Yung Lemon joins us for our 36th installment in the series with a mix to listen to while looking after your plants!
Latif, a DJ and producer from Sydney/Gadigal Land, is a resident and host of Free House Radio on the iconic Radio Skid Row, and co-runs Eko-System, a Warrung/Sydney based label.
First of all, tell us a little bit about this mix - is there anything you would envision doing while listening? Any artists or labels you’d like to give a shout-out to that you’ve included in the mix?
I made this mix with songs that I listen to while taking care of my plants. The mix as a whole is music for plants and plant care, although it also works well as background music for painting, drawing, journaling or any other creative/mindful pursuit.
Congratulations on the launch of Eko-System! Can you tell us a little bit about the music and what this label means to you?
Thank you, it's been such a fun ride getting it up and running. We are inspired by what’s popping at the doofs here in Sydney. The styles range from stompy minimal, bush tech, trance, techno, and so on. We really love organic sounds and field recordings, as well as exploring sounds and rhythms from our ancestors in South America and North Africa. We see a lot of similarities in the rave scene now and the traditions and ceremonies of our antecedents. We love the idea of using music to create a world where time no longer exists and the future and past unite in the present. Our music is designed for militants who are fighting for a better world. Our definition of militant doesn’t necessarily need to be someone who is using violence or wearing a uniform, they can be fighting invisible battles against invisible/subtle (or not so subtle) enemies, such as inter-generational trauma, mental illness, poverty and racism. We believe music is the perfect tool to transmit these messages. Music can never hurt you.
Artwork and design by Lucas J. Hatzisavas @ Popdabadel
Your first album on Eko-System is a self-released compilation between you and Eastern Distributor - how did you guys meet and how did the label come about?
Daniel (Eastern Distributor) and I met in the underground music scene here in Sydney. We quickly discovered we had very similar tastes and ideas and connected instantly. My friend Jackson, who collaborates with me (Free House) from London, suggested that we start a label together. After floating the idea to Daniel we realised we both had a desire to create music that explores moods, concepts and themes rather than focusing on particular genres. Then, after 3 years and many brainstorming sessions later, Eko-System was born. It was a really fun process. Writing our ideas up onto a whiteboard and over time crafting the work until we achieved conceptual integrity. It was especially rewarding spending time together world building. Now we are super keen to bring other artists into the fold to see how they interpret our ethos.
“New technologies, avant garde ideas are vital to my process. It’s inherent in me to make art to celebrate and experience joy in my culture, but also to respond to the economic and social challenges we face today which are urgent and complex.”
Your last release ‘Four Sword’ is a hard-hitting and powerful track. Can you tell us a little bit about the energy behind it and how you feel your music has changed over time as a producer?
Music allows my abstract thoughts and feelings to flow in ways that are impossible using everyday language. The energy behind the song reflects the journey as I explore my experience of inter-generational trauma. I descend from a line of fighters. My ancestors were involved in the resistance against French colonialism in Algeria. The effects of extreme violence and war reverberates through time, and I experience some of the trauma held by my antecedents. The song is a tool for me to channel and encapsulate rage. It’s also a way for me to acknowledge the strength and impenetrability of Amazigh spirituality and culture. I wrote a blurb about the track which goes into this in more detail which you can find here.
My style has changed because not everything is about anger and trauma. I am also a nerd and I love modern sci-fi (like Black Mirror and Annihilation) as well as abstract, surreal and conceptual art. My new music incorporates these approaches and is more stripped back and less intense but still moody because I'm a moody person.
What’s next for Yung Lemon?
One of the events I’m most excited about is the Touch of Loft warehouse party here in Sydney on the 6th of August, which I’ll promote on instagram @yung_limes once the details are released. My EP, ‘Vague Memories’, is ready for release. The date will be announced soon. I’m really excited to be combining AI art with my music and exploring world rhythms. This will come to life in an exhibition space, where the crowd is invited to engage with the art and dance. I never stop creating, there is a heap of music ready to release. New technologies, avant-garde ideas are vital to my process. It’s inherent in me to make art to celebrate and experience joy in my culture, but also to respond to the economic and social challenges we face today which are urgent and complex.
Stay up to date with Yung lemon here!