Its been a while since our last guest mix, and I’m so excited to add another one to the collection by the one and only Olive T! She’s been putting in serious work on the NYC music scene for some years now, and is definitely an artist to watch in 2018. I became hip to Olive back in late 2016, when a mutual friend posted one of her mixes on Twitter. I remember listening, and thinking that we had very similar tastes, and honestly was just so excited to find out about another black woman involved in dance music. I sent her a message on FB hoping to not sound like too much of a groupie, and luckily she was very responsive and friendly. Long story short, we finally met when I had my NYC debut at Bossa Nova Civic club this past summer, and we have been supporting each other as black women and artists’s ever since! I really admire Olive for all of the hard work and dedication she has put in, and can’t wait to see what else she has in store for us in the years to come.
Olive was nice enough to answer a few interview questions in preparation for this mix, so before you get into the groove of these soulful, deep, jacking, dark, sounds, have a read below, and get to know the one they call “Olive T.” a little better…
-ASH ❤
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1. Tell us a little about yourself and your influences:
My DJ name is Olive T, I’m from NY -I’m a DJ/Producer/Baker
I brought my first pair of turntables when I was 17 and started DJing professionally about 6 or 7 years ago. My influences are my parents, a few punk ideologies, abstraction in art, nature, sound & feelings.
2. What is your view of the current state of underground dance music?
I think underground dance music is at it’s best point I’ve ever seen it. A few years ago the only dance records I had easy access to were distributed by huge record labels’ sub labels. Now I see regular people creating small record runs and releasing music on bandcamp/internet. There’s a lot more options, diversity, and a further reach to fans imo.
3. In regards to NYC, how do you feel about Black representation in dance music?
This is a tough question, there’s certainly many talented black producers and DJs here that may not receive the same attention as their non black peers due to I suppose… having connects in the business or support networks in the scene, ownership of labels and venues, not having financial means to make music. The representation & exposure could be better. Also a lot of the poc youth here like dance music that may not appeal to the masses or have venues that understand -which makes parties a bit harder to throw.
4. What are you dreams, goals, aspirations for the future?
My dream would be to live a sustainable life, just from making art/music. My goal right now would be to put out a record/ep or two in 2018 or ’19.
As for future aspirations…i’m not sure, I try not to think too much about the future. I just set small plans and work toward them slowly heh. I would like to help more women of color learn production and to DJ out more/navigate the night life on the talent side.
5. Any upcoming gigs your looking forward to?
Right now i’m looking forward to tackling my New Years Day 4am set for the ravers still going. And I’m real excited to open for Kyle Hall and Jay Daniel at Good Room in Brooklyn, NY on January 14th. I’ve been a fan of their work for years. I haven’t seen a lineup of younger black DJs and producers headlining a club night ever. More of that in 2018 would be awesome.
Tracklist:
Amel Larrieux – Bravebird
A Tribe Called Quest – The Hop (B-Squit Edit)
AshTreJinkins – Skitz
Jad & The – Disco Dancefloor Tool
Larry Heard, Mr. White – Supernova
Nils Penner – Multa (Johnjon Remix)
K-Hand – Live
Lady Blacktronika – Unreleased
Anthony Shake Shakir – Pursuit Mix 2
Black Noi$e – Creepy Crawlers
Glenn Underground – Escuchame’ (Escuchame’)
Lucretio – The Way We Do
Freestyle Orchestra – Twi-Lite
Top Secret
Three Kings feat. Jaygun & Bashy – Shake Dat Booty (DSB Re-Edit)
Sudan Archives – Paid
Mr. G, Mike Grant – My Soul, My Spirit (Mr. G’s Freedom Train Mix)
Ikonika – Oral Suspension (Big Strick Remix)
Norm Talley – The Dream
The Oliverwho Factory – Basement Party
Posthuman – Preach ( feat. Josh Caffe)
Anthony Shake Shakir – Frictional Beat #6 (KMFH 808 DUB)
Farley Jackmaster Funk – The Acid Life
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