PAPER <3s NY and PAPER<3s the DJs that keep us moving. That’s why we’re proud to present The Tear, our mix series highlighting the best DJs spinning in the city we call home. In April, we shared a mix by DJ DEADNAME, a Bass-heavy opus that brought us around the world and back. This month, we have none other than TT on the decks, delivering a set that’s equal part nostalgic and future-facing.
“It’s over!” — so begins sound artist and DJ TT’s set for PAPER’s The Tear. It’s a coy and quintessentially literary beginning for TT (TT Britt), whose mixes double as dense works of auditory collage packed with meaning and motif.
Few DJs in the city merge concept with craft in such a deliciously danceable and thought-provoking fashion. TT’s Soundcloud sets like “… BUT RATHER SEND IT LIGHT” and “SUDDENLY OUR WISDOM RULES THE DAY” exemplify this: they’re wide-ranging, surprising, nimble and gaggy. And they’re demonstrations of the same heady sense of curation that TT has brought to dance floors across the city. Highlight New York City bookings include turns at FIST at Basement, local sugar fest Mizz Softee, Nowadays and The Lot Radio.
For TT’s The Tear set, we’ve received an hour+ mix that is a reflection on TT’s “current relationship with New York,” described as a “mutual breakup that’s still on speaking terms.” Most New Yorkers have been there, when exhaustion and love duke it out until some form of acceptance wins the battle. Ultimately, though, it’s not so much about the city as it is the vibrant community that’s here creating. “[What makes NYC nightlife special is] the same thing that makes any scene unique, the people,” TT tells PAPER. “Knowing that we can come from different cultures and classes, yet we still show up and respond to the music in a similar manner; it’s one of the many wonders of music.”
In this set, you can hear that multiplicity of people, both in the producers featured and the cacophony of voices who are swirling inside it. After the set’s opener — when “It’s over for me!” repeats over and over again, crying out then fading away — TT blends into a section that’s heavy on the bounce, fast and frisky. Around the 10-minute mark, jitters give way to swirls as the bass veers lower and lower, until the drums drop out and come back clean and untouchable. From there, layers are added, level by level, only halting for mid-point pauses meant for breath. Layers of acid arps and cowbells come in clamoring and a phrase of exhaustion — “I don’t even want to hear it, okay?” — enters our sphere. Towards the 45-minute mark, the deep thump of Tribal House comes in: chants, roaring percussion and whistles. From there, we’re rushing towards the end point, a journey that ends with a pant, a sigh, a scream, release, a tear.
The prompt for the mix was “the past, present and future of NYC nightlife.” What sounds inspired you for this mix?
The basis for this mix was me reflecting on my current relationship with New York and what I would perhaps consider a “mutual breakup that’s still on speaking terms.” There is a conversation between the tracks that can be understood in the literal sense but also metaphorically breaking away from circumstances and situations that no longer serve our present. It’s predominantly illustrated through New York-centric ‘90s and early-2000s anthems which suggests glancing back in order to see what’s ahead.
Where was the first set you played in NYC?
I think truly the first time was at a 10-person birthday party at H0L0, but the more formal beginning I would say was at DJ Miss Parker‘s former party “In Trance We Trust” in 2018. Some legendary memories were made there.
Favorite NYC nightlife memory?
I think I’d have to say the days of the party GHE20G0TH1K… I was so green to the scene, but I could feel the impact of what was gestating. Now to stand witness to the evolution of so many legends from that time period is beyond!
Favorite set you’ve ever played?
It’s hard to pinpoint a favorite, but perhaps a memorable one was during the pandemic in Highland Park. My friend Matas and I set up a sound system underneath one of the bridges… I think I ended up playing five or six hours which at some point began to feel like less of me, and more of me belonging to the frequencies being transmitted. Since then, it has been a state of being that I strive to reach when entering into the booth.
Biggest nightlife pet peeve?
Hearing conversations over top of the music… sinful!
Biggest DJ inspo?
DJ Rush! Sonically yes, but even more so the essence of what he represents…being unapologetically Black, gay, and powerful while still being demure; down to earth yet otherworldly. ICONIC.
What makes NYC nightlife unique?
I think the same thing that makes any scene unique, the people. Knowing that we can come from different cultures and classes, yet we still show up and respond to the music in a similar manner; one of the many wonders of music.
Biggest hope for the future of NYC nightlife?
My biggest hope for NYC and nightlife in general is for a more visible embrace for people of color. The need to state this feels so lame however this unfortunate reality still exists. Electronic music is one of the many genres invented by Black and brown people; still there is a need to spar for equal representation. By no means am I suggesting that bookings should be made based solely on identity but more importantly for the talent and brilliance from those who created it in the first place. But I suppose that conversation reaches far beyond nightlife?
Photography: Janosch Raabe