very prominent parts of my personality, for whatever that’s worth.MP: The remote landscape of a desert can often provide solace but it is also a welcoming and inviting creative environment. We at LAMP enjoy going out to the desert for respite and inspiration when the mood strikes. What do you glean from those experiences and for those who have not ventured what words of wisdom can you offer to them?CH: I think the main thing I love about the desert is that it totally shuts down the ego. Though immensely beautiful, the weather can be a bit unforgiving at times, and there is of course no cell phone reception whatsoever so you don’t have the distraction of social media and all the nonsense of daily life. It really gives me a feeling of connection with myself and with the people around me in those moments, and helps me appreciate many of the simple things I probably take for granted most of the time. — To anyone that hasn’t yet ventured out into the dust for a desert gathering of some kind, the most crucial wisdom I can offer is: Bring plenty of water, and just keep an open mind because nothing ever goes totally according to plan.MP: Speaking of the desert, you recently got back from Burning Man. Tell us about it! Any memorable moments?CH: Burning man was incredible!! This year was my 3rd burn in a row, and I really feel like I’m finally dialed in out there on the playa. I did renegade camping this time for a change, completely alone and bringing very little with me... I truly was 100% self reliant out there this year, and tried my absolute hardest to embody the 10 principles of Burning Man. I had some truly amazing moments out there, both musically and also just on a personal level... Got to play a deep-playa set on Thor Art Car alongside some incredible LA based artists, and I also played a very memorable set right on the Esplanade (main road) at a popular camp called Trifucta during the burning of the man. All in all it was a great burn, and I’m already planning for next year!MP: Last but not least, any local DJs and producers that you’d like to shout out? Please let our audience know of some events that’ll you be apart of to close out 2016.CH: Too many friends locally to list any particular individual, but big shouts out to my DeepAura family first and foremost, also Undercurrent Collective, Noise Revolt, Wülfpack, Like.Minded, DIVINITY (San Diego), and the Pleasure crew (also San Diego). — Coming up on the event list for me is YOUtopia festival (San Diego, 10/13 - 10/16) and DREAMNIGHT @ EDEN (San Diego, 10/28)

Tracklist

1. Recondite - Caldera2. Dahu - How Do They Know (Nick Devon Remix)3. Rafael Cerato - Interstellar4. Benotmane - Lemha5. David Granha - Opus 526. Township Rebellion - Charlotte7. Several Definitions - Antala8. David Durango - Petit Prince9. TRU - Knick (Rafael Cerato’s Frozen Mix)10. Marvin & Guy - The Man Who Lost The Hat