dj.WYSIWYG

When I started the Halo-Halo series, I set out to not repeat tracks in any of my mixes. The original mix established the use of 16 tracks and 40 minutes of playing time. I figured this would eventually make subsequent sets much more difficult, and that couldn’t be more true for Halo-Halo Vol.8.

In making plans for this latest release, which started about two years ago, I had different paths with what I have remaining. I explored four directions, all with very different character. That didn’t matter, realizing the unused can be saved for a later time. But I was stuck deciding which, and with each partially defined, it only led to more confusion. My library of remaining New Wave/Synthpop is certainly dwindling, but as I continue to research, it’s either: 1) I remember a forgotten track or 2) the overlooked tracks identify themselves in the process. The strange part is that while the list shortens, it kinda grows.

For Halo-Halo Vol.8, I’m not quite sure where things began. Much of what’s remaining is a selection that may not be better known, but I also realize it’ll be appreciated by the hard core wavers who are familiar. What I remember is that I kept mixing different pairs, and let the better transitions lead the way. I’m not sure how I eventually settled on this one particular path, but some tracks (used as bridges) helped progress. Like some of the others, I was doubting Vol.8 would become reality with more than half the mix not defined until earlier this year. There was no forced playlist, and I continued to push with a flow that I didn’t expect. Much like its siblings, I also worked backwards to round out the mix. It’s kinda puzzling how that works out, and to me, HH8 shares qualities with HH4, HH5 and HH6.

To make a cohesive mix is probably the most challenging of the process, and I expect to rework pairs or swap tracks countless times to maintain a consistent flow. But it was much more this time than with any of its predecessors. Despite finding good matches (eventually), getting the sequence right was not easy either. It was when what felt forced that some tracks emerged as good segues. And that’s what stuck. I’m letting some edits remain as is, more so to meet original requirements than anything else.

Some mixing notes: I figured a more subtle way to resolve speed shifts. That’s what HH8 shares with both HH5 & HH6 especially, as it starts at a nice 124 BPM and ends at approximately 118 BPM. It’s much less noticeable now.

I’ve introduced more of the overlooked Synthpop into Halo-Halo Vol.8 with tracks like Secession’s The Magician, Marc Almond’s The Desperate Hours and the lesser-known cover from The Midnight Shift, California Dreaming. The latter two have been sitting in my cue for awhile, as was Erasure’s Victim of Love. I also don’t recall many mixes in the past featuring Pet Shop Boys’ What Have I Done to Deserve This, Warren Rigg’s Didn’t I Love You Right and Erasure’s Stop. Not to mention, Cccan’t You See by Vicious Pink, Figure on a Beach’s Gloria/Accidentally 4th Street, and the song I considered to be the “backwards version” of Bizarre Love Triangle, Animal Magic (Belouis Some). The aforementioned bridges include Red Flag’s Russian Radio, Fun Fun’s Baila Bolero and Hubert Kah’s It’s Me, Cathy.

So, there you have it. Just in time to enjoy with the end of summer.

Download

See Halo-Halo Vol.8 on House Mixes

Playlist

0:00	Vitamin C	Erasure
1:49	The Magician	Secession
3:59	Baila Bolero	Fun Fun
6:18	What Have I Done to Deserve This?	Pet Shop Boys feat. Dusty Springfield
10:11	The Desperate Hours	Marc Almond
12:25	Didn’t I Love You Right?	Warren Rigg
15:36	Russian Radio	Red Flag
17:47	California Dreaming	The Midnight Shift
20:28	Cccan’t You See	Vicious Pink
23:03	Victim of Love	Erasure
26:28	Stop!	Erasure
28:07	It’s Alright	Pet Shop Boys
30:33	It’s Me, Cathy (Follow Your Heart)	Hubert Kah
31:44	Accidentally 4th Street (Gloria)	Figures on a Beach
34:30	Animal Magic	Belouis Some
37:32	It Doesn’t Have to Be	Erasure
39:07	The Hardest Part*	Erasure

What’s Next, etc.

As mentioned, there were other paths that emerged as a result of Vol.8. I can see two more from the list right now. There’s also pushing the genre (Italo, Eurodance, more Hi Energy, the more current Electropop, etc.) or exploring others altogether, which has been on my mind for awhile. Again, feel free to mention what I haven’t used (because they’d go in my cue). It’s been a busy time, so as before, there’s no timetable.

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About the Artwork

If you don’t know what I’m referencing, we can’t be friends. Just kidding! Although, I encourage some research (or just ask me). It’s funny how there are no tracks from them on this one. The Asian Anthem wannabe is the closest.

Thanks

Acknowledging the extra push from people who knew I was finishing this. The last stages were very difficult to follow through with. Looking at you: Beth, Anastasia, Cory and the Santo Niños.

Not only is the push needed, but the pull/fire/fuel as well. The process became stale for awhile, but getting the creative energy back was needed to resume. Amber, an acquaintance of mine, deserves a mention. The final product here is a partial byproduct of her book.

Special thanks to my voiceover help. I continue to learn interesting techniques to apply, especially in Adobe Audition. It’s a challenge to coordinate these things when the final mix is in the latter stages, even if it’s just electronic.

• Uncle Benson (a.k.a. DJ Benson Bryan of Baguio City’s Campus Radio): I always appreciate his willingness to take a little time for me.
• Abby and Ollie: Going back to when I started with drops, I’ve been wanting to sample the voices of my niece and nephew in there. They knew how to execute what I asked. Thanks, kiddies…
• My sis, Julie: Also appropriate to add her at one point.

I have a short list of those I’d ask for voiceovers, some of which couldn’t be coordinated for this round. So if you’re interested to contribute to a future mix, let me know. It’s also a subtle way to push a marketing agenda. Ask me for more details.

Shoutout

VMC, JD, Vince, JayFunk, Globe and Phil (where you at?), DJayFusion, Manila Ice and BJaminU.

And especially to my audience, wherever you are listening from.

August 30, 2019