Sam GreenwoodPartners both in life and music, Eris Drew and Octo Octa (real name Maya Bouldry-Morrison) dig deep into their collection for an all vinyl fabric presents mix, recorded from their cabin in the forest of New Hampshire. Rising through the queer American DJ circuit, Eris Drew and Octo Octa share multiple decades between them actively participating within the dance music community.
In the last few years the pair have become powerful voices advocating for queer/trans/non-binary people using a globally renowned platform built off their ecstatic mixes and productions, including a residency on BBC Radio 1 which was launched earlier this year.
“This mix is about letting go and trusting that change is good during a time when the very idea of hope is under challenge. We are collage artists so themes are woven throughout the mix, with narratives reappearing via our use of drops, scratches, doubles,” Eris and Maya explain.
Over the course of nearly 70-minutes, the T4T LUV NRG label founders span across house, bassline, UK hardcore and, trance, selecting 21 tracks, some of which have been in their collection for decades. Records by D’Menace, Marascia, Thursday Club and white labels such as Global Method will be made available digitally for the first time.
Known for connecting their music on both a mental and physical level, the pair draw on themes of rituals, witchcraft and shamanism projecting the potential healing magic of the dancefloor. The transformative experience is reflected within their motto ‘Your body is powerful. Be who you wanna be. Let your body be free!’ which can be found on both the Fabric vinyl and CD artwork.
Also included are two new original productions from the artist’s respectively. Maya’s contribution ‘River’ is first to appear in the mix and draws from religious connotations with repetitive angelic vocals echoing over her signature breakbeat style. Eris’ ‘Reactiv-8’ appears towards the end as a moment for reflection, leaving listeners to answer ‘do you know for sure it’s not the end?’
You can pre-order the vinyl and digital mix here.
Tracklist [Digital/CD]
1. Project Sound – Sweet In The Morning (Project Sound Mix)
2. 515 Connection – Positive & Negative
3. RM Project – Rock 2 Tha Beat (Greenery Mix)
4. Y U QT – Fort Wibbler
5. CZR – Structure
6. D’Menace – I’m Great-full
7. Octo Octa – River
8. Vinyl Blair – Scratch N Sniff (The One Billion Dub Mix)
9. Continous Cool – Automatic
10. Global Method – Good Life (Orbital Mix)
11. DJ Hyperactive – Reptilian Tank
12. Alec Falconer – New Junk City
13. G.O.D. – Watch Ya Bass Bins
14. Stevie B-Zet – Everlasting Pictures (Right Through Infinity) (Booker T.’s Everlasting Klub Mix)
15. X-press 2 – Say What! (London Underground Mix)
16. The Two Amigos – Everybody Get Up (Vocal Mix)
17. The Beatfreaks – Boo Dem
18. DR Motte & Westbam – Sunshine
19. Marascia – Genetically Changed
20. Eris Drew – Reactiv-8
21. Thursday Club – Dis Is Dis
Tracklist [Vinyl]
A1. Project Sound – Sweet In The Morning (Project Sound Mix)
A2. G.O.D.- Watch Ya Bass Bins
A3. Continuous Cool – Automatic
B1. Global Method – Good Life (Orbital Mix)
B2. Octo Octa – River
C1. Alec Falconer – New Junk City
C2. CZR – Structure
C3. The Two Amigos – Everybody Get Up (Vocal Mix)
D1. Eris Drew – Reactiv-8
D2. Marascia – Genetically Changed
In the meantime, while we wait for the November release date, you can watch and listen to Eris Drew and Octo Octa’s Boiler Rom set from Sugar Mountain, back in 2019.