"WITCHES BREW." AÏSHA C. VERTUS, MONTRÉAL, QC, CANADA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2016.
"I'm in love with vinyls. I enjoy hanging out with the object. I think it's more than sounds. It gives a certain immortality to music. You can play a vinyl without using an electric machine. Isn't it crazy?"
Photo by Pierre Rougier.
IT ALL STARTED WHEN...
I first met Aïsha in 2011 when she signed up to perform at Hip Hop Karaoke in Montréal. Her smile instantly won me over. She possesses an infectious, boundless enthusiasm and a sharp intellect, with deep musical knowledge and a hustle that knows no end. This young woman is going places, you watch out.
What's your passion/hustle/profession?
Sounds cliché but, music is the main thing that drives me. I'm in love with it. I work in the music industry as a Freelance A&R / Project Manager. I also love to DJ and share music on Brooklyn radio, n10.as and CKUT in Montréal. I teach private DJ classes to empower women.
What kind of music helps you focus at work?
I'd say stuff like Manduka, Alice Coltrane, Flora Purim, Pharoch Sanders. Basically, all they call "free jazz". I'm also in love with Tropicalia music. It's Psych Rock era in Brazil during the 60's. A band called Fumaça Preta does it perfectly.
When you’re winding down?
When I was a teenager, Catch A Fire by Bob Marley was the music I put on when I needed to calm down. Now, I'd say Râ Râ music from Haïti keeps me sane. Especially the song "Min Yo." It's a music style that is pretty close to voodoo music. Witches gotta stay cool, you know. In 2014, I went through an intense break up. I think @Peace and the Plutonian Symphony helped me keep my head up. What a master piece!
Working out?
Done so many abs on "Coupe" by Future. Any dancehall classic makes me work that booty. If I do my yoga session at home, I play some Adele Sebastian. Sometimes, I call myself "Workout DJ" because I bring my record crate (20 lbs) in my DJ bag and I bike all the way to the gig. For those who don't know, there's so many hills in Montréal. That's some special workout!
Cooking?
Any Samba. It's the perfect soundtrack for a gathering with friends and fam. I also wake up to that music. It makes me feel happy. In fact, no need for Vitamin D in the winter when you have Samba music daily.
Kickin’ it with friends?
Anything, because most of my friends are DJs, producers, or trained musicians. I always discover a new artist or a new album when I'm hanging out in their home.
What’s your most memorable musical moment? This could be a live show or festival that really stuck with you, meeting a music icon, etc.
Ouf! I have a lot of crazy music moments. First that comes to mind, I'd say 4/20 in 2012. I was in L.A with 5 other friends. We represented Montréal on Soulection radio. Then we drove fast to get to the Brainfeeder Pool Party at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club [in Palm Springs]. First thing my friend Charles did was pumping into Thom Yorke.
Recently, I've spent 2 wonderful evenings with Joel Stones. This guy is so inspiring. I have love and respect for Andy Williams too. This guy gave me a chance on the radio. A few months ago, I met Frederico Galloti and Holy Mei in London. We went to the 20th anniversary of the label BBE (again, Ace Hotel London). Then, we finished the night at a jazz club during a 22a Records takeover. I never thought I'd meet Jeen Bassa & Reginald Omas Momode IV. For me they we like myths. I'd add all the time I've met Flying Lotus. Since I'm 16 years old. He even mentioned me to my good friend Kaytranada. I couldn't believe he remembered me.
Favourite love song?
Aye aye, you're asking the question to the "worst" hopeless romantic. There's too many. "No Room For Doubt" by Lianne La Havas makes me cry every time I hear it. Interpretation, lyrics, minimal melody. This song has too much soul. When I'm in love with a guy, I always play him "Hey Love" by Sa-Ra Creative Partners.
Slow jam?
Mo Kolours is amazing, his eponymous album is insanely good. Knowsum, Modlee & Vlooper, Andrew Ashong, Noname. Oh my god, all my iPod playlist.
Between the sheets track?
I dedicated all my Witches Brew mixes to that. I even have a project with my boyfriend. We do baby making music mixes. It's called Duo Tang. I'd say Melancholy Status by Bueller was my top album to make love to.
You need to hype up the crowd at a house party real quick. What do you put on next?
Depends on who is in front of me. Sometimes, I play Arca to get people's attention real quick by creating a musical atmosphere. There is so much texture in his music. Some UKG is always nice too, like the classic "Boooo!" by Mrs Dynamite & Sticky. If I'm playing outdoors, I get their attention when I play "Mas Que Nada" by Jorge Ben or any version of the song.
If you were stranded on a desert island with only one album, which would it be?
Mama's Gun by Erykah Badu 'cause it gives me strength in times of struggle. At the same time, when I travel Tawk Tomhawk by Hiatus Kaiyote is my to-go-to.
Dinner with any artist, dead or alive. They're paying. Whom do you choose?
I wanna chill with Caetano Veloso. Take my witch magic and bring back Sun Ra.
Best format? Cassette tape, CD, iPod, Vinyl, etc.
Vinyl / .wav equal love. I'm young so I grew up on the few years before cassettes died. Then, I've never collected CDs. Even when I worked at HMV. I'm diggin' online since my mom had internet that cuts off the home phone line. I'm in love with vinyls. I enjoy hanging out with the object. I think it's more than sounds. It gives a certain immortality to music. You can play a vinyl without using an electric machine. Isn't it crazy?
What’s the most prized album/mixtape/musical memento you own?
260R$ / 130$CAN for Tropicalia: ou Panis et Circencis original Brazilian press and mint. I bought it in Benedicto do Calixto, a record fair in Saõ Paulo. I couldn't leave this important album there. I never buy expensive records but, I was in a trip. There's a whole story behind how I found it.
Your home is on fire and this is the only thing you can grab before it all burns down. (Sorry, that one’s grim.)
My magic carpet. It's a carpet that I bought on Venice Beach when I did my first travel when I was 18. This carpet follows me everywhere since. To L.A, Brazil, Europe and Morrocco. It's so warm, colorful. Everytime I travel, it's useful.
Merçi, Aïsha!
"Witches Brew" Track Listing
Fumaça Preta. "Vou Me Libertar." Fumaça Preta, Soundway Records, 2014.
Caetano Veloso. "Tropicália." Caetano Veloso (1967) - Remixed Original Album, Universal Music Ltda, 1990.
Jorge Ben. "Mas, Que Nada!" Samba Esquema Novo, Universal Music Ltda, 1963.
Bob Marley & The Wailers. "Concrete Jungle." Catch A Fire (Remastered), Island Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited, 2001.
Sa-ra Creative Partners. "Hey Love." The Hollywood Recordings, Babygrande Records, 2007.
Hiatus Kaiyote, Q-Tip. "Nakamarra (feat. Q-Tip)." Tawk Tomahawk, Pineapple Spaceship PTY LTD under exclusive license to Sony Music Entertainment, 2013.
Lianne La Havas. "No Room For Doubt (feat. Willy Mason)." Is Your Love Big Enough? (Deluxe Edition), Warner Music UK Limited, 2012.
Erykah Badu. "Didn't Cha Know (Album Version)." Mama's Gun, Motown Record Company L.P., 2000.
@Peace. "Finding God (feat. @Peace)." Gratitude (Deluxe Version), Dirty Records / Dawn Raid Ent. / Duck Down Music, 2013.
Adele Sebastian. "Man From Tanganyika." Desert Fairy Princess, Nimbus West Records, 2006.
Râ Râ De Léogane. "Gadé Moune Yo." Haiti Direct - Big Band, Mini Jazz & Twoubadou Sounds, 1960-1978, Strut, 2014.
Jorge Ben. "Chove Chuva." Samba Esquema Novo, Universal Music Ltda, 1963.
Erykah Badu. "Green Eyes (Album Version)." Mama's Gun, Motown Record Company L.P., 2000.
