Moods 24: Ash Lauryn
Moods is delighted to present mix number 24 courtesy of Underground and Black's Ash Lauryn (@ashlauryn). The Detroit native, now based in Atlanta, has proven herself as an accomplished conductor of soul and warming sounds. This mix, done in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, presents a different side of Ash, one where you can take off your dancing shoes, light some incense, and vibe. For the full tracklist and Q+A, head to our archive: danielsharp.cargo.site/Moods-24-Ash-Lauryn
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Q+A
(1) Where did you grow up? Was it a single place or many places? How did this influence the songs you listened to?
I was born in Detroit, but my family moved around a few times due to my Dad's job working as an executive for General Motors. We moved to Northern California not long after I was born, spent a few years there, then moved again to Jacksonville, FL where we also spent a few years. By the time I was 8 years old my Dad got another promotion and we ended up moving back to Michigan. We settled in a suburb of Detroit called Rochester Hills, which is where I grew up and the area I attended High School.
Being from Detroit, music has always played a big role in my existence. I got exposed to a lot of classic and old school music through my parents who were big Motown fans. The local radio was a big influence, I can remember hearing dance music on WJLB from a very young age. The main influence on my musical style and taste though was definitely my older sister (@am313), I got hip to a lot of great underground music through her and her friends as a teen.
(2) Can you pick one song in the mix and explain where you first listened to it?
Brandy - Best Friend. This was on Brandy's debut album, and if I'm not mistaken the very first cassette tape I got when I was 9!
(3) Who “introduced” you to these songs? Was it a person, a radio station, a CD, or something else?
A combination of all those things really, but mostly the radio, youtube, and old CD's.
(4) Where and when did you first hear techno? What drew you to it? Who did it sound like it was for?
I first heard Techno on the radio in Detroit. I not only liked how it sounded, but I also liked how it made me feel. Honestly, it sounded like it was for Detroit. When I first got exposed to dance music on local radio I thought we were the only ones listening to it, I didn't realize the global scale of things until later in life.
(5) You’ve got the microphone. What do you want to say to the techno community?”
In these difficult times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, its important to respect, love, and support each other as much as possible. This situation is a reminder to all of us that this industry isn't promised-make sure you have a back up plan or some money saved for when things get rough. Other than that, keep creating and being the change you wish to see in the dance community.
Ash’s mix is paired with a still from a four-channel video piece by Gretchen Bender, a master of picking apart television ads and the media cycle to reflect back how it dictates and controls society. Not unlike Ash’s unwavering dedication to revealing how structures of power in techno erase its Black origins, both artists are inspirations to dig into why history repeats, ignores, and must be corrected.
Tracklist:
Jill Scott - Love Rain (Ft.Mos Def Remix)
Brandy- Best Friend
Patrice Rushen- Remind Me
Aaliyah- Back and Fourth
SWV- Love Will Be Right Here
Jill Scott- Slowly Surely
The Roots- Ain’t Sayin Nuthin New
Black Star- Thieves in the Night
Was feat. Q-Tip- One Love
Common- Nag Champa ((Afrodisac For The World)
Solange- Down with the Clique
Jay Daniel- Cherubim
Children of Zeus- Hard Work
Ash Lauryn runs the blog/party Underground and Black along with a monthly NTS show of the same name. She holds a residency with Deep South ATL and throws a party with her partner and collaborator, @rekchampa, called Expressions. Follow Ash on all platforms at @ashlauryn.