Big Fan mentor Matthew Young and mentee Jared Frost share their perfect weekend playlist.

Breaking into the music industry is no easy feat, but it makes a difference when you have someone who can guide you through the  distortion. At Auckland’s Big Fan, a live venue and recording studio, programmes such as Ignite offer training to those trying to share their music with the world – like mentee Jared Frost, guided by mentor Matthew Young.

Frost says “confidence in music production has grown immensely” from his Ignite experiences. “A piece of advice that really struck a chord with me is that everyone’s artistry is different and to lean into that. Being part of Ignite and sharing space with so many talented musicians across various genres and styles has taught me to embrace what makes me unique,” he says.

Having been on an “accidental hiatus” for the past year, Young says having the opportunity to mentor others has been a opportunity to wake up a “dormant” part of his brain and remember why he entered the industry in the first place. “Trial and error [in making music] is so vital. Breaking shit or doing things wrong because you don’t know what you’re doing is sometimes the most exciting thing about producing music. The errors can be magic,” he says.

For Frost, the perfect weekend entails “a balance between being social and completely alone”, either in nature or heading to Auckland’s Viaduct to “cut shapes on the dance floor.” Meanwhile, Young dreams of a four-day weekend that is specifically “30 degrees celsius, dry but not humid”, spent with “hotdogs with mustard and dill pickle relish (ketchup is illegal); afternoon baseball on the TV; pool time; blasting music; scary movies; sour cherry pie; all my friends over for all of it; phones on do not disturb and the rest of planet Earth on mute (except for the birds and the ocean).”

Let Young and Frost relieve you of your workweek burdens with the ten tunes that make their weekend perfect, including a few golden oldies and dance floor beats.

Ben E. King – ‘Stand By Me’

This is an absolute classic and all-time favourite of mine. Pure nostalgia, as I would spend many Sundays watching the film. /JF

Lorde – ‘Ribs’

The euphoric feelings of this song will always guide me home on a night out. /JF

Conan Gray – ‘Memories’

The people who know me were waiting for me to add Conan Gray to this list. This album got me through a lot and every time I listen to it, it reminds me of why I want to be an artist. /JF

Cigarettes After Sex – ‘K.’

I love my melancholic music – I dedicate my Sunday nights to it. This band has been my Spotify Wrapped top artist for the past 3 years. /JF

Justin Bieber ft. Sean Kingston – ‘Eenie Meenie’

This is my hype song, this gives me the energy to go out. /JF

Sophie – ‘Immaterial’

This is the obvi pick for Sophie but I don’t care, it’s perfect. /MY

Prince – ‘I Would Die 4 U’

This used to be my morning alarm and it always makes me feel ready to go. /MY

ABBA – ‘Dancing Queen’

The chorus melody is so heartbreaking but the lyrics are so encouraging, like woah … I am the dancing queen! /MY

Azealea Banks – ‘212’

This song just gives pool party time.  /MY

Suicide – ‘Dream Baby Dream’

Keep those dreams burning FOREVERRRRR. /MY