Ransom Note: Recent Episodes
Ransom Note
Ransom Note is an online music, arts and culture magazine. We provide a home for readers and writers with boundless enthusiasm, esoteric knowledge, fierce opinions and impeccable taste.
With our core team immersed in all aspects of dance music, we publish news, articles, and interviews covering the greatest in innovative, underground culture from across the globe. We offer regular, exclusive music and mixtapes from our favourite artists, and publish features shining a light on everything from the freshest new artists to the untold tales from rave history.
Alongside this we offer musings on film, books, life, and art, generating some context and controversy as an antidote to the reheated PR that clogs up the internet. Our office is fuelled by Tunnock’s Bars, cat memes, hangovers and a ridiculous, never ending love for our culture.
We're always interested in getting new writers on board – feel free to get in touch if you’ve got a story to tell.
With love until the grave.
Chicago darkwave trio Pixel Grip have spent the past year watching Percepticide: The Death of Reality find its people. A self-released, emotionally uncompromising collision of EBM, techno, industrial pop and synthpop built around betrayal, trauma and reconstruction, it arrived as one of the most viscerally charged club records of 2025.Now they're ready to open a new chapter. Percepticide: Remixed lands on July 29, gathering a formidable cast - KAVARI, Perel, Curses, Black Asteroid, Matrixxman, Auragraph, Frazer Ray and more - to pull the album apart and rebuild it in their own image. Glasgow-based producer KAVARI leads the campaign with a harder, more fractured take on "Noise," purpose-built for late-night rooms. Today we get another look inside courtesy of Berlin-based DJ and producer Perel, who takes "Moment With God" somewhere slower and more seductive - letting the original's intensity breathe and pool rather than ignite. Where the source material burns, Perel smoulders.Pixel Grip will also be hitting Hinterland, Just Like Heaven and Bumbershoot this summer before embarking on a European arena tour supporting KoRn in the fall, taking in Berlin, Prague, Krakow and more.Percepticide: Remixed is out now.Stream "Moment With God (Perel Remix)" here
Founded in Brooklyn in 2016 by longtime friends Latane Hughes and Billy Scher, Fundido are quickly becoming one of New York's most exciting prospects.With releases on the likes of DFA Records and Life and Death they have emerged globally as ones to watch.However, those on the ground in NY will have been familiar for a while with the duo having become cult favourites with appearances at the likes of Good Room, Le Bain and Elsewhere.This mix carries a good vibration throughout. Positive House music with a distinct groove, not too serious and not too fast. A homage to the origins of the sound whilst forward thinking at the same time.We like Fundido - they're good fun.
We’ve known Toby Tobias aka Alphonse for a very long time, longer than he’s been sitting on this creation with Seraphina Simone - 2017 if you’re wondering. The pair first crossed paths at Glastonbury and knocked out a set of lyrics over a single session. Life did what life does - lockdowns, a baby, other projects - and the track went through several incarnations before Toby zeroed in on what it actually was: a late-night acid house record built around the 303 line and Seraphina's unmistakable vocals.The Main Mix is where it started. Raw acid wave, heavy on vocals, the original 2017 idea more or less intact. The message is straightforward: Spirit of the Night.Alphonse has released on Klasse Wrecks, Hypercolour, Emotional Especial and Kalahari Oyster Cult. Seraphina Simone has solo EPs on her own terms (Milk Teeth, Wild), credits with TRILLS, Becky Hill and Robyn, and is currently doing her thing as vocalist and dancer in Self Esteem's live band.FOLLOW ALPHONSE/TOBY TOBIAS:https://linktr.ee/Tobytobias74 / __alphonse_____ / _toby_tobias_ https://tobytobias.bandcamp.com/ / tobytobias / tobytobiasmusic FOLLOW SERAPHINA SIMONE:https://linktr.ee/seraphinasimonehttps://www.seraphinasimone.com/ / seraphinasimone https://seraphinasimone.bandcamp.com/ / seraphinasimone / seraphinasimone / seraphinasimone FOLLOW R$N RECORDS:www.facebook.com/theransomnotewww.instagram.com/thisisransomnoteransomnoterecords.bandcamp.comsoundcloud.com/ransom-note-records
House music is in a strange place these days. It's all a bit too fast, all a bit too euphoric, all a bit too wiggly, all a bit too rowdy.However, this mix landed in our inbox and we breathed a sigh of relief - this is what it's all about.Arrumar is a South African producer, the moniker of Mlunghisi Chauke. This past week marked the release of a new album on Polygonia's record label QEONE which features a collection of deeper, at times dubbed out tracks, which act as the perfect antidote to everything else going on out there.This mix follows a similar suit, progressive and wandering. This is one to get lost in and find new moments in as you listen again and again.
Stacey Pullen has been a figurehead for House music for a long time now.He remains one of the very best and most discerning in the scene having contributed some of the most important records, mixes and albums out there. From Detroit, his origins go deep. Throughout his career, Pullen has earned international recognition for his innovative productions and captivating DJ performances. Unlike many artists who focus solely on one genre, he is celebrated for seamlessly mixing a wide variety of electronic styles into energetic, unpredictable sets.This mix comes to us off the back of a new record for Defected. You can catch that in there.
SDF returns after two years away with a low-slung stomper, mixed and retweaked by Toby Tobias…In a corner of Wales, where the sea meets the road, there’s a Policeman who’s bent over a rather small load. Adam, Oliver, Lucy, SDF by their name, caught him twice over on some CCTV frame. Toby Tobias came round with his knobs and his skill, Retweaked and resparkled, and steadied the till, while Crooked Man Barratt, all Parrot and jazz, sent the same crooked cop for a sun-kissed jazz razz.There’s a Single Edit too, for those short on time, and a Jazz Police calling somewhere down the line, the sickness at the top, so the old saying goes, runs all the way down to the Policeman’s toes.So spin either version, the club one or the dream. On VITS009, nothing’s quite what it seems. A tale of corruption, small-scale, none too grand, dedicated with love to the memory of a friend. We’re premiering SDF’s low slung stomper “Policeman,” reworked by London producer Toby Tobias (Alphonse). SDF’s first new material in two years, with Adam Parkinson (Dane Law), Oliver Marchant (RKB Vitesse) and Lucy Whalley telling a two-part small-town crime story about police corruption in North Wales, this time with Tobias on mix and extra production duties, The track stays on the darker road: machinery and mantras riding towards trouble suspended somewhere between a club track and a dubby dream. Crooked Man (aka All Seeing I and Sweet Exorcist) also on remix duties.The release is dedicated to the memory of JD Twitch.Out Friday, July 17, 2026. Buy here: https://vitamin-concept.bandcamp.com/album/policeman-crooked-man-remix
1-800 GIRLS has quickly paved a way for a brand of new school House music which has been heavily adopted and loved by a new generation of dancers who have found solace in high energy moments and deep grooves. Over the years, as a producer, the consistency has always been there. Whether it's from early self releases through to fresher material which has found a home on the likes of Lost Palms, Shall Not Fade and All My Thoughts. As a DJ, the 1-800 GIRLS sound is fun and fluid - evolving through moments of euphoric energy which can then be tamed and paired back with deeper, emotive sounds which perhaps reflect his early inspirations when leaning into electronic music. Things have moved fast for the 1-800 GIRLS project. This mix was recorded at Phonox, straight from the booth at a recent night curated by 1TBSP.
We have your nightclub. We have your DJ box. We have thirty-six tracks, and most of them have no names because names are for records that want to be found.This is Decius Trax – the loose, sweaty, pressure-relief side of a band that otherwise runs on pure discipline. The album project blends Lias’s voice into something unique; this is the other thing, the vehicle, the late-night chop shop where old cassettes get squeezed through the Decius filter until they come out the other side as someone else’s record wearing a new coat. Live jams, minimal tinkering, heads banging on the assumption that yours will too. Most of what’s here you’ve never heard, because most of it was never meant to leave the DJ box. Untitled. Unreleased. Numbered like ransom demands instead of songs, because the numbering is the point – roman numerals climbing toward a second vinyl mini-album, a whole Pantone chart still to get through, no plan to stop until it tips into ridiculousness.Don’t remix it with AI. Don’t expect liner notes on the next one either. Just make them, play them.Track list and read the room – it’ll come with you eventually. It always does.FULL INTERVIEW HERE: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/decius-trax-the-ransom-note-mix/
Psychedelia is at the core of Zillas on Acid's musical manoeuvres. The Philadelphian duo, made up of Thomas Roland and James Weissinger, have been DJing together for almost two decades, and you can tell. There's an intuitiveness to their sets; one that comes from an extended period spent building and evolving together. Their strung out, trippy sound takes cues from post-punk and acid house approached through that psychedelic lens they've become known for.It's no surprise then that they've been closely affiliated with Making Time, the Philadelphia institution helmed by Dave P, that treads similar transcendental terrain.Over the years they've notched up releases for some of our favourite labels, including Optimo Music, Live at Robert Johnson, Les Disques de la Mort and Running Back, and now they're bringing this music to life with their live band, adding vocalist Ari Ratner and bassist Matt O’Hare into the mix.Their latest offering, Rolling The Marble Wheel, comes via our sister label Human Endeavour and is Zillas at their best (not even biased...). Following the release, we asked them to contribute to our Ransom Note mix series. Dive into the Zillas world, it's a trip...
The clockwork planet was a man-made world the size of a small moon. There were oceans, forests, cities, and even weather systems created by climate-control satellites. It was constantly in orbit. Its energy came from an array of fusion reactors positioned around the habitat's central axis. Massive superconducting rings distributed power to every district, while millions of solar satellites collected energy from the nearby star and beamed it back using microwave transmitters. The habitat's atmosphere, temperature, and water cycle were all controlled by artificial intelligence system. It all worked seamlessly. Except until today, when the oceans stopped moving. Olsvangèr draws for the bass weight on a new EP which features a heady assortment of rave driven breaks, crunchy house and rugged sounds for Tofistock.
