LAMP Weekly Mix #85 featuring Alex Harrington

LAMP Weekly Mix #85 featuring Alex Harrington

A relative newcomer to the scene but already making the sands of Palm Springs dance along to his performances, Alex Harrington comes to LAMP with a freshly cut Guest Mix stacked full of goodies. His involvement with German label Nu Disco Your Disco has given him a unique perspective on the landscape of House and Disco music. A constant stream of tracks have been emanating from his Soundcloud and we can expect much more from him in the near future. MR PUZL got the opportunity to chat with Alex Harrington about his mix and his pursuits out in the Palm Desert and beyond:MR PUZL: Tell us a little bit about your mix and the tracks you chose for it.Alex Harrington: I wanted to create a mix that blended the bass heavy, booty shaking tracks of today with a little bit of a Disco vibe. I love G-House but also love to get groovy and chill out. You might noticed the first track has Disco written all over it but as the mix progresses there are deeper vibes to be found. It's a bit of a journey across multiple sounds and styles but with a House influence throughout.MP: What first drew you to becoming a DJ? What brought you to Southern California?AH: I grew up in a small town, literally called "Grass Valley". There wasn't a lot of opportunity so when my family relocated in 2004 I was excited. Growing up I played in a few bands but always had a passion for electronic music. My hometown had a strong art scene but not much going on for the youth. I remember staying up late one night, must have been 1997. I was watching a show called "12 Angry Viewers" and they showed a video for Daft Punk's "Around The World". I was hooked. I didn't know how, but I knew one day I wanted to make music like that.MP: The Coachella Valley has always been a breeding ground for the arts. How have you found inspiration in this unique community?AH: Unique is an excellent word for the scene out here. It is very artsy and we have a plethora of talented people across multiple mediums. The culture out here is still growing. Since I first started my DJ career in 2012 I have seen it change. It used to be a few DJs who ran out here. Now there are more and more coming forward. It's inspiring to be here, there's a certain buzz you feel as an artist. Having festivals like "Coachella" and "Splash House" doesn't hurt either.MP: As a producer how do you see the landscape of House and Disco music changing?AH: I think at it's core, House and Disco will always be the same. The ideal behind both styles is letting yourself go, getting into a groove, celebrating, moving, etc. People try to categorize more now. I have noticed a lot of artists who feel the pressure to label their sound. What we've been experiencing for the past few years is a renaissance in the House scene. The early 2000s saw a similar rise for dance music.MP: We've had small conversations about certain streaming services, and their pressure from larger labels to shut down accounts. As someone who continues to push the envelope and explore ideas do you feel that they are hindering the ability for new artists to be discovered?AH: Hard to say. Business will always be business and a truly savvy artist will understand this. I think it's a shame to be honest. The major labels have every legal right to pursue copyright claims. We can't really say "oh we didn't know..." because we DID know that in a sense, we were playing with fire when using certain tracks. Call me crazy but I think this has brought our creative communities together. Distribute your own music, collaborate with other artists, share your tracks. This could be a call for us to wake up and change the game, on our own terms.MP: How will you adapt to these changes?AH: I use a certain, known service for originals and approved remixes now. No denying it's still a powerful platform, may as well find a use for it until the end. I just started using hearthis.at so we will see how that goes. So far it's an excellent alternative but only time will tell. MixCloud is a viable option as well.MP: How did you first get involved with NDYD? What is it like working long distance and writing for the label?AH: When I first started producing House/Disco, I found Nu Disco Your Disco. Followed them for years and always looked up to the work they did. I think it was last year that they reached out to me about doing a guest mix. Ricardo Torres runs their radio show on D3ep Radio and he invited me on the show. After that, I reached out to them about working together. I really look up to the guys running NDYD. They're passionate about what they do and it shows.MP: You also write for their blog. Do you think this gives you a unique perspective on how other artists and the industry are developing?AH: Absolutely. I think it has connected me to artists in a deeper sense. You can relate to them more. When I write about an artist I try to get to know them a bit. When you realize how much we ALL struggle it gives you a better perspective. For me, blogging isn't just about embedding tracks. It's sharing the art as well as the artist.MP: We've seen a whole host of originals, remixes and edits from you over the last year. Do you have any plans for releasing an EP or music on other labels?AH: I have a problem with putting out too much stuff! I just put out a bootleg edit for the new track by Boy George and Vanilla Ace. My latest original track is called "Tru Groove" and it's going to be out via San Diego based "Late Night Jackin" in November with a follow up EP early next year, which will be my first label release. I'll be putting out fewer releases going forward but the quality will be better.MP: As a steady fixture in Palm Springs you've developed a great following and been recognized for your efforts. Can we look forward to seeing you in LA more often?AH: Hope so! I've been fortunate enough to meet some great people out that way. I'm trying to get out there more and bring friends from that way, out here. I'm a give and take type of person, I try to pay everything forward. I would really like to try and get out there once or twice a month at some point.MP: What would be your dream venue or event to perform at? Who would you want to play alongside with?AH: Tough one! I really like Bang Bang in San Diego. It's a great venue with a unique vibe. Plus you can't go wrong with a giant Disco Ball. Being that I'm from The Bay originally, I would love to spin alongside Miguel Migs. He has to be one of most complete artists out there and he's inspired a lot of what I do. MP: If you were transported back to New York in the late 1970s and had the opportunity to play at Studio 54 what would be your opening track?AH: It would have to be "Boogie Wonderland" by Earth, Wind & Fire. That track has always been a burner for me!

Tracklist

1. Oxymorum - Find The Time2. Crown Ruff - What A Day3. Disclosure - Holding On (C&T Remix)4. NiCe7 - Time To Get Physical (Tube & Berger Remix)5. Long & Harris - Who Knew6. NSFW - In My Life7. Alex Harrington - Tru Groove8. Kill Frenzy - No Panties9. Go Freek & Dom Dolla - Define (Cassian Remix)10. Deep Dog - Go11. Hey Sam - Takes Time12. Kry Wolf - Citrus13. Aaron Smith - Dancing (Linier Remix)14. FION - FiresEnjoy,LAMP