LA-based DJ and producer OJ is set to make waves as her EP Portal Access Points splashes down this week on Delusional Records. Before the full drop, OJ has shared with us her track Unknown Traveler for a premier here on Peace Portal.
Unknown Traveler wastes no time in taking the listener on a light-speed journey through OJ's spatial sound design. Otherworldly textures wrap themselves around the ears as they stretch into the past, giving way to alien rhythms that propel you into the future. Unknown Traveler pulsates like the inner workings of a Dyson Sphere before launch into hyperspace.
Ahead of the drop, Peace Portal caught up with OJ to get a few thoughts from her on the release:
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Were there any particular inspirations for Portal Access Points?
There were many! The most central inspiration is travel and how it can transport you to a new headspace and mood - just like music. Each of these tracks was started while traveling or inspired by somewhere I visited. Forest Spirits was inspired by some time in the mountains, while 11am in Paris was created when jamming on my laptop while in Paris. Sonically they're a mix of all the different genres I like to listen to and play. I am most inspired by grittier, 90s rave sounds and broken beats but also love the progressive, fast and slick techno that's coming from artists from Australia and Europe, so you can hear each of those inspirations across the different tracks. That said, they all have an emotional, wistful quality that unites them together.
Does the track title 'Unknown Traveler' refer to anything specific to you?
It's something I've wanted to use as a track name for a while. Basically it's a phrase that got stuck in my head after hearing it over the loudspeaker outside of airports - SEA-TAC in particular, actually! The announcement usually says something like "If any Unknown Traveler gives you any item..." (I don't know what the rest of it says). I always thought it was an odd choice of wording. Anyways, I started the idea for Unknown Traveler while on a plane and so that phrase was top of mind at the time. But it ties in nicely with the travel theme of the EP!
If you had a portal that could take you to any one place and back, what would be on the other side?
I would probably pick some sort of serene natural retreat, like a farm in central California or a mountain in Japan with hot springs...somewhere super peaceful I could escape to whenever I need a quick dose of nature and a break from hectic daily life and screens. I don't get enough of that living in the middle of LA.
OJ's Portal Access Points EP releases tomorrow, November 22nd, on Bandcamp via Delusional Records. Find the full release, available for Pre-Order here.
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