Introducing Mallin, whose DJing and production prowess has gained traction from house and techno legends like Laurent Garnier, to emerging talents like Kreutziger in the PIV camp and recently Toddla T on BBC Radio 1. We were lucky enough to sit down with Mallin ahead of his full EP release with Future Disco. Mallin aka Al, told us his self-taught mastery behind DJ’ing and how growing up in his hometown has led him to founding Hungarian Hot Wax.
Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey into the world of DJing?
A: I started playing with music at age 11 when I was in my first year of high school. We were introduced to DAWs and ever since then I caught the bug for music production, practising at home on our family pc. Over the years this naturally progressed into learning how to DJ on vinyl, CDJ & controllers.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in music, specifically as a DJ?
A: There was a big bassline scene in my hometown of Dudley growing up, so naturally after learning to DJ I started trying to get gigs. These were mainly in bars and I wasn’t even old enough to get a drink, I was just there to get some experience and learn about the scene. Eventually I ended up getting a radio show on a local internet radio station which helped me learn the craft even more.
Q: How would you describe your signature sound or style?
A: Deep and nostalgic. I jokingly label my sound as ‘lullaby house’ as they all have elements that could help you drift off to sleep in the right setting. All jokes aside I just try and write music that can evoke some sort of feeling for the listener every time they listen.
Q: Last Friday you released the single, “Running Away” with Future Disco, what sort of emotions, experiences or feeling did you want to evoke from this track?
A: The idea of ‘running away’ from mundane every day life, or from things that don’t bring you joy. Imagine running away from the city and heading to a beach and just relaxing.
Q: Overall as a DJ, what do you hope to communicate or evoke through your music?
A: Tranquillity and peace. Taking time out for yourself from the busyness of day to day life. Transporting the listener to another place throughout the duration of my tracks.
Q: Can you share any memorable experiences or highlights from your career so far?
A: Seeing my music get discovered from so many different areas of the world will never get old. There have been times where friends of friends have posted my music on their stories and I’ve had them forwarded to me, so it’s reassuring to know that people are discovering and enjoying it enough to share it with their friends too.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring DJs looking to make it in the industry?
A: Stay true to yourself, don’t just purely follow trends, especially if it doesn’t feel genuine. Try and network wherever possible and reach out in a polite way. If you work hard on your signature sound, people will notice.
Q: How do you stay creative and inspired in an ever-evolving music landscape?
A: I just try and stay true to myself and not try and copy the ‘hot’ sounds of the minute. Being out in nature and exploring definitely helps me with inspiration. I have worked for years carving my own signature sound and there obviously days I doubt myself as all producers could agree on, but it’s just about what feels right to you and persisting with that.
Q: Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations we should keep an eye out for from you?
A: Plenty! But you know the score, nothing I can announce just yet, just keep your eyes peeled.
Q: What should listeners expect from your upcoming Future Disco Radio Show?
A: In this mix I play all 3 tracks from my upcoming Running Away EP. This mix itself is a journey of deep and driving house and a large portion are my own productions to showcase some of my earlier discography. I also have thrown in some of my favourite deep tracks from other artists so it makes for an interesting listen
Q: Finally, if you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: This is a hard one to answer as it can be ever changing. Right now I would say Olivia Dean, her vocals are the perfect kind of pitch and sound for a Mallin track. I have done a few edits of her tracks which will never see the light of day, just for fun and for lounging around to on holidays or on road trips
Today, Mallin joins us at 3pm for an effortlessly chill takeover on the Future Disco Radio Show. Tune in via the link below and Pre-Save the Full EP out on August the 9th.
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