Yarni is back for his second podcast and interview with us. We've just released his EP, "Hear No, See No, Speak No", and we're excited to hear it within his chosen context in the fourteenth edition of our Oleeva Podcast series. Here is a brief interview with the talented Sheffield-based music producer and DJ, as well as his podcast, "Three Wise Monkeys".
Your podcast is titled "Three Wise Monkeys", and your recent EP "Hear No, See No, Speak No", please tell us the story behind it all and what they mean to you.
Hey, so the back story to the EP & podcast goes as follows…
I’ve spent the best part of my life trying to get acceptance from others, be that with my music or just generally. I was stuck in lets say ’no mans land’ right before I met Will (Oleeva) and once he introduced me to Steppi (NWS) they taught me to just do what I want to make myself happy, so they helped me to ‘wisen-up’ up to where I was going wrong. For my debut EP on Oleeva it made sense for me to reference the whole story of the ‘three wise monkeys’ and this is where the titles came from!
We love your podcast, it really sounds like a live performance, and we were constantly excited to hear what would be played next. You record your podcasts live in one take, right? A lot of people record them in the more predictable environment of ableton or traktor. We'd love to know a bit more about your recording process.
So far every podcast I’ve recorded has been one take, mistakes are left in because just like me, nothing is perfect! The only preparation I do is when I get my note pad out and write down what I want to achieve with the mix. I then go through my 1000s of tunes to find something that fits the mood and key. I always mix in key due to me being a musician before DJ/producer, things have to flow melodically for sure.
Your musical knowledge and taste seems pretty vast, which records would you recommend us to listen to in the following situations?
1. Just woken up
So my weekend routine at the moment is to cycle down to my local bakery and pick up some croissants, then make myself some coffee at home with a soundtrack of reggae. On rotation at the minute is Burning Spear - Man Up In The Hills which I picked up at a flea market in Greenwich.
2. On a long road trip
I spend quite a lot of time on the road, driving through the Peak National Park. The rolling hills are regularly soundtracked by Gomez - Bring It On, which is a masterpiece.
3. Trying to fall asleep
I acquired a copy of one of Simon & Garfunkel’s greatest hits albums ‘The Definitive Simon and Garfunkel’ many years ago. The perfect melancholy songwriting is my idea of relaxing.
I’ve just finished Moby's first autiobiography and it was really interesting and funny. I've since listened to his albums with fresh ears and seen his music in a different light. What do you think about him? Are you a fan of his music?
So the week ‘Play’ came out my Aunt bought me it, I was like 12 years old and didn’t really understand ‘sampling’ but I played it to death and still regularly listen to it when trying to find interesting ways to work with samples. I don’t know the full story but I’m sure he was paid by Nike to use his music for adverts & he donated all the proceeds from that to pay for better working conditions in Asia for the people producing the Nike products, I may be wrong though?! Either way the guys a genius.
We see you do a lot of travelling whenever you can and you take some really special photos. How was your trip to Russia?
My Mother has always wanted to go on the Trans-Siberian Express as she is fascinated by Russia. We don’t come from much money so I couldn’t afford the train from Russia to China so instead we did a long weekend in St. Petersburg for her 50th birthday. We loved the trip and being introduced to the old & new Soviet and Russian ways was amazing. It’s a must see place and I can’t recommend it enough!
Thank you so much! Peace and love.
Tracklist:
Vridian & Siddhant Jain - Virtuous Pursuit (Yarni’s unofficial remix)
Ben Boomer - Submission (AKA AKA’s Beach , Ben & BBQ Remix)
Estray & Stanisha - Qalb
Elfenberg - Oas
Mahfoud - We Were Extinct Once
Susso - Ansumana
Phillipi & Rodrigo - Karma
16BL - Vette
Zaidokhi - Lock Conditioner (Yarni rework)
Shunus - Pilosa
Jackson Almond - As I Look At You
Poko Poko - Guruvin’
Saronde - Moyo Mama (Jimpster’s House Mix)
Bantwanas - Ngoma (Original Drummers Mix)
Emseatee - Four
Yarni - Hear No
Niko Favata - Road You Meet
Foals - Exits (George FitzGerald Remix)
Emseatee - 415
Yarni - See No
Crazp P - Walk Dance Talk Sing (Life On Planets Edit)