How are DJs in travel-mode?

Interview by Virginia Villari

DJs travel a lot. They are definitely among the people who travel most frequently. They play in a location and, few hours later, they might be on a flight for a gig in another country!

We are used to see them in the “god-is-a-dj” mode, in clubs and at festivals, before big crowds.

But how are DJs when they get off the decks, in their private traveling routines, out of the spotlight?

For the 5th episode of the Music On the Go interview series I am thrilled to feature the most badass chicks in electronic music right now: Barcelona/Tulum-based duo Blond:ish (Kompakt/ Get Physical).

The two DJs and producers developed a signature trippy, tribal sound, with multi-ethnic, shamanic inspirations.

Virginia: Where were you before this interview? Where are you now? Where will you be next?

Anastascia: I was in Tulum enjoying my last days of fresh mangoes and coconuts till my next adventure, whilst finishing up mixing our upcoming essential mix.. Right now I’m on my flight back to Barcelona ready to start our live show tour.. first stop is London and then Paris over the weekend.

Vivie-Ann: I was just in New York for the weekend! played an after-hours for sunrise at Members Only in Brooklyn. Sweet spot !!! Everyone getting loose. I just got back to Barcelona (home) for a few days…Flying to London and Paris this weekend, we have a weekend of live shows in Europe with Bahramji our band mate. first time for everything I guess 🙂

Your Airport dress code?

A: Grey, long crotch jersey sweat pants, black comfy cotton tee and Oak wine colored hoodie that I bought for my husband but then stole back… comfy socks to keep me warm and easy shoes to take on and off. I always have a scarf for long flights to keep me warm..

V: Comfort! Zanerobe pants for sure, and simple cotton comfy tee or sweater with sneakers (I try to avoid boots so the security doesn’t make you take them off), all about efficiency 🙂 I would wear no shoes if i could…

Sleep or movie when flying?

A: It all depends on how long the flight is or how much I’ve slept the night before… For long flights my usual routine-ish consists of watching a movie while having dinner and wine and then some work until I get sleepy from all the wine… and then sleep as much as I can to beat the jet lag (or yet lag in Spanish 🙂 ).

V: Meditate, read, audiobooks, kegel exercises, stretching, music, organize my computer. I barely watch the tv, it’s really rare.

Preferred airline?

A: I would have to say hands down Turkish Airlines.. we recently switched to their “Miles and Smiles” program from Air Canada “Aeroplan” (gasp!) when we fly with Star Alliance because they’re so generous. The food is amazing even in economy, they surprise upgrade you, their lounge in Istanbul is the best in the world. We usually make sure we get long layovers there just so we can indulge in the complimentary massages, wine and cheese bar or sometimes the handmade Turkish pizza or dumplings with their special sauce..

V: Turkish Airlines: they have attention to detail, nice planes, great tv / movie selection, amazing lounge, the best in the world in my opinion… and you can feel the love with this airline right down to their fresh orange juice and home made lemonade served on flights. American Airlines, only cause they usually upgrade me, you get tons of points, and their point system is amazing! but some of their planes are still really old, like ash tray old. And their staff is always comical. But not the best airline at ALL.

Airport favorite food (for lack of a better choice…)?

A: If it’s a good airport there is usually a Japanese restaurant so I’ll get a miso soup…I’m obsessed with soup. Or ramen or pho.. yummm…

V: Pizza pizza pizza! but I’ve been traveling with cashews/walnuts/almonds, honey and cayenne pepper for a snack so I don’t have to eat airplane food sometimes….and mushroom teas for natural energy and superfoods … every little bit helps, the food on the airplane usually isn’t made with any love or health in mind.

Do you listen to music when you travel? If yes, what kind?

A: I sometimes like to take a break from listening to music… but if I am playing music, I’ll play some sort of meditation relaxing eastern music to help me fall asleep…

V: Audiobooks on meditation, spirituality and mushrooms (all types), Turkish psychedelic, mantras, Indian music from all over the country, slowly discovering more, like ambient electronic recordings… I go wild on Bandcamp buying albums from producers I’ve never heard of, and they are very ear opening to world sounds 🙂

Your jet lag remedy?

A: I wish I’ve mastered jet lag by now.. but the best is sleeping as much as you can on long flights… and then when you get to your destination… just staying awake for as long as you can to get in sync with the new time zone. Also, melatonin really helps… TONS of water is super important… trying to not drink too much wine (never works). And if I’m traveling cross Atlantic for a short period of time and then going back I’ll just try to stay in the original time zone schedule.

V: Haha…cacao / maca /mushroom teas !!! chaga, reishi, cordyceps… although they do other things tooooo … watch out for the cacao / maca / chaga combo.. they turn you on big time!

You’re sad you’ve never been to?

A: I wouldn’t say I’m sad about not being anywhere, but I definitely want to spend more time discovering India, and the south pacific as in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan and all those amazing places around there.

V: I’m not sad about much.. but rather looking forward to visiting the mountains in Colombia (one day soooon!), Santa Marta, Palomino, Tayrona Park, visit the Coguis and see their ways of living and then hopefully continue onto Venezuela thru Colombia… also can’t wait wait wait to discover more of India!! I could spend a few lifetimes there.

You have no desire to go to?

A: Anywhere cold or below 15 degrees celsius. No thanks.

V: Big cities.

The place you go to again and again?

A: Tulum.. my favorite place on earth..

V: Tulum. That’s a given. But India is hopefully one of these places that I can revisit – and discover the country with its deeply rooted history and also discover myself more – each and every year or two. India just made everything so clear in my life the first time I went. Hopefully we’ll get to return later this year as well!!!

Blond:ish just released their new album “Welcome to the Present” under Kompakt label and with the participation of Bahramji. The work is and has already been remixed by outstanding names in the industry such as NU, LUM and Damien K Sahri, among others.

“Welcome to the Present” became Blond:ish’ first live show: an immersive sound and visual experience performed in Tulum (Casa Malca), London (Unleash Party) and Paris (Les Pavilions des Etangs) so far. More European dates of the live show are to be announced for the summer and locations will include Ibiza, Berlin and Mykonos. We can’t say more so stay tuned!

www.blond-ish.com

www.facebook.com/Blondish

www.instagram.com/blondishmusic

BBC RADIO 1: ESSENCIAL MIX

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b075vxv4