A series where music lovers share some of their hidden gems.
Number 82 is by Bex , an Australian selector based in Melbourne
Tell me about your musical roots
I grew up in a household that loved music and collected a lot of it. Both my mum and dad had huge CD collections and were always playing music in the house. Deep Forest, Madonna, Crowded House, and Café del Mar were on high rotation. When we were kids, my dad used to take my sister and me to the local shopping center on weekends, and we were allowed to buy a CD each. I remember getting a lot of So Fresh and Ministry of Sound compilations. I loved making playlists for friends, and my dad showed me how to burn CDs when I was about 13 to make compilations myself. During my early and late teens, I was really into metal and hardcore, and then, in my late teens, I started to listen to more electronic music like Aphex Twin, Actress, Burial, Sepalcure, and eventually people like Four Tet and Floating Points, who led me to Deep House and Techno. I was hooked immediately because I felt like this music carried the same energy that I felt and loved in metal. Since then, I’ve been digging deeper and deeper to find the sounds I love today. I always loved being on a dance floor, but my real love is collecting and curating music, so starting to DJ felt like a natural progression.
What is your favourite place to dig and why?
I would love to name one of the many amazing record stores that we have here in Melbourne, but if I’m honest, I have to say Discogs. I’m a massive introvert and love quiet time alone, so the birth of online shopping has been revolutionary for me. Also, the kind of sounds and records I love are very rarely found in a record store in Australia. They are in tiny collections spread across the world, and I love that I can be in the comfort of my home, alone, and find the most obscure and amazing records from all over the world that are hiding in other people’s homes. I find that pretty crazy, and I love looking through people’s collections that you would never find in a record store.
What do you listen to when you want to chill?
Ambient music, SBS Jazz Radio. I also curate an ambient mix series and art project called Space Cast, so I often listen to these mixes while I’m cleaning, painting, or cooking. I also love the mix series For Home Use Only—so many amazing mixes on there to get lost in. Another favourite is the amazing collection of ambient mixes that Billus has on his SoundCloud, so great for going on long walks or having a bath!
Can you share with me your favourite podcast at the moment?
I’m OBSESSED with Air Podcast. Emma Robertson is such an amazing interviewer and really asks unique questions of her guests. I’ve learned so much from these interviews. Plus, she has great taste in music and has interviewed a lot of my favourite artists and DJs, who I really look up to, like Vera, tINI, DeWalta, Steffi, and Jane Fitz.
Locally I always love to listen to the Slowburn mix series, or Melbourne Deepcast.
