Theory Therapy 09: Ariane V
A 60-minute deep house and groove session to remedy the winter blues.
The next artist to record a mix for us is London-based, Prague-born DJ Ariane V. The Balamii resident, born Adriana van Leeuwen, has been making some much deserved waves as of late with her new Czech Series on Netil Radio and recent mixes for Vinyl Factory live and Soba. The eclectic selector is also a member of London female collective Rhythm Sister, a platform created to support and promote women, non binary and LGBTQ selectors and artists.
Whether she’s bumping disco, UKG, Balearic house or jazz-rock, Adriana has an ability to weave together sounds and styles, old and new, with consummate ease. Her Theory Therapy mix does just that. The first half is a tranquil trip through low-slung beats and downtempo, taking in slo-mo rhythms, atmospheric grooves and dreamy chord stabs from up-and-comers like Seoul’s Closet Yi and Ireland’s Polytunnel; not to forget a subtle nod to James Stinson’s seminal LP Lifestyles of the Laptop Café. For the second half, the Moody Food host lets the reins off, turning the volume up for Space Ghost’s ‘Feeling Real Good’, a shimmering ode to 90s R&B-tinged house, before delving into a few bouncier numbers from local London labels Childsplay and Lobster Theremin.
Expect to be hearing a lot more from Ariane V in the coming months and years. For now though, sit back, listen and lose yourself in an hour long mix of brooding breaks, trance inducing synths and a healthy dose of warm, silky deep house cuts — the perfect remedy for our winter blues down under. Just what the doctor ordered.
How are you today?
I'm quite ok, thanks! I had a few stressful weeks due to university deadlines which are now thankfully all done and handed in, so I feel like I have my life more under control now. This also means I now have more time for music, so finally managed to record this mix!
Can you tell us a little bit about the mix? What were you feeling when you made it?
It felt like the mix came together really naturally; I started by putting together some tracks I bought recently that I haven't put into a mix or radio show yet, and they all fit together quite well. It often happens that planned mixes can feel quite forced but that wasn't the case at all this time. It's been a while since I played a hazy, spaced out mix so I tried to hold that vibe for as long as I could until, as always, the mix wandered off in its own direction. Actually, thinking of your previous question, I suppose the mix does actually reflect my mood of being relieved and finally at ease after months of stress haha.
Where did you record the mix?
In my living room surrounded by all my plants, which have been keeping me sane through lockdown. I love seeing all their new leaves unravel, which has been happening almost every day now that spring is in full swing in London. Luckily my flatmate has Serato, which means that my simple setup of technics and a Xone:23 mixer now has the added functionality of being able to play digital too. This means I get to play forthcoming releases as well, such as the Guim track in this mix.
What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?
A late night drive through the city.
Are there any tracks you’ve used in the mix that are special or significant to you?
The Other People Place - ‘Moonlight Rendezvous’. It's such a beautiful album, I remember being obsessed with it when I discovered it and was so happy when Warp reissued it. When I finally bought it I only listened to it a couple times at home and then somehow forgot about it; I never played it out, it was just sitting on my shelf. I friend of mine posted about it on Instagram as I was planning this mix and so I gave it a spin again, and knew it was going in. I'll probably be listening to it on repeat for the next few days now that I've rediscovered it.
What’s on the cards for 2020?
I was meant to play at some amazing parties this summer, but it seems very unlikely that these will be happening. Hopefully autumn and winter will be all the busier in terms of gigs so that we can all properly fill our deficit. Something I want to focus on in the meantime is putting a conscious effort into being more organised about my music. I've always struggled to plan and prep mixes and radio shows; although I have two monthly radio shows and therefore enough opportunities to change my habits, I always just end up grabbing some records last minute and chucking some promos and new purchases onto my usb stick without actually listening to them properly and then see what happens. It's all very impromptu, so I'd like to change that. I suppose this mix is the first step in the right direction :)
One thing I'm excited about is the Czech Series which I've launched on my Netil Radio show last month and which will run until September. I'm originally from Prague, Czech Republic, so I planned a series of guest mixes by DJs from back home in order to introduce listeners to the Czech dance music scene. I've got some great guests confirmed, I can't wait to hear what they end up playing!
