For guest mix 149 I invited Gary Chalmers, based in Melbourne Australia. I did a mix for their excellent Cosmic Cast show a while back, you can find that here

Find them on Instagram and SoundCloud.

Hi there, how’s things? Can you introduce yourself briefly to our listeners?

Hi My Name is DJ Chalmers Scottish Born, Melbourne based Dj and a vinyl collector with a deep passion for underground sounds and run parties under .The Cosmic Cast.

What’s been keeping you busy of late? You’re a DJ, producer and a label owner.

Keeping me busy of late would have to be digging on Discogs looking for the raw honest music in the crates for the club- Also i run a record label called Bamtrax so I’m always messaging producers looking for new music which is fitting for the label.

Do you have any fond musical memories from your childhood?

My Dad always fancied himself as a singer so watching him singing on the karaoke would probably be my first memory from my childhood

What drove you to electronic music in the first place?

I think electronic music has just always been with me from the start, i went to the Arches is Glasgow for my first rave and i never looked back

What about DJ’ing, and how did you get started?

It was when i moved to sydney from scotland in 2017, i became very good friends with a guy called JJ Fortune who was just so passionate about music and educated me a lot and it just felt right to start playing

Name a few records or songs that had a big impact on you in your early days and why?

I remember hearing Sebo K Brock Wild for the first time and it blew my head off and hearing that kind of sound just gave me the drive to try really hard to find that sort of peak time music. As for a record i remember hearing Soul Capsule by Lady Science for the first time and the way the track made me feel amazing and thats when the bug came from to start collecting records

Do you have any memorable experiences to share from your early days as a DJ?

I remember my first gig in a rooftop bar in melbourne it was a very scary but exciting day and it went pretty well for my first gig, it will stay with me forever

You are an avid vinyl fan and record collector. Tell us a little about your collection and how you go about finding records to buy?

I think the start of collecting records came from wanting to take the next step as a dj. I have a couple of different ways i like to go digging into the 5 dollar bins in the stores, I like to chew through the genres I’m liking at the present time in the stores, I also find a lot of records on instagram and of course love the constant dig on Discogs

As a DJ, you’re known for your extensive knowledge of music. How has your collection expanded over the years – is your approach systematic or organic?

This is a really good question ! it’s insane at how much it has changed i think as a dj you want to be able to play a set at 5pm or 5am so I think versatility is key and always leaving space for all types of sounds.

The older i’ve become, I’ve wanted to become more versatile. A lot of it comes with how im feeling at the current time

When you select records for your sets, what’s your approach like?

I always go in with what i would like to play but always bring extra ammunition incase the energy isn’t aligning with what i would like to play

Name three to five secret weapons that you almost every time carry in your bag?

Eversines – Jamming is Life

Munir Nadir – Paradoxical

Stereo Pie – Blueberry Pancake

What have been your most memorable record finds? Any good stories?

I Remember finding an old 1990s house Record in Bikini Wax in Berlin and it blew my socks off and still when i listen to it now it hits home every time: Lionrock – Packet of Peace

Bamtrax is your label – tell us about your vision for the label and what’s in the pipeline?

Our vision with our label Bamtrax will be to try and keep delivering peak time tracks for the music lovers and try to keep growing organically

Pick one release out of the catalogue and tell us a story behind it, please?

JJ Fortune – Uhadenuf

Where do you find the music and the artists for the label?

A lot of it comes from me digging on bandcamp and finding the not so big up and coming producers . its always nice when you find them on instagram when there followers aren’t overly massive

What has been the most rewarding part of running the label?

Probably our latest release Voices For Change all our profits are being donated to a Drug & Alcohol awareness Charity

What’s your take on the current state of electronic music?

I think it’s in a good place with so many talented DJs out there and so many great parties . i was in Berlin last year and also I attended Love international and the level of acts were incredible

Let’s talk about city/country/… Can you talk about your beginnings?

My Begginings came when i first moved to Melbourne me and my friend JJ started a party called Rizound it was going really well and unfortunately Covid came and put a stop to it but it was a great time .Unfortunately when covid ended it wasn’t quite the same

What’s the scene like today?

I Think here in Melbourne it’s rocketing off so many great djs and great venues to play at with great crowds and good people

Can you name a few local acts, events or locations that should be on people’s radar?

Chaz ( Techworld )

These events by w.a.v.e.

So the mix, can you tell us a little something about that?

Yes so i’ve been looking forward to recording this mix For Deeprhythms with it being such a great platform for mixes. I’ve followed Timo for a longtime on Bandcamp and its great to have this oppertunity to do a mix for him, It starts off with some old tech house and progressing into some house and techno and

Many thanks, anything else?

Massive thanks for Having me on board i greatly appreciate it