The Mix
Talk us through the track selection of the mix.
"This mix really gave me the opportunity to play some older gems along with all the tunes keeping me busy this winter. I wanted to have something to listen to before or after a night out, and not keeping true to one genre. Good music is good music at the end of the day."
Where and how was the mix recorded?
"In my house in Sheffield on a rare sunny day, annoying the neighbours with some excessive volumes. Ended up breaking my headphones just before starting mixing so resorted to taping them together and wearing a hat over the top to keep them straight. Classy."
What are the musical influences that have have allowed you to arrive at this mix?
"Growing up to the likes of the Isley Brothers & Gil Scott Heron and then finding Mushroom Jazz in my teens really felt like my true calling. Mark Farina is a downright genius. I've always mixed trip-hop at home & at sunsets in Ibiza, so it was about time it made an influence in my podcasts. I kept the mushroom vibe throughout, getting us in the mood for the summer ahead."
The Plug
What is keeping you busy at the moment?
"I'm spending a lot of my time playing out and promoting my events, with Ryad, Vent, Departure & Party for the People all in Sheffield this winter. Birmingham is a great city to play at the moment, love the crowd there and the venues. Party for the People has really brought some amazing opportunities around with being able to raise thousands of pounds for charity & meet some inspiring DJs wanting to put back into the world like Prosumer, Robert James, Bicep, the Wolf guys etc... But im working with some talent artists and cramming as much time in the studio as i can with my first EP getting its finishing touches."
You have a weekend off. What do you do? Where do you go?
"If I was sticking in the UK, id be partying at the Rainbow Venues or stay in Sheffield and head to Fez Club / DLS. A new scene it may be in Sheffield, but they know how to party. If i was getting out of Grand Britania it has to be a quick visit to Barcelona or Amsterdam.. for obvious reasons."
You're involved with the Ibiza workers party - Departure - aren't you? What are the plans for that this year?
"Well it's our 3rd year out there at Itaca, and I've seen its people and energy grow each summer. But this year, as well as our rooftop parties, we've been asked to pair up with VIVa Warriors as the Departure Furies every Sunday at Sankeys. And trust me, VIVa has more than a few treats in store for us. Also I'll be playing for Troupe, Vent & a few other friends out there too, but mainly keeping my eyes on Departure."
Biography
Oliver has organised club nights in the North UK since he was just a 16 year old tadpole. Now 7 years on, his events & DJing have taken him further afield to France, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and most notably his long lost home.. Ibiza. His residency at Departure comes to its third and biggest summer yet in 2013, with weekly appearances at Sankeys & Itaca and a place on the sought after Vertigo Festival line up in Italy.
This winter, Sheffield has been the main stomping grounds for Oliver, with Departure, Ryad & PFTP all celebrating their birthdays in the Steel City. But not to forget the launch of Vent Manchester, which in all its subtlety, was one of his most noted parties this year. Vent Ibiza has now been planned & will open on the 26th May with monthly villa parties. Watch out.
Just these last few summers & winters, Mr Drops has landed spots supporting the likes of Booka Shade, Droog, Robert Dietz, DJ Sneak, Matthias Tanzmann, Heidi, Dyed Soundorom, Huxley, Audiojack, Hector Couto, Darius Syrossian, Gary Beck, Luna City Express, ++ And not to mention regular slots at Sankeys Ibiza, Space, Savannahs, Itaca, Eden, Lost in Ibiza, Seedy Sonics and Flux...