Long before The Ransom Note had a name. Long before Team Love had a manifesto. Dave was always there. Usually near the speakers.Two festivals, one philosophy. When Love International made its pilgrimage to Rainbow Disco Club, it wasn’t simply a case of a Croatian institution touching down in Asia – it was two kindred spirits recognising themselves in each other. Born in Tokyo in 2010, Rainbow Disco Club has always operated under a single guiding concept: “Beyond Space and Time” – a commitment to authentic underground music that transcends genre, geography and trend. Alongside these club nights in Tokyo the annual event as you’ll likely know, takes place in the Japanese countryside of Shizuoka’s Izu Peninsula/ Love International, meanwhile, as many of you will also likely know, draws a loyal family of returning artists, crews and ravers to the shores of Tisno each summer for what amounts to a celebration of sun, music and community.Different latitudes, identical heartbeats. And yes – before you ask – we did make him answer questions about rainbows…WhatsApp Image 2026-06-10 at 21.00.26 (12) We’ve known Dave Harvey a long time. Long enough that neither of us is entirely sure when it started – somewhere in the blur of the 90s, in rooms that probably no longer exist, with people we’re still lucky enough to call friends. Long before The Ransom Note had a name. Long before Team Love had a manifesto. Back when it was just about getting to the right room on the right night and staying as long as humanly possible. Dave was always there. Usually near the speakers.Watching what he’s built since then – and more importantly, how he’s built it, with the same unguarded enthusiasm he had at the very beginning – has been one of the genuine pleasures of growing up in and around this ‘scene’ together. Because the thread has always been consistent. Whether as a DJ, programmer, promoter, or raver, there are few dancefloors he hasn’t graced, and fewer still where he hasn’t left some kind of mark. Since cutting his teeth in those 90s rooms, he’s built an inimitable sound that moves freely between house, techno, breaks and electro, EBM, wonky chuggers and disco-infused oddities – often all within the same set.Here he is, doing exactly that. Captured live at Rainbow Disco Club, in case you needed any further evidence. The rest, we’ll let the colours speak for themselves. @loveintfestival@rainbowdiscoclub@futureboogie
Samson A.K. has been a heady presence amidst the underground for a long time now having cut his teeth in various guises.However, more recently he has begun boldly making music under his own name, cementing himself with a new position having released material on the likes of Berceuse Heroique, MAL Recordings and via his own newly launched imprint Ideal State. From a musical perspective Sam tends to be drawn to the darker, more abstract fringes of electronic music. There's a lot of noise involved and at times things get tough. This mix reflects that ethos, powering its way through a heady assortment of jackin' house, techno, bass and the spaces which sit in between. Its rough as f**k. Just how we like it.
Patricia Wolf makes music from the inside of an ecosystem.Her recent release on Music To Watch Seeds Grow By; Yarrow (the 9th edition in the series) emerged from weeks spent at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado, working alongside ecologists studying plants, pollinators, and the slow pressures of a changing climate.Patricia Wolf Mock Up The album maps a Yarrow’s life from root to seed: the conditions needed to grow, the quiet underground, the moment a flower opens to something that might carry it further. Field recordings from those Colorado summers are woven through the compositions, leaving room, as Wolf puts it, for the natural sounds to come through – her way of sharing an emotional inner life when thinking about these environments.For this mix, Wolf turned her attention to morning. Imagining this year’s Watching Trees festival crowd coming down from a long night of dancing – we talked her through in the afterglow of this year’s edition. Wolf built A Wander in the Garden for that specific threshold hour – somewhere between nine and ten, when birdsong starts to reassert itself and the body wants something slow, expansive, and unhurried.The anchor track arrived first: the Cosmic Tones Research Trio’s Photosynthesis, from which everything else grew. What follows is a walk through an imaginary garden with several climates – shade beneath a linden tree, open meadow thick with yarrow and field poppy, a pine grove smelling of warm sap, an orchard of cherries and mulberries just beginning to ripen.If she had to name the plant that holds this hour best, Wolf chooses lavender: something with a direct line to the nervous system, a quiet insistence on calm.FULL INTERVIEW HERE: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/seeds-mix-11-patricia-wolfs-wander-in-the-garden/
Wigs is part of a new school of dj's pushing faster tempo's and frequencies.Releasing records and playing at some of the most interesting new parties on the circuit he has begun to make a name for himself for his euphoric, energetic sets which blur the lines between house, trance, tribal and beyond. His latest release comes on Kasra V's label, a record which makes sense in context with Kasra also holding a penchant for the progressive era of 2000's house music which helped push and inspire his own sound.There's no punches held here. This is a fast and fiery assortment straight from the off - a promising entry to the series from a DJ popping up in all the right places.
We’re premiering the video for ‘Abiotic Factors’ – Patricia Wolf’s opening dispatch from Gothic, Colorado and the invisible forces that determine whether anything grows at all…Tia and Wil’s Music To Watch Seeds Grow By series – the ambient/new-age/planty cassette label has in nine editions, tried to make a compelling case that the best way to understand ambient is to get your hands in some soil and think about it properly. Each artist chooses a plant that inspires their music and can be sown in the month of the release. Simple. Seasonal. You may have noticed it already.For the ninth edition – the third of Season Two – they’ve brought in Portland, Oregon-based musician and field recordist Patricia Wolf, whose album Yarrow takes its name from Achillea millefolium, a flowering plant whose broad geographic range spans North America and Eurasia, which also happens to make it the perfect conceptual thread to connect Portland (where the music was written and recorded) to London (where the cassette was pressed and will land through your letterbox alongside a packet of yarrow seeds and a fact card about the plant). A transatlantic weed of the most beautiful kind.Wolf is one of the most interesting people quietly operating at the edges of sound art. Her recent arc has taken her from grief (I’ll Look For You In Others, 2022) to a kind of luminous rebirth (See-Through, 2022), then to birds – literal birds, in Iceland, for a documentary score (Hrafnamynd, 2025) – and now, with this album, to plants. Specifically, to the invisible forces that determine whether plants live or die at all.Yarrow was created in response to Wolf’s artist residency at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in Gothic, Colorado, as part of the Art-Science Exchange Project in the summer of 2024. She worked closely with ecologists Dr Paul CaraDonna, Dr Amy Iler, Dr Jane Ogilvie, Dr Nickolas Waser, Dr Mary Price, and Dr Will Petry, spending weeks embedded in long-term research on plants, pollinators, and their interactions as the climate changes. This is not, in other words, an ambient album about plants in the vague, pastoral sense. It’s an album about plants in the way a botanist might describe them: as dynamic organisms in constant, often invisible negotiation with their environment.Which brings us to ‘Abiotic Factors’, the album’s opening track and the subject of today’s premiere. Abiotic factors – for those of us who skipped that particular biology lesson – are the non-living environmental conditions that determine whether an organism can exist at all: light availability, temperature, rainfall, wind, soil composition. They are the infrastructure beneath the visible world, the silent set of forces that a plant cannot choose but must simply work with, adapt to, or perish. As a concept for an opening track, it’s contemplative and a perfect orientation into the album… which you’ll all hear in its entirety soon little seedlings.The video was shot closer to home – in Wolf’s Portland neighbourhood - through the lens of Edward Pack Davee, the filmmaker behind the Hrafnamynd documentary Wolf scored last year.Watch here: https://www.theransomnote.com/art-culture/video-premiere-patricia-wolf-abiotic-factors/
Most initiative.With appearances spanning from Berlin’s Atonal to unforgettable sets at UNFOLD, DGTL, Junction 2 and Boiler Room, she remains one of the UK's most reliable, anything-goes selectors.We locked her in for a mix. Check it out now.
Hercules and Love Affair is an electronic music project created in 2004 by DJ, producer and songwriter Andy Butler. Originally formed in New York City, the act became known for blending classic disco, Chicago house, techno and synth-pop into emotionally charged dance music with an art-pop sensibility.Rather than functioning as a traditional band, Hercules and Love Affair operates as a rotating collective of vocalists, musicians and collaborators, with Butler remaining the project’s central creative force. The project remains at the forefront of queer dance music culture in the UK and beyond and in our own opinion, remains pivotal for the fact that there has been no bowing or amenity towards fads or trends. They returned at the tail end of 2025, now as we approach summer a new remix package has been announced which includes contributions from the likes of Ciel, Luke Solomon and Mystery Affair. However, as mentioned above, their connection to the underground and origins of the sound has afforded them the rare privilege of a remix from none other than Larry Heard under the Mr Fingers alias. In celebration of this, here is a rare mix from Hercules and Love Affair, a homage to house music and the direction of travel as we proceed.
