Looking back to look forward: 10 artists on 10 years of Pure Space

Few local labels have a living legacy like Andy Garvey’s Pure Space.

The label and radio show, much like Garvey, has, in its now ten years of operation, demonstrated across an extensive catalogue its ability to capture the essence of the fringes of Australia’s music culture.

In Mixmag ANZ’s 2024 label spotlight on Pure Space, we focused on the indescribable qualities of this essence.

“While many labels are genre-mainstays for their audiences, Pure Space has become known for its flexibility among fans both locally and internationally. EPs and compilations featuring the likes of Jennifer Loveless, Zara, Command D, Eastern Distributor aka Jörmungandr, Moktar, Air Max ‘97, OK EG, Reptant, IN2STELLAR, dj pgz and so many more cross sections of Australia’s blossoming underground dance community.”

This month, Pure Space celebrated a decade, with two shows on Gadigal Land/Sydney at two regularly trodden undisclosed locations, and a collaboration with Boorloo-turned-Naarm promoter StepCount at yet another DIY space. Now, building from that momentum, Garvey has announced ‘Decade Deep’, a compilation featuring voices old and new to her platform.

“To celebrate a decade is as much an act of reflection as it is of projection. Look back long enough to understand how we arrived here, while staying curious about where next. Music for the dancefloor, certainly. But equally for the long drive, moments of stillness, or simply a love of discovering what's waiting on the fringes,” she shared in its announcement.

In the spirit of “Ka mua, ka muri” (looking back to look forward), a Māori proverb I was recently made aware of, Mixmag ANZ has reached out to the very artists who make ‘Decade Deep’ to understand the impact that Pure Space has had on their lives and on their music.

"My favourite would have to be Cyclical Pan Workout by Third Space. This track goes hard while still being deeply hypnotic; it's a whirlwind.

There's a really unique play with tension; tiny bursts of release cut through a mass of rolling polyrhythms. Third Space's use of certain carefully placed elements refocuses the listener and locks in a new phrase with precision, but the beauty is in the push and pull of attention. This technique has definitely inspired ways I incorporate elements in my work, by letting one small detail recontextualise a part that was thought to be already perceived."

"This track & whole release have definitely pushed me to think outside the box and have helped me experiment with more unexpected combinations in both my DJ sets and productions. I love playing this one; it’s such a cool bridge between the dnb and psy crowds at festivals."

"SO many favourites; this was not an easy decision. I think I'll go with 'Muzik' - Command D.

I remember hearing this track for the first time when Andy and Amelia played it at Inner Varnika; it was such a moment and sounded amazing on the big sound system. I really love the more functional club elements with the groovy bassline, but it still has that quintessential Pure Space sound with darker elements and psychedelic textures."

"It's gotta be 'Root Mender'; not sure when the first time I heard it on a big system was, but it's one of those tunes that rewires your brain… the whole EP is fantastic, ear-candy galore & sick remixes by the gals too!

Deej’s production has always been a standout to me; there's a raw edge to the soundscape he creates that's straight-up cathartic. I love how it's also so uplifting and melodic; a rarity to have that energy in doof-tek without it coming off as corny/cheesy. This track was definitely super influential in shaping the sound I was going for on 'Visage', shoutout Jörmungandr one time!

"At the time, Dividens was making a late 90s/early 2000s style of dnb that I was completely obsessed with, and I think this track was a perfect example of that!"

"This and the whole record is just a reminder of how damn fun breaks can and should be."

"No particular impact, but I remember meeting that bloke in a park. He slept on a mattress on the floor, produced on a fucked laptop with garbage headphones. Was drinking warm beers, smoking a dart as well as pumping a vape.

Inspiring. Genuinely. Think about him from time to time."

"'Rollin Smoke' by dvns/Dividens is a track that really sticks out to me (as well as the rest of the 'Blueprints' EP).

A lot of sounds and moments from this track and EP really inspired me a lot, production-wise, from the warps and FX to the drum programming. It made me think less about genre and more about producing music with a specific sound and feeling."

Mara's track 'Air Leak' is probably the one that’s stuck with me the most. I love her previous work on Pure Space, but hearing that recently really resonated with me. There’s something really raw and strange about it that feels very organic, spacious and slightly unsettling without needing to overdo anything.

It’s definitely influenced the way I think about atmosphere and restraint in my own music. I love how much character Mara gets out of relatively sparse elements, and how the track creates this really physical sense of space without relying on anything obvious. It’s something I’ve tried to carry into my own production, particularly in how I approach texture, percussion, and negative space.

"I am inspired by the blend of hypnotic rhythms and melodies in this track; it's the perfect level of drama and danceability, and I have played it many times in a set!!"

Oh gosh, so many, but gotta be Sam Brickell - 'Mystique'.

The release, like many PS comps, really encapsulated the deep and forward-thinking sound within so-called Australia. Mystique, in particular, has this insane polyrhythmic synth and groove that builds beautiful tension during an opening set, and it opened my eyes to the power of subtlety in music.

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“Here's to the next decade deep.”

‘Decade Deep’ releases digitally and via a limited-edition CD on Pure Space’s Bandcamp on Thursday, October 15.

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Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Managing Editor. Find him on Instagram.