FADER Mix: Damian Lazarus

As the boss of dance label Crosstown Rebels and in his own productions, UK producer Damian Lazarus has explored the deepest recesses of house and techno, from big-room to small-scale. His new album as Damian Lazarus & the Ancient Moons, Message From the Other Side, drops via !K7 and CR on May 19, and to celebrate he's put together this special Staring at the Moon mix for us. Get deep and enjoy—and if you find yourself in a going-out mood, Lazarus is playing Verboten May 1 and a sunset set at Further Future on May 2.

Where are you right now? Describe your surroundings. I am waiting to board a plane from Munich airport to fly to a gig in Amsterdam, there is a rather large lady with the worst hairstyle I've possibly ever seen playing candy crush on her iPad sat next to me.

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you during a DJ set? I fell asleep in between mixing 2 tracks for about 10 seconds during a gig in LA once during a particularly heavy week.

What's the last book you read that had a big impact on you? The Secret Teachings of All Ages by Manly P. Hall.

What did you open and close this FADER mix with, and why? I was standing on my balcony outside my bedroom looking at the stars one night and I came back in to find I'd left my phone recording by accident and it just so happened that my eldest dog Mikito had been barking in his sleep, he's not a barker generally so I thought it was a good way to open this mix about the moon. The idea of the mix is about the night, songs related to moonrise, it's it's deep and introspective and I thought it would be close with the first hint of the sunrise and what could be more uplifting than "Daylight" by Roy Ayers's Musical People.

If you could have anyone spin your next birthday party, past or present, DJ or not, who would it be? Alejandro Jodorowsky.

What's your favorite dish to cook and how do you make it? I'm a bit of a self confessed sausage freak and recently I started making these pretty amazing sausage rolls which involves mixing up the meat with garlic, onions, spinach and loads of spices. They take about half an hour from preparation to coming out of the oven and taste and look absolutely wonderful a unless of course you're a vegetarian.

Who's the one artist, living or dead, that you'd love to collaborate with? Leonard Bernstein seems like a pretty cool guy and I think Vangelis and I could create some magic.

What's the worst thing you've ever drank? Habushu Sake is pretty up there on the list, it's a venomous snake fermented on sake and usually distilled in Japan. It is said to increase your libido and bring you good luck, since drinking it I've had no complaints.

What's the most common misconception you face when explaining your occupation to people? That being a musician and a DJ is all about hanging out with attractive women, getting loaded and having an easy care free life. Whilst that is true we do actually work hard too.

Tracklist:

mikito - barking in my sleep
ivor cutler - look at the moon (feat. linda hirst)
bruce trail - alterra
adventures of the ancient moons - string arrangement
borealis - draft moon
david crosby - i'd swear there was somebody here
andrew waterworth - looking for god
my way feat. joe duckie (tanner ross & slow hands rmx)
the japanese house - still
francesca lombardo - water reflections
damian lazarus & the ancient moons - amber palace (exclusive version)
vakula - new sensations
elvis presley - blue moon
singers and players - make a joyful noise
nick drake - pink moon
eden ahbez - full moon
ramp - daylight
** found sounds by gabriele fasano