Record store owner, record label manager, radio host and artist in his own right, Jorge Caiado, aka Conversion is a true player in the underground music scene, so we were thrilled to invite him along for a guest mix and a chat about his latest movements:

TRACKLIST:
01. Unknown Unit – Disco Notch [Multiplex, 1997]
02. Conversion – 1.4 [Conversion, 2018]
03. Waveguide – Tightrope [Artless 2019]
04. Mayudepth – Sneakpeek [Shiki Kyokai, 2018]
05. Erik Nore – Tempest [Clasbackk Recordings, 1997]
06. Vladimir Dubyshkin – Pigeon Epilepsy [Trip, 2018]
07. Dibek – Frantic [Vigram 2019]
08. Perm – Abrandum [Lack, 2018]
09. Jeroen – Trapped [Search, 1997]
10. VIL – Commander (Jeroen Search remix) [Carpet & Snares Records, 2019]
11. VIL – Unknown Corp. ft. Osse [Epilogue, 2019]
12. Stojche – Patagonia [Asset, 2019]

Thanks for taking the time to record a mix for our podcast series, was there any special concept behind your mix, or tracks played from your own releases? 

My pleasure guys, always good to be featured in your site. Well, the concept was to showcase a bit of the aesthetics I’m playing now with my new alias Conversion, that goes a bit away from my housier roots. I’ve played indeed one track from my first release with this project.

Where did you record the mix, and what equipment did you use? 

I’ve recorded it in my own studio, at home, with two Technique turntables SL MK5 and a two channel mixer from Ecler brand, lent by my brother Brawther.

What is your thought process when picking out tracks for a podcast, do you pre-select the tracks, or just pick out the first couple and freestyle it from there? 

Well, it’s changed with time. back in the days I’d do freestyle from the beginning until the end, selected the first record, then just started to improvise, since I have all my collection in the studio. More recently I’ve started to change a bit the process and when I receive a mix request, usually there is a record or a couple that pops up in my mind to share and I start from there. Then I select maybe 15 to 20 records (if its a 1 hour mix) and then try to match them a bit in order, but with some flexibility to improvise while I’m recording it, so basically after having this pre-selection then I go with the flow during the recording and most of the time I change the order while playing.

How do you compare playing in a club to recording a podcast, is there much of a change in your mixing style and track selections? 

Yes and no, depends on what I aim to share with the recording. If I’m trying to showcase what I want people to expect when listening to me in a club, then yes, the vibes and energy will match what I usually do in a club environment. If the idea is more about sharing a specific aesthetics or laidback/deep vibes to listen at home or in the car, then the mix and even the change of the dynamics can be done with a different approach.

What stores or other places do you normally look for new music… is it all sourced online, or do you also pick up the odd bit of vinyl? 

Since I have my own record shop – Carpet & Snares Records – and I’m the main buyer, most of my digging is done through distributors when I’m selecting records for the shop. Of course when I play out of Lisbon I always check for record shops and try to buy things that went out of my radar. I also buy collections for the shop and dig in them quite a bit before putting them out for sale, it’s actually how I discover a lot of old labels and artists.

Could you tell us a bit about your most memorable DJ experience?

Well, the one that came to mind as soon as I read the question was my debut at Tresor a couple of years ago. It was magical to play in such an iconic club and legendary institution for the history of electronic dance music. The conditions, the sound, the crowd, the energy, everything was on point.

What other projects do you have lined up, do you have any new releases or forthcoming gigs we should be watching out for?

As Conversion, I’ve a special all night set coming up in August with my partner Roy at Gare Club in Porto, one of the best techno clubs in Europe, so we’re really psyched for this one. Regarding new releases, yes, at the moment I’m working on the second release for the Conversion series and my new record as Jorge Caiado is also coming out in a couple of weeks on Carpet & Snares Records main catalogue, featuring a dope remix from Mojuba/Artless boss, Oracy aka Don Williams.

Follow him on RESIDENT ADVISOR and SOUNDCLOUD.