Rachael aka Ambient Babestation Meltdown
DJ | Producer | Booker
Rachael is a London-based DJ whose sound covers everything from electro-clash to disco. She also manages the booking schedule of Peckham’s much-loved record store and club (of sorts), Rye Wax, as well as curating her live performance art piece Ambient Babestation Meltdown. She was due to play this Saturday in Room 3 at The Cause in Tottenham with AnD, Anabel Arroyo & more but that’s no longer happening for obvious reasons. Rachael’s memory of Field Maneuvers is the first image to start off Quarantune along with some advice on how to get through this pandemic…
Where was this photo taken and why did you pick it? What was the music vibe at the time?
This photo was taken at Field Maneuvers a few years back after I'd just finished a six hour graveyard shift in the ambient tent doing artist liaison. It was the maddest thing ever. If you've ever been to FM and been in the ambient tent at weird hours, you know how bonkers it gets. During that shift, I thought this guy was gonna do a poo on the rug but was actually squatting to light a cigarette and coincidentally his trousers fell down and he didn’t notice.
Playing the ambient tent as Ambient Babestation Meltdown gets equally west hahahaha.
What are you listening to if you’re stuck working from home?
Some things I've loved this week:
This Lobster Theremin mix by my best mate Joe Europe aka JEM. It's a party of a mix full of bangers, including one curveball towards the end that instantly takes me back to his insane birthday party a few years back that was just a room full of mates, not a rave, and we managed to do outfit changes, yo-yoing, sad banger karaoke, Teletext Bamboozle quizzes and more. It's still the best party I've ever been to in my life. The track is Dead Or Alive - You Spin Me Right Round (LOL).
This cover of DAF by Bristol-based Borai and October. Sadly Gabi Delgado passed this week, along with a few other artists including Nashom Wooden from The Ones. These are weird times and it's important to honour those we've lost. But also I wanted to highlight friends in this so this is a nice way to do both.
A final thing I don't have a link for sorry, but Ben Sleia from Liverpool sent me the most incredible mix coming out soon and I can't wait to send it to everyone!
Follow her Soundcloud here so you can hear it the moment it's released. It's full of killer bits by Miss Kittin and S Ruston!
How have you been affected by what's happening at the moment?
I mean, like a lot of people I'm currently out of work due to the necessary collapse of nightlife. I'm planning a few mixes. Gonna practice my Theremin. But other than that I seemed to have regressed to being 16 again! I'm (re)watching Buffy and staying in getting drunk on chat apps. It's very much Y2K all over again except with better webcams.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, do you have a go-to track or style of music that significantly lifts your spirits?
I've suffered from PTSD the last few years so overwhelmed and anxious is a pretty constant state for me. I don't think I have a go-to style as such as I like a lot of different stuff. BUT I know what to avoid and thats anything too hectic or intense.
Saying that, this is both intense and insanely beautiful and I splashed out on this record last year after my birthday. It works best loud on a stereo or on headphones.
Any tips on how to look after your mind and body during this slightly stressful time?
Hahaha yes loads. It's funny how seeing people posting about how isolation makes them feel has so many parallels with PTSD so I actually have loads of tips.
1. LAVENDER HAND CREAM
First off you need hand cream anyway right now cos of the amount of hand washing. If you're like me you've probably got scaly dragon claws now that need some nurturing. Plus lavender is really grounding if you're feeling panicked. The act of rubbing the cream in can feel ritualistic and calming and will place you back in the moment.
2. READ IN THE SUNSHINE
Go sit in your garden with a book and bring an egg timer and not your phone. Set yourself half hour slots of reading before you check social media. When you feel alone it's easy to reach for your phone to see whats happening on Facebook but you're opening yourself up to loads of toxic opinions too.
3. TELL FRIENDS TO CHECK IN ON YOU
I think a lot of us are hard wired to not ask for help and suffer silently. Stop doing that. Your friends WANT to be there for you. Tell them if you want or need them to check in on you regularly. Let your support network support you.
4. BE KIND TO OTHERS
Also I mean "find meaning". If you can help others in a safe way, however it is you do that, you'll find a bit of a mental burden lifted for you.
5. BE KIND TO YOURSELF
Forgive yourself more. If you get drunk and are an idiot on Zoom, don't beat yourself up. If you stay in bed all day with no motivation, that is okay too. You can only do what you can do, and you gotta take this one day at a time.
How do you intend on celebrating once we’re out the other side?
There will definitely be a trip to my second DJ home of Bristol. I have so many friends there I miss so much.
I'm also praying that the few small festivals I'm performing as Ambient Babestation at are safe enough to take place, or circumstances allow for it! I think the world is even more ready for my sexy yet bleak AF aesthetic.
Listen to Rachael’s Crack Magazine mix here and an Ambient Babestation Meltdown mix here. Follow her below: