ARE WE ON AIR ?

In this special rendition of ARE WE ON AIR? re-presents a special gem: an interview with the legendary LARRY LEVAN conducted by Judge Jules, originally broadcasted on KISS FM. This series aims to present the unique dimensions of the greatest talents around, here we bring attention to the pioneer DJ whose magnificent cultural contributions at the Paradise Garage shaped the sound of club culture today.

JOSÉ PADILLA is synonymous with Ibiza: a pioneer in perfecting the sun-soaked and chilled-out balearic beat at the Café Del Mar. In this special episode, PADILLA gives an illustrious tour through his musical beginnings, from his adoration of Girl From Ipanema and the universes of jazz renditions to Vangelis’ stunning Blade Runner soundtrack.

YTO BARRADA’s multimedia practice has been described as disruptive: strategically employing conventional mediums to interrogate the narratives embedded within cultural and historical phenomena. Though this synthesis, BARRADA transcends the constraints of form, utilizing everything from textiles to film to unpack and unveil new layers of meaning. In this episode, The Franco-Moraccan artist untangles pieces of her own musical history — from childhood tunes to heartbreak ballads.

A decade after the release debut Forget, the polymath George Lewis Jr, also known as TWIN SHADOW, finds himself here: reminiscing about witnessing the infectious Richie Havens’ contained chaos alongside his father. In this episode, Lewis signals the distinct bachata influence to his guitar playing inspired by his mother’s taste in music.

MICHEL GAUBERT is no stranger to the affect of sound. With a refined curatorial ear for legendary fashion houses such Christian Dior, Fendi, Valentino, Chanel… it makes perfect sense to obsess over what Michel’s got on queue. In this episode, GAUBERT unveils his current rotation, along with his ethos for his iconic Colette concept store & mixtape compilations.

Reporting from a 15' x 50' enclosed studio… or basement depending on how you’re utilizing it, TOM SACHS shares a space with storage, laundry, and his children, contemplating on the small things. With work that focuses on recontextualizing, SACHS pauses to deconstruct his most personal and meticulous assemblage: his music taste. From formative glimpses at the eternally influential do-it-yourself punk culture of The Anthrax, to his congenial collaborative work with the enigmatic Frank Ocean, the Tom Sachs rendered in this audio is subject to reinterpretation…

As the memory lies dormant, the true wonder of our consciousness is offering accessibility… coupled with delightful conversation, of course. In this special episode, Naféei captures virtuoso conductor ZUBIN MEHTA’s exquisitely decorated musical psyche. Ensconced by concerts and operas as a young man, MEHTA remembers witnessing the greatest musicians… experiencing the unfiltered joy of having his influences at arms reach. Listen close—it isn’t everyday that this bountiful wisdom is put on display. https://areweonair.com/zubin-mehta https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

You’re in line to get inside Panorama Bar, the ETA to get in is about an hour and it’s pouring rain… You can hear the subs bursting through the facade, giving you just enough hope to visualize the interior… MISS KITTIN is on soon and you’re experiencing this kind collective effervescence for the first time… In this episode, the artist also known as CAROLINE HERVÉ speaks about her essential inspirations, not only musical, but keeping her spirit intact, navigating through a counterculture once held sensationally in contempt. https://areweonair.com/miss-kittin https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

With an adolescent ear towards classical music, CHRIS BLACKWELL signals to his father’s 78s as the earliest imprint in his musical history. In this episode, the Island Records founder offers enlightenment for the practices of musicians and any artists alike: do your own thing and don’t emulate, because the art will always come first and the “market” will follow… If you ever needed the affirmation from an influential source outside your own head, here it is! https://areweonair.com/chris-blackwell https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/

Before a product reaches the end assembly, one rarely thinks of the human hand: an object rendered with value based on cultural expectation through mechanical means… but WILLO PERRON’s role in this world is making that touch known: the harmoniously combination of both people and concepts, creating EXPERIENCE. In this episode, PERRON meditates on his work in relation to music, highlighting the most crucial element in the mix: CONVERSATION… https://areweonair.com/willoperron https://www.instagram.com/areweonair/ https://www.instagram.com/armannafeei/