Originally hatched in Montreal, but currently based in London, DJ’s Anstascia and Vivie-Ann have established their love child globally by proving that they don’t fit the quintessential stereotype. Fuelled by their sharp taste-maker instincts and technical flair, Blond:ish has not only charmed the industry masses but set themselves to release on some of the most notable labels around. In the last few years, Blond:ish has carved out a unique production recipe which focuses on the art of creating music that is organic and multi-dimensional. Provocative basslines contrasted with smooth textures and sticky vocals that blend into a genre of house that rebels against being pigeonholed to any specific category. They play The Warehouse, Leeds, with Pete Tong, Francois K and more this Saturday October 27th-. We grabbed 10 minutes to find out more.
How did you first meet and what drew you together?
During wmc 2008 in a dodgy school bus at pawnshop for the sunday school 4 degenerates party. Yup..that’s what drew us together…then we devised a plan to start a midweek mangle of a venture upon our return to Montreal at the club called Cherry.
Where did you get your formative musical experience, which parties and albums formed your early perceptions of electronic music?
VIV: my parents’ reel II reel playing all day long with anything late 60s rock or soul. Animal from the muppets had a big influence too. In terms of parties/raves, more Chicago house vibes… Sneak, Derrick Carter, Mark Farina. It was either that or breaks & drum ‘n’ bass in Toronto, and the latter wasn’t for me.
ANS: my cousins brainwashed me with Daft Punk and Pink floyd albums when i went to visit my family in france every summer. Good times 🙂
Are those influences still relevant now, if not what is?
VIV: more than ever! Now we can dig real deep into our influences and translate them to our productions.
ANS: Absolutely!! the younger you are, the more of a sponge you are. You absorb so much its almost impossible to get it out of you.
How has your year been? And what have been some standout highlights?
To sum it up…best year everrrrr! It feels like everything we’ve been working day and night for is finally coming together…but we obviously still have a long way to go!!
Standout highlights: starting off the new year with signing our record to Get physical, then deep in the Mexican jungle Philipp from M.A.N.D.Y opened his set with one of our tracks (that we didn’t know he had) with 500 of the most amazing party people in one place, and consequentially being adopted by a new amazing family… A lot of love from Pete Tong, who has been really good to us this year (he’s like santa lol).. Our Kompakt EP that got us on the map after a good and exhausting search for a label home for the ‘lover’s in limbo’ project… Playing at Panorama Bar, piknic electronic (Montreal & Barcelona) and a crowds of 500-5000+ every week since the spring!
And have your musical tastes and influences evolved or changed much this year; have you played differently or produced differently than last year?
Time is knowledge….constantly being introduced to musicians / bands, expanding knowledge inspires the music making process. Our idea from ep to ep is to try using new methods of production, experimenting so you don’t get stuck in a certain ways or pigeonholed to one sound. Were hearing a lot of the same sounds and basslines nowadays and its driving us crazy, but motivating to always strive for something different and fresh.
Do each of you have asset job when performing/producing or is it organic, do you both do everything?
Anstascia loves to work on the bacon (quoting our friends the Climbers aka the meat and memorable parts) of the tracks, and I’m more into making a solid groove. Then we combine the two projects and go full force on it together, but the process always changes from track to track. We like to be efficient and not always work on the same thing at the same time. Its been working for us brilliantly!
What else have you got coming up/are you excited about?
Yes! A semi-vacation in Tulum, Mexico!!! We’re gonna be based out of there for a month Dec/Jan! If you haven’t been there yet, and you’re looking for paradise, that’s the best place in the world to be for that time of year. We’re actually counting down the days till our NYE gig in Playa del Carmen for Flying Circus party with Audiofly, M.A.N.D.Y, DOP (live), Lee Curtiss & Hot since 82. We were there last year for this party, and there are no words x^%()*$)(*###!!!!
What should people expect from one of your current sets?
Lots and lots of love in all shapes and sizes.
What do you like to do away from music to relax?
Spread positivity, eat healthy, yoga, watch some documentaries on making the world a better place, listen to music that has nothing to do with electronic music and watch dexter or law&order SVU while eating booja booja coconut frozen ice cream.
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