Cult classic given the Allison magic…There was a Young Fellow called James Allison, who said, “All this dancing has something quite wrong with it! I’ll edit three classics and turn them about, And make all the rockers get up and go out!” So he rummaged through cult cuts and album-shelf things, and polished them up till they jangled like strings, Said Ivan Smagghe. “Goodness!” said Sean Johnston, “My word!” Said Chris Stoker, “Remarkable!” James Holroyd concurred.“Make Dance Rock Again!” cried the Fellow with glee, “It’s Series the First but there’s more, you shall see!” And the dancefloor said “Blimey!” and the rock crowd said “Right!” And everyone edited long into the night.Make Dance Rock Again 001 is the first instalment in an ongoing series from James Allison, and it arrives as a statement of intent. The EP finds Allison doing what only the most quietly confident selectors pull off: taking three records – cult classics and possibly overlooked album cuts alike – and editing them into something that reveals exactly who he is when the dancefloor isn’t looking. A clear, unguarded window into a taste that exists well outside Allison’s dance music world, and the results are, as billed, certified head turners.Early support from Ivan Smagghe, Sean Johnston, James Holroyd and the late Chris Stoker (Not An Animal) suggests the series has arrived fully formed. A strong opening missive – and the first entry in something worth watching closely.Buy Here: https://jamesallison-mdra.bandcamp.com/album/make-dance-rock-again-vol-1
Your favourite DJ’s favourite punk band are back, and they’ve brought the sweat with them.There was a Young Band from the Paradise Palms, Who played with such fury it rattled your arms, They grooved like the ESG, bit like The Slits, And drove Windmill Brixton completely to bits!“O come to our Party!” cried Bikini Body, “It’s perfectly sweaty and pleasantly shoddy! The bassline is punching, the drumming is tight, And everyone’s dancing till quarter to light!”So they packed up the Palms and they played BBC, And KEXP and Radio 6 and NTS and free, And the dancefloor said “Goodness!” and the basement said “More!” And nobody quite knew what a party was for. Bikini Body return with the Weirdest Party EP, their first release on Paradise Palms Records following two records on Optimo Music – a pairing that did a lot to define both their trajectory and their restless, hybrid sound. This new set pushes further into the territory they’ve made their own: the charged, uneasy space where dancefloor pressure and punk confrontation refuse to separate.Percussive, physical and wired with attitude, the tracks draw a lineage that runs from ESG and Liquid Liquid through Bush Tetras, The Slits and X-Ray Spex, with the remixes opening things out for club systems without sanding off a single rough edge. It’s music that works equally hard in a sweaty basement and on a packed dancefloor – which, given a 13-date UK co-headline tour ending in a sold-out London show, a packed Windmill Brixton headline, and airplay across BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, KEXP and NTS, appears to be exactly where people are putting it.Weirdest Party EP is out on Paradise Palms Records on 22nd May 2026.Catch them live on our stage at Another Thought on 13th June.
Safiye has been quietly doing the work.And we mean that in every sense. Anyone who's crossed paths with her at Love International - or anywhere else, for that matter - will know there's a version of Safiye most people never fully clock. The one making sure everything runs smoothly, checking in on people, holding the energy of a room without ever needing to shout about it. Calm, kind, and completely unflappable in the way that only someone truly on top of things can afford to be.Years spent on dancefloors across the globe and through a bi-weekly show on SWU.FM have sharpened her instinct for the room, one that's taken her from Bristol's underground to the fields of Glastonbury and to the aforementioned Love International - last few tix left for that those at the back. Since 2024, she has been part of Bristol's disco powerhouse Paradisco, a permanent fixture on dancefloors in the city and beyond.As she puts it herself, it's not just showing up to a gig and pressing play - the coordination, the planning, the endless behind-the-scenes effort that nobody really sees. That's the work. And she does it with the same ease she brings to everything else.The through line in all of it is a sound that's slippery by design. House, electro, disco and acid all chosen carefully, sequenced with intention.Let’s have a chat and get it on, shall we?https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/safiye-the-shine-a-light-on-mix/
“Everyone needs a moment of silence every once in a while,” Basil seems to know this, too. Salamanda create a bed for Basil’s germination.Watching something small grow in your kitchen makes you pay close attention. The Seoul-based duo Salamanda and the next artist stepping up for Seeds understand this. Uman (Sala) and Yejin (Manda) spent a day watching a single basil plant on a windowsill, noticing how the light shifted across its leaves, water gathered at its roots, and time slipped by. What started as a simple observation turned into a meditation on the inner life of a plant and what it means to really listen to something living.Sala(Uman)_s salad Basil droops in the cold, grows too fast in the heat, and can wilt from too much attention; it needs a moment, too. Salamanda noticed that this silence is a pause for space, where the real growth happens. For them, music fills that space…Manda talks about understanding her own feelings by looking at her plants. When she feels down, the plants seem to react. They reflect something back: being present, paying attention, and giving and receiving care. This mix comes from that kind of language, asking you to keep coming back to care for the same small plant. If basil could think, what would it think of you?Get your headphones on. Listen to the way a plant listens to light…https://soundcloud.com/8salamanda8
A longstanding, driving force within the Italian underground and the wider world of contemporary psychedelic music, Lay Llamas celebrates the release of the project's new album 'Time, Islands and Thresholds' with a mesmerizing mix for our main series.Nicola Giunta has been leading the psych brigade under the Lay Llamas banner for well over a decade. Formed in 2012, the project has since released an entrancing, ever-evolving body of work across indispensable labels including Rocket Recordings and Black Sweat Records, collaborating with the likes of Goat, Clinic, Damo Suzuki (Can), and Mark Stewart (The Pop Group) along the way. With new album ‘Time, Islands and Thresholds‘, Lay Llamas heads out on a spellbinding, synapse-fried voyage that evokes hallucinatory visions in mysterious, exotic lands. Across ten tracks, hypnagogic psychedelia is masterfully laced with cosmic dub, space rock, and the kind of music you might hear on records by Eden Ahbez and Martin Denny. Describing the imagery and existential trajectory that underpins the record, Giunta references “surfers on acid, mysterious rites on deserted islands, worshippers of solar deities, night flights, animal skins, will-o’-the-wisps on hilltops, liminal spaces, passages into the underworld, psychic inner journeys; life, death and rebirth.”‘Time, Islands and Thresholds‘ then, is a record of heady, retrofuturist iconography and into-the-void introspection. Drawing parallels with Spacemen 3, Peaking Lights and Sun Araw, it’s an album that nevertheless finds Lay Llamas plotting the project’s own psychotropic course. The album finale ‘I Was Blind (Now It’s Over)‘ is also one of the most beautifully strung out songs we’ve heard this year.To accompany the release of the album, Giunta has put together a suitably potent mix of hypnotic drum trances, heavyweight dub, snarling noir-punk and rarefied psych to liven up, expand and soothe your soul. Settle in for a special one.Interview: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/lay-llamas-the-ransom-note-mix/Tracklist1 - Cheval Fou - La fin de la vie, le début de la survivance2 - Cloud Management, Vivien Goldman - Judge Judge3 - The Serfs - Cold Hand In Mine4 - Laika - Spooky Rhodes5 - Geologist - Oracle Road6 - Death and Vanilla - Intro7 - Orange Car Crash - Straight Star8 - Coma World - Western9 - Des Demonas - There Are No Vampires in Africa10 - Dave Harrington (ft. Chris Forsyth - Ryan Jewell - Spencer Zahn) - REDUX Dub 811 - Deradoorian - Weed Jam12 - Montel Palmer - Mermaid Wolf Whistle
Wonky organic grooves from ALF CHAMPION and MDHNTR via Calypso records new compilationThere once was a Shape who could dance, With pockets of electronica trance, It wobbled its form through the Definition, And questioned each note and condition, While singing quite badly about circumstance.“What is,” asked the Shape, “this peculiar sound? That bounces and bobs all around and around? Is it liquid or solid or something between? The strangest device I have ever seen!” Said a very confused polka-dotted hound.The Definition replied with a riddled refrain: “I am what you hear when you listen again, A thing that is not, yet somehow it is, A shape-shifting, drift-curious quiz, That dances through corridors, valleys, and rain.”And they walttzed through the Calypso till dawn broke its spell, Those two nonsensical friends, who got on quite well, For a Shape needs Definition as much as it’s true, That Definition needs Shape to be something brand new, And that, my dear reader, concludes this strange tale to tell. “What Is Your Definition” sits in that liminal space between organic groove and electronic. It’s the sound of something taking shape… which leads rather nicely onto Calypso Vol. II, a nine-year endeavour where Iñigo Vontier and Thomass Jackson assemble 16 voices across the spectrum of the experimental electronicPress play and find out what you’re listening to. Or better yet: ask what your own voice is.@calypsorecs@alf_champion@mdhntr000
From the coastline to the dance-floor.Daichi's ear was formed early. Weekends spent at Oppa-La in Enoshima absorbing whatever the room had to offer, left a mark that still runs through everything he does. From there the path naturally progressed, co-founding Vinyl Youth, a collective whose energy has carried through Korea and onto the stage at Rainbow Disco Club.His productions tell a similar story. Edits and originals landing on MM Discos, Crue-L and Not an Animal, each release finding ears far beyond Japan.This is music with a sense of place.Read more: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/daichi-the-shine-a-light-on-mix/
akarta’s Strange Fruit with the last track from their Drips EP is something super special. Pouvoi Moteur – French for “motoric power,” since you asked – is exactly what that sounds like: locked-groove krautrock discipline shot through with kosmische shimmer, the kind of track that makes the road ahead feel endless and the destination irrelevant.The ghost of Can’s engine room is all over it, that locked hypnosis that somehow never quite repeats itself, while Cluster’s smeared electronics hover at the periphery. Aryadiaz, who conceived it partly out of an obsession with factory machinery and, apparently, partly with German beer, describes the 4/4 pattern as feeling like “breaking through space and time.” We’re inclined to agree.Out now via Gentle Tuesday Recordings, with a vinyl release to follow through Loide and TipTop Records. Stunning stuff.https://strangefruit.bandcamp.com/album/drips
Adispatch from the holy island, via Alabama.Two guys from Muscle Shoals, Alabama -0 the city that quietly wrote half the soul records you’ve ever loved — making shoegaze concept albums about a tidal island off the coast of Northumberland. On paper, it shouldn’t work. In practice, Holy Island, the debut from Adam Morrow and Jamie Sego’s Sister Ray Davies, is one of the more beautifully stunning records to land this year: motorik folk, walls of fuzz, delay pedal disco, and genuine literary heft, released via the always excellent Sonic Cathedral and drawing comparisons to mid-period Flying Saucer Attack, Souvlaki-era Slowdive and a long-lost Spacemen 3 outtake. They are, by their own admission, complete beginners as DJs. We handed them the airwaves anyway.What came back is exactly what you’d expect from two people who learned to hear music through Nuggets compilations and Delia Derbyshire records, who want biblical noise and dream of piloting the Grateful Dead’s Wall of Sound. It’s a mix that’s charming and oddly coherent: dub basslines, psych and proto-electronic tangents, the kind of selection that could only have been assembled by people who think in pedals and reverb tails rather than BPMs. A journey with a clear first step, even if the destination remains gloriously unclear.Not a DJ mix in any conventional sense, just an excellently varied record collection let loose.
