Downtime: Channel Tres' Gemini Mix

You've likely heard 'Topdown', Channel Tres' breakout track that evokes the feeling of cruising around LA on a balmy summer's night, sub bass turned all the way up with the crackle of adventure in the air.

It slots neatly into the lineage of low-slung, deep vocal house, from Larry Heard to Galcher Lustwerk, and marks the California native out as a producer who can carve out a killer groove at the drop of a hat.

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Launched on the Godmode label (see also: Yaeji), Channel Tres' current stock-in-trade is effortlessly warm and sunny hip hop and house music, slinking between the cheeky G-funk of 'Weedman' to the Cajmere-esque workout 'Controller', with remixes of Tyler The Creator and collabs with JPEGMAFIA thrown in for good measure. It all makes you feel like a million dollars.

Which is why we tapped Channel Tres for a Downtime mix, which he's used to showcase the sumptuous corners of the house scene from Jack J to Moodymann to Ross From Friends. It's 30 minutes of pure silk – bliss out with the mix and accompanying Q+A below.

Whereabouts are you right now and how are you?

I’m sitting at my keyboard and I’m okay. I’m glad there’s women in the world.

Can you describe what life is like right now and how you’ve adapted?

I just have more time to do what I’ve done before. I sit in my room, smoke weed, make ideas, and play with my puppy.

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What sort of things have you been keeping yourself busy with?

Taking care of family, taking care of different things, and just working on music. Getting into different gear.

Are there any TV shows or movies you’ve been bingeing?

I’ve been watching the show Happy, a lot of Jerrod Carmichael stand-up, and A Series of Unfortunate Events - I’ve been watching that movie over and over. I was watching it with the sound off, I just had it looping. It gives me a kind of calmness, but it’s also probably why I had a dream about the apocalypse.

Any books you can recommend?

I’m doing an economics class right now so I’m reading up on that. I’ve been listening to a lot of Prince and Nipsey Hussle interviews too. I’ve been in the archives, I wake up at three in the morning and just listen to interviews, it’s weird. I started my own label and I got a lot of inspiration from Nipsey cause I was around when he was grinding and I wanted to do my own thing like that.

What’s your ultimate stay-at-home recipe?

Good breakfast. I’ve been making my own Egg McMuffins - well actually my girl makes it - but an english muffin with egg and sausage. I just wake up and eat that, then play with my dog.

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What music have you been listening to?

A lot of Barry White and Thundercat. I listened to Toro y Moi today too. It changes every day.

Describe your Downtime mix? What can listeners expect?

Some reworks of stuff, a lot of hazy remixes, some lo-fi. It’s kinda like a ‘stuck in the house’ vibe, when you’re letting go of some things.

Do you have any words of wisdom to accompany the mix?

Keep your life positive, go with the flow.

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