The last Residents’ Hour of 2015 comes from a label and collective with a pan-global outlook based out of Glasgow. The Highlife World Series were some of our favourite releases this year. Their musical output and general approach to creating and collaborating is a refreshing take on both cross-genre hybrids and the relationships that music can foster. Learn more about their philosophy, as explained by resident Esa and Huntleys & Palmers‘ Andrew Thomson, and dive into the glorious Highlife mix below.
“We started Highlife to bring exciting artists and DJs from different corners of the globe to our hometown of Glasgow. Over time, we’ve been very fortunate to form lasting musical friendships and collaborations with artists from Buenos Aires to Tel Aviv.
“We celebrated Highlife’s fifth birthday this year, with a series of parties across the UK, released a compilation USB and commenced the Highlife World Series, with instalments from Cuba, Kenya and Uganda. The response has been overwhelming! At the time of writing, Auntie Flo and Esa are presently on a short tour of Brazil, where they will be collaborating with local musicians. This blows our minds and we’re extremely grateful for these amazing opportunities.
“This mix explores the old while looking to the future. A new breed of talent from SA, the music that’s influenced us, presenting new ideas.”
– Esa
“In spite of Glasgow’s infamous short licensing hours and penchant for hedonism, 11-12.30 is a sacred time for either of the residents (Auntie Flo, Esa or Andrew) to set the scene for what is to come. We’ve all experienced the eager warm-up guy who bangs it out to an empty room, and we use this time wisely to create an atmosphere and encourage as much socialising and interaction between guests and crowds alike. We also use this opportunity to try out new productions straight from the studio, demos from our inbox, and to share our recent discoveries that we believe in just as much – if not, more so – than the straight up 4/4 belters.
“This mix was recorded at an impromptu Highlife party at Glasgow’s Nice N Sleazy in early November. Before the night got underway, an old punk guy was hanging around the venue after the earlier gig. He asked what he could expect to hear if he stuck around, and Esa sold it to him like so: ‘We’re going to take you on a journey into the future; then back to the past, before dropping you off in the present.’ Needless to say that old punk was still cutting about hours later!”
– Andrew Thomson (Huntleys & Palmers)
“This mix will give the listeners an insight into the sounds from the Townships, the dynamics and diversities of South African musical cultures – but also, a look into the history of South African cultural diversities, music and cultures perhaps not as popularised as Gqom, Black Coffee’s house music, etc. This mix explores the old while looking to the future. A new breed of talent from SA, the music that’s influenced us, presenting new ideas. This mix may need time to marinate. It will allow for an understanding of the future of music and club culture in South Africa. We’re currently living in very challenging times. The world is about to erupt, we may not even be here for very long, so let’s make the best of today.”
– Esa
Stay tuned next year for Residents’ Hour, with our first contribute kicking off in January from the U.S.