Max HeyraudThis week’s Mix Of The Week comes from youngster Jake Brien, who shared the recording of his hour-long set at Wigwam’s terrace for Represent on a sun-soaked day, delivering pure, unadulterated house music across the spectrum: deep, jackin’, funky, soulful, and pumping- the good stuff.
House music feels as popular as ever in Dublin right now, but minimal has been dominating many dancefloors. That’s by no means a bad thing, but it does highlight the need for more variation. Jake Brien brings exactly that: a young house head with a genuine passion for a wide range of sounds, while remaining rooted in the classic house tradition.
Moving seamlessly between tracks from back in the day and more contemporary cuts, Jake shows the curiosity of a DJ who wants to dig deeper and develop a true understanding of the music. That approach usually results in a more balanced and engaging set, and his live recording from the Wigwam terrace is a perfect example.
One of the biggest challenges for younger DJs is developing a sense of timing, understanding how to build an atmosphere, when to push the energy higher, and when to give the crowd room to breathe. Jake gets that balance exactly right.
From creeping, electro-tinged grooves to shuffled jackin’ flavours and deep, understated B-sides, the mix feels carefully considered without ever losing its natural flow. It’s a well-thought-out and expertly executed set from a DJ with a very bright future ahead.