Guest Mixtape & Interview: Dawn Richard

Dawn Richard aka D∆WN is one of the most electrifying phenomena in the independent music scene. Hailing from New Orleans, currently living in Los Angeles, the queen of pop new wave has been releasing some of the most forward-thinking music of our times. When Dawn is not busy breaking pop star narratives, she loves to play around with Pacemaker and drop some kick-ass mixtapes. Read our interview with the fabulous and super inspiring Dawn while you’re listening to her latest selection.

 

Dawn Richard / D∆WN

 

You’ve recently finished your North American Redemption Tour, how did it go?

Everything went well. We curated a stadium show in small venues, it worked out amazing. Each city brought its own flavour!

‘Redemption’ was the final chapter in The Heart Trilogy. How did it feel to close this circle

It felt like taking a large exhale. I did what I said I would do and with no major machinery. I’m proud of that.

What are you working on currently?

I already have a new album on the way as well as some creative and tech business endeavours.

You came a really long way from working with P. Diddy in Danity Kane to collaborating with Machinedrum in your latest releases. How is your audience keeping up with you?

I have an amazing movement that is open to evolution and transformation. It’s who I am as an artist and I’m grateful they rock with me!

Going independent after topping the Billboard is definitely a ballsy move. What do you think, after trying out both sides, are the biggest challenges and benefits of having control over all the aspects of your work?

I like both sides, I appreciate being my own boss though. I like to have creative freedom to not only perform but work in design, animation, tech and film.

Do you have a dream collaboration you would like to make it happen?

Hans Zimmer would be a dream. I’d like to collab on scoring an independent film.

We will also soon be able to see you on the silver screen as the main lead in Jean-Claude La Marre’s ‘Kinky’. How did you end up in this role and how did you enjoy yourself in this new challenge?

I wanted to try something out of my comfort zone. This was an opportunity to do that.

How do you relax when you’re not doing anything music-related?

I’m always working. Always!

You were born in New Orleans and you’re currently living in Los Angeles. Is there anything you miss from home sometimes?

I miss everything about New Orleans. LA and NOLA are two completely different waves. LA is my work home, NOLA is my soul home.

What are your favourite spots in LA?

Love The Broad, The Last Bookstore and Real Food Daily.

How does a regular day of yours look like when you’re not touring?

Designing set designs, animating for my series, djing for my NTS radio show and yoga if I have the time.

How do you discover new music nowadays? Do you buy records or you prefer digital formats and streaming?

I still buy records, I’m in love with the vinyl sound.

Name 3 artists whose sound you really like at the moment.

Afefe Iku, Kaytranada, Sampha.

Tell us a bit about the selection in your latest Pacemaker mixtape ‘NewSchool’.

I wanted to show love to the different females killing the game. Some indie, some major, all needed.

You’ve been playing around quite a bit with Pacemaker. What do you like the most about the  app, what are your favourite features and what would you like to improve?

I love the mixing options! I love that it gives you references on what compliments your picks. I’d love to be able to speed and slow tracks down in the app, really hoping that can be added! 🙂

 

Follow Dawn:

Facebook

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Website

Spotify

Soundcloud

 

Dim Mak, Future Bass & Afterhours House 🍄

The Los Angeles-based record label is back with a crispy future bass mixtape.

 

 

Good news, everyone! DIM MAK, the Los Angeles-based influential record label and music lifestyle brand is back with their second mixtape. This time they’ve mixed up some of their crispiest and most powerful recent Future Bass releases. With a back catalog hundreds of records deep, a history of legendary live events, and a fully formed clothing line, DIM MAK continues its global mission of promoting boundary-pushing music and culture. Push play and get lost in DIM MAK’s energetic world, by any means necessary.

 

 

We are super excited about welcoming Joaquin Jimenez-Sauma aka @jjsauma as a new member on Pacemaker. An exceptional DJ, producer, label owner, sound designer, lecturer… and the list could go on! Being a master of everything music-related, there is a lot to learn from him even by just listening to his mixtapes. Here is a warmly recommended afterhours selection that will keep your party going at least until the sun rises again.

 

 

@tbyh2o is another new member of our community and having only posted two variations of the same mixtape, we can already make assumptions about his exceptional skills. When it comes to picking tracks and mixing them to perfection, he’s a keeper. Check out his first #house mixtape, filled with marvelous grooves and some of the biggest names in the game like Julio Bashmore, Hot Since 82 and DJ Koze.

