Aiden Francis is a vibrant presence surfing the Manchester scene and beyond, following a string of releases on the likes of Magic Carpet, Duality Trax, Gestalt, Radiant Records and Houseum. The only way is up for this avid record collector and his eclectic sound that undulates between soft-electro, trance, tech-house whilst always keeping his fingers dipped into progressive.
First and foremost thank you so much for taking the time to put this mix together, can you tell us a little bit about the energy behind this mix, is there anything you would prescribe doing while listening?
Thank you so much for having me, I’m a huge fan of this mix series so I’m feeling honored that I am able to contribute towards it!
I would love to say that I recorded this on a whim without planning, but realistically I spent a while refining the set list to properly encapsulate what a more “driving” and “rolling” Aiden Francis set sounds like compared to previous mixes. For this mix I veered towards a truly progressive journey - working our way up through different energy levels and textures, and withholding explosive energy until we reach a peak in the final stages of the mix.
I like to see my sets as a deep ocean dive, starting out light and fun to start then quickly dipping into deeper territories and slowly bringing ourselves back up for that release of energy - hopefully this sentiment translates well whilst listening. And if none of that connects then I hope you enjoy it anyway xoxo
We go through tribal, wobbly techno, progressive and early goa/psy trance records that I really love. Oh and I ended the mix with two of my favourite club songs of all time mashed together for a truly ethereal ending with thanks to Kirsty Hawkshaw’s otherworldly hymn-like singing.
It’s relentless 4x4 beat’s throughout, so great for working out to, dancing at home, listening to before going out or walking through the countryside xo
You’ve had a string of releases this year and last, congratulations on the latest fire EP, Plastic Fantasy, on Holly Lester’s Duality Trax! Can you tell us a little bit about how the EP came together and the inspiration behind it?
Thank you! It’s certainly my most playful release, and I’m quite proud of it. The idea for the title track actually came to me whilst I was walking through a forest a few years ago whilst on a little holiday, I had a little thought “what if I combined elements of “Barbie Girl” and “Vogue” together? I went back to my cabin that night and put together the elements that were in my mind into Ableton - then after a bit of refinement “Plastic Fantasy” was born! The other tracks around it sort of fell into place around it, and Matisa gave it a huge beef up on the remix.
I have an affinity with campy things, so I thought this song best describes me as a person, not too serious, just a bit of fun… oh and I like the colour PINK!
You’ve been making a steady trajectory over the past years and with a real wide range of influences and sounds under your belt, it comes as no surprise. How would you describe your sound as having changed in the past year and what has guided this?
I really love having a go at making different styles and sounds, all whilst keeping my sound embedded in everything that I do and a constant cycle of switching up production technique and process really guides this change. I think by doing this I’m finding that I’m producing better results (especially in the last year) and keeping things fresh, because I get bored so easily haha.
Even in the last year my sound has developed a little more and is sounding a bit more “techy” with combined elements from early goa/psy trance. And I’ve started slowing things down and making some downtempo which I am really enjoying making
“I really love having a go at making different styles and sounds, all whilst keeping my sound embedded in everything that I do and a constant cycle of switching up production technique and process really guides this change.”
Last and not least, what’s next for Aiden Francis?
Sooooo music wise I have an EP on Body High (HARDLINE) coming out, a remix out for 131bpm (alongside icons like Bashkka, Desire, Devoye, Eoin DJ, Kodemul and Roza Terenzi), a remix for Cosmic G and Hannd on their new record. In the background I’m working on 2 new EPs and 2 other remixes too - but they won’t be out for a while. So this year may be kinda quiet in terms of EP releases, but things are being made - I am just taking my time ;)
Some fun upcoming dates are: going b2b with the cutie Fastlove for Sounds of the Other City and the huge Freak Queer Rave in Manchester. I have some others in the pipeline but they’re not announced yet!
Stay up to date with Aiden here!