FRESH Sessions this month features a fantastic guest artist: Orange County-based tastemaker Death House of Love, aka Reid Horton.
Reid is not only a DJ; he also plays in a band called VIBES.
I had a chance to ask him a few questions about his own tastes in music, and what kind of sounds come to mind when he thinks of the Coachella Valley.
Learn more at www.facebook.com/deathhouseoflove and soundcloud.com/deathhouseoflove, and scroll down to play this month’s mix!
How would you describe your sound? What resources do you use to obtain your tracks?
My “sound” is somewhere between disco, Chicago house and indie rock. I grew up listening to fusion jazz greats like Chick Corea, John McLoughlin and Jaco Pastorius. My sound has evolved from more of a rock/jazz/blues background, and I played in punk-rock bands growing up. I’m not a huge fan of labels, so if you like to groove, I think you’ll like my music.
As far as finding new music, I used to write a blog called “Reid’s Wild World,” and thankfully still have a lot of connections from that. I am also on SoundCloud every day, looking for new music. No sleep for the groovy.
How long have you been playing music?
I’ve been playing music since I was 12 years old. I was really into Bad Religion at the time. I asked my mom for a guitar and instantly fell in love with the creative process of music. I’ve played in bands since I was 15, and have always loved the idea of playing live music for people, which is why I think DJing came so quickly to me. I used to make mix tapes (on actual cassettes), ever since I was in middle school, and I saw DJing as natural extension of my own creativity. I am also a member of a band called VIBES. Being able to play “disco” music live is such an incredible feeling, and lets me get my “live music itch” scratched
What record/track is currently inspiring you?
I am really digging the new Cherokee EP (Teenage Fantasy) that was just released on Roche Musique. It’s really atmospheric and layered, with a strong sense of pop delivery—a nice divergence from the pack of straightforward indie/disco/dance. As far as songs I’m playing in my sets, “Number 1 Gurrrl” by Wax Motif is a dance-floor burner that I love throwing on, as well as my dude and fellow VIBES member Templeton’s new tune, “Better Represent.” On a personal note, our new VIBES material is coming really well, and I think it’s easily the best music we’ve written.
When you think of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley, what kind of sound/genre of music would you select for a weekend drive?
I envision the long, burning orange sunsets and the way the temperature changes at that time of the day to create an energy shift that is hard to feel anywhere else in the world. I really enjoy the open, creative and slightly-off-center viewpoint that comes along with traveling (or living) in the valley, and I am always partial to a weekend out of Orange County. As far as a soundtrack, I think the new Cherokee EP I mentioned earlier would be perfect, or something along the lines of Classixx album, Hanging Gardens, which I think is easily one of the best records in the last 10 years.
The track list:
- Casino Gold, “1981”
- MNEK, “The Rhythm” (Tontario remix)
- Matvey Emerson featuring Gosha, “All I Want Is You”
- Years and Years, “Desire” (Rainer and Grimm Remix)
- Jerry Folk featuring BB Diamond, “So Long”
- Wax Motif, “Number 1 Gurrrl”
- Tom Bull, “Not Like Me”
- Mocki, “Weekend”
- Wild Cub, “Thunder Clatter” (Bit Funk Remix)
- Durante, “Full Moon”
- Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea, “Problem” (TKDJs Remix)
- Mariah Carey, “Emotions” (Christofi remix)
- Bakermat, “Teach Me” (MK Remix)