Starter For Five: VAAL

VAAL
The perfect way to open a DJ set...

VAAL has already walked several different paths.

As a musician she's been through several iterations, whether that's making synth pop, or moving in an acoustic direction, or her club dalliances.

It's this latter appetite that has come to define her work as VAAL, becoming a vital voice in European techno.

Continually in demand as a DJ, VAAL has a darkly enticing sound, one rooted in techno but absorbing elements of cold wave, Italo Disco, and more.

Introducing more and more of her own productions, VAAL's debut album 'Nosferatu' is a bold, daring offering, the sound of a producer truly striking out on their own.

Clash caught up with VAAL to find out how she opens a DJ set in Starter For Five...

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Jocelyn Pook - 'Masked Ball' (Vaal Edit) (Unreleased)

I made an edit of a track from Stanley Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut. This piece of music works so well as an opener. It’s a Romanian prayer played in reverse. It’s served me well the last two years. It’s a perfect opener because it’s grabs the listeners attention and the atmosphere in the room changes drastically.

Eyes Wide Shut is one of my favourite films by my favourite director, if you have seen the film, the piece of music plays at the beginning of the orgy scene. It’s menacing and dark and very ritualistic. The track has never not worked. I usually play it where I know it’s going to have maximum effect.

I opened with it at Village Underground in 2017 in my home city and it went off like never before. The room was filled with candles and primal screams.

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Hiver - 'Glass Effect' (Voiski Remix)

This track has a gradual volume and energy build that I can use to reset the mood of the club when I start my set. It has a cold disco feel but all Voiski tracks feel totally original.

I've been following Voiski for sometime now and I am a big fan. Also check out a remix he did on Vakant called 'Chappers Said So’ (by CRYK). I opened my last Berghain set with this one and the bodies packed in immediately.

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Overmono - 'iii's Front'

I’ve been playing out and producing a lot more breaks this one has been a favourite in recent sets and mixes. It has a great sense of urgency and sets a high standard for the rest of my set.

My best friend Oscar (South London Ordnance/Portrait) sent it to me. Thanks Oscar. I’m about to use it in my NTS mix next month. 

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Andy Stott - 'Numb'

Its intrigue and its phenomenal production, make this a favourite opener. It's about 97 bpm but it's not lacking in the energy department, I first heard it in Berghain, and it works best in a room with a great Soundsystem. The production is so good but its low and subby so it needs the technical support in the room.

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VAAL - 'Interference'

This one is taken from my debut album 'Nosferatu', it starts off quite easy and simple until the dark/panic breakdown where I usually like to have the house lights turned on.

Again it gets peoples attention, its another cold disco track mixed with Italo horror. It works everywhere. I works particularly well in big rooms like Printworks in London.

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'Nosferatu' is out now.

Photo Credit: Pierre Ange

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