German DJ and producer Aera makes available Versions, the impressive debut release in a brand-new mix concept from Berlin’s Innervisions imprint.
Versions sees the head of the Applied Magic label revisit and reimagine some of the most notable records from his extensive back catalog as he delivers an impressive opus of edits that explores the more experimental side of his varied sonic repertoire. Versions sets off on a captivating journey of left-field electronica, trip-hop, and downtempo sound palettes.
Giving us a new perspective on his finely tuned craft as a multifaceted producer, the in-demand German draws inspiration from a wide range of contexts outside of what many people think of as his primary musical environment. Versions highlight Aera’s intrinsic passion for genre fusion as he launches a new mix series format on Dixon & Âme’s prestigious Berlin-based imprint. Aera has returned to Innervisions after making a strong contribution to Secret Weapons Part 14 with Acido back in June.
For a long time, I wanted to revisit some of my older tracks and put them into a completely new context, outside of the world of dancefloor bangers and the hunt for the next big track ID. Now don’t get me wrong – I love this world, but I always knew there could be something more than this. With this record, I wanted to reference the heroes of my youth: Ninja Tune’s golden era, DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing, Massive Attack, K&D Sessions, and so on. – Aera about the album
About Aera’s Versions and Innervisions
Aera is a musical power of magic. Aera (actual name Ralf Schmidt) was born and reared in Northern Germany and now splits his time between Berlin and Malaga. He is a well-known DJ, producer, and label owner. Aera, a DJ with almost 20 years of expertise, is always looking for hidden gems, offering listeners the chance to hear a variety of deeply moving music that they are probably not going to hear from anyone else. As a producer, he has created his own brand of highly recognizable tracks, sitting comfortably very left of center in the current melodic techno explosion. Being a rebel at heart, he worked tirelessly for years to carve out his own niche and pave the way for other aspiring producers, many of whom credit him as a major influence.
He sees his record company, Applied Magic, as a platform to help emerging artists, frequently releasing them. He sees this as a way to give back to the neighborhood and to make exciting music from underrepresented artists. In addition, Dixon and Âme’s Innervisions label, where he has been a mainstay for years, has a strong connection to his music. And when fans ask for a track ID in the relevant forums, more often than not, Aera’s name comes up – and even more often, these are the standout tracks.
Aera just released Acido on Innervisions, a song that generated a lot of buzzes and helped him advance in his career. With a consistent touring schedule and more releases for Afterlife and the Fabric London label on the horizon, the future looks bright for Aera.