Owain K is a stalwart of the Bristol underground.For many years he has cut his teeth running parties, curating labels and producing music. A bit of an unsung hero of sorts in our eyes - his musical knowledge is vast and in this day and age he represents exactly the sort of character and dedication a DJ should have.For years he has been on a quest to explore new music, digging for hidden gems and helping to push the sound forward without gimmicks or the sort of delusional grandeur we've become accustomed to from a DJ in the social media era.His blog and record label Innate is widely acclaimed amongst those in the know and its rare we'd kindly say as such about another site. Only kidding...This mix is a serious addition to the series and showcases a deep understanding of nuance and sound as he weaves and winds between house, electro and the eclectic spaces in between.
Human Endeavour’s ‘Dancefloor Designs’ returns with two club-focused remixes from Parris and GoodMostlyBad. Launched last year as a way to reimagine previous label material for the club, the second chapter in the series revisits tracks from Nandele’s ‘Maputo’ EP and Reda Saiarh’s contribution to the label’s first ever release.First up can you feel the sun co-head Parris works his magic on Mozambican artist Nandele’s ‘Chapa 100’. Originally released at the beginning of 2024, here the track is morphed into a bright, skippy drum tool with plenty of sub bass to carry the groove. The second remix comes courtesy of Scuffed Discs and Bad Tips producer GoodMostlyBad who strips back the sassy new beat of Reda Saiarh’s ‘Kiki’ into a sleek and sophisticated acid-meets-NYC ballroom number.Human Endeavour is part of Ransom Note Records’ family of sub-labels, curated and run by former R$N Editor, DJ and Noods Radio resident Rosie Ama.
Dark Entries and Ransom Note present a defiant comeback from Gavilán Rayna Russom, featuring remixes from Russell E.L. Butler and Borusiade.Gavilán Rayna Russom built Black Meteoric Star in Berlin in 2006, less as a project than as a form of protection: a performance identity that could carry truths she wasn’t yet able to live openly, a vehicle for the intersection of electronic dance music and queer resistance. In the years since her reach has been wide, her presence felt across stages and in studios that stretched well beyond the underground, but Black Meteoric Star has always remained something distinct. An avenger. A keeper of a more radical flame. ‘5am Open Air Sunrise’ captures something very specific: that hour on the dancefloor where exhaustion dissolves into transcendence, where the body gives up resisting, and something more honest takes over. It was recorded live, which means the contributions from Russell E.L. Butler and Borusiade are less remixes than full reconstructions, each expanding the emotional landscape while preserving the original’s energy.Rayna has been clear about what’s driving the return: “Black Meteoric Star is one of those characters I created for survival. And this moment demands its return.”With a full album waiting in the wings, ssh! – this feels like an opening statement worth paying attention to.Dark Entries make for natural co-conspirators on something this uncompromising.
Seoul duo Salamanda. Uman Therma (Sala) and Yetsuby (Manda) have turned their gaze to the most unassuming of subjects: a single basil plant on a windowsillThere once was a Basil who sat in the dusk, When the light had gone thin and the day shed its husk,He gazed at the glass where the garden grew small, And pondered his fate in the last of the hall. A wine of deep blue in a vessel unclear appeared on the sill as the midnight drew near,The Basil regarded it, leaf pressed to pane, And thought several thoughts that he couldn’t explain.Does he know? said the snail, who was still on the glass, That all things must come, as all things come to pass?The Basil said nothing, but widened one arm, And accepted the evening with dignified calm.In Seoul, two small people called Sala and Manda Composed from the windowsill, neither meander,They caught the blue hour and the wondering mind, The fate that all well-tended basils will find.Oh Basil, oh Basil, you left-of-centre thing, With your atoms and rituals and quiet suffering,You lived your full day from the sun to the dark, And went out, like blue wine, without even a mark. Music To Watch Seeds Grow By, returns for its eighth entry with Seoul duo Salamanda. Uman Therma (Sala) and Yetsuby (Manda) have turned their gaze to the most unassuming of subjects: a single basil plant on a windowsill, tracking its full day from morning light to whatever it is basil dreams about after dark.We’re premiering the album’s closing track, ‘the blue wine’, a final mysterious reverie in which the basil seems to contemplate its own fate, somewhere between acceptance and wonder. It is the still point at the end of the day: the light gone, the snail departed, the photosynthesis done. What remains is something like thought, or the plant equivalent of it. Manda puts it well: does the basil know what it’s for? Would it resist, accept, or even feel something close to joy? ‘the blue wine’ doesn’t answer that. It just sits with the question, which is probably the right thing to do…@8salamanda8
Simply Nothing is a dubbed-out analogue synth workout like only these two know how. Carefully constructed percussion, with George Hume's bass sitting beneath a veil of spectral vocals courtesy of Sarah-May Brown.On the EP there's a two other original tracks plus a remix from the excellent Hybrid Man does what Hybrid Man does best, pulling the hypnotic core of the original.Simply Nothing is out now on Lunatic Music.
Giorgi Pipia is a Georgian DJ and selector originally from the western region of Georgia, now based in Tbilisi—one of Eastern Europe’s most influential underground electronic music hubs.Deeply connected to the city’s evolving club culture, he is a resident at the community-driven club Left Bank and a regular radio host on Rinse FM France, where he showcases his wide-ranging musical taste and experimental approach to DJing.Known for his curiosity and open-minded approach to sound, Giorgi Pipia builds sets that draw inspiration from multiple cultures and genres. His selections often move fluidly between techno, electro, breakbeat, and experimental electronic music, while incorporating rhythms and textures from diverse global scenes.This cross-cultural approach has become a defining element of his style, allowing him to craft sets that feel both exploratory and cohesive.We invited him to the series and the result is a long playing mix which demonstrates a deep understanding of flow.
Spirit Research Institute, a studio brainchild born from the meeting of DJ Dex aka Nomadico of Underground Resistance, Kosmik of The Black Lodge, and Dave Aju repping Elbow Grease. Three heads, one singular vision.“Omnicallora” came to life the way the best things do – organically, hardware in hand, passed around in round-robin fashion with the Suzuki Omnichord at the centre of it all. The legendary instrument’s Italo-leaning character bleeds through every bar, complete with robo-vocoder flexings, waxing lyrical about pre- and post-fader feedback, before Aju took it home to Point Winona to mix and shape it into its final form. The result is a West Coast tech stomp that wears its Italo influences with pride – undeniably fun, undeniably them.The track lands as part of Point Winona Sound Library Vol 1, the 20-track joint venture between Elbow Grease and DISCOS XXX aka DX3, gathering some of LA’s finest under one roof at the Los Feliz hilltop palace itself.Curated by the legend that is Tavish and Dave Aju, it’s a geographic statement – warehouse-wrecking and rooted-futurist in equal measure.Point Winona Sound Library Vol 1 drops March 6. Pre-order over at Bandcamp.
John, a Kanye recommendation from a different time), celebratory joy (“a today I don’t have to fight kind of joy,” as Ludvig puts it, via Primal Scream), defiant joy (Kendrick, for the days you will have to fight, but you’ll pull through). Soul II Soul shows up to preach and repeat. James Brown is just kind of everything. Caribou injects the dance floor with melancholy and joy at the same time, which is basically the whole project in a nutshell. And somewhere near the end, a Mesadorm song that made Joshua cry on first listen, second listen, third listen.Music that makes you feel deeply human, as you’ve never felt before. Over to them.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/joshua-idehens-music-to-make-joy-to-ransom-note-mix/
For Phil Kieran – DJ, producer, film composer and the Belfast-based mind behind Le Carousel – it was closer to twelve years, the span it took to bring The Humans Will Destroy Us to life. The follow-up to his cult debut lands on 13th March via Phil Kieran Recordings, and it arrives fully formed: part shoegaze-inflected electronics, part Kosmische drift, part dancefloor catharsis – a record that feels like it was built for sweaty rooms and wistful 4am journeys home in equal measure.‘The Good One’ sits near the top of that journey, all sparkling synths, gauzy vocals and hypnotic languid beats – the kind of track that calls to mind Andrew Weatherall at his most blissed-out, coaxing Primal Scream into something simultaneously weightless and urgent. It’s radio-friendly in the best possible sense: a pop song with depth behind its eyes.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-le-carousel-the-good-one/
A transmission from deep within the French underground.Sarcus Soundsystem, the trio of Ubik, Jacky Jeane and Olga B, have been quietly doing something right in Paris for a while now. Their various endeavours around the capital have drawn attention through noise, care and curiosity. A genuine investment in the spaces they use and the people who fill them.As a collective, their extended sets are built on patience and a restless instinct. Fast-moving rhythms colliding with strange, slippery melodies that work their way into your head before your feet have even caught up.This is a dancefloor with a mind of its own. Follow it somewhere.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/sarcus-soundsystem-the-shine-a-light-on-mix
AHardway dancefloor throb injected into Strange Fruit’s shoegaze-inflected original…There was a Strange Fruit from Jakarta who said, “I shall go on Tuesday, iridescent and red!With a hypnodub shimmer and kosmische delight, I shall drip upon Wednesday and dance through the night!”The Hardway Bros heard it and let out a shout: “We’ll remix your polarness inside and about!We’ll chug through the shoegaze and acid the house, Till the SSL dubs frighten even the mouse!”So the Fruit and the Bros on a Gentle Tuesday Went sailing on Monopolar waves far away,With a Pouvoi Moteur and a Tom Furse dub too, And they dripped and they gleamed in iridescent blue.“O Fruit!” said the Bros, “O remarkable thing! You are dreamy and poppy and you know how to sing!You are krautrock and electronica, strange as can be, And we’ll live on the SSL for ever,” said he. Jakarta’s Strange Fruit occupy an unusual space: a band whose shoegaze-inflected live sound sits in a completely different world from the underground electronic circuits their members move through as producers and DJs.It’s that dual existence that makes the remix package around their forthcoming Drips EP so compelling – dispatches from a shared musical universe.For the Monopolar remix, Sean Johnston, under his Hardway Bros moniker, does what he very much does best: find the load-bearing elements of a track and build something new around them. Where the original carries its kosmische momentum intact, this version leans into the slowed-down throb, peeling back the layers and letting the groove do the work.Drips arrives via Gentle Tuesday Recordings soon. With remixes still to come from Tom Furse among others, Strange Fruit are making a quietly persuasive case for themselves as one of the more interesting propositions to emerge from Jakarta’s electronic underground.Listen below:
Al Wootton - Nine PointsTres Demented - Demented (Or Just Crazy) (Original Version)Tres Demented – Brainfreeze (Carl Craig 'Sessions' Mix)Death in Vegas – AriseDalo – WoodpeckerVon Deyen / Schütz - Valley Of The Monsters
FUCK!LACRÈME are back with the second part of their unhinged trilogy. The Italian five-piece have been making a mess of Beat Machine Records in the best way possible, and Welcome To My Crib keeps that energy going.We’re premiering “Slam It” today. It’s big beat, sharp percussion, layered textures, the works. The title cut goes deep into jungle rhythms and acid breakbeats, built for dark dancefloors.Out on 20th February on Beat Machine.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-fucklacreme-slam-it-beat-machine-records/@beatmachinerecords
Tushen Raï held no punches with a hard hitting acid driven EP released on their homestay record label Hard Fist at the tail end of last year.It was a nod to the Goa inspired days of old, excellent rave fodder with beeps and glitches galore.The pair are based in Lyon and have been a familiar presence amidst the underground music community in the city for a long time now, we at Ransom Note find them to be pretty great too.Anyway, this mix spans two hours and is a wild ride through fast paced leftfield dance music which pays homage to the roots of the genre in the best way possible.
