"What Are You On? What Are You On?" And I Said, "Apples!"

DJ Mag's The Making Of A Dance Anthem series has been running on YouTube since 2020, with over 60 episodes. I watched my very first one on Wednesday!

What a one to start with, though. The fabulous Kirsty Hawkshaw taking about her journey with Opus III and their cover of It's A Fine Day, born out of the rave scene and which became a global smash in 1992.

Kirsty's storytelling is superb, describing her journey from 4AD-leaning indie kid to ball-spinning, shaven-headed frontperson, guesting on Jonathan Ross' chat show, to her unflinchingly polite challenge to big artists for not clearing use of her vocals. It's only 12 minutes but honestly I could listen to more of Kirsty's stories all day long.

I've included all of the versions, off shoots and variants mentioned in the interview below. Whilst some of the songs have featured here previously, I think I've picked unique versions for today's post. I've also added the original version, sung a cappella by Jane Lancaster and written by the legendary Edward Barton.

1) It's A Fine Day: Opus III (Kirsty's debut performance on Top Of The Pops, 20th Feb 1992)

2) Halcyon: Orbital (the official 1992 video recut to the original 11-minute single version and released in April 2025)

3) Fine Day Anthem: Skrillex & Boys Noize (2023)

4) Fine Day XXIV: Opus III (production by Shadow Child and Adam F (Kirsty's husband); new vocals and video by Kirsty) (2024)

5) It's A Fine Day: Jane (1983)

 

 

 

 

 

Like A Kiss On The Run

One of the few positive things to come from lockdown was discovering more 'new' artists and music. I was about five years behind the curve, but Kelsey Lu is one of the most exciting and challenging artists I've heard in a long time. 

They first appeared in my 2020 round up last December with their ambient soundscape Hydroharmonia (Part 1) and again in May, with their excellent collaboration with Boys Noize, Ride Or Die. I've been listening to the latter regularly since and the single version featured in my Raindrops Keep Falling mix earlier this month. Today's selection doesn't even begin to do justice to the vast range and spectrum of Kelsey Lu's talent and creativity, but it will fit snugly onto a side of an old school cassette tape, if you're so inclined.

 

I'd recommend either/both of their albums, Church (2016) and Blood (2019). It's also well worth your time looking up their videos and live shows on You Tube, for some stunning visuals, costumes and spellbinding performances.

1) Empathy (2016)

2) Hydroharmonia (Episode 2) / Poor Fake (Omar-S Remix By Alex Smith) (2020)

3) Foreign Car (NAR x ADR Exhaust Diffusion Mix) (2019)

4) let all the poisons that lurk in the mud seep out (Live for Stephen Colbert's #PLAYATHOME, 02/06/21): Kelsey Lu ft. Kelly Moran (2021)

5) Shades Of Blue (Video Version) (2018)

6) Hydroharmonia (Episode 1) (6:20 Edit) (2020)

7) Blood (A COLORS Show, 18 April 2019)

8) Due West (Album Version By Kelsey Lu & Skrillex) (2019)

9) Ride Or Die (Extended Mix): Boys Noize ft. Kelsey Lu & Chilly Gonzales (2021)

 

Like A Kiss On The Run (45:48) (GD) (M)