In Session: Azu Tiwaline

What inspired the change between homes in Tunisia and France? What do you enjoy about living in South France?

I have two homes. One is in Tunisia where I need to spend a long time without moving. This is the place where I can recharge all my batteries, resource myself, focus on my health, enjoy loneliness, and disconnect from the world. I need these long periods to be able to manage the life and rhythm I have when I’m in France.

My second home is in France, where I have my family, my son, my dear friends and work partners. It’s also easier for me to tour if I’m based in France. From the desert in Tunisia, it’s impossible. In France, I’m based in the South West, close to the ocean, far away from big cities. I really need to feel nature around me. Cities are full of too much energy, people, information, and distraction for me.

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Tell us about the bus that you stay on temporarily when making music in France – how did you come to live there? And how does your setup look in that space?

Well, before the pandemic, my partner and I used to move around with our bus, going from one surf spot to another. Honestly, this is a dream life for us. Then when the first lockdown happened, it obviously became super complicated and we decided to find a place where we could stay in one spot. A few years went by…

Nowadays, we still have the bus but it’s parked close to our new house. My studio is still inside the bus actually. It’s a very tiny space but with so many lovely vibes inside. The acoustics are also so great – I love to produce in this studio. I don’t need too much space, I only really need my laptop and soundcard and good monitoring speakers. All extra gear is just a bonus.

Are there any big goals or achievements you’re hoping to reach this year?

Not really – I’m lucky to enjoy so many amazing experiences with music and touring. I’m just trying to find a balance between this and my private life with family and friends.

What’s next for you?

I’m super excited to release my second album, ‘The Fifth Dream’, via my family label I.O.T Records later this year. I hope that we’re going to have more opportunities to play live with my dear Cinna Peyghamy – I really miss being able to play with him, performing more experimental edits of the tracks we are releasing together. Being able to play with someone else is always more exciting with maybe more accidents, but this is what I’m expecting even when I’m playing live alone: being surprised by accidents which often bring something more real, human, and authentic.

Can you tell us about your In Session mix?

After a deep digging session with no particular style or aesthetic, I had so many tracks but completely different in style and BPM. It was a challenge to try to mix all of them in the same mix but in the end, I was jumping around in my studio! I really enjoyed going through so many different styles. Hope that listeners will enjoy it too!

‘Place:’ is Air Texture’s regional nonprofit series focused on local environmental causes. The latest compilation spotlights Tunisia, released March 24, curated by Shinigami San and Azu Tiwaline. Check it out here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag’s Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter

Tracklist:

Hannah Schheider ‘Whole again’ (Air Texture Records)
Azu Tiwaline ‘Ethereal Tribes’ (Air Texture Records)
Azu Tiwaline ‘Golden Dawn’ (Forthcoming on I.O.T Records)
Sindh ‘Miari’ (Lowless Records)
WAX ‘WAX70007A’ (Nowt Recordings)
Ehua ‘Piume’ (3024 Records)
Italo Johnson ’16B2′ (Forthcoming on ITJ16)
Anthony Naples ‘Here With You’ (Running Back Records)
Chloe Robinson & DJ ADHD ‘Nothingness’ (HE.SHE.THEY)
Rene Wise ‘Don’t Care’ (Blueprint Records)
Porter Brook ‘Lipsius’ (Forthcoming on Trule Records)
Addison Groove ‘Elevator’ (Pretty Weird Records)
Mailer ‘Theme’ (Sine Language Records)
LWS ‘Seriously Soda’ (N Face Records)
Peverelist ‘Pulse II’ (Forthcoming on Livity Sound)
Konduku ‘Hayal’ (Forthcoming on Bitta Records)
Scotch Rolex & Shackleton ‘Shattered’ (Silver Triplet Records)