Indie favourites from a top-tier ambient producer.
Next up on the Theory Therapy series is DJ-producer Ben Bondy who has put together an extremely chilled mix of indie favourites and “late night stoner vibes.”
It's pretty exciting to have Ben contribute to the series. The NY producer is in the upper echelons of the electronic music scene in the US. He's released albums on some of the best labels around—West Mineral Ltd, Experiences Ltd and Lillerne Tapes to name a few—and he's collaborated with the likes of Pontiac Streator, Ulla and more eaze.
Importantly though, he's also just a huge music fan with a keen interest in various scenes, including Australia's (you may remember he cropped up on Best Effort’s Stay in Bed comp last year) epitomised by the many sounds and styles his releases deftly encompass and in the sets he puts together.
All of Ben's mixes are amazing—his epic three-hour HNYPOT one is a particular highlight—but this recording feels like an especially personal one. It was pieced together in Maine while “missing home” and contains several tracks from his formative years. It's an absolute gem of a mix, nostalgic but never too melancholic—perfect for drifting off to late at night.
How are you today?
I’m actually doing really well. Kind of just staring out at the ocean as I write you.
Can you tell us a little bit about the mix? What were you feeling when you made it?
I think some late night stoner vibes. Lots of indie music. Missing home a bit, and a fair amount of nostalgia.
Where did you record the mix?
In an attic in corea, maine.
Where would you recommend listening to it?
Sitting outside late at night on a cool night talking with close friends, or a long drive.
Are there any tracks you’ve used in the mix that are special or significant to you?
Every track in this means something to me—some are from formative years, some were shown to me by important people in my life, and maybe one or two by friends.
Theory Therapy mixes are about sharing the music that you personally find therapeutic and restorative. What does that mean for you?
I think this is sort of the question I ask myself a lot in my work. What I land on ultimately is that finding that restorative quality in music really can only come from identifying what is causing your pain. I think therapeutic or restorative music is music that helps me confront my pain and ask myself what is causing it. That can come from any number of places so its hard for me to pinpoint it from a sound-perspective.
Is there a particular album or piece of music that you find yourself returning to for tranquillity?
I think Jules Massenet’s meditation from thais has brought me more peace for more of my life than any other piece of music. I think my earliest memories are hearing my sister play it on violin with my mom accompanying her on piano when I was really young, I remember being like wow this hits.
What do you have planned for the rest of the year?
Lots of cute n exciting stuff coming up. Some live stuff, wrapping up some releases, throwing more false peak parties, and booking a new quarterly residency me and Pontiac Streator are curating at Public Records in Brooklyn.
Tracklist:
Grouper - Living Room [kranky]
Yo La Tengo - Sea Urchins [Egon]
The Seraphims - The Consciousness of Happening [Mark Records]
American Football - For Sure [Polyvinyl]
Duster - Irato [Up Records]
Lovesliescrushing - Xarella Almandyne [Projekt]
Hoodie - Slipsilver [Experiences Ltd]
Through - 800 Cherries [March Records]
宇宙ネコ子 - Virgin Suicide [Loom]
Bedhead - Beheaded [Trance Syndicate Records]
Orange - Seahorse [Dewdrops Records]
Linda Smith - I So Liked Spring [Efficient Space]
Jessica Pratt - As The World Turns [City Slang]
Charlie Megira - Tomorrow Had Passed [Numero]