Theory Therapy 55: gillielove
Hypnotic rhythms, recorded on Gadigal land.
Back in Sydney for Theory Therapy 55. Gillian Campbell aka gillielove is a selector, producer and radio host who has been a fixture of the local scene here for a while now. We’ve been big fans of their mixes, music and Nomad Radio show for ages. Expect an expansive and hypnotic trip, layered vocals and that special ineffable quality that makes all of gillie’s mixes so enveloping. “Light some candles, burn some incense, and listen to this mix while you arrange flowers, drink tea or lay in bed.“
Hey Gillie. How are you today?
I’m good, feeling tired but super grateful, grounded and content. I guess you asked me on a good day ha!
What was the last song you listened to?
Mike Midnight’s ‘Smiling in Slow Motion’ <3 Honestly anything, Mike Midnight is just the best.
What's your preferred way and place to listen to music?
I used to go out all the time because that’s how I discovered new music. During lockdown this changed and I had to start digging myself to find what I liked. I’m a homebody cancerian. I love listening to music at home. I have speakers connected throughout the house, so I don’t miss too much between spaces.
Favourite mix you've listened to in the last while?
Communion 96 (y)ears mix on Radio Alhara is one mix that completely blew my mind. Incredibly crafted deep listening, emotive and spiritual.
Favourite piece of music you've discovered recently?
I absolutely love Parasite Jazz’s eponymous release. It’s more deep listening; experimental, cathartic, visceral, dubby, droney and psychedelic. I love to be challenged, to feel stirring feelings that I don’t know how to put into words. I was so thrilled when I came across this.
Can you tell us a little about your mix? What were you feeling when you made it?
I’m emotional and sentimental, so I wanted to make something that was spiritual in feeling to me, but also nostalgic by drawing on the many styles of music that have excited me over the years.
Where did you record it?
I recorded it in my living room.
Where would you recommend listening to it?
Light some candles, burn some incense, and listen to this mix while you arrange flowers, drink tea or lay in bed.
Are there any tracks you’ve used in the mix that are special or significant to you?
Mu Tate ‘Frank ‘s Hublots’ – it is the closing track for my Theory Therapy mix. I love how expansive and ethereal this piece is. I’m a sucker for layered vocals and this track has so much feeling <3
Also, the new buttechno & Triš release ‘In your head’ is exciting to include, as they are two artists I’ve been following since recording my first mix a couple of years ago.
Theory Therapy mixes are about sharing the music that you personally find therapeutic, cathartic or restorative. What does that mean for you?
I love sounds that are grounding, textural, and hypnotic. Layered vocals always make me feel connected. I love layers of sounds that are slightly discordant or maybe a little out of time, like in a dream, where many things are happening at once and you’re not really sure what’s happening on a conscious level but are rather guided by a feeling. There’s something in this chaos that I find deeply comforting.
Is there a particular album or piece of music that you find yourself returning to for similar reasons?
I love the album Clever Dog by Memotone. It’s so beautifully emotive, discordant, complex, experimental and interesting. Challenging but familiar and jazz driven, this release is something I often return to.
Tell us something exciting that's coming up in your life, music or otherwise.
I’m excited to be feeling more and more like myself. There’s a beauty in aging and I’m really enjoying being curious about all the things I was perhaps afraid to explore when I was younger, but also remembering the things that were drivers for me when I was younger that perhaps made me fearless and adopting that into my every day.