Stranded's new EP 'The Dead' arrives at that hour when the city finally shuts up - all sub-bass rumble and skeletal beats, the kind of thing that sounds best through headphones on the last bus home. It's got that Bristol thing in its bones: dub's cavernous space, post-punk's wire-tight nerves, hip-hop's head-nod.Opening track "Arch Groves" sets the tone for the whole record - vocal samples drift like smoke through low-end weight and slow-burning unease, swelling and receding without ever fully resolving. The guitars don't lead so much as lurk at the edges, scraping and hovering.It's the sound of something haunted, patient, built for dark rooms and quiet contemplation.Stream it here and pre order the EP: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-stranded-arch-groves/
Deep in the woods at our very own Bush of Ghosts stage at Watching Trees, Scottish producer Brian d’Souza, aka Auntie Flo, brought his ‘Plants Can Dance’ project to life in a five-hour ambient set beneath a canopy of trees.Drawing from the playlists he’s been curating for Imperial College’s psychedelic therapy trials, d’Souza transformed the clearing into what he describes as “a sanctuary away from the main stage,” where human – and non-human – audiences alike could experience music designed to mirror the quiet intelligence of the natural world. This 90 min excerpt captures the heart of that nocturnal performance, guiding listeners through the Ascent, Peak, and Descent phases – a journey filtered from the vast database of ambient music d’Souza has amassed over five years of running Ambient Flo radio. The setting itself became integral to the experience: darkness creating a natural sensory deprivation that, as d’Souza notes, allows listeners to become “more absorbed in their other senses, including the sounds they hear.”At the core of d’Souza’s ‘Sunflowers’ next instalment for our Music To Watch Seeds series: auntieflo.bandcamp.com/album/music-to-watch-seeds-grow-by-007-brian-d-souza-sunflowers lies a profound botanical truth: sunflowers practice cooperation over competition. Recent research reveals that when these plants encounter nutrient-rich soil between neighbours, they deliberately root elsewhere to avoid conflict – a form of underground etiquette that challenges our traditional understanding of survival of the fittest. D’Souza’s album captures this behaviour sonically, using biodata from his son’s sunflower in their London garden, converted into sound through his modular synthesiser via Instruo’s Scion module.This live performance extends that concept into the forest, where ambient music fulfils its original definition – having enough space to mix with environmental sounds, creating a novel soundscape at all times. As d’Souza reflects on Peter Wohlleben’s ‘Hidden Life Of Trees’ and its description of forests as interconnected social networks, the Bush of Ghosts set becomes a meditation on what he calls “the More Than Human world” – a space where silence represents the fragility of life, and where trees, unlike festival-goers, “aren’t going to leave the dancefloor if they don’t like a track.”The result is an invitation to forge a deeper connection with the natural world, to witness how plants can indeed dance.Full interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/seeds-mix-8-brian-dsouza-live-bush-of-ghosts/@auntie-flo@watching-trees
Italian London-based producer Dario Picchi aka Soreab follows up his collaborative EP alongside Om Unit with an unremitting, hi-spec vision of techno, grime, dub, and industrial on new album 'CU' [short for 'Completely Unstable']. Pure digital age angst, scintillating torque and radical soundsystem minimalism. On album highlight 'CU3', which we're serving up as a premiere, Soreab hurtles into surgical, adrenalized, tunnel vision techno with a sound design depth. Proper concussive machine funk futurism for journeys to the void and back.
The beautifully unhinged "Kraut Cheap Tune" is like stumbling into a broken arcade in some lysergic hinterland where the machines have learned to improvise. A-Tweed strips away the usual constraints here, letting the tracks breathe and mutate across odd terrains, somewhere between krautrock's hypnotic sprawl and chiptune's glitchy nostalgia.The Rome-based producer, known for his elastic approach to tempo and texture, opens up new space on this EP for Sketchy Lines Records. Toulouse Low Trax delivers two takes on "Junk Foot," each one pulling the original into different orbits, while Kamoun's rework of "Dixan Cheap Tuning" offers another dimension entirely. Fresh dimensions indeed – this is A-Tweed at his most exploratory, and the results are properly compelling.Out February 24th on Sketchy Lines Records: https://sketchylinesrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kraut-cheap-tune
Woods, In Flagranti, Blond:ish, Horse Meat Disco and Mike Simonetti.Based in Mexico City, Thomass Jackson delivers a mix that contains bass-first selections, weird corners and slow hypnosis into full-body motion. Music that doesn’t chase drops and trusts the listener to stay. For The Ransom Note Mix, it felt right to hand him the controls. Press play.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/thomass-jackson-the-ransom-note-mix/
When two generations of Lisbon’s underground collide, the result is visceral, raw, and uncompromising.Scam Dust is Tiago and Shcuro – two artists channelling decades of experience into something that sounds like Detroit techno filtered through Sheffield’s industrial grit with a distinctly Lisbon sensibility. Tiago, Lux Frágil resident and ‘DJ’s DJ’, returns from a seven-year hiatus from music. Shcuro, Paraíso co-founder of the excellent and scene documenter, breaks free from solo frustration. Living in neighbouring beach towns outside the capital – Parede and Carcavelos – they’ve made Gastric Pulse: saturated acid, industrial-tinged techno, and sonic dirt of the highest order. This is music built for systems, big systems. Music designed to make you move and break shit. Pure punk in electronic form. The title’s a joke about acid music taken literally (see also: “Enzyme Breaks,” “Pepsin Drive”), but the music isn’t playing.Felt right to ask em for a mix right?This mix captures their first session together – Bileebob, Conrad Schnitzler via Marcel Dettmann, Plastikman, Jamal Moss. Techno at the margins where things get uncomfortable.Coffee grains and Pepper X.@shcuro @simatudo
For Glasgow-based artist Susannah Stark, the walk from the city to Carbeth becomes a meditation on paying attention, on taking your time with things, on letting roots guide the way.In Stark’s work, sensitivity isn’t fragility; it’s a form of attentiveness, a willingness to be present with the human voice, with the spaces between sounds, with what emerges when you slow down enough to notice. Her approach to creating music mirrors the patient rhythm of plant growth – something we like around these parts – not forced or rushed, but allowed to unfold at its own pace.“Pay attention to the roots!” Stark says. It’s a gardener’s wisdom that applies equally to music-making. Sometimes the most beautiful things emerge when we’re open to what’s already there, quietly waiting beneath the surface.For this mix, Stark draws on her love of vocal harmony and polyphony, choral music and modular synthesis – the human voice and electronic landscapes working together like walking and listening, movement and stillness, roots and growth.Her “Minor Gestures” album on Nightschool Records explores these same territories: softness, rhythm, encounters between beings, and the different dimensions of speech and sound.@SusannahStark | @nightschool
Raw, rhythmic, intricate percussion and off-kilter melodic ideas woven into proper post-punk territory from the Bogotá producer.The opening salvo from Dance On The Volcano, the Bogotá producer’s mini-album for Natural Selections – five tracks of intricate percussion and off-kilter melodic ideas woven into proper post-punk territory. Raw, rhythmic, and unapologetically tense.Out Jan 22nd on Natural Selection.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-kabinett-warning-natural-selection/
Channeling the imposing physicality of brutalist concrete monoliths into that thing we call dystopian techno.The UFO95 flew over Brussels one night, With Absence Has Shape tucked under its light, Through brutalist towers so starkly imposing, Where concrete dreams lay decomposing.“Oh MORD!” cried the vessel, “Oh MORD!” it did say, “I’m bound for the club on the sixth of Febru-ay! With radiophonics both retro and keen, And dystopian grooves never before seen!”The Tresor did rumble, the Berghain did shake, As techno Tardises whirled in its wake, With low-end saturation and thunderous throb, It zipped and it zingled, it wobbled, it bobbed! Brussels-based electronic musician Killian Vaissade – better known as UFO95 – constructs brutalist sonic architecture from the ruins of utopian dreams. On “Absence Has Shape,” the second track from his forthcoming album A Brutalist Dystopian Society Part 2, the Tresor resident channels the imposing physicality of concrete monoliths into that thing we call dystopian techno.Brutalist structures as monuments to failed promises, their stark minimalism now haunting reminders of what never came to pass. Vaissade translates this visual language into dark, dramatic, stripped back essential techno. “Absence Has Shape” throbs with hypnotic tension, interlocking grooves and low-end density.Drawing inspiration from Function, Jeff Mills, Surgeon, and Sandwell District, UFO95’ approach is “Moroder-meets-Mills” – melding retro radiophonics that address brutality in its many forms: war, repression, corruption.A Brutalist Dystopian Society Part 2 drops on February 6th via MORD on vinyl, download, and streaming. The album follows acclaimed releases on Tresor, WSNWG, and TSSRCT (which he co-runs with Hadone), cementing Vaissade’s reputation as a masterful producer whose tracks cut through the noise.Vaissade doesn’t DJ, opting for improvised live sets, a practice that’s earned him a residency at Berlin’s legendary Tresor and slots at Berghain, Berlin Atonal, and Bassiani. Catch him on tour throughout January and February, including upcoming dates at Berghain (Jan 10), Razzmatazz Barcelona (Jan 17), and Fuse Brussels (Jan 24), with stops across Europe and the Americas.
The Iron Glove.Originally born as a carefully curated mix series, their journey has since blossomed into a project that now includes a vibrant blog and finally, a DJ duo.The sound of Moon Roq is rooted in their shared passion for infectious, hypnotic grooves, which glide through the realms of house, disco and techno.You’ll also find a deep, rhythmic sonic exploration woven throughout their performances, which also echoes across today’s mix - recorded live at The Glove That Fits in November 2024.Tuck in!https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/moon-roq-the-shine-a-light-on-mix/
Pieces." he's following his vision intomore atmospheric waters.Out today via Atlantis Audio, the track offers our first glimpse of Boswell's forthcoming album Going Down Slow, due January 19th, 2026. It's a bold shift in direction from an artist unafraid to explore the unknown,Press play and keep your eyes on the skies.Listen below: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-david-j-boswell-i-know-what-i-saw-atlantis-audio/
There’s a particular alchemy that happens when a band and producer find themselves on the same wavelength – not through careful planning, but through the natural convergence of shared musical worlds. Jakarta’s Strange Fruit and electronic artist Jonathan Kusuma have arrived at exactly that point with the Hypnodubmix of “Iridescent,” the first glimpse of the band’s forthcoming Drips EP.Strange Fruit has always inhabited dual territories. While their shoegaze-leaning live sound draws from dreamy, guitar-driven atmospheres, members Baldi Calvianca and Irza Aryadiaz have deep roots in electronic music – producing, DJing, and moving through the same underground circuits as Kusuma himself. This isn’t a band reaching outside of their comfort zone for a remix; it’s a collaboration between kindred spirits who’ve been orbiting the same musical universe all along.With releases on Cocktail d’Amore, Correspondant, and Minh, Kusuma strips “Iridescent” back to its essence and rebuilds it as something altogether more hypnotic. Pulsing basslines, dub-driven rhythms, and spectral traces of the vocals drifting through the haze. It’s patient, immersive, and designed for those late-night moments when the dancefloor becomes a meditation.With three more remixes still to come ahead of the EP’s 2026 release via Gentle Tuesday Recordings, Strange Fruit are charting a new path…Read more: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-strange-fruit-iridescent-jonathan-kusuma-hypnodubmix-gentle-tuesday-recordings/
R。2019 年 5 月失去母親後，她選擇回到台灣，尋找心靈慰藉。What she discovered in Taroko National Park became the seed for this mix: a meditation on grief, memory, and the way certain places hold us when we need holding most.她在太魯閣國家公園的體悟，成爲這張混音作品的起點：一段對悲傷與記憶的沉思，也是一種在最需要依靠時，被某片土地溫柔擁抱的感覺Taroko’s hidden temples and fervent lushness offered Lin sanctuary. She describes the experience as feeling “totally alive” – each leaf, each butterfly, each beam of light made sharp from grief. High in those mountains, she felt her mother could finally see her. Later, her father revealed that Taroko was one of her mother’s favourite places in the world. Though earthquakes have since closed many of the park’s paths, this aural journey captures what it’s like to walk and meditate there: spiritual, powerful, introspective, and healing.太魯閣隱密的廟宇與蓊鬱的山林，給了 Angie QQ 一處心靈的庇護。她形容自己在那裡感到「完全活著」——每一片葉子、每一隻蝴蝶、每一道光，都因悲傷而變得格外清晰。在高聳的群山之間，她彷彿覺得母親正在看著她，那份被看見的感覺，不只是來自母親，更像是一種對自己悲傷的覺察與釋放——她終於能正視自己的情感，並感受到母親的慈愛與支持。後來，父親告訴她，太魯閣其實是母親生前最喜愛的地方之一。儘管地震封閉公園裡許多步道，這張聲音作品呈在那裡漫步、冥想的感受：靈性、深刻、內省，並帶著療癒的力量。Understanding how music can hold both landscape and loss, the mix moves like a meditation, like the scene in Totoro where they dance to make their garden sprout, capturing the moment when grief sharpens everything into aliveness, when even the sound of light becomes audible.音樂可以同時承載風景與失落，這張混音作品如同一場冥想般的流動——就像《龍貓》裡，他們隨著舞蹈讓花園萌芽的場景，捕捉到悲傷將一切都銳化、化為生命力的瞬間，連光的聲音也彷彿能被聽見。Angie QQ is a Taiwanese American cultural producer based in Los Angeles. With her label Pure Person Press, she “creates and collects records that preserve the spirit of Taiwan.” Her latest collaboration with composer Lim Giong, Sounds of Taiwan, is an ambient record that invites artists to sample Lim Giong’s personal field recordings of Taiwan – a sonic landscape of the island’s people, nature, and spirituality. Through her other company, East Never Loses,, she has transformed mahjong into a cultural movement. Whether through music or mahjong, her work seeks to connect people to Taiwanese culture.Angie QQ 是一位定居洛杉磯的台美文化創作者。她透過自己的公司 Pure Person Press，創作並蒐集保存台灣精神的唱片。最近，用和作曲家林強合作的作品《台灣之聲》，是一張環境音專輯，邀請藝術家取樣林強在台灣田野間錄下的聲音，呈現島上人文、自然與靈性的景象。透過另一家公司 East Never Loses，她把麻將變成一場文化運動。不管是透過音樂還是麻將，Angie QQ 的創作都希望把人們帶回台灣文化的懷抱。“This mixtape was inspired by my time in Taroko National Park in May 2019. My mother had just passed 6 months ago, and to mourn, I returned to nature. Taroko has hidden temples and places of meditation tucked in all of its crevices. I was able to disappear and hide in its fervent lushness. Inside Taroko’s incredible energy, I felt totally alive. Up high in those mountains, I knew my mother could finally see me. I found out later from my father that Taroko was one of my mother’s favourite places in the world. Sadly, Taroko in recent years has been decimated by earthquakes. Many paths and roads are no longer accessible. Nature reclaims nature. I hope however, this mix offers a feeling of what it would be like to meditate and walk in Taroko: spiritual, powerful, introspective, and healing.”這張混音作品的靈感來自我在 2019 年 5 月太魯閣國家公園的時光。那時母親剛過世六個月，為了悼念，我回到大自然的懷抱裡。太魯閣的山谷裡藏著隱密的廟宇和冥想之地，我得以在這片蓊鬱的綠意中消失、隱匿自己。在太魯閣那股令人震撼的能量裡，我感覺自己完全活著。在高聳的群山間，她彷彿覺得母親正在看著她—她終於能正視自己的情感，並感受到母親的慈愛與支持。後來父親告訴我，太魯閣其實是母親生前最愛的地方之一。可惜近年地震破壞了許多步道和道路，自然，最終還是屬於自然。我希望這張混音作品能帶給大家在那裡漫步、冥想的感受：靈性、深刻、內省，並帶著療癒的力量。Interview: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/seeds-mix-6-angie-qq-a-meditation-through-taroko-taiwan-%e7%a9%bf%e8%b6%8a%e5%a4%aa%e9%ad%af%e9%96%a3%e7%9a%84%e5%86%a5%e6%83%b3%e4%b9%8b%e6%97%85%e5%8f%b0%e7%81%a3/
Ibiza has changed a lot. It isn't what it once was that's for sure.However, from time to time you might just catch a glimpse of what it was and what it still means to an awful lot of people. Andy is an old friend of Ransom Note and for those in the know he's a bit of an unsung hero having worked behind the scenes at various record labels you probably love. He's probably signed some of your favourite records but he wouldn't tell you that himself.Anyway, a few weeks back he sent us this mix which was a recreation of a set he played at Sundays At Pikes this summer. Pikes remains one of the last strongholds of the culture in Ibiza, a place which represents the very essence of the island and the state of mind.Think balearic dreams, sunsets and all that jazz. It's the real deal.Anyway, Andy soundtracked it and it made us smile.
