Up close and personal with one of the most authentic artists around, as ketia steps into the control room for the latest instalment in our series.
A specialist in exploring the rhythmic sides of house, techno and beyond, the Lisbon-born ketia is the real deal. The versatile DJ and producer, now residing in Berlin, pushes the sonic envelope with their exciting blend of pulsating rhythms, sexy grooves and high-octane rave nostalgia, and we’re all for it. Aside from elevating dancers across the globe and being a regular at queer parties around Europe like Spielraum, Mala Junta, Floorgasm and No Shade, their invested approach to community-building within the Lisbon and Berlin club scene, as well as their way of exploring music outside of the usual club dynamics at kwia, is one to be admired.
Intrigued by it all, we invited them to curate a selection of their favourite music on Bandcamp and we couldn’t have wished for a more beautiful outcome. Split into a “For Club” and “Not For Club” part, they take us along in their authentic musical realm.
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Words and curation by Ketia
CLUB PART
Michael Cignarale – She Thinks She’s Fierce (You Gotta Go Mix) (Medusa Records)
This diva from New York has been feeding us with banger after banger. This is to me a perfect track touching all my references in one. The incredible drum programming with the throbbing bassline, original fierce vocals, percussive piano rhythms that drive me nuts and a string just where you need it. Always makes a dancefloor a more friendly warm place ❤ If you can’t recognise the excellence in this…. sorry, You Gotta Go! Buh-bye!
Wordcolour – Overtones (Houndstooth)
It’s really hard to put it down into words. What can I even say? It’s unparalleled production. Wordcolour is my favourite producer right now. Has been consistently for years releasing the highest quality music. Mixing all types of references harmoniously in a way that just works. It’s as joyful as it is deep. I’m really grateful for this music.
Tseba, ELOQ – Wikidest DJ
A great DJ and Producer, Tesba and I met as he very kindly let me use his DJ setup before a gig I had in Australia that I was very nervous for, even though he had just injured himself pretty bad. This has been in almost every set I have played recently and it usually makes me cry. It swells up a room with hope and euphoria. Special memory from the set I played in Kyiv at k41 last May. I’ll never forget the smiles.
Bronski Beat – Smalltown Boy (Planningtorock’s ‘The Love That You Need’ Rework)
I have loved Planningtorock’s music for so long and Let’s Talk About Gender Baby is still played often in my sets. Their rendition of this hit with their own spoken word on top of it gave me a whole new depth and meaning to the track which now makes me cry (I cry easily lol).
Shanti Celeste – Ice Cream Dream Boy
Ok it’s finally out!!! If you, like me, listened on repeat to her set b2b w Peach at Dekmantel, you were also probably deep in the comment section trying to find this banger (i even ripped the sound from youtube and cut it so I could listen to it). The vocals are so sweet and oneiric, it just kinda makes me melt and jump around. A beautiful vocal debut. Big love for the chuggy queens ❤
Eris Drew – I Can Move Move (Slump Recordings)
Probably my favourite track she’s ever released (and that’s saying something). I love the playfulness in between the big kick, fat bassline and roughness of the samples with the groove of the percussive vocals, the acid synthline, the beautiful soft piano parts with the fun flirty vocal. Feels custom made for me. A 10/10 that always makes the crowd go off.
I. JORDAN – Hey Baby (Ninja Tune)
I play this way too often. That synth is so mean and outrageous. Machinery wickedness. Perfect tool to raise the heat at a sexy sweaty function. Won’t be leaving my USB any time soon.
John Yienger – Think For Yourself (Sekucci Remix) (Major Records)
On the Drumma DVA side of me. Been rinsing this one for months now. I love a glossolalia rhythmic moment that just makes you wanna GO! Paying very close attention to this NYC icon throbbing us with the drummy bits.
Jeremy Sylvester – Wickedest Sound (Shall Not Fade)
I mean?? How rare is it that a 90s icon keeps releasing high quality music in a prolific and consistent manner?? I probably have 20/30 tracks of him with me at all times and it’s hard to hear me play a set without one. Immaculate vibes always.
