IN THE MIX: D.V.S.*

This week we break the space-time continuum and land in a new layer of the electronic stratosphere with Brooklyn-based DJ, producer and multi-instrumentalist, Derek VanScoten, or D.V.S.*. As the purveyor of timelessly smart, emotionally-charged music that knows no boundaries, I find D.V.S.* to be a rather sublimely inspired artist.

As a musician, Derek has explored virtually every genre of music, spanning from ethnic beats to Motown to funk and soul, only recently settling on his trip-hop/instrumental laptop setup. Despite planting his feet in the technological orchestra of 2011, Derek never loses sight (or use) of his power and puller of heart-strings: his trusty guitar.

During a live set, he begins by DJing for a few songs, then when the crowd is good and primed, enters the next level igniting the senses with his soulful and funky guitar riffs, all the while improvising and remixing.

It’s no wonder that he has releases on Soulection and 1320 (STS9‘s label) as well as his own, Octave Memory Tapes.

Radiohead – Reckoner (D.V.S* & Chantel Remix) by RemixTheVideo

His eight track mix, The Newell & Doran Mix (live at Dublab in LA), is a perfect representation of the chiller, more instrumental side of D.V.S* in which he flawlessly melts his tracks together and engages his listeners in a sea of auditory bliss with his complex yet unconventional layering of sounds. In this mix, he journeys from hip-hop acoustic, to airy futuristic quips, percussive lines, and then poignant vocals in “The Kill” (15.11). This song is the moment in the mix for me, where Derek shoots for the heart and lands perfectly. It’s as though he crossed sound waves with Justin Vernon (Bon Iver) only to then meet Flying Lotus all the while running alongside Thom Yorke. It is this distinct reason as to why Derek has earned the right to close every music festival he graces. Many musicians can keep you moving all night,

but few know a soundtrack for welcoming day-break while bringing comfort to the soul.

Music Ecology presents D.V.S.* and Creative Common
Wonderbar, Allston
Tuesday, 10.25
10pm, $5, 21+

Tracklist and explanations (as told by D.V.S*):

0:00 “Newell & Doran” is like hip hop acoustic sounds in 7/4 on a nice spring day.

4:21 “Area of Grey” began with Arman Christoff when we worked together at the Aspen Music Festival. I was feeling Eno and and he was feeling Roger Waters.

7:00 “Will Us, With Us,” “Trees” and “Jarret” are part of a theme of their own…guitars and nature and beats and space kinda stuff.

15:11 “The Kill” was written and performed by Reed Foehl. One day he came over, gave me beer, and recorded it. I’m hooked. Look out!

16:25 “Bloom” and “Attunement” continue where “Jarret” left off…

20:20 “Perception” and “Song Cry” undeniably divulge my love for Boards of Canada type stuff … oh, and and Just Blaze too!

22:02 “Sweetest Awakening” is a mashup of tunes between me & my friend Josh from childhood. Good heart stuff. I miss him.

23:13 “After it All” is a perfect closer. Space house talk box with Martha & The Vandellas on vocals.

All works by D.V.S* except where noted.