Odopt is the musical partnership of Ivan Maslov, a Buenos Aires-based producer and composer, and Gregory, a DJ with two decades of experience behind the decks, now residing in Paris.Since 2015, they've dropped rugged, hardware-driven bangers, carving out a niche in the space of Electronic groove.Their music is constantly doing the rounds on dance-floors worldwide and you may have crossed paths with Odopt over their latest release on Club Blanco, which has seen ongoing support from the likes of John Talabot, Orpheu the Wizard, Secretsundaze, Chida and Alexis Le Tan to name a few, or perhaps you crossed paths with them over last year's album on Snaker.Once a live act, today Gregory's marathon DJ sets carry the duo's spirit forward, packed with exclusive tracks, secret edits and a decade’s worth of unreleased material - this mix for Ransom Note stays true to their sound, which is their first podcast in three years!Let's go!Read the article: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/odopt-the-ransom-note-mix/@odopt
Autumns – CruisingSPK – Napalm (Terminal Patient)23 Skidoo – Just Like EverybodyReducer – Sensaround DubAutumns – Trolley Coin@autumns
Shanghai’s electronic music scene has been shaped by a handful of key figures, and Yu Yang is undoubtedly one of them.Since the early 2000s, through her work with M Agency and club Haze, she’s been brought international heavyweights to China for the first time, whilst consistently championing local talent. After serving as musical director for W Shanghai – the Bund and the Shanghai EDITION, Yu Yang co-founded ALTER., a party series that brought together the world’s most forward-thinking selectors and China’s finest in carefully chosen venues. What developed was one of Shanghai’s most sought-after nights and a genuinely strong community around it.Yu Yang crafts sets that balance introspection with ‘fun’.Interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/yu-yang-the-shine-a-light-on-ransom-note-mix/@yuyang11
Iptamenos Discos announces Houdini, the new EP by label founders Local Suicide. The record features three of their darkest and most powerful originals to date, alongside striking reworks from French electroclash pioneer David Carretta and rising Greek EBM force Alpha Sect.Houdini begins with Obsessions, a song built around a brutal bassline, analog synthesisers, and stark vocal mantras. It's a melting pot of darkwave and techno influences. "Obsessions, they come and go" is hypnotically repeated throughout the ordeal, resulting in a relentless, claustrophobic dance track. Obsessions by Local Suicide will release as part of the Houdini EP as a limited 12" vinyl and digitally on the 21st November 2025. Three original tracks, two remixes.
For over two decades, Anna Logue Records has been a beacon for those who understand that the early 1980s represented a golden age of electronic music – a brief, brilliant window when artists armed with synthesisers, drum machines, and raw creative vision crafted something genuinely revolutionary.Founded in 2005 by a collector-turned-curator who spent the mid-90s buried in the minimal synth scene, swapping tapes and haunting eBay for privately pressed 7″s and forgotten cassettes, the label emerged from a simple desire to rescue and celebrate the melancholic yet melodic treasures that deserved far better than wanton abandonment and obscurity. We’re happy to admit our ignorance of the label until being alerted via the reissue of Join The Car Crash Set. But having been turned on via that channel we delved deeper… a lot deeper.0000428969_100 What began with Camera Obscura’s debut vinyl LP (through three problematic pressing rounds) has blossomed into a catalogue that honours both the artists of yesteryear and into the contemporary that are keeping the analogue flame alive. The label’s ethos is refreshingly purist – this is music made before the digital age smoothed off all those beautifully rough edges and that bleakness when electronics were raw and honest.Anna Logue Records isn’t part of the ‘music industry’ – it exists in deliberate opposition to it. Non-exclusive agreements respecting artists’ autonomy, every release is treated as art or memorabilia rather than product, lovingly designed with original band materials, lyrics, photos, and the meticulous attention of someone who still remembers receiving multiple parcels a day in pursuit of the perfect sound.Sister label Nadanna (a playful portmanteau of founders “Mr. Nader” and “Mr. Anna”) extends the mission into contemporary territory, releasing danceable works that blur the lines between minimal synth, Italo disco, and Electropop. Together, they form a small but vital operation – self-financing, fiercely independent, and still run by that same collector was too busy discovering bottomless pits of forgotten electronic to pay too much attention at college.The mix you’re about to hear traces the label’s journey in reverse, alternating between Anna Logue and Nadanna releases, from timeless classics like League of Nations’ “Fade” to previews of what’s next. It includes what the label’s founder calls “the perfect electronic pop song” (Blipblop’s “Ögat som ser”), features a performance from Rational Youth’s Tracy Howe on Techniques Berlin’s “Cold War”, and closes with the achingly beautiful “Zara In The Stars” – written by Quieter Than Spiders’ Leon Zhang in memory of a beloved dog at a sanctuary, a reminder that these endeavours carry real meaning beyond the music.Twenty years in, with projects like Delayscape’s double album and new Twins Natalia material still in the pipeline, Anna Logue Records continues doing what it’s always done; unveiling music that should be heard, released with passion by people who genuinely love it, for those who understand that sometimes, the best technology is the one that came before everything got polished to death.Best get that mix on and have a chat hey…Interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/featured-music/anna-logue-records-a-flavour-of-the-label-mix/@annaloguerecords
❤️"Read more here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/free-zing-and-oliver-moon-the-wednesday-alternative-mix
This is a special one, a family one.Rosie Ama (Cain), as I’m sure you all already know, is a London-based DJ, radio host, and founder of Human Endeavour Records. She’s been in the fam a while now, operating on the outer fringes of dance music… which is exactly where you want to be if you're trying to avoid mainstream success and financial stability.Having cut her teeth as a writer and editor for online music platforms Stamp The Wax and this here Ransom Note, Rosie demonstrated such exemplary dedication to underground culture that we eventually had to take disciplinary action against her. The subsequent court settlement led to the founding of Human Endeavour; sometimes the best label launches emerge from legal disputes, rather than business plans.Officially launching in 2022 (once the legal paperwork was finalised), it serves as a platform for artists operating in the deep, dark and hypnotic corners of electronic music and has welcomed artists like Anastasia Zems, Justine Forever, Nandele, Medicine 8 and Thomass Jackson over the years.Before doing her own thing, Rosie made up one half of Kiara Scuro alongside friend Nadia, a DJ and production partnership that released music on Fabric Originals, Ritmo Fatale and Faux Poly, as well as long-standing radio residencies on Rinse FM and Balamii Radio. After a decade together, she’s gone solo turning her full attention to the label and her monthly Noods radio show, Melodic Odds, that showcases her love for sleazy low-slung chuggers, leftfield acid house and synth-driven 3am groovers. Whilst I’d never tell her this to her face, it’s actually a delight to welcome her back to the fold - this time without the need for lawyers - for a mix that captures her hypnotic, trippy vision of what dance music can be when nobody's watching the figures…Let’s get going then, shall we…
Hailing from Ghent, Belgium, Asa Moto is the dynamic electronic music duo of Oliver “Oli” Geerts and Gilles Noë—a pairing forged in 2012 that has since become one of the most inventive forces on the continent’s club circuit.Signed to Soulwax’s DEEWEE label, they blend analog synths, voice, funk and uncanny grooves into a sound both club-potent and artistically bold. Through acclaimed EPs like Martino and an ever-evolving live show, they invite you to dance differently—together.November see's the pair return to the imprint with a new EP called 'Music For Disc Jockeys Pt.1'.This mix is a tour de force if you will, they cram 82 tracks into one hour and somehow manage to make that make sense. We have no idea how they've managed it but somehow in a precariously bonkers fashion... it works.
Hungarian Transylvanian artist Réka Csiszér aka VÍZ with an irresistible soundtrack for Halloween, following the release of her sumptuous second album ‘Danse Des Larmes‘ on Heat Crimes earlier this year.Read more at Ransom Note.@user-273556483 @heat-crimes
Telepathic Fish co-founder DJ Food, aka one part of Openmind, takes us on a trip into the world of 90s chill out.Strictly Kev likes the company of plants whilst working on music so that's handy for us isn't it?! We're assuming he's talking about a beautiful Calathea sitting in the corner for inspiration, tho his dream plant setup - a conservatory packed with Romanesco broccoli, trippy Caladiums, and Persian Shields - is something we'd be well on board with too.Enough of the plant talk for a second and back to the music, ambient music to be clear. For those that weren't squatting in South London back in the early 90s, Openmind were the four-piece behind the mighty Telepathic Fish - the legendary ambient afterparty that transformed chill-out rooms from dub-playing afterthoughts into proper destinations.Kev, along with Chantal Passamonte (Mira Calix, RIP), David Vallade, and Mario Aguera, started in a shared house above a shop with no neighbours to complain/bash the door down. What began as art school parties quickly grew into Sunday afternoon sessions in squatted venues - a former dole office in Brixton and even the derelict Roundhouse on New Year's Day. They hosted everyone from Aphex Twin to Mixmaster Morris among wall-to-wall mattresses, UV installations, and Coldcut's Matt Black with his boundary pushing video projections.The idea was simple: recreate that post-clubbing comedown vibe but on a massive scale, as an "aural and visual blanket" for club-rattled minds. They even published a fanzine called Mindfood and worked at the scene's hub, Ambient Soho record shop, helping shape what Simon Reynolds called a "wombeldelic sound-and-light bath" in contrast to the current trend of hardcore and it's relentless assault.Thirty years on, that spirit's having a comeback. Events like London's A Loose Ting are bringing back the bedding and the hushed reverence, while Berlin's Overflow is going full sensory overload with vibrating mattresses, fountains, and harpists. New York's Planetarium gatherings have people mostly horizontal, inspired by psychedelic therapy sessions. There's even and ambient sauna in South London you might have come across via the wonder of Music To Watch Seeds Grow By's recent takeover. Our very own Watching Trees dabbled in said chill out space this year, pairing the abstract and the ambient with projected dappled sunlight visuals from the mighty Jamie House. Turns out people still need those little havens away from the madness, especially in this day and age!Also handily 30 years on the Openmind crew have just compiled the first-ever Telepathic Fish retrospective for Fundamental Frequencies - a double vinyl love letter to those hazy early-90s mornings when the music finally slowed down.For this Seeds Mix, Kev has leaned into his love of minimalism and systems music - repetition built from layers of loops offset against each other to form subtle polyrhythms. There's a deliberate avoidance of drum machines here in favour of organic percussion, and around the eight-minute mark, a section from Psychick Warriors Ov Gaia that captures the feeling of being deep in the forest, phone abandoned, discovering that paradise was just a forage away.Full interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/seeds-mix-005-openminds-leave-your-phone-at-home-discover-paradise-after-a-forage-in-the-forest/@strictly
