The California producer on the enduring appeal of some soft rock icons
The premise of One Track Mind is pretty simple: I ask artists to pick one track that means a lot to them – either something they’ve discovered recently, something that’s been with them for years, or one that reminds them of a specific time in their life or career – and tell me what makes it so special to them. I get to talk to the artists I love, and they get to talk about the artists they love. Love all round!
Tomu DJ is an American producer and DJ best known for her self-released albums on Bandcamp. She imbues her music with a gentle yet driving emotional force, creating intricate but comforting melodies across her discography. Tomu draws inspiration from her inner self—her memories and her past—and seamlessly infuses these reflections into her music. She released her latest LP Half Moon Bay earlier this year, which is yet another plaintive, thoughtful collection of tracks that straddle house, breaks, ambient and electronica with impressive assuredness.
For her One Track Mind selection, Tomu DJ has picked a track from one of the most iconic rock outfits of all-time, the mesmeric Steely Dan.
Tomu DJ on Steely Dan – My Old School
“If like me you’re in your twenties and ever went on a Steely Dan binge growing up, you probably recognized so many songs already on first listen from your modern favorites (did you realize, that you were a champion?!). These guys’ sound was so mind bendingly amazing, expansive, and razor sharp. I can’t even imagine the shock of hearing these records when they came out.
“This is one of my absolute favorite Steely Dan songs. Recently I’ve been taking the liberty of dropping Steely Dan in my DJ sets; nobody has complained yet.”
Tomu DJ Half Moon Bay is out now
The Predatory Wasp 