Producer, DJ and lifelong house music obsessive, in recent years Brian Tappert has probably become best known as the co-founder of Traxsource, one of the world’s leading music download stores currently celebrating their 10 year anniversary. Founded back in 2004 and an original pioneer of the digital download revolution, Traxsource has been Tappert’s major focus for the last decade, but a return to his artistic origins is now imminent.
Delivering his first recorded DJ mix for close to six years for the latest edition on In Their House, we are honoured to welcome an industry pioneer to the series.
Where in the world are you right now and what are you up to?
I’m currently in our new office in Pompano Beach Florida, reviewing this week’s selections for the Traxsource homepage with Sheldon Prince who is our Head of A&R.
How do you balance the demands of DJing/producing and running Traxsource? Does one ultimately win over the other?
We have an amazing group of dedicated guys who work here and I could definitely find a balance, but saying that, I haven’t played a live set nor made a record or remix in almost 6 years. So it seems Traxsource has been winning the battle. But I’m certainly trying very hard to get that balance back. I have recently started organizing music to play out and updated my DJ equipment to and it’s been really inspiring.
The music industry must have changed out of all recognition over the course of your career, but what have been the things that have remained constant?
It’s funny, I have been DJing over 25 years now and it seems that the last five of those years, technology has progressed more than in the previous 20. Traxsource is 10 this year, so that’s saying a lot. But at its core, everything is exactly the same. I mean, musical trends come and go, technology will always progress but the mindset of being a DJ remains the same: collect some great tracks and put them together in an interesting way, it’s not rocket science. Listening and playing with your heart is the key to it all, and I don’t think that will ever change.
Tell us about the mix… how and where was it recorded?
The mix is actually the first set I have recorded in almost 6 years. I recently invested in all the latest Pioneer gear and it’s all set up right here in my office, so I recorded it here on 3 CDJ2000 Nexus and a Pioneer DJM 900 mixer. I spent a couple weeks fine tuning the playlist until I had a nice balance of tunes, then banged it out straight into the laptop.
Any tracks on their in particular that you’d like to highlight?
Well I love them all, but if i had to choose just one it would be the opening track, Supernova feat. Ann Saunderson ‘RLH’ (Shur-I-Kan Vocal Mix) on Lapsus Music. I just think it’s great, very modern yet very classic all at the same time, plus I love Shur-I-Kan he’s always on point. It’s a great example of what modern house music can sound like if people take a bit of care in their production and song writing.
We’re a little more than halfway through the year… for you, who’s the producer you’ve been most impressed with?
Wow, that is always such a tough question, there are so many people making noteworthy music at the moment. I have to admit I’m a big fan of Simian Mobile Disco, Detroit Swindle, Hercules & Love Affair, Supernova, ZDS (after hearing their Audiojack remix, which is massive), Jaymo and Andy George, Audiowhores… I could go on and on.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about…?
I would simply like to thank all of you at Defected for setting the bar so high and for kicking ass at what you do. We have a long and wonderful history together and in fact we would not be where we are today if it was not for Simon and I meeting and becoming friends all those years ago (we met because Simon signed our records in 1994!) So thank you (Simon and the whole crew) for all your dedication to finding great talent and also for supporting what we do here at Traxsource, and especially for giving me a chance to be a part of it.
To check out all the latest Defected release on Traxsource, head to: traxsource.com/
Mix tracklisting:
1. Supernova feat. Ann Saunderson – RLH (Shur-I-Kan Vocal Mix)
2. The Checkup – I Got Something
3. Audiowhores – Ohh (Demo Mix)
4. Classixx feat. Karl Dixon – Into The Valley (Julio Bashmore Remix)
5. Kid Sublime – Afrofunkrhythm
6. Romanthony – What’s Love (Supernova Remix)
7. Hausworks – Listen To Me
8. Seven Davis Jr. – One (Live Edit)
9. Dario D’Attis feat. Lisa Shaw - All Over Again (Underground Dub
10. Cassian – Find Out
11. Sex Sells – Put Me On
12. Hermanez – Whatcha Gonna Do