NJOI – Astoria (Food Music)
Speaking of 90s legends, these giants just released the unreleased bangers from their iconic Live set in Manchester. real RAVE NRG gritty bassline drum machine wizardry in Astoria!
MNLTH – My Rush Chords (WéMè Records)
A perfect track from a legend who left us too soon. There’s so much beauty and playfulness mixed with grit and drive. A huge reference for me in how I hope to make music one day. It always makes looking forward exciting. First heard on Onderweg Naar Morgen by Job Jobse AKA the perfect mix. If you know you know ❤
Europa – Ceremonia RGB (BCAA)
The Paprika remix we always needed but never knew. Europa’s music scratches a deep itch within me. Ingenious sampling mixed with skill to evoke new emotional depths. The rest of the album is equally tasteful! ❤
NOT CLUB PART
Headache – The Head Hurts but the Heart Knows the Truth (PLZ Make It Ruins)
Showed to me by dj mum at our all night long b2b at kwia, I just can’t stop listening to this. It’s so effective in making me cry as deep as I laugh out loud. It encapsulates the duality and dissonance of my day to day anxiety shared over walking down-the-street instrumentals. Filled with wisdom, grace, hope and beauty.
James K – Blinkmoth (July Mix) (AD 93)
I mean what can I say. Their music is absolute crack. It stays on repeat and soundtracks so much of my going around the world. Was specially beautiful walking down manhattan’s financial district to it. In the words of CCL ‘the voice of our generation’.
Mike Midnight – Angel Hours (Southern Exposure Records)
Recommending the whole album here. Sometimes an angel comes along to help us all. He’s been offering a lot of relief to a lot of people through these delicious soundscapes. In every corner of the world someone tells me about Mike and how much his music means to them. It’s always very sweet very deep feedback.
Kiss Facility – Plasma (Ambient Tweets)
Completely hypnotised by the pairing of Sega Bodega and Maya Alkhateri. It is rare that I can enjoy vocal music without understanding the lyrics but the beautiful entrancing Arabic vocals carry so much emotion in a fashion that reminds me of Cocteau Twins. Euphoric sadness.
LFO – Nurture (Surgeon Mix) (Warp Records)
It is rare that I share this song. And really hard to talk about it. A mind bending remix of an already perfect track. It helps me tune into the ‘Bigger Than Me’ frequency and let go of ego. Honestly at loss for words. All I can add is that I’ve smoked a lot of DMT to this.
William Basinski & Janek Schaefer – . . . on reflection (Temporary Residence Ltd.)
If you’re an insomniac like me, I offer this to you. I’m an avid listener of all things Basinski but there’s a quality on this record that is soothing and reassuring on a deeper level. I have also used it as relief for tinnitus. When the ringing is too loud that the silence bothers you but also listening to music is too painful, I find this to be sitting perfectly in between.
Iglooghost – Lei Disk 「Radio • Broadcast」
It is beautiful to live inside Igloo’s sonic landscape. Unmatched sound design from a very sensitive producer packaged in a beautiful narrative and visuals to match. Childlike whimsicalness masterfully interwoven with grit and glitch, making it easier for Punks to dream in color.
Thugwidow – Choked (Kudatah)
This album had a year long chokehold on me during the second winter of lockdown. It helped me come to terms and give context to the hopelessness present in the world and within me at that time. Very dear and close to my heart.
Aphex Twin – #3
Not sure there’s a person in the electronic music world not aware of this eternal track. But it means too much to me to not mention. I found this track circa 2018 and I was slightly on K. I remember texting my friend as I walk back to his house ‘I think I’m floating, not walking’. I think it was the first time ambient music really touched me. Since then I’ve listened to it endlessly in ways that are truly unmeasurable. I’ve fallen asleep to it over a thousand times. It’s attached to so many core memories with so many people all over the world. It is a memory stream filled with happiness and love. I once played it at kwia and the whole room went ‘awwwwwwww’ ❤
Check out the list on Buy Music Club HERE.
