LOCAL FORM: Acid Chess Club
We chat with Acid Chess Club, the man who serves up smooth tunes to ease the soul…
It was the middle of lockdown in 2020. Like the rest of Melbourne, I was rendered homebound in the middle of the pandemic, and my sanity was tiptoeing across a wavering tightrope. Choking on the monotony of every day, and dousing my sorrows in dance music, I found my daily diet of techno, breakbeat and deep house was a little overwhelming considering the circumstances. ‘I need a change of pace’ I thought to myself.
Trawling through one of my favourite mix series’ archives - Music For Breakfast - I stumbled across a name I’d not yet heard of. Acid Chess Club. Mi scusi, who is this? Floating through his 2hr mix that dipped elegantly between jazz, classical, ambient, afro, Balearic, world and funk, I was taken aback at the ease with which Acid Chess Club had arranged so many exquisitely varied genres into one mix. With a quick scroll through his own output, you’ll soon realise that Benji AKA Acid Chess Club’s output is impressively sophisticated and timeless. A member of the CR8M8’s, Chewin The Fat and Tessellate collectives, Acid Chess Club has his hands in more than a few music industry pies, gaining a dedicated following for his rich and evocative selections. Sure, he tucks into some electro, Italo, and house if the mood permits, like a true chameleon. All in all, his output is food for the soul. Dig in.
Whether you’ve caught Benji playing at venues Dr Morse, The Nightcat or Sub Club, there’s no doubt his presence within the music industry is a breath of fresh air. Benji took the time to pick out 3 tracks that have shaped his signature sound, for the latest instalment of Local Form. Without further ado…
FIRST:
ANTON KLINT - ‘SIPPIN ON SPRITZER ALL DAY’
‘I was introduced to my personal music taste later than most, due to the harsh reality of the environment + culture I was surrounded by growing up. During my search for independence & freedom, several friendships helped me explore the music I've come to know and love today. When I started curating larger house parties and electronic music events, I was encouraged to pick up the art of mixing. In that process, my friend Chimp, an avid record collector and now producer bought me my first few records including one of his favourites at the time, Sippin on Spritzer all day by Anton Klint. I naturally fell in love with this song, and it's remained in my record box ever since I've had it in my possession, just under 5 years ago.
While harsh tones punctuate the track's opening, the rest of the song takes a turn, creating a smooth yet jagged journey of bassy sounds, phasing synths and luscious guitar tones. If you want a track to listen to while staring thoughtfully out into the distance, look no further!’
CLASSIC:
ALICE COLTRANE - ‘TURIYA AND RAMAKRISHNA’
Before my current alias, I was called Stevie H. Most people who knew me at that time might think they knew all the reasons why I chose that name, but deep down I know it was a tribute to Stevie Wonder. As a pianist growing up, songs like ‘Isn't She Lovely’ & ‘Superstition’ from the visually impaired pianist amazed, astounded and inspired me. This early affinity with the piano ultimately led to my infatuation with jazz, which became somewhat of a refuge for me. As many of my friends could confirm, this infatuation has never subsided, highlighted this year by my obsession with free jazz.
No song illustrates everything I love about jazz more than the moody fiasco ‘Turiya and Ramakrishna’, by the very talented Alice Coltrane. Something about the musicality, expressiveness and boundary-breaking nature of jazz means that it influences almost every element of my musical identity.
CURRENT:
DON GLORI - ‘DAWN CALLING’
’This was the most difficult pick by far! In my opinion what makes a good disc-flipper is one who can take you on a journey by clever manipulation of speed, time, genre, mood and ambience. As much as I had the urge to share a dubby, downtempo track by Lucas Croon, it would be a lie to say I'm not absolutely rinsing this debut number by none other than Melbourne’s Don Glori. Dawn Calling’s intellectual Jazz sound, funky housey grooves, triggered dubby percussive sounds, and whirling super sexy sax melody takes me on the absolute journey of all journeys every time. Well done Don Glori.’
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