Blasha & Allatt
DJs | Producers | Promoters
Mancunian duo Blasha & Allatt have been at the forefront of the electronic music scene in the North West through their event series, Meat Free, where they have crafted their sound and brought over the likes of DVS1, Sunil Sharpe, Héctor Oaks, Dasha Rush, Jamie Behan, Dr. Rubinstein and many more to headline the event.
Along with co-founders aalice and Lucy Ironmonger, Steffi and Tasha aka Blasha & Allatt, set up Meat Free to bring more credible names from the realms of house, techno and electro to the city and to showcase local talent and emerging artists on each bill curated. More importantly, the event series launched at a time when Manchester’s soundscape ‘felt way too serious’ and with this in mind, Meat Free’s all-inclusive ethos filled the void in the community. With a consistent booking policy and unpretentious energy at the parties, it wasn’t long before the collective hosted Blueprint’s first Manchester-based label showcase, featured on RA’s Alternate Cuts, hosted a boat party at Dimensions Festival and played Boiler Rooms at AVA and RA events between them - just a handful of many other milestones along the way.
Blasha & Allatt’s dynamic approach to mixing has led them to play in London, Cork, Croatia, Dublin, Berlin, the Netherlands & more, trudging around a bag of techno, acid, electro and breakbeat records to ensure there’s never a dull moment on any dancefloor they’re scheduled to play.
2019 was one of their busiest years yet coinciding with gigs and running Meat Free, as well as squeezing out their debut release ‘Broughton 93’ on Ben Sim’s Machine Label. This year was packed with more gigs for Blasha & Allatt, so in a way, the below image nods to a moment which they may have taken for granted but will no doubt experience again with new eyes once the pandemic ends...
Photo: Liam O’ Reilly
Where was this photo taken and why did you pick it?
Natasha: This photo was taken at FOLD in December 2018. It was a Mord records showcase and we’d been asked to play and curate the afters. Everytime we look at this we’re reminded of one of our favourite DJing experiences so far; everything was perfect. FOLD is such a special place - somewhere you can completely connect with the people in the room from in front or behind the booth. We can’t wait to get back there for a dance and see the crew.
What are you listening to at the moment if you’re working from home?
Natasha: At the minute we are listening religiously to Freddy K’s Krzrzrz show. For anyone out there who isn’t familiar, he’s uploading a show each day on his Soundcloud as a means to help unite all night creatures who currently find themselves at home instead of in a club. We both genuinely look forward to it and hope it continues long after the lockdown has been lifted.
We’re also listening to Kat Brown Sugar’s back catalogue on NTS, which is trip down memory which includes loads of r’n’b and neo soul classics from when we were at school.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, do you have a go-to track or style of music that significantly lifts your spirits?
Steffi: ASMR!
Natasha: Gwen McCrae - Keep The Fire Burning.
How do you intend on celebrating once we’re out the other side?
Natasha: As you can guess, we’re just looking forward to seeing friends and family. The current situation has really taught us to appreciate the small things we all take for granted. At this point, the thought of being able to go for a coffee with a friend is a complete luxury. It feels surreal not to have been in Manchester city centre for near enough two months so post lockdown, we intend to visit some of our favourite cafes and bars in the Northern Quarter and of course a trip to the White Hotel to make up for lost time.
Any tips on how to look after your mind and body during this slightly stressful time?
Natasha: For us, staying busy is the key, whatever task that may be, it really helps to stop any negative thoughts from spiralling and once a task is completed, the sense of achievement is rewarding. So far, we’ve been doing a lot of DIY, messing around in the studio plus a couple of live streams/mixes. It’s even looking like Steffi will finally organise her record collection after 7 years of promising. 😉
Listen to Blasha & Allatt’s recorded mix from the FOLD x Mord party here and follow them below: