053 — Alive in the Underground with Sanna Almajedi (DJ Sanna)
Photo by: Elizabeth Scott
Sanna Almajedi (DJ Sanna) is a Brooklyn-based curator and DJ. She has two monthly online radio shows (The Lot Radio and Half Moon BK), and she is the curator of Satellite, a monthly music series for experimental music at e-flux Bar Laika. Sanna is also part of the collective 3afak, together with Selwa Abd (Bergsonist).
She joins us for an interview and contributes a blistering mix of hypnotic underground tracks.
Can you touch on your background a bit and how you got to NYC?
I came to NYC to do my masters in Curatorial Studies at the School of Visual Arts. This was my excuse and segway, but I really came here because I loved the music scene, and have always really been into these classic NYC house labels and record stores like A1. I’m originally from Baghdad, but because of the conflicts and wars in the region, I’ve had to move around quite a bit. I’ve lived in Qatar, Sweden, and the Netherlands.
What sparked your relationship to music and/or DJ-ing?
Being displaced and moving from place to place can be quite alienating for a child, so I always found my refuge in music, I think this is kind of a typical story… I got specifically into deejaying through seeing other people do it. It’s a cool way to use your knowledge and ears.
You’ve been a curator for some time now, most recently organizing Satellite, a monthly series highlighting experimental music and sound artists at Bar Laika, a cocktail lounge and events space by e-flux. What are some recent events you felt excited about or felt were successful, and any future events you hope to put together?
I’m really happy about the first release we put out, Amateur Psychology by Joe Jeffers. It’s a limited-edition cassette release that’s now available on all online music platforms. Joe is a really good friend of mine who is always organizing and supporting everyone in the NYC scene. In this release, he worked with the trumpeter and composer Jamie Branch, and a few other really cool musicians. You can listen to Amateur Psychology on Bandcamp here.
I hope that we can continue putting out music in 2020 so stay tuned for that…
Besides yourself, who knows you best?
I think this would be an imaginary person that’s the force of both of my parents. Not because they actually perfectly “know” me but because they can predict me…
Walk us through a day in your life…
I really love routines. I like walking to work every day, getting on the train, reading a book on the train, and all these small things. I usually snooze for at least an hour in the morning, even if I get a full 8 hour of sleep, then I take a quick shower, feed my hermit crabs, and run (late) to work. When I get there I always water my plants and feed the office fish before I open my emails. I’m not sure who would want to read about my day in such detail, but to sum up I just have a regular 10-6 office job. Sometimes I’ll go to the gym or get a drink with a friend after work. I love cooking so most of the food I eat is something I made. I absolutely hate plastic wrapped food, so I try to go to this local grocery store in the Essex Market, rather than the big chains. It’s also cheaper, so if you’re in NYC, check it out… I go see music at least twice a week, and I always have some sort of radio show or DJ gig that I’m preparing for. I try to see as much Jazz and live music as possible so I don’t get stuck.
Favorite thing about living in NYC?
The diversity is really amazing. I think that’s why I feel at ease here.
A record you never tire of?
I don’t think it’s possible for me to imagine a world or a future without Fairouz. This is a pretty conservative answer, so I’ll also say Morning Fever by Ron Trent.
What are you listening to?
I’m listening to Cherrie. She’s a really cool R&B singer from Sweden with Somali origins.
What are you reading?
For Bread Alone by Mohamed Choukri.
Last movie watched?
I Called Him Morgan, the documentary about Lee Morgan’s life on Netflix, it’s really cool. He was shot by his wife while he was performing on stage! Really epic…
What inspires you?
I feel inspired when I find a song that actually makes you feel the same way a teenager feels the first time they hear Sonic Youth or Kraftwerk. Like that crazy sense of excitement and body rush.
Favorite quality about yourself?
I guess I really love that I have a lot of friends and that I’m passionate about stuff…
An artist/creative platform you feel deserves mention?
So many… Half Moon BK where I do a residency, Devoye who’s a really cool DJ and producer based in NYC, the trumpeter Aquiles Navarro, Bergsonist who I have a project with called 3afak, the entire electronic and rap music scene in Ramallah…
Tête-à-tête, who is there with you?
Cheese, I have a real addiction, and my hermit crabs “Mercedes” and “Macarena.”
What else is in the works for you this year?
I hope that we will be able to put out another release on Satellite, and there’s this amphitheater in the Lower East Side, East River Park Amphitheater, I really want to plan a show there this year!! It’s so beautiful and only two blocks away from e-flux where I work.
Are there any causes or charities you want to shout-out or raise awareness for?
East River Park Action is actually a group that’s trying to prevent the park (and amphitheater) from being totally demolished.
Lastly, tell us a little something about this mix you’ve prepared?
The mix is actually highlights of stuff I’ve been into this past year. I put one of my favorite tracks ever on the mix -- Alive in the Underground by Ray Escortienda aka Legowelt.
*For more information please visit Sanna Almajedi on — Instagram | SoundCloud
Tracklist:
01. Zeena Parkins - El Oued
02. Crystallmess - Just because it’s a funeral doesn’t mean we can’t rave
03. Martin Kippenberger - Ja, Ja, Ja, Nee, Nee, Nee
04. G-HADD - Trust (Al-Hadduri mix)
05. unknown
06. Loris - Sumac
07. Kush Jones - Coco Mango Cherry
08. DJ Deeon - Go Krazee
09. DJ Booman - More Blow (Whistle RMX)
10. UNIIQU3 ft Addy OMG - Go Dumb (BITCH I TWERK)
11. Neuropunk - Silky
12. DJ Swisha - Cool Breeze
13. Ray Escortienda - Alive in the Underground
14. El Blanco Nino - For the Love
15. unknown
16. Poison - Mess Tool
17. RESLA BAE X TSVI - DEVILS (PALARODD EDIT)
18. Devoye - We Got Time (50’s Acid Refix)
19. unknown
20. unknown
21. DJ Deeon - Dirty Hoes
22. PNGWNG - EBN EL INTERNET
