Hallooo Mix Series No. 3 - Nick Stropko by hallooo.music published on 2019-09-22T20:11:12Z We are more than happy to welcome Nick Stropko (@nickstropko) for our new series of hallooo Mixtapes featuring some spicy chord progressions paired with sticky melodies. Enjoy his contribution suitably named The Spicy Sticky Mix. Q&A here below: hallooo: Thanks for your contribution to our mix series, how did you prepare for this mix, and how would you describe the eventual result? Nick: Thanks for having me! The mix started from a record bag I packed for one of my favorite local parties, Air A Danser. I tried to then grab some other favorites from the past six months or so. On the whole, I think the mix encapsulates some of my favorite qualities in dance music — spicy chord progressions paired with sticky melodies. hallooo: Is there a record in the mix that you associate with a special story? Nick: One song in the mix came to me from some of my coworkers. I work in a restaurant where the rest of the front of house staff is from Montenegro. While we’re closing up, they usually play terrible Balkan pop songs, but one night, a tune came on for about 15 seconds before they skipped it. I immediately knew that it was right in my lane, and after insisting they replay it, I took a photo and bought a copy the next day. hallooo: Walking into a record shop can be quite a intimidate experience. Do you have a digging process and/or what kind of things do you look for in a record when you’re out digging? Nick: The process varies from store to store — what do they specialize in? What am I looking for? But generally it’s a matter of looking for labels I don’t recognize, releases that look distinctive or like they would’ve been overlooked in their day. That, and spending quality time in the listening booth. Ultimately, you have to trust your ears. hallooo: Is there a record, that has continued to be in your wantlist over the years? Nick: While there are loads of records I’m always on the hunt for, ultimately, I find the chase of finding new stuff more engaging. The pleasure of dropping the needle on something that immediately grabs and stays with you is a bit more fun than finally tracking down (or, more likely, paying boatloads of money on Discogs for) an old favorite. That being said, if anyone wants to send me a copy of “Need More Time” by Nick Allen, I wouldn’t be opposed. My bootleg is terrible. hallooo: Is it possible for you to sum up what the collection means to you in a more general sense? Nick: It’s just an overview of the records I’ve been listening to recently — some favorite finds, some tips from friends (or coworkers) mixed together in my bedroom. hallooo: Music bonds people together. Any local heroes/parties you would like to shout out? Nick: Outside of the aforementioned Air A Danser and a little shameless self promotion of my Japanese mix series/party Nippon Leagues (with my mentor and perpetual inspiration Alex Tebbs Mitchell) I’d be remiss if I didn’t shout out my dear friends at Universal Cave, Extra Water, and Earth Beat. Genre Disco Comment by Cada día What's this @nickstropko? 2021-01-15T14:38:31Z Comment by KITCHENSESSIONS madness! 2020-09-20T05:42:59Z Comment by ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ Nice! id? pls 2020-04-04T15:06:50Z Comment by sim ico id? 2019-11-15T11:21:13Z Comment by JaneDoe And this one! Pure magic ? 2019-10-18T11:11:02Z Comment by JaneDoe Incredible mix man! Any chance to get an id on this one ? 2019-10-18T10:57:35Z Comment by Brandon Berry this track is sick 2019-10-12T05:37:05Z Comment by Ryan M Todd wall-to-wall heaters, great job @nickstropko 2019-09-25T15:49:30Z Comment by Pabels great mix 2019-09-25T03:48:25Z Comment by Pabels id? @nickstropko 2019-09-25T03:47:57Z