Social media algorithms have enforced a mind-numbing sameness across the music world – pose for the camera, post a few seconds of playing a crowded rave. But not so on DJ Stingray’s feed. It’s time for ear mites. No, not metaphorically — like actual parasitic mites.
Now this is how you should use Instagram’s Reels feature. Also, for any of you bending over backwards to satisfy the algorithm, look at those none-too-shabby playcounts. It apparently started about three weeks ago, with an animation of how your body heals wounds set to Xosar’s enchanting 2014 cut “Bleed Into Dreams.” (I never get tired of Sheela’s music…)
From there, the Detroit-born, Berlin-based Drexicya veteran has kept going, and if you think I’m just posting this in the hopes of publicly prodding Sherard to keep this up, you know me so well…
Next we head under the microscope for some close-up footage of ear mites under the microscope, perfectly paired with Autechre’s “Teartear,” the 1994 Warp classic (which in turn sounds a lot closer to Detroit techno and electronic roots).
I don’t have words for how much I love this, but it also introduces us to the account tardibabe if you haven’t seen it before. That’s Montreal microbiologist Chloé Svard – you can read an interview on parley.tv. And yes, if your first thought was “hey, those look like parasitic Otodectes cynotis, as found in animals and definitely not something you want in your ear,” then either you’re also a microbiologist or veterinarian or you… Googled “ear mites humans” like I did. But total instacrush. I mean the mites; I guess the microbiologist is okay, too.
The latest entry is even better – the pounding groove of Endlec’s “Repeat Offender” meets an animation of sacromeres the microanatomical unit of muscle fiber.
How’s that for meta on Meta? You’re watching the animation of what happens at the smallest unit of your muscles when you dance to techno while you listen to a techno soundtrack.
Also, I’ve just noticed that you can sing along to the bassline with “Sar-co-mere … works” so that’s what happens in my brain.
These videos are too short; we need more. I hope Stingray is trending on TikTok with them. But for a longer fix, head back to 2021 and Singray’s exceptional Molecular Level Solutions, which also had a fantastic video:
And you can make your own pairings with YouTube on mute and Singray’s excellent 2022 LP, for instance: