“Universal.” That is the word that Tristan Hallis proudly states when describing his inaugural entry into DJ-Kicks’ storied lineage. As DJ BORING, the Australian DJ and producer has forged a vibrant and illustrious career that has taken him to all corners of the globe. Unlike his puckish alias, Hallis has earned a cherished reputation for his effervescent stage presence and bombastic sets, which take in a hi-NRG flow of oddball techno, Chicago house, future funk and the emotional depths of melodic trance and ambient music. Fittingly, his DJ-Kicks mix is a winding journey through the moods, sounds and eras that coloured Hallis’ complex inner world during the compilation process. “Trying to compile this put me in a pretty strange headspace. To be honest, I was trying to compile a vast range of stuff so I just needed to be on my own to focus on it. I stayed in one day and then finished it off in my studio” Hallis explains. “Then I just totally zoned in – it all came spilling out of me.” “At first, I was going to do something completely different – it was just going to be dance music! But I think a lot of people like the at-home listening aspect, and that really resonated with me – it’s what I enjoy. I want people to feel that they can put the mix on at the start of their night, while they’re cooking dinner, before ramping up a bit before going out.” Likewise, Hallis’ own approach to his DJ-Kicks selections is informed by the foundational tenets of the genre, where soulful melodies and grooves interact to build a feeling of euphoria. It’s a creative approach inspired by Moodymann’s iconic 2016 DJ-Kicks recording, in which the Motor City icon simmers slow soul, jazz and funk to a boil, releasing a melange of life-affirming house tunes. “When I first moved to London, my friend and I would play this at work, because it came out around that time. We just had an obsession with DJ-Kicks and Moodymann was our favourite. It’s all about the slow burn that then perfectly meshes into this energetic dancefloor area. I wanted to do my own version of that,” he says. “This DJ-Kicks mix is my personality to a tee,” smiles Hallis, relishing the creative freedom of exploring myriad emotional territories as a DJ. “It’s a perfect balance of everything that I love; it’s hopeful and meditative, but also fun. I hope people listen to it front to back and go on the journey – because it goes everywhere.”Tracklist:CD 1. Anthony Napels - Orb Two 2. Patrick Holland - Fried 3. Surgeons Girl - Sympathetic Cycle 4. Thomas Fehlmann -Schizophrenia 5. Oscar Jerome - Berlin 1 6. Rampa - 79249 Intro 7. Matisa - Balet 8. Sally C - All Love 9. Teqmun - Nettle Dweller (Pariah Remix) 10. Beste Hira - Pembe Bulutlar 11. Burnski - Pacific 12. Cameo Blush - Art Of Worry 13. DJ BORING - You Luv Me 14. Shanti Celeste - Cutie 15. Hertz - More Funk 16. Bambounou - Expensive Discogs House 17. Jennifer Loveless - Back 2 Front (She Just Keeps Going) 18. Regal86- Fuel (Deep Dish Mix) 19. Tim Taylor Vs. Thor 54 - Over The Hill (Mr G's Hi Nrg Dub) 20. DJ BORING - N15 21. Odymel - Even Sven 22. Leo Pol - I'd Rather Be Getget 23. Ede & Deckert feat. Sargland - Immer (Narciss 'Venice' Remix) 24. moktar & Saad El Soghayar - حركة H
