DJ ABBIE GOBELI (KEXP)
Current top 5 tracks:
Rowland S. Howard, “Autoluminescent” [from Teenage Snuff Film, 1999] (Reliant Entertainment)
“People hold Nick Cave high in exaltation for his storytelling and it’s great, I love the guy, too. But The Boys Next Door/The Birthday Party guitarist Rowland S. Howard does not get the credit he deserves for his brilliance. ‘Autoluminescent’ is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. He captures the word perfectly with a slow churning burn complemented by lyrics that have this subtle resistance when presented in Howard’s vocals. As cheesy as it may sound, it makes my heart ache every time I hear it.”
HAAi, “I Never Cared Too Much for Jungle” [from Motorik Voodoo Bush Doof Musik EP, 2018] (Coconuts Beats)
“Every track this Australian DJ has released has been a magical trip. I really appreciate the time she takes to build this world and prepare you for the aggressive percussive techno storm that ensues throughout the track.”
Flohio, “10 More Rounds”
“Ever since this UK rapper (aka Funmi Ohiosumah) started collaborating with electronic duo God Colony, I have been hooked. Her words and delivery are always on point and this one in particular asserts her unshakable confidence.”
Golden Teacher, “Spiritron” (No Luscious Life)
“There is always good music coming out of Scotland. I am probably (definitely) biased after going to school over there. I constantly reach for this track because it makes me nostalgic for dancing at Sub Club in Glasgow. Also, you can not deny those catchy DFA Records vibes. How could you not dance to this?!”
The Horrors, “Who Can Say” [from Primary Colours] (XL)
“I caught these guys three times at the end of June for my birthday. Can you tell the Horrors are one of my favorite bands? This record, this song, is a huge comfort to me. I was a senior in high school when this was released and it still gives me that freeing feeling of escaping Iowa to live in the ‘big city’ of Minneapolis. The Horrors blend a lot of great gems—the nod to ‘She Cried,’ the bright synth, and the psychedelic rush capture something that feels lost in time.”
Crew/label affiliation: “I’m an overnight creature/host on KEXP 90.3 FM every Wednesday from 1 am-6 am. I also host monthly nights with RightTernes under the guise, Sonic Squeeze.”
Styles played: “I play a little bit of everything! On my overnight show, you can expect to find a whole range from indie-rock, hiphop (especially grime; I really love grime), post-punk, soul, techno, and things I have picked up on my travels. I especially love to find new ways to meld genres that wouldn’t necessarily go together.”
Events organized: “I organize monthly nights with my good friend RightTernes called Sonic Squeeze every third Thursday at the Screwdriver Bar. We highlight our love of early-2000s rock like Interpol, the Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and more. We also have some fun events planned later in the year.”
DJing philosophy: “In the not so recent past, I was a sound designer for live theater and I have found that I love to connect what I’m playing to match the emotionality of the environment around me. I really want to play something that not only resonates with me, but will have some sort of impact on whoever may be listening. It’s the human touch that I want to convey, but through sound.”
Format: “It’s split between CDJs and vinyl. I love that I can react more quickly and have more options with CDJs. With vinyl, I can take my time and highlight my latest record digs.”
Worst request: “Jack Johnson. At a hotel party at night. That much sunshine and bare feet just does not work in that setting.”
Upcoming events: “Redhook Brewlab every Sunday through the end of August from 2 – 6 pm as a part of the KEXP DJ Summer Series (we even have our own beer called the Abbicus IPA).
Sonic Squeeze with Abbie + RightTernes at Screwdriver Bar 9 pm to 1 am every third Thursday.
I also DJ every other month at Corvus & Co., usually on a Saturday.
Somewhere TBD in Minneapolis at the end of September.
Follow me on Twitter @ACertainAbbie for more upcoming events.”
