STM 069 - Conor Thomas

“Secret Thirteen Mix 069” is a meticulously curated, one-take recording that intricately weaves together 20 vinyl records spanning from 1981 to 2013. Original works by esteemed artists such as Bruce Gilbert, Muslimgauze, Wolfgang Voigt, Eliane Radigue, Leyland Kirby, Vatican Shadow, Raime, and others, clearly reflect the mix's solidity and longevity. These masterworks not only enrich the contemporary narrative with elaborate sound textures and diverse production techniques but also balance its fundamental emotional and ideological foundation.

Crafted by Conor Thomas, a Manchester-based DJ, promoter, and music analyst, this mix reflects his deep roots and influence in the alternative electronic scene. Thomas's musical career began as a DJ in his teens. He started working at Pelicanneck Records and subsequently joined one of the world’s leading independent music stores, Boomkat.com (2004-present). Thomas also hosts the notable Ploy and Faktion events, where he has booked kaleidoscopic live acts and DJs such as Omar Souleyman, Group Doueh, Sublime Frequencies, Hieroglyphic Being, Black Rain, and many others. He has performed between Berlin, London, and Manchester and is best known from the Blackest Ever Black events and numerous Unknown To The Unknown raves, as well as DJing the opening set at Berghain for CTM's Death Of Rave event. In 2012, Thomas co-founded the very promising The Death Of Rave label, which has showcased artists such as Mark Leckey, Powell, and Kareem. Additionally, in 2012, Thomas began working as A&R for Boomkat Editions.

“Secret Thirteen Mix 069” is a multifaceted sonic journey that stirs the imagination, expands musical boundaries, and resonates profoundly within the psyche of discerning listeners. The foundation lies in an obscure cinematic ambiance, with variable rhythmic patterns and ever-shifting micro percussions. The mix conceals much more than mere experimental compositions; each track invites in-depth analysis, as the characteristics of each piece present a wide palette of individual sound accents that require time to be fully absorbed. Thomas begins with ethereal, abstract soundscapes, methodically building towards a dynamic and unpredictable crescendo that encapsulates his unique musical vision. While exploring the symbiosis between enigmatic soundscapes and nebulous rhythms, Thomas masterfully connects different styles of music, ranging from experimental and ambient to tribal, industrial, and other original electronica. Notably, the opening track by Rashad Becker is still forthcoming on Bill Kouligas's PAN label. Thomas also included Mark Leckey's “Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore,” released on his own imprint, The Death Of Rave. This influential journey offers everything an inquisitive listener might desire: musical depth, intensity, and innovation.

“Secret Thirteen Mix 069” mirrors the deliberate precision of Lyubov Popova’s Suprematist painting “Lineare Composition,” where abstract artistic trajectories evoke deep analytical thought and a palpable tension. The canvas surface, like the mix's background, is an energy field of overlapping and intersecting angular planes in a constant state of potential energy release. This mix not only showcases Conor Thomas’s expanding musical knowledge and skill but also serves as a testament to his passion and unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of electronic music.