Played Out: Inside The Magic Of Eli Verveine’s Groovy DJ Sets

PLACE: Ministerium Club, Lisbon
TIME: Around 4 AM

This is part of a four-hour set I played in January at Ministerium, a beautiful mid-sized club in Lisbon that’s situated in a building previously occupied by Portugal’s Ministry of Finance. It was a lovely vibe on the dance floor, and I felt the audience was open-minded to more subtle grooves.

1. Youandewan, “Bad Orb” (Eclipser Chaser 2016)

Youandewan - Bad Orb [Eclipser8]

“Bad Orb” by Youandewan has this lovely round and warm groove, and I just wanted to let it ride for a while. The crowd seemed to understand my intention and got lost in the great simplicity of it.

Listening in the headphones, I looking for the part where the pure beat of “Al Capote” is running. Then I slam the new track in with the EQ flat whilst simultaneously cutting the bass of “Bad Orb”. Now the new groove is taking over, with the cut-up vocals slowly blending into the mix.

2. Seuil, “Al Capote” (Eklo 2015)

Seuil - Al Capote [EKLO031]

With “Al Capote” by French producer Seuil I wanted to change up the groove slightly. It has this irresistible swing to it that immediately moves all the hips in the club.  I can see the dancers’ movements subtly change as they feel the new rhythm.

The next track is rather smoothly mixed in. I blend the two tracks until the main chord and the hi-hats of “Petit” take over, and for a while I enjoy how it sounds mixed in with the groove of the previous track.

3. Culture Hub, “Petit” (Invisible Circles 2014)

Culture Hub - Petit

Love this track! The kicking beat and the hi-hat are the driving key elements. The chords provide a dreamy, floating side to it. Makes you wanna dance with your eyes closed.

Now it’s time for a really long blend, as the toolish character of “Liksom” is quite inviting in that respect. I kick the track in a few times with the bass cut, and later on I quickly switch between the lows of the old and new tracks. 

4. Dorisburg, “Liksom” (Bossmusik 2014)

Dorisburg - Liksom (Boss002)

“Liksom” is an amazing beat tool by the extremely talented Dorisburg from Sweden. The drums destroy the dance floor each time I play it.

I’m changing now into a more broken beat. A long and smooth transition makes sense here, so I can let the dreamy melody slowly take over.

5. Solitary Dancer, “Desire & Apathy” (Graded 2016)

Solitary Dancer - Desire and Apathy [GRD004]

The electro beat punches the dance floor. I wanted to continue with a heavier beat, but get back to the dreamier mood I created earlier with the Culture Hub track. The melancholic melody reminds me a little of Aphex Twin. Such a gorgeous track by Montreal-based act Solitary Dancer.

Hear Eli Verveine in the mix via Electronic Beats Radio and read more Played Out columns here.