Celebrating 10 Years of 586 Records with Antony Daly - Interview and Mix


We’re excited to mark a double celebration with this one. Not only has Antony Daly, longtime friend and kindred spirit of ACMH, cooked up a new mix that we’re stoked to release - but it also lands as his beloved record shop, 586 Records, celebrates 10 years at the beating heart of vinyl culture of Gateshead, the North East and beyond.


Antony’s journey through music feels like a masterclass in storytelling - one crate, one mix, and one perfectly imperfect track at a time. With 586 turning a decade old, and this mix capturing the essence of what makes Antony tick, we sat down with him to talk about the mix, the milestones, psychedelics, friendship, the future and his connection to ACMH.


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Jimmy (ACMH): I’ve been listening to the mix, lovely stuff - dreamy and psychedelic… given it a few spins actually.


Antony: Great, appreciate you taking the time to listen to it. There's another three I did about two years ago and on the back of what I can only describe as a 'healthy' dose of mushrooms. Where a mantra of "You are enough" kept on repeating itself. Until the point where I put out a mix called "You are enough". It’s on my Soundcloud.


This resonates with me personally as I went on a mushroom retreat last month.



This mix is a proper stew of sounds - rich, layered, and a bit unexpected. What’s the story behind it? Was there a particular vibe or feeling you wanted to capture?


They've always been done for fun and for sharing. I'd say that there's no view or want to get 'numbers' for what I do. I just enjoy settling in for an Evening, pulling some records out - with a slight plan and then hitting "Record". Two Technics, a Pioneer mixer and a 9 year old  Roland recorder, that's served me very well. No editing, no computers.


It keeps things simple but honest. I suppose the story behind the mix is that I was hoping to add to the "You Are Enough" mixes that I recorded about two years ago now. Music to be absorbed by and to let yourself drift off to - whether that be sleep, or whilst travelling to another dimension.  


Like a soundtrack for both dreams and daydreams.


Before I forget: Happy anniversary! If you could send a letter to your past self when you started out - corny i know! just bare with me - what’s the one nugget of wisdom (or warning) you’d include?


Thanks for the well wishes. 10 years!. If I could send a letter to my past self, when I was starting out, what would I say?. This is going to be a lot of hard work, a test of your true character and there'll be sacrifices - but with determination and with the relentless support of others, you can make something unique and to be very proud of.


When you hit play on this mix, where do you imagine the listener? Are they throwing shapes in a warehouse, drifting through a rainy cityscape, or somewhere else entirely?


Deep into the afters. At least a day in. When you're tired of everyone's up tempo mixes and need a cleanser or respite. 


I can see it now, just the die-hards left, when a vibe shift is required


Exactly. Where the crowd has thinned out and you're left with long time friends you can trust and maybe some new faces, who have fitted right into the surroundings and previous hours. Fitting, for the hazy afterglow of mdma/ mushrooms/ nodding out and just shutting your eyes and setting sail. If there's the opportunity to listen to this mix, whilst it's snowing and you can watch it fall when you're perched on a couch and looking out of a window - comfortable and warm, then be my guest. I'm fortunate that I live on the 14th floor and with views that roll for miles. Being able to see the changes in the weather, long before it reaches the surrounding city. Making these mixes up here and pausing every so often to look out across the city, it can feel like I'm creating a soundtrack for a dystopian film (Hans Zimmer Frame).


Every mix has its breadcrumbs leading back to its creator. What’s the thread that ties this one back to you?


The thread that ties this one back is letting the records play out. When I first started getting into the science of mixing (Thanks to Yoz, 1991), the tapes I most enjoyed were the ones with long blends and not with the 'big' tunes. 


So more about the journey than the destination?


Yeah - I was young, taking acid or walking around Peterlee in the early hours of the morning, full of speed, with spare batteries for my Walkman and listening to all the nuances in the recordings. I just find it fascinating how the layering of two records (let's keep it simple here) can create new sounds and with that, feelings.


Were there any tracks in this mix that you wrestled with? Or was it smooth sailing?


I'd say a bit of thought went into the mix, so the tracks were already in an order that seemed to flow - with no jarring. We're not talking (about) days here. Maybe the first handful of records and then I just go with it. Pretty much smooth sailing.


Do you think in sounds or in feelings when you start piecing a mix together? Or is it more like trying to catch lightning in a bottle?


