Surusinghe Mix
From DJing, to producing, promoting, labels and management - there isn’t much that Australian-born, London-based Surusinghe isn't involved in and we’re super excited to invite her up for Tapes #66. Experimenting with footwork, jungle, breakbeat, and techno, Surusinghe keeps her mixes and production fast and unexpecting.
Tracklist
1-800 - Juanny Depp
Pretty Ricky - Your Body (Juanny Depp Edit)
Pre Columbian Gold Museum (Sho Madjozi Dub) - An Avrin
Dasychira - Swing (Amor Satyr No Baile) - Amor Satyr
Ward 21 X DJ Lag - Amor Satyr Mashup - Amor Satyr
FYA FYA - MISFYA
BAD GIRLS - Surusinghe
Blue Frog - Darama
Ready Or Not Edit - Soul Mass Transit System
Bulwark (Nikki Nair SE Breaks Remix) - Glances
BLUE - Moktar
Snake Charmer (Bluetoof's Serpent Serenader Mix) - Bluetoof
Ramos - Ploy
Analog Bedoui - Imed Alibi, Khalil EPI
Planet E (Skee Mask Remix) - Wladimir M
Rips- DJ ADHD & Nikki Nair
Get Naked - Nova Cheq
La No Meu Baraco (Amor Satyr Refix) - Amor Satyr
Belanova Cuarteto Blend - DJ Pombero
Hey Suze, welcome to the Origins Tapes series. What are you up to at the minute?
Helllloooooo! Thank you for having me! At the minute I’m just in my room eating a Magnum. Excited for the weekend ahead - I’ll be playing at The Carpet Shop for Rhythm Section :) I’m playing a beefy 2.5 hour set (which is a lot for a newby like myself) so just figuring out what I want to play.
Can you introduce yourself in 3 words?
I am Surusinghe :)
Tell us a bit about the mix?
The mix is big dfloor vibes! I actually recorded it the same day I played at Stretchy Dance Supply so I was trying to get in the pumpers mood :). It includes a few tracks I’ve been playing out recently by the likes of MISFYA, Darama and Mokrtar.
We’re absolutely loving your debut EP ‘GOOD GIRLS / BAD GIRLS’; tell us more about what compelled you to move into producing/releasing music?
Woohoo thank you! Hmm I guess what compelled me into producing was the fact that I didn’t have to perform live. I get quite anxious before DJing and it’s something that I find quite hard to control but producing - I can do it from the comfort of my bed where I’m safe and sound ha. And then TBH I had no intention of releasing the music for a while. My partner was the one who convinced me to put it out! Without him, I definitely wouldn’t be where I am
The EP is described as a ‘culmination of sounds and culture’ that have influenced you - could you tell us more about this and the role of your South Asian heritage in influencing your sound?
For sure! So this really is a reference to my dad. He was Sri Lankan and whenever he’d have people around at our house growing up, I’d hear a lot of traditional instrumentation and chanting. I haven’t directly sampled any of these, but the sounds are inspirations taken from those memories. These are put together with the UK bass-y sounds I’ve fallen in love with since moving to London.
As a jack of all trades in the music biz, from running a label to managing artists; how did your experience in the industry help you when moving to the other side?
I can’t begin to measure how many ways it’s helped! I’m in such a privileged position due to the wealth of knowledge I’ve been able to accumulate over the last 10 years but also through the contacts I’ve made.
I’d say the most helpful thing I’ve picked up is an understanding of the realities behind how the industry works. I think new artists can generally be quite naive to how long it can take to grow and how much strategy is involved, however, luckily it’s been my job to implement that for a few years now so hopefully I’ll get it right haha.
What advice would you give to new artists that are starting off?
Go out to every gig humanly possible and go to the afters. I’d say 90% of my most valuable industry contacts are people I've bonded with over a night out.
3 artists you’re listening to right now?
Georgia Bird, Roy Mills and DAWS.
Standout moments this summer/festival season?
Calvin Harris at Glastonbury.
Lastly, any exciting plans coming up? Can we expect more releases anytime soon?
Yep! Some pretty wild gigs coming up. (eg. P-Bar, Ibiza, Lost Village). And then hopefully the remainder of the EP will be out in August! Very excited to finally have it out with the world. Feels like it’s been a lifetime haha.
Thanks for being a part of the Tapes series!