- A marathon mix from a duo giving life to New York house.
- The first thing you might realise during a MUSCLECARS set is the sheer musicality of the duo's selections. Vocals glimmer at the centre, unfolding into enchanting, soulful coos, while drums strike captivating rhythms and gilded synths reach towards the sky. It's a jazzy New York house sound mythologised by pioneers like Joe Claussell, Carlos Sanchez and Timmy Regisford (whose songs all make it onto this RA Podcast). For years, New York natives Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield have run their Coloring Lessons party as a way to introduce a younger generation to this vital piece of dance music history. In a city that prides itself on fast walking, fast talking and, as of late, fast BPMs, their music is an invitation to ease into a more relaxing pace.
This RA Podcast comes at a golden time for MUSCLECARS. In May, they released their RA-recommended debut album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea!, whose sultry (and undeniably catchy) lead single "Tonight" has gotten the stamp of approval, and a remix, from New York legend Louie Vega. And this Sunday, they hosted their annual Juneteenth block party outside The Lot Radio, where scores of Black dancers latched onto one another during sets from a multigenerational crew of Black DJs, including Ron Trent, Shawn Dub and MUSCLECARS themselves. This two-hour-plus mix takes us through the spiralling jazz of Herbie Hancock, the flashy disco of The Originals and lands us, finally, in "Water," the track that also closes out Sugar Honey Iced Tea!.
What have you been up to recently?
We've been pretty consumed with touring and the release of our debut album, Sugar Honey Iced Tea! The last few weeks have consisted of in-store events at record shops, podcast interviews and radio show appearances. We feel so grateful for the amount of support we've been receiving, and we don't take any of this for granted.
How and where was the mix recorded? And can you tell us the idea behind it?
This mix was recorded in our Brooklyn apartment, using mostly the records that were piled up on the floor, with an old mixer and a cheap recorder. We wanted to lean into that classic style of presenting this music: riding the pitch with no effects, emphasizing the songs and letting them play out. A style that lends itself to our New York roots of the Paradise Garage and The Loft. Hope y'all enjoy!
What's one club or party that had a major impact on you as an artist?
Mood Ring is forever the blueprint. A tiny club that gave us the freedom to do whatever we wanted and do it all night long. It laid the foundation for our residency at Nowadays and for the clubs we play at all around the world. That freedom to play a jazz tune, into a house tune, into R&B and then into techno and back again.
As far as parties go, The Shelter and The Loft were life-changing experiences that changed the way we interacted with the music behind the decks, as well as on the dance floor.
Your annual The Lot Radio Juneteenth party has become a tradition for many Black clubbers in New York. How did you decide to host this event, and how has it evolved?
Brandon: For the past three years, our Coloring Lessons Radio show on The Lot Radio has landed on the third Sunday in June. In 2022 our show was on Juneteenth, and we approached Francois of The Lot Radio about the idea of doing an all-day block party to celebrate.
The block party has been growing every year since then! Last year we teamed up with Good Room to do an afterparty. We've had improvements to the sound system, thanks to Karlala (Karl)! This year we were joined by so many talented DJs, musicians and vendors! The block party is more of the community's event than it is ours, and we're looking forward to seeing it evolve with everyone.
Your debut album, which was recorded over the past few years, was finally released last month. Are you surprised by any of the feedback?
Craig: I'm not sure if surprised is the right word. It's an interesting feeling because we worked so hard on it for a few years, and then we finished it and let it go. So now, any feedback we receive, while cherished, doesn't feel as personal as when we were in the process of creating the album. It's like that album is its own world now, and we're not so much a part of it any more—so it's like I'll accept the compliment for the version of me from a few years ago, but right now I'm over here doing this… if that makes sense.
That said, we're incredibly blessed and thankful that everyone is supporting the album and taking the time out to listen through. We hope that people are flooded with their own memories and feelings when listening to the record, and they're able to draw a connection to whatever comes up for them as they hear the music.
What's one social or political cause you want the world to pay more attention to?
We need everyone to focus their attention on Sudan, Palestine, Congo, Haiti, Tigray, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Cameroon and anywhere else where we witness such violent atrocities against oppressed peoples. Find ways to get involved, big or small. This could be joining an organisation doing groundwork, donating money for medical aid, attending a local action or calling/writing your representatives. Liberation is collective—we all play a part in it, and none of us are free until we're all free.
On the topic, this month we've been boosting this campaign to help a friend evacuate Gaza and we hope this will get some eyes on it.
What are you looking forward to in the near future?
We're releasing an extension of the album next month. It'll include a few remixes and a couple alternate versions of songs from the LP. We're really looking forward to that!
Tracklist280 West - Love's Masquerade (Rude Awakening Mix)
Youth Yindi - Treaty (Guitar Mix)
Kayenne & Kai Alce - Love Don't Love You Back
Slam Mode - Fading From View
Timmy Regisford - You Rock My World
MUSCLECARS - Tonight (Louie Vega Remix)
The Carlos Sanchez Movement - Love & Respect (Carlos' Bass Dub)
Ron Trent - Star Strut
Henrik Schwarz & Kuniyuki Feat. Fumio Itabashi - Once Again (Kuniyuki Remix)
Mouse On The Keys - Plateau (Kuniyuki Remix)
Herbie Hancock - Nobu
Zakes Bantwini - Spain
Rabs Vhafuwi - Count Your Blessings
Anthony Nicholson - Oweyi (Main Version)
Tyrone Francis & Tiger Wilson - Tiger Stomp
Laurin Rinder & W. Michael Lewis - Anger
The Originals - Call On Your Six-Million Dollar Man (Mr. K Edit)
Kerri Chandler - Can U Feel It?
Larry Heard - Andromeda One
Joe Claussell & Kuniyuki Takahashi - Divine Harmonics (Precious Hall Cosmic Fusion Version)
MUSCLECARS - Water (Spiritual Mix)