Reflective Organic House from Christian Voldstad…
Christian Voldstad’s relationship with electronic music began in the UK, but New York’s underground party scene gave it direction, drawing him behind the decks and into the work of building nights of his own.
After a period as a free agent, Christian found a home at Bespoke Musik, where his thoughtful, layered sets earned him a residency. Since 2021, he has also held a residency at Ibiza’s Beachouse, playing on Playa d’en Bossa, joined the All Day I Dream roster and contributed filmed mixes and performances at events in Miami, Ibiza and California.
On this Balance Selections mix, the Bespoke Musik regular delivers a deep, heads-down workout. Featuring tracks from Stavroz, Lake People and Powel, it’s a soundtrack for lazy afternoons and introspective dancing.
Tracklist
1. Luca Musto – Infiltrate
2. Hassan Maroofi – Optimism (Dios S Remix)
3. Nhii & Vice Luna – Lessons in Love (Instrumental Edit)
4. Stavroz – Kick Up the Dust
5. Nohan – The Sun in December
6. Daniel Meister – Luminary
7. The Veils – Vicious Traditions (Daniel Bortz Edit)
8. Li-Polymer – Dimensions (Ewan Rill Remix)
9. Kollektiv Turmstrasse – Ordinary (Lake People’s Circle Motive Remix)
10. Powel & Christian Voldstad – Wallace Hartley
Name: Christian Voldstad
Location: New York, NY. USA
Alias/Producer name: Christian Voldstad
Labels affiliated with: Bespoke Musik
I listened to a lot of classical music and classic rock when I was little. Growing up in England, BBC Radio 1 was also my first taste of electronic music.
I used to hear electronic music on British radio and always enjoyed it. Moving to New York broadened my horizons, exposing me to a much wider range of genres and giving me the chance to see great artists regularly.
My first proper experience of electronic music was at a Cityfox showcase in a Brooklyn warehouse. The carefully programmed lineup and extended sets really blew my mind.
Later, I started working at Output, a nightclub in New York, where I gained a new perspective on venue operations, marketing and the logistics of producing events.
Robag Wruhme and Matthew Dekay have always been two of my favourite artists, and we recently had the pleasure of booking them for our Bespoke Musik event at ADE. Powel is another major influence, as well as a close friend.
I’ve also enjoyed working with Holmar, the Acid Tourist, lately; he’s inspired me to take my music to a higher level. Albrecht La’Brooy, Joe Miller, Stavroz, Ólafur Arnalds, Lee Burridge, Henrik Schwarz and Francis Harris are all artists I’m always excited to hear.
The last album I downloaded was Hiriketiya by Alex Albrecht, released on Analogue Attic Records. As one half of Albrecht La’Brooy, he’s made some of my favourite music to listen to and play.
I’m especially drawn to his use of live recordings and the way he blends ambient music with house.
For DJing, I use CDJs or vinyl whenever possible. For production, I work mostly in Ableton, incorporating hardware whenever I can get my hands on it—and get it working properly.
We’ve been putting out our regular releases on our Bespoke Musik label. My first EP, a collaboration with Powel, is available there, and my first solo work is coming soon. We’ll also be hosting regular showcases across the US and abroad. We recently had a spectacular ADE event in Amsterdam with Robag Wruhme, Matthew Dekay, Powel and me, and I’m looking forward to what’s next.
You can take a look at the ADE event here.
I’m still away from home after ADE, so I’ve been playing around Europe for a bit. Here in Berlin, I usually play at Sisyphus. My next booking is at the latest Bespoke Musik event in New York. More info to follow!
I recorded the podcast in a rented studio at Noisy Rooms in Berlin, using a pair of CDJs and a Xone:96 mixer. It blends the more organic, instrumental house I enjoy with some of the crunchier, progressive music I’m into.
I always compare putting a podcast together to doing a jigsaw puzzle: finding the right pieces and fitting them together to create a story. There’s a lot of trial and error, but I find that playing the music live, rather than arranging it in a DAW, adds a more human element.
It ends with my favourite track from the EP I made with Powel. I’m excited to see it out there 🙂
“Bessoka” by Manu Dibango, Nhii and HARJI has been sneaking into a lot of my DJ sets. The piano and low end really stand out to me.
“Wallace Hartley” was one of the tracks on my EP with Powel and closed my Balance Podcast. We brought in a live cellist, who really blew us away with their contribution. You can listen here:
The Pascal F.E.O.S. remix of Trentemøller “Miss You” is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful pieces of electronic music I’ve ever heard. It conveys so much emotion while remaining incredibly minimal. You can listen here:
I really enjoyed Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey, especially after having studied it in school many many moons ago
Rick and Morty
For winter climates, I really enjoy skiing in Revelstoke in Canada. For sunnier, beach vibes, Antigua has always been my favourite.
