Appian gets Stripped & Chewed

Midwest producer Appian (pronounced App-ee-an) has been honing his ear for dance music since he was a kid, soaking up select cuts from his Mom’s collection. His Mom must have good taste, because Appian’s gone on to create some of the vibiest house music we’ve heard of late, recently joining forces with Chicago-based label Stripped & Chewed for a bumpin’ piano-laced four-track EP entitled Rite of Passage.

We caught up with Appian to talk about the midwest, snackin’, and to grab a sweet guest mix!

Appian: “I grew up in Ferndale, which is a suburb of Detroit, by 8 mile and Livernois. I listened to dance music as a kid because my mom had a bunch of CDs and tapes from DJs. When I got older, I got into Djing and making music.”

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“For this mix, I had some slower tracks that I wanted to play. Usually I don’t play that much of the slower tempo stuff that I have, so this was a good opportunity to put some of those tracks together to see where it goes. As far as music influences, I was influenced by Rhythm Is Rhythm, some 80s club music, Aphex Twin’s techno stuff, and a lot of house music… among other things.”

WKDU: How’d the midwest influence your sound and how’d you connect with Stripped & Chewed?

Appian: The mid-west has its own style… I don’t know if I can really describe it though. Stripped & Chewed got in touch with me about doing a record. I’ve liked a lot of stuff that they have done with the label, so it was a great opportunity to collaborate.

WKDU: Any party pro-tips?

Appian: Play the music you love and music for your friends. Play music for the dancers.

WKDU: What’s your favorite post-party snack?

Appian: Chicken strips or coneys.

Peep clips of the Rite of Passage EP below & stay groovy y’all.

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Movement Detroit 2015 – Day 2 Photo Recap

Josh Wink and FriendsPhotos: Peter Liu, Words: Chris Burrell

Movement Day 2 was a ton of fun and was filled with so many amazing musical moments. The fun for us began when we met up with our Philly buddy Josh Wink at the main stage at 6 pm. Above, we’ve got DJ friends Jackie Gallagher and Tommy Hogunz posing “215” with Josh – always gotta represent!

Josh WinkJosh had the eager Detroit crowd in an afternoon fit, working through a feverish medley of songs from his catalog, including “Don’t Laugh”, “Are You There” (Ben Klock’s Remix), his newest track “Denial” (which Dixon played the day before, also on the main stage), a different (perhaps forthcoming!?) mix of “Talking To You”, then closed out with a heavy remix of “Higher State of Consciousness”.

Continue reading “Movement Detroit 2015 – Day 2 Photo Recap”