What’s in the DJ’s box: Agnès

What’s in the DJ’s box: Agnès

30 January, 2009 | 3.37PM

• Written by: Sarah O
• Filed under: Music News: 60sec records, agnes, dj box, sthlmaudio

Swiss producer Agnès has been leading his country’s deep house charge via his Sthlmaudio and 60sec Records imprints, and through his own productions that blend rich, dubby textures with jackin’ roots.

Also known under his Ray Valioso moniker, Agnès has released on Tsuba, Drumpoet Community and Plak, and last year saw him rework Dyed Soundorom’s ‘Tapioka’ and Liapin’s ‘Redskin’ into veritable dancefloor monsters.

We decided to drop in on Agnes’ mountain lair to see what secrets lie hiding in his DJ box.

Favorite set opener?

Eddie Amador ‘House Music’ (House Apella)

I like to start my DJ sets with acapellas and fiddle around with effects and so on.

Then I’ll drop a fat and groovy beat… I just can’t help myself.

Vocals are often one of the only real “human” touches you’ll find in electronic music and they’re some of the most powerful and driving sounds of all.

Secret weapon only you have a copy of?

Jesus The Dancer ‘Circle Jerk’ on Symple Sound.

You have that label on Beatport - Symple Sound - but not that track.

It’s a raw and very simple house track, but the six sounds that comprise it are so in love with each other that every time I spin it, everyone goes mad!

Trippiest record?

Evan Marc and Steve Hillage ‘Dreamtime Submersibles’.

Wonderful LP. I guess it’s certainly not one of Beatport’s best selling records, but it’s definitely what I’d consider a trippy record.

It’s the kind of record where you get caught on police radar and picked up for speeding because that f*cking record is just so damn good you forget about everything else.

Killer vocal track?

Beanfield ‘Tides’ (Ripperton Remix)

Apart from being one of my best friends, Rippa puts out some of the richest music I know.

This remix is simply timeless and took him to where he wanted to go: Club Paradise. The story behind the remix was also that at the time, the label wanted it to be dropped.

Bassline weapon?

Da Sunlounge & Inland Knights ‘Borrow 002’ [A1].

Spinning this vinyl reminds me of the boundaries between digital and analogue—this piece of vinyl just sounds FAT.

The record that will never leave your box as long as you live?

DJ Boom ‘Kinda Kickin’’.

This is a Charles Webster & Matthew Herbert collaboration. It’s just so good!

Although it’s always with me, I don’t spin it all the time. It’s a delicate record to throw out but wisely chosen it’s perfect.

Oldie that everyone else has probably forgotten?

Grant Dell ‘Cold Rain’.

The track is just pure raw house with superb female vocals inviting you to dance and sweat.

Get out of jail card?

Stevie Wonder ‘As’.

This one always works. There’s such a groove in that track—the Rhodes’ parts are touched by God.

One more tune of the night finisher?

Mr. 69, Mike Dunn ‘Phreaky MF’

A 12-minute break is always welcome. No joke—it’s a wicked cut telling you that the rest of the night can be burnin’ hot if you want it!

Pitch it up and off you go.

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• Check out Agnes on Beatportal