5 Selects with Josh da Costa (CMON)

Multi-instrumentalist, drummer (CMON, Drugdealer), and NTS radio host Josh da Costa shares five gems.

CMON (Confusing Mix Of Nations) is the studio project of Josh da Costa formerly of Regal Degal, a NYC group that released three EPs and two albums while touring with bands such as Grizzly Bear, DIIV, and Real Estate. Shortly after putting out Not Now in 2015, da Costa moved to Los Angeles, where he played drums for Chris Cohen and Drugdealer and produced Dinner’s 2017 album, New Work. Built for heady crate-diggers and cutting-edge partygoers, CMON’s music is perfect for both the hi-fi system and the club.

As a selector, Da Costa hosts “Confusing Mix” on NTS, a monthly transmission of leftfield sonics live from LA. He treats his mixes with a captivating philosophical approach: “How many different musical worlds could be connected?” 

Da Costa’s history in digging and his impeccable eclectic palette was strongly influenced by growing up with 90’s electronic music, outsider DJ mixes, and working with the revered New York imprint RVNG, a reissue label focused on obscure and curious records. He has since become one of our absolute favorite selectors. With a set of golden ears, da Costa has some of the best taste around.

We couldn’t be more excited to have Josh present a night of dedicated listening selections at Neuehouse on Saturday night. For a hint of what’s to come, here are five selections from the “confusing mix” man himself.

Daniel Bacalov – Le Anime dei Ladri (1985)

“I love this instrumental. It makes me think of rain. RIYL Giovanni Venosta, Roberto Musci, and music for those moments on a road trip with your friends when you’re all tired of talking and just need to zone out.”

Fetus Productions – Flicker (1985)

“One of my favorite song and video combos; the music and the visuals truly enhance each other. If anyone is reading this and wants to help me make a similarly creepy video please reach out.”

Body & Soul – Graylands (1983)

“I discovered this track on a binge of underground christian new wave right around Christmas a few years ago. I was instantly blown away by this mysterious song and immediately sought out its creator. Somehow, within 24 hours I was on the phone with the wonderful man who made it, Robert Watson, who lived (still lives?) ten minutes away from me. We met up a few days later at a diner and he gave me a copy of this 7” over breakfast. Amazing that the same person who made this haunting, misty music forty years ago would go on to score Pokémon movies.”

Guy Cuevas – Everywhere Is My Home (1981)

“Arguably overshadowed by its A-side, this track seems to resonate with me a lot lately. The production is kinda harsh and it’s a bit of a hot mess but I just love the looseness and the positive energy it emits. Plus, being from a family that is scattered across the globe, this speaks to me.”

Robert Rental – ACC (1978)

“Another blown-out mess of a track that captivates me with its loose, free-form freakiness. For years I was more interested in Robert Rental’s frequent collaborator Thomas Leer, but more recently I have come to appreciate Robert’s music just as much if not more in a way. The other side of this single, Paralysis is equally inspiring and highly recommended.” 

Listen to CMON’s latest single:
https://confusingmixofnations.bandcamp.com/

Check out Josh’s NTS show “Confusing Mix”:
https://www.nts.live/shows/confusing-mix