Altar
DJ | Producer | Promoter
Co-founder of the much-loved label and event series THEM (alongside Munbir, founder of The Wild City) and owner of Container Records in Brixton, Altar has been working within London’s music scene for many years now. His most recent THEM party celebrated 12 years running in February this year with Pinch, Ansome, Sunil Sharpe, Manni Dee, Ireen Amnes and more on the bill - a much simpler time in our lives.
Having collaborated with the likes of Tresor, DSNT and Mord and released tracks from Hadone, Scalameriya and Wheez-ie amongst others, the amount of consideration and confident artistic direction that goes into THEM is clearly apparent, making the label and party stand out a mile on its own accord.
Since the lockdown in the UK, Container is selling records online and THEM events have been put on hold. In the midst of adjusting to the new regime for his business, Jack aka Altar shares a memory from Glastonbury and details why there’s a lot more behind this photo than you might think…
Where was this photo taken and why did you pick it?
This may be a boring photo to look at, but the brief was to pick something with positive associations, and I was feeling ecstatic when I took it. I s'pose then it's an image that proves you can't always convey a feeling you have by photographing what you are looking at when you have the feeling, kind of like that photo circulating that someone took of their toilet floor while on acid, with a comment 'can't believe my eyes'.
This is a bit like that. I took this just before climbing in my tent on Saturday morning around 5.30am at Glastonbury. I have been going to that festival since 2002 and had so many great times there, it has become my happy place. This picture was taken during one such great time following a night of live music (highlights were The Damned and Snapped Ankles) and after that, I got separated from mates and ended up in this little jam tent with a piano, drum kit, bass and guitars in, that you could just go in and play singalong songs. Singing songs with my arms around loads of strangers was maybe the highlight of the whole weekend, because the feeling in that small tent was lovely. I came back to my campsite buzzing and feeling connected and then took this.
Speaking of Glastonbury, big up Dean, Jake, Ed and gang, friends of mine who run an amazing tent in the centre of the festival called Babylon Uprising, they're the soundest crew and put so much love into the production and programming, making it a fantastic place to be whether you are in the dance or backstage, so shout to them and the hard work they have put into this year which will be lost because of COVID.
What are you listening to at the moment if you’re working from home or if you’re still working out in the world, do you have a soundtrack to accompany your journey?
Our shop is closed for now. When the lockdown came in, I went in to the shop and took out as many of our records as I could get home in an Uber and have been selling bits online - hit us up at www.containerrecords.com for a browse if you're income is OK and you're still buying records. I've been alternating between doing a bit of bedroom jamming with some Hardcore and Jungle records, and listening to older singer-songwriter favourites such as Leonard Cohen, Anne Briggs, Joni Mitchell, Frank Zappa, Bob Dylan etc etc. Songs with human stories, which I am finding helpful to feel connected. I've also been trading a lot of music with friends on WhatsApp too, trying to convince a mate of mine that modern rap is good, exchanging sharing some obscure 'world' Jazz finds with another friend. It's fun having mates you can go down a rabbit hole with, and give and receive tracks you haven't heard. Now is the perfect time to be sending people recommendations.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, do you have a go-to track or style of music that significantly lifts your spirits?
There's no go-to, I find it all helps. Even depressing music helps lift my spirits sometimes, and bangers help sometimes too - all music helps!
How do you intend on celebrating once we’re out the other side?
See friends and family, hug someone, sneeze in a stranger's face.
Any tips on how to look after your mind and body during this slightly stressful time?
1) Don't spend too much time on social media!?
2) Meditation.
If you suffer from anxiety or stress here's a folder I uploaded with some guided mindfulness meditation audios I got from the NHS last year, designed to help reduce anxiety. They are super easy, as a voice tells you what to do throughout. There are 7, one for each day of the week. Each day play a consecutive one in a quiet environment, and follow the instructions. You'll need 5-15 minutes each time and after a few weeks you will see the benefit.
Listen to THEM’s latest releases here and follow Altar below: