a dusty sunday afternoon vinyl excursion from one of Brisbane’s finest

Jimmy Ellis digs deep into his record collection for mix #50, serving up a lazy hour of music from Portishead, FKA Twigs, The Avalanches, Floating Points and more.

When, where and why did you first start DJing? Do you recall your first gig? I first developed an interest in dance music and DJing in the mid-nineties back home in the UK, but I didn’t really fully embrace it until I moved to Australia in 2000. I’d always had a love for music but was not as musically gifted technically as a lot of members of my family.
My brother Richard had been in many bands, my father had achieved some success in bands in the 70s and 80s and my grandfather was an accomplished composer and conductor. Djing is my way of expressing the music I love.

I spent a lot of time in clubs and was inspired by the DJs around me like Jason Rouse, DJ Freestyle and Derek Strong. I think my first gig was playing for Sounds on Sunday after being invited to play due to me always being at the party and supporting. I absolutely sucked technically when I first started and have always been appreciative that friends and promoters stuck with me!

What’s changed about the clubbing scene for both the better and for the worse since you first began DJing? I try not to compare back in the day with current trends in clubbing. I’d rather just focus on what I do and the party I’m playing. Obviously technology has been a huge benefit and provided a gateway for far more people to express themselves through DJing. Ease of access to music and most people can afford a rudimentary DJ controller. I really think this is a positive thing.

How did you decide to approach your Lazydaze mix? Was there a concept behind it? I have two collections of records. I have my working records that I take out with me and I have my Sunday afternoon listening records. My approach to this mix was to grab a bunch of albums I like to listen to on a Sunday afternoon and turn them in to mix. I hope people will be able to play this selection at home, close their eyes let their mind move through the journey.

Are there any particularly special tracks or moments in there for you? Well most of the albums I have in my listening collection are special to me, so most tracks on the mix I love dearly. Portishead’s Roads has been one of my favourite records since I was a teenager. FKA Twigs’ Two Weeks could be one of the sexiest songs ever written. I have a love for movie soundtracks and Ghost In The Shell I could listen to and watch all day.

You’ve just taken up a residency at Brisbane’s much-loved Black Bear Lodge. What makes it such a special venue to play in? It’s all about community. BBL has an incredible team who love the venue and community of regulars who fully trust the DJs and will follow the direction they take. Also an owner/operator who is also a music lover and DJ. It’s a no frills venue that welcomes everyone to dance, drink and have a good time.

It’s a relaxed Sunday afternoon at home. Which album are you reaching for? Well I’ll probably reach for this mix now as I created it from my Sunday afternoon records! This mix really gives an indication of my Sunday listening habits.

Do your cats have a favourite album? They love any album on the turntable, but mainly because they’re fascinated by it spinning around and want to touch it.

You’re hosting a dinner party and can invite any three people, alive or dead. Who are you choosing and why? Both my deceased grandfathers. I know they were both incredibly smart and creative in their own right and I would have loved to have been able to converse with them as an adult. Christopher Hitchens - I’m sure the contrarian would have been an entertaining conversationalist at dinner after a few wines! And David Mancuso - I would have loved to talk to this man about his philosophy on sound and creating a beautiful soulful party.

Check out the full tracklist for Jimmy’s mix over at SoundCloud.