PROTECTA is out now!
Image: Supplied.
New Zealand DJ/Producer 33 Below recently dropped his sophomore EP, PUSHER. To celebrate the release, Jack Laven has curated an exclusive playlist for MILKY full of songs that influenced the collection of songs.
I began working on my upcoming EP, PUSHER, when I was in-between LA and the UK. It is a time stamp in this part of my life after moving overseas. You can hear a bunch of influences throughout the EP from both the American music sound, and the UK dance scene - I wanted to bridge the gap between both sounds.
Influenced by early 2010’s EDM, PUSHER uses big synths and melodic chords while also combining the new UK garage and house sound we see taking over.
These 10 tracks I have selected come from many different times and influences in my life and make up some of my favourite music from a handful of my very favourite artists.”
TRANSPIRE - CELLARR
This song is my go to relaxing song - I just really like it. To me, this is the perfect band song. It is refreshing for me as a producer to listen to music like this because it is listening where I am not just trying to break down the elements of the song in my head, I can just listen to it for the vibe. It is a song that makes me feel something.
AZURE - PAUL KALKBRENNER
This track is probably my favourite electronic song ever created. I think that it was the first club song I heard that I could feel and hear the melodic elements to it. There’s something about that synth that comes in midway through the song… I just can’t explain it, it’s that good.
NOTHIN LIKE U - KAYTRANADA, TY DOLLA $IGN
I’ve always been a big fan of KAYTRANADA. He is the master of groove and swing. This is the perfect song because it has that classic KAYTRANADA bounce which is paired with that gorgeous baseline, and then that Ty Dolla $ign vocal just sits in there like the cherry on top. All the elements in this track compliment each other so well and represent the elements that I like to have in my music.
GHOSTING - NEKOLAI
Nekolai is my friend from New Zealand and is one of the biggest inspirations in my production. His taste is immaculate. He has seriously inspired me in making melodic music, and specifically in pairing dance music with that melodic sound. I always try and create cinematic sounds in my production, making stuff that can be listened to without drums, and just because of the melody. Extremely ethereal, you lose yourself in a trance with this one.
ARLA FEARN - OVERMONO
I love how minimal this song is. I feel like every sound in this song is placed extremely well, everything is there for a reason. You can really appreciate the production in the song because it’s so well thought out. Overmono are the kings of vocal chops - I am heavily inspired by this aspect of their production.
YOU - MK.GEE
Fire. If I’m ever feeling down or sad, this is the song that I will put on and I swear it has some sort of healing properties in it because I just feel so fucking good listening to it. I have a lot of happy memories associated with this one, particularly in summer.
DISAPPEARING - THE WAR ON DRUGS
My dad bought this CD years ago, and when I used to drive to school each day it was the only CD in my car, and so I just listened to it over and over. I became obsessed with this band. I love how they blend electronic elements with live elements so well. It’s like this massive psychedelic wave that washes over you when you listen.
BODY - HIGH HOOPS
I think HIGH HOOPS is one of the best artists to come out of New Zealand. He is a master at song writing, playing and production. He just really knows how to set the vibe.
DIVE BAR - IPSY
IPSY is my favourite artist in New Zealand, and not just because he’s my best friend. He is criminally underrated. He has such a good ear for vocal melodies and production and he produces such a variety of different genres. And no matter what genre, every single song he makes sounds cohesive to his work. I am very inspired by his sound.
COPPIN THOSE - RICH AMIRI
I am obsessed with Rich Amiri. He is by far my favourite rapper. His vocal tone works so well over his dreamy ethereal beats that he chooses. It would be my dream to get him on one of my own songs one day.
PROTECTA is out now!