Deep House Notes from Los Angeles 🌴🌞

Boost your summer with the best house vibes, great excuse to turn up the volume!

 

 

Matt Saint Will, the captain of Arrivals Records is a zealous producer, curator, DJ and label owner. He dropped his latest EP ‘Notes from Los Angeles’ a few weeks ago, which also inspired him to mix some of his new tracks with a handful of summer essentials. The result is a glimpse of what Los Angeles might sound like, an hour full of pleasant house vibes, a great excuse to turn up the volume.

 

 

Knighthood is usually granted for a great public service and it’s becoming more and more common in the entertainment industry as well. Sir Anthony Hopkins, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and the list could go on. However, there is someone you may not have heard of… yet! @sir_gabriel, the knight of Pacemaker, guardian of the finest electro mixtape, ruler of grooves. Check him out!

 

 

You won’t easily find this mixtape by searching for its title in Pacemaker, so let us give you a helping hand here. @ericcvillanueva is a fervent servant of electronic beats and one of his latest sonic getaways is the perfect combination of techno, deep and tech house with a touch of tribal. Top, top, top selection!

Guest Mixtape & Interview:
Kitsuné + Allen French

Kitsuné is back with a guest mixtape created by Los Angeles-based artist Allen French. Read our interview to find out more about this mysterious melody maker!

Allen French got more than a decade of experience as a DJ, which is a source of inspiration in finding his own voice when it comes to creating music. He fuses the finest sounding electronica with tribal beats, Latin grooves and deep bass and his signature sound also shines through the mixtape he created on Pacemaker from the Kitsuné Hot Stream Mix #2 playlist. His own track is also nicely hidden in there, make sure you check it out and in the meantime read our interview to find out more about this mysterious melody maker.

Allen French (Photo: Lance Skundrich)

You’re from San Francisco but you’ve got French roots – as your artist name suggests too. In your music you’re blending various cultures and vibes from all over the world. What would you say your most defining musical influence was in your early years?

I think living and growing up in San Francisco in general had the biggest influential impact by introducing me to so many different cultures and music communities. There’s been a strong local music presence in SF going back to the 60’s and 70’s which has always been interesting and inspiring to me. I was fortunate to grow up on local hip hops acts like Souls of Mischief and house legends like Miguel Migs and Mark Farina amongst many other genres and scenes.

You’re living in LA. How do you manage to navigate the broad music scene over there? How would you compare it to the SF scene? 

I usually just try and support the local scene as much as I can and I love checking out my favorite artists when they’re in town. SF still has a good scene and there are so many talented local DJs and musicians but there isn’t nearly the amount of shows and parties happening on a weekly basis compared to LA.

How easy do you think it is to make it these days in the music industry? What does it really take to stand out and make yourself heard? 

I don’t think it’s an easy road at all these days to make it. There’s so much talent out there and with all this new technology at our finger tips you really need to stay ahead of the curve. I think as an artist / producer it’s really important to set yourself apart by creating a sound and brand that’s unique to you. It’s easy to get caught up in certain music trends that may be hot at the moment but I think ultimately if you just do you, the rest will follow.

Who or what would you name as your biggest inspiration when it comes to creating or playing music nowadays?

My uncle who I actually never got the chance to meet is a big inspiration for me at the moment. He was an engineer during the rock revolution that took place in San Francisco and recorded acts like Fleetwood Mac and Grateful Dead. My family has been digging deeper into his life recently and it’s been really inspiring finding out more about his story.

If you would have to describe your music for someone who’s never heard it, how would you describe it in 5 words?

Warm, exotic, modern, dreamy, sensual

You’ve recently released your single ‘Nova Vida’ on Kitsuné Hot Stream. How did you get in touch with them?

Kitsuné had discovered one of my previous singles ‘Fiendin’ that I released last summer and when the time came to release Nova Vida, i knew I had to share it with them.

What are your plans for this year? More studio work and gigs?

I’ll be spending a lot of time in the studio this year for sure and I’m also looking forward to playing more DJ sets come spring / summer.

Allen French behind the decks (Photo: Daniel Boot)

Tell us a bit about the selection in your mixtape, how did you pick these tracks?

It was tough narrowing down so many great tracks! At the end of the day I had to go with the songs that struck a chord with me the most.  I think the tracks I chose all coincide with each other in some way which was also important.

It was the first time you’ve created a mixtape in Pacemaker. How do you like the app? What would you improve?

It was fun and really easy to use!  If there could be a way to automate EFX during a transition or set loops that could be cool…