Both! Sounds to reflect or enhance certain feelings. I find doing mixes therapeutic and I know I'll listen back numerous times and often I'm my biggest critic for imperfections in a recording. But if the mixes were all immaculate, then I wouldn't be human and my mixes might as well be done on a computer.


Chris (co-founder of ACMH and friend of yours) has cited you as a massive music inspiration- like the mate who always knows the perfect record to drop at 3 a.m. How has your friendship shaped your journey?


That's very kind of Chris. I'm proud of how he's picked up the baton from this old Rave Horse and meandered down to London and across the World with it!


You’ve known each other a long time?


We've known one another for about 20 or so years. I enjoyed what he was playing at various bars in Newcastle back then and asked him to play at the first "Suono" party at Tyneside Cinema, in July 2004. Warming up for Greg Wilson, at what turned out to be, a real happening for me and many others. From there, we got to hang out loads and I've been blessed in hearing some weird and wonderful music via him. Loads from artists I might have known - but I'd maybe gone for the more obvious tracks, whereas Chris was giving me curve balls. He's always given me new and old music to check out and I'm grateful to him for that. This is what friends are for.


ACMH was forged in the fires of daydreams and side hustles by rebellious misfits, remixing music, style, and subculture. Have you ever considered yourself a misfit? Does a rebellious spirit ever weave its way into your work?


Absolutely. I grew up in many ways, as an only child. My step brother and sister were 10+ years older than me, so by the time I was aware of my surroundings, one had left home and the other wasn't too far off. My parents were pretty old when they had me (Mother was 40 and Father would have been about 35) and as such, felt quite isolated. I was bullied and pretty shy because of it. But I was very intelligent and with a cheeky mouth, so I was taken under the wing of an older crowd. With that, I found that I had a talent for most sports, but especially football. Playing with lads who were 3-4 years older, but able to hold my own. When they all started moving on in their teens, I was mostly back to the misfit. A lot of the music I was listening to in the mid / late 80's, wasn't in the charts and with that, I didn't always have that common bond with friends.


As far as a rebellious spirit… Maybe with my ribbing of customers.


The music and fashion worlds are like overlapping Venn diagrams of chaos. Where do you feel most at home - smack in the middle or dancing on the edges?


Dancing front left, or next to the speaker stack.


Who or what has caught your ear recently? Could be a tune, a sound, even just the noise your kettle makes when it boils.


Music that I'm really enjoying at the minute is Luke Wyland "Kuma Cove", mixes from Justin Mills and the vast, fathoms-deep production line from Steve Legget.


What’s lurking on the horizon for you? Any projects, ideas, or schemes you’ve got tucked in your back pocket?


Just to keep the shop going really! Keeping my ears and eyes open for fresh, new collections to skim a few out of and share the rest, with the world's DJs and record collectors. I've been helping out with a project that I'm hoping will get off the ground in 2025. All very early days, so don't want to jinx it.


If the stars aligned and you could throw a mix release party anywhere - no budget, no rules - what would it look like? I’m talking about location, vibe, snacks, everything.


Somewhere with beautiful weather! Maybe a secret cove with beautiful sand and warm, clear sea. Amazing and never ending food and drinks. A crystal clear and shuddering sound system, perfectly tuned and set up for playing records. 5-star comfort for kicking back in. Top drawer party supplies. All the right people, with the mindset and openness to truly make the gathering happen. The finest DJs playing out of their skin selections. Not asking for too much, am I?.


Desert island time: one track, one snack, and one piece of kit. What’s making the cut?


One track - "Requiem Again", The Durutti Column. One Snack - Baba Ganoush. One piece of kit - a drum kit! -Never played one, but no one would hear how bad I was and I could play along to all the nature surrounding me.


Lastly- One quick-fire round! Vinyl, digital, or cassette - and which one feels like a perfect metaphor for you?


Vinyl. It needs handling with care, unwrapping, studying and listening to, time and time again. 


Great chat. Really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions and of course, thanks again for the cracking mix (available to listen to NOW, just following the link on the ACMH website!)


Before we wrap up - any parting words for the listeners who’ll be diving into this mix?


Thanks for taking a moment to check out these words and the mix. Make sure to carve out some time to listen and really let it wash over you. Uninterrupted and ideally, in some comfy shorts.


Sound. See you on the dancefloor. Front left.