JD Twitch mixes Optimo: The Underground Sound of Glasgow

The long-running Glasgow Underground label will launch a new conceptual mix series next month with Optimo’s JD Twitch at the helm.

The idea behind the new series from Kevin McKay’s label is to allow DJs the chance to champion the sounds of their home cities, with Optimo’s JD Twitch the perfect candidate to inaugurate the series. Known for his adventurous taste in music, DJ expertise and prolific remix work, JD Twitch is regarded as a lynchpin of the Glasgow music scene, whilst the Optimo Music label he oversees has to date made plenty of room for talent local to the city.

Indeed, artists who have previously released on the label feature prominently on the mix, entitled Optimo: The Underground Sound of Glasgow; the chaotic post punk of recent signings Golden Teacher is present, as is the Optimo (Espacio) remix of Factory Floor’s “Real Love” whilst early Optimo Music releaser Dollskabeat also makes the cut, with her more recent tirade against pop culture excess “Bored Of Shit”. Further recognisable Glaswegian produce comes from the likes of 6th Borough Project, Auntie Flo, Gary Beck, Funk D’Void and Scott Fraser, whilst Twitch’s Optimo partner JG Wilkes also appears under the Naum Gabo name he produces as with James Savage. 

A press release for the mix quotes Twitch as saying: “there has been a mini explosion of producers and labels coming out of Glasgow recently and I’d say it is the most exciting time for electronic music in the city in all the time I have lived here”, adding that “almost nowhere beats a night out in Glasgow for raw energy and an unbridled passion for music.” The mix CD will be accompanied by a 12” vinyl sampler featuring the tracks by Lord of The Isles, Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat, Auntie Flo, Factory Floor and Golden Teacher; this can be streamed in full below.

Glasgow Underground will release Optimo: The Underground Sound of Glasgow on May 6.

Tracklisting:

1. John Steven – The Big Kilmarnock Bonnet
2. Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat – Glasgow Jubilee (A JD Twitch Optimo mix)
3. 6th Borough Project – Do It To The Max
4. Debukas – I Am Machinery
5. Doubleheart – Ghent
6. Cronk Family Enterprises – Tifit Hayed
7. Lord Of The Isles – I Remember
8. Konx Om Pax & Magic Daddy – Portland (answering machine message intro)
9. Sparky – Portland (2012 Extended Version)
10. Mash – Style Is The Answer
11. Golden Teacher – Love Rocket!
12. Naum Gabo – Ay & Oh
13. HaHaHa – Burka’s Palace
14. Scott Fraser – Remains The Same
15. Auntie Flo – La Samaria
16. Hutton Drive – 324
17. Dollskabeat – Bored Of Shit
18. Leeon – The Outsider (Conforce mix)
19. Gary Beck – Before The Crash (Wet Job edit)
20. Factory Floor – Real Love (An Optimo (Espacio) mix)
21. Funk D’Void – Jack Me Off

Header image by Anita Russo