An ode to guitars by NZ duo favourites.
One of the last mixes of 2021 comes from one of our favourite artists of the year: Brooklyn Mellar and Ike Zwanikken’s Hysterical Love Project. I first became aware of the Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland-based duo when they self-released Endless Bliss Weekender back in February, right at the end of the Australasian summer. I’ve had it on repeat ever since.
Their mix is “an ode to guitars and to unabashed simple beauty”. It features a bunch of favourite “relationship classics” and an unreleased track of theirs from a forthcoming album set to come out next year. They’re also working on a couple of other projects we’re really looking forward to you hearing.
How are you today?
We’re both well thanks.
Can you tell us a little bit about the mix? What were you feeling when you made it?
We’ve been feeling jaded and uninspired, this mix was a nice reason to revisit music we find powerful and cathartic. It’s kind of an ode to guitars and to unabashed simple beauty.
Where did you record the mix?
In our bedroom in Point Chevalier, Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.
Where would you recommend listening to it?
In dappled sunlight with a huge glass of ice cold sparkling water.
Are there any tracks you’ve used in the mix that are special or significant to you?
Alongside some recent faves we’ve put in a few of our relationship classics, mostly from the early days when we were long distance and sharing music was a way we kept connected, including Soho Rezanejad, Not Waving and Isorinne. There’s also an exxxclusive demo from our forthcoming album in there.
Theory Therapy mixes are about sharing the music that you personally find therapeutic and restorative. What does that mean for you?
B: I like ambient music with undertones of desperation and hope, arpeggiated on my heart strings.
I: Music that is therapeutic to me is often simple and repetitive but engaging enough for me to do nothing else but listen. I have a long-lasting obsession with perfect loops that you feel you could listen to forever. There’s a couple of those in here.
Is there a particular album or piece of music that you find yourself returning to for tranquillity?
B: Aside from what’s in the mix, I always go back to Cannonball by djrubio and Malibu/DJ Lostboi, especially her United in Flames mixes. I listen to PARTYMOBILE by PARTYNEXTDOOR virtually every morning, too.
I: Grafts by Kara-Lis Coverdale, Brannten Schnüre’s whole discog, Laced With Rumour by Maxwell Sterling, my own ambient stuff because it’s so familiar lol.
What do you have planned for the rest of the year and the beginning of next?
We’re slowly working on a new album, which we’re hoping to finish early next year…dependent on lockdown fatigue, Brooklyn completing her Masters thesis, and upcoming summertime distractions. We’ll probably also work on how to eventually play live.
Tracklist:
Bark Psychosis - Pendulum Man
Not Waving - Orange
Perila - Haven’t Left Home 4 4 Days
Klimek - Milk And Honey
Windy & Carl - Set Adrift
Brannten Schnüre - Balkone Voll Leuchtender Geranienkästen
Oxhy - And We Try
The Hers - Baby Came Out Like Good Gear In The Sun
Jóhann Jóhannsson - Mandy Love Theme
Soho Rezanejad & Frederik Valentin - Music From The Terrace
Ana Roxanne - It’s A Rainy Day On The Cosmic Shore
Jarboe - Lavender Girl
Aboutface - 51°31'12.7"N 0°12'29.9"W
Jonatan Leandoer96 - Evil
Archi Banal - Mind Is Dumb
Vanessa Amara - And Promise
Isorinne - 3:29
The Fertile Crescent - Can’t Let You Live Again
Hysterical Love Project - Unlovingliness (demo)
Goodnight - In My Mind