Join us on August 10th to catch a rare Purelink live set in an OPEN AIR venue in DTLA. In anticipation, Purelink shares five selects!

Brooklyn via Chicago trio Purelink has been on a serious tear over the past few years. Since we last spoke with Akeem, Ben, and Tommy back in 2022, the “ambient techno jam band” has recorded a mix for Resident Advisor’s esteemed podcast series, been featured on the front cover of Crack Magazine, shared a live set with Ableton, and described as “ambient music you can believe in” by Pitchfork. We’re not surprised. Purelink’s contemporary take on ambient techno places them at the forefront of a sound that’s been bubbling since the pandemic, blending lush soundscapes and angular, dubby rhythms with an underlying pop sensibility that translates deeply in both home listening rooms and club dance floors.

With their latest album Faith, the group expanded their sound to include live instrumentation (sustained bass tones, and shimmering guitars) along with vocal features from Hyperdub’s Loraine James and poet Angelina Nonaj. It’s a subtle shift, but one that points to a further unraveling of the group’s Windy City jazz, indie, and post-rock roots. “[We were on] this path of shared enthusiasm about the same types of music. Club music, ambient-adjacent music, experimental music, lots of Basic Channel and Rhythm & Sound… Different types of indie music, dream-pop… We like to wear our influences on our sleeves.”

On Sunday, August 10th Purelink will be playing a rare live set (their first since we last had them at In Sheep’s Clothing HQ in 2022) for our PEAL OIL showcase at an OPEN AIR venue in DTLA. Those of you who joined us in May for a similar outing with Mark Ernestus and Arthur will know just how perfect this space will be for a Sunday ambient techno / dubwise electronic session. To make things even sweeter, Purelink will be joined by the elusive Topdown Dialectic along with Peak Oil founders Brian Foote and Brion Brionson. Not-to-be-missed!

Tickets are available now and going fast: https://ra.co/events/2212851

In anticipation of their set, Purelink has shared an expectedly eclectic 5 Selects that showcases the trio’s current headspace from contemporary ambient music to Loft classics and indie-pop to ’00s European deep house. Don’t miss their closing DJ set at the Sunday session which will likely dive into one of these zones, or maybe all of them? Who knows…

Panphilia – Here comes a raincloud (2024)

“Here comes a raincloud” is overflowing with nostalgia and emotional expression, blending elements I love from ambient and folk influences to create something reminiscent of early Oneohtrix Point Never, while retaining a unique voice and point of view of its own. The album, MYLAR-Audiofolio, is a collection of some of Panphilia’s best work to date. You can find more work under a number of other aliases, notably DJ Shenandoah National Park. – TP

Risco Connection – Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now (1979)

We were all fortunate enough to recently attend the infamous Loft party, and I’ve been listening repeatedly to this song since. Love saves the day.  – TP

Picture Music – Bus Stop Dawn (1987)

Picture Music is a project from a group of friends in South Brisbane during the 80’s. Drawing inspiration from soundtracks and other contemporary experimental soundworlds from the time, their self-titled cassette from 1987, I believe, was lost and then found by one of the member’s children as they were about to drop it on the sidewalk as junk, before being reissued in 2021. The opening track sets the mood perfectly, touching ambient and jazz, with upright bass, nylon guitar and an arpeggiated synth gracefully working in tandem. – BP

Blood Orange – Clipped On (2013)

This has always been fav Blood Orange cut from his best album. I re-listened to it for the first time in a while and was reminded how perfect it is: a tight 3 minutes, led by an infectious drum break that compliments a great feature from Despot, and structured with Dev Hynes RnB vocals bookending the song. Very reminiscent of PM Dawn. It’s just so perfect for summer in NYC – I ended up listening to it 10 times in a row one day. – AA

Elias – Explain (2000)

I love producer Norman Fellers output (his 2003 Electrolux LP Frameless Structure is a 10/10). He also cofounded Driftwood, an early 2000s deep house label with limited pressings that are now a bit pricey on Discogs. On a recent trip to Portland, I was lucky enough to pick up Elias’ Moneypeople 12” single for under $10. The whole release is great and still plays well on dancefloors, but B2 “Explain” is the standout. – AA