I’ve done a few posts on some Giles Smith’s Mixes in the past, mainly because I really admire the breadth and class of his taste in House records. And of course, he’s been known to throw the odd whopper party too, as all those versed in SecretSundaze revelry can testify. Here’s a glimpse into his own home space, and an overview of his record collection and a run through some of his current favourites. I always like these insights into artists/creative/musicians home environs, so you can have a fly on the wall approach to what makes them who they are, what makes them tick and how their tastes are aligned. Its almost like MTV’s Cribs, except the people are genteel, interesting, amicable, have at least some numerous cultural reference(maybe a book) lying around and they’re not frolicking with pornstars in a hot tub and throwing fistfuls of dollars at the camera.

When granted access to the homespace, specifically for DJ’s, and in Giles Smith’s instance here, the sheer volume of records and passion for collecting is something I never fail to admire. It seems like an insatiable desire to constantly accumulate not only physical wax, but the life and soul within house music itself. On a quick aside, here is an interesting photographic feature on DJ’s home environs that I was pointed to recently, and although in German, its a pretty slick photographic insight into how their passion is directed: 

http://www.thelastbeat.com/archives/djs-and-their-living-rooms-part-2/

I particularly like this feature because its no more than a 10 clip on introducing a couple of favourite tracks, but it embodies the perfect spirit of approaching track selection, keep it varied, alive, showcase the new exciting discoveries, and mix with some old school classic gems that you can rediscover… For example its nice to be reminded of what people like Roger Sanchez were once capable of! And in terms of the newness,  there’s some choice cuts (that Theo Parrish remix sounds FILTHY) but overall for me, its seeing the approach to the music, and the passion and breadth of a long standing collection, all meticulously pooled together into one house music orientated hub thats striking here…

Check it out, its a succinct and nice little insight, apart from some questionable ‘Down with the kids’ banter at the beginning… but we’ll leave him off. SecretSundaze Easter Party is on Easter Thursday at Village Underground with Lawrence headlining.