A collision of rave outsiders: Morris’s unlikely pop mystique meets Gramrcy and Loveless on the FWD dancefloor… lnk.to/GJLPH149In Berlin where the bassweight bubbles bright, Lived Gramrcy and John Loveless, deviant and polite, They stirred a pressure-cooker full of electroclash stew, With ISDN-line scramble and a hint of something new.“Oh!” cried Tony Morris (former teacher, taxi man), “I’ll hypnotize with repetitions, catch me if you can! I’m Scotland’s most unlikely pop sensation, don’t you see? A cult figure cabaret, as deviant as can be!”They mixed it up on Phantasy Sound with textural delight, The earworming anchor bobbed and bounced all through the night, From FWD-era gumption to the disco esoteric, They created ‘Lucid’ madness, quite atmospheric!The festival-rupturing Highdive had ruptured long before, Now ‘Feel So’ tipped the scales toward the ecstatic dance floor, With post-punk percussion prancing, hi-NRG in tow, From Chicago down to Rimini, watch the bassline grow!Said Peggy Gou and Daniel Avery, “What a splendid sound!” While 2ManyDJs spun it ’round and ’round and ’round, And Moschino’s models strutted to the supreme release, As rave outsiders intersected in their bubbling masterpiece!So if you seek the throbbing beat of something deeply odd, Find Gramrcy and John Loveless – that peculiar duo’s squad With Tony Morris chanting in his late-sixties prime, Making lucid nonsense music, one earworm at a time!Three years after their all conquering ‘Highdive’, Gramrcy and John Loveless return to Phantasy with ‘Lucid’, a pressure-cooker of FWD-era bassweight and electroclash scramble anchored by the hypnotic vocals of Tony Morris.Listen below, pre order here: https://lnk.to/GJLPH149
Recorded in a small village on the Costa Brava – surrounded by seagulls, tramontana winds, and sea urchin-covered rocks – this mix comes from the laid-back Barcelona neighbourhood of Gràcia, where Parisian-born Antoine Harispuru, better known as Golden Bug, has made his home.With a career spanning over fifteen years, Golden Bug has become known for his unique signature: drum machines in a haze of smoke, chopped-up sounds with a machete edge, drenched in delay – a raw, kaleidoscopic patchwork of electronica, dub, and psychedelia.His work has graced labels including La Belle Records (his own imprint), Les Disques de la Mort, Höga Nord, Gomma, Multi Culti, and Kompakt. This mix hits as the anniversary edition of Piscolabis II, where Golden Bug teams up once again with artists from around the world to craft a new series of aural excursions. From digital reggae to cinematic electronica with Londoner Simone Butler (of Primal Scream) and Brazilian artist Max Blum, to mutant disco with Franco-Italian musician Kim Giani, via slow-burning, incandescent techno led by the captivating voice of Greek singer Scarlett O’Hanna, and krautrock infused with dub in collaboration with London-based Phoebe Coco. These six tracks offer a bold and refreshing reinterpretation of the original album: a rich, textured sonic journey shaped by diverse and unexpected influences. Among the selections, you’ll find current favouites like SAVE’s Rainy Monday — a digital dub gem from Marc Nguyen’s project on Ivan Smagghe’s Les Disques de la Mort, alongside recent discoveries like Blotter Trax’s Superconductor on Optimo.Get into that comfy chair with a good glass of wine and a proper sound system…. and press play. Interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/golden-bug-the-ransom-note-mixtape/
Braiden is a London-based DJ and producer known for his genre-blurring sets and finely tuned ear for sound design. During the 2000’s he was a pivotal figure in underground club culture, helping to push and champion a new style of bass music which would go on to become synonymous with dance music in the UK and globally.Braiden gained early recognition through his diverse and dynamic DJ sets, which fluidly blend elements of house, techno, grime, UK garage, and experimental electronics.He first made waves as a presenter on Rinse FM, where his forward-thinking selections and deep knowledge of club music cultures earned him a keen following.His productions — including the acclaimed 2010 debut single “The Alps” on Joy Orbison’s Doldrums label — showcase a meticulous approach to rhythm and atmosphere.“The Alps” was reissued this year, cementing the EP amidst a new crowd with Braiden having ducked out of the spotlight for several years to focus on other outlets.Now he’s back, with new music as well.
Hardway Bros French Caribbean outing…The Hardway Bros went outre-mer, To seek Mamman Brigitte so fair,With pockets full of tree frog songs, And voodoo drums and silken thongs.They sailed beyond the infinite sky, Where Mari Galante’s beauties lie,Through heat and rain and humid air, They combed the island everywhere.“Oh Mamman Brigitte!” came their cry, “We’ve brought you frogs that never die!They sing at night, they sing at noon, They sing beneath the heavy moon!”But she just laughed a laugh so wide, And vanished with the turning tide,And left the Bros to stand and stare, At sea and sky and humid air.Now Hardway Bros play cards with frogs, And sleep on very uncomfortable logs,While somewhere near the outre-mer, Mamman Brigitte is drinking beer.The latest Hardway Bros EP is a result of some recent downtime in Mari Galante:“I recently enjoyed a rare holiday on Mari Galante in the french caribbean – a place of incredible beauty, infinite sky and sea. It’s a veritable assault on the senses, heat, humidity, sun and rain, soundtracked by a million tree frogs. Strong voodoo vibes. Herewith an audio postcard from the real Outre-Mer…”We’re premiering the lead voodoo belter here..Order full EP here: https://outre-mer.bandcamp.com/album/en-outre-mer-3Listen below: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-hardways-bros-mamman-brigitte-outre-mer/
Sitting in the space between digital dub and synth-pop, with nods to Spectral Display and Primal Scream’s Simone Marie on vocal duty.There once was a Bug who was Golden and bright, Who lived in La Belle Records by day and by night,With Simone Marie (who plays bass, don’t you see), They danced ’round a digital dub-a-dub tree.“Oh Piscolabis!” cried the Bug with glee, “Let’s craft something strange ‘tween Milan and the sea!We’ll mix synth-pop sounds with a spectral display, And premiere our tune on October the day!”Max Blum and Kim Giani came hopping along, With sonic UFOs and a dub-a-dub song,They twirled and they whirled in their Belle-ish delight, At La Boule Noire on a Froid Dub-ish night.The Golden Bug giggled, “How perfectly queer! Our NoLo will drift in its own sonic sphere!”And off they all sailed in their musical boat, While anniversary editions began to float.We’re premiering “NoLo,” a new track from the upcoming anniversary edition of Golden Bug’s Piscolabis II, out October 3rd via La Belle Records. The track features Simone Marie, known as the bassist for Primal Scream and The Jesus and Mary Chain, lending her voice to the collaboration.Working with longtime collaborators Max Blum and Kim Giani, Golden Bug crafted something that sits between digital dub and synth-pop, with nods to Spectral Display, with Marie’s vocals forming the emotional centre.“I’ve always been a fan of Simone’s unique musical universe but what brought us together this time wasn’t one of her cosmic basslines — it was her voice. A rare and soulful voice, one that seems to carry a thousand stories in a single note. It became the foundation of the entire track. As with many of my tracks, this one was born from a beautiful encounter — I started this track between Milan and Barcelona, and the vocals were recorded in London by Simone Marie.” Antoine aka Mr Golden BugGolden Bug – Piscolabis Live Experience is happening on October 6th in Paris at La Boule Noire, with our very own adopted Froid Dub as the opening act! Details: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-nolo-feat-simone-marie-golden-bug-la-belle-records/
West London’s Tutu Ta returns with their most haunting work yet on “Violence Or Violets” via the ever excellent Long Gone Are The Old TraditionsThere once was a Samurai keen, Who lived in an Igloo pristine, With his Tutu Ta sound, Where the dub beats abound,And violets grew violet-green!He mixed up his beats in the snow, With post-punk and spoken word flow, “Long Gone Are The Old Traditions!” he’d cry, As ethereal vocals flew by, From West-London’s factory echo! His Violence Or Violets EP, Made the arctic winds sing with glee,For LONGGONEIII, Was the label so free, Where heart-aching sonics run free!Producer-singer-songwriter Tutu Ta dives deeper into their fusion of dub, spoken word, and post-punk atmospherics. Following acclaimed releases “The Shrine” and “Clay Birds Are Grey,” this latest offering from Long Gone Are The Old Traditions stable showcases an artist unafraid to explore more intimate, spectral territories while keeping one foot firmly planted in the UK’s rich sound-system heritage.Ethereal vocals float above punchy rhythms that nod to their hometown’s legendary dub legacy, creating “a driven heart provoking siren.”https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-tutu-ta-samurai-igloo/@long-gone-dublin-london
Australia’s electro master shows another side with a mature, experimental IDM sound.A haiku:Broken bonesA time to resetA new wayJensen Interceptor isn’t normally one to stay still but after a freak accident left him with multiple fractures in his foot he was forced to stop and take a few months off. Luckily for us he put all the pent-up energy into his new LP, Interception, out this week on his International Chrome imprint. The LP pulls in influence from IDM, Footwork, and Baile Funk to create his most experimental work yet. “Since I started making music I’ve always made music geared towards use in my DJ sets but there’s always been an urge to explore the deeper side of electronic music. That time off after the accident gave me the space to dive into genres and really experiment.”https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-jensen-interceptor-hes-cute/@internationalchrome
After pushing the envelope on labels like Optimo Music and Höga Nord, Berlin-based duo Rudolf Abramov return with their latest outing “High Japan,” which launches Aquasonic Records, the new label founded by the duo.“High Japan” captures a late-night drift through neon-lit streets, combining broken funk, modular synths, and hypnotic melodies into something that defies easy categorization. The track introduces Aquasonic Records, a Berlin-based imprint focused on music that “operates outside conventional genre boundaries and algorithmic listening patterns.”Curating artists working across subaquatic kraut-dub to post-club sounds, celebrating musicians who don’t fit traditional moulds. Aquasonic connects music with marine life through collaborations with divers, pairing releases with underwater footage while supporting ocean conservation efforts.
fka boursin is the sort of musician we like. Understated, doesn’t take himself too seriously yet manages to channel real emotion and depth through music.The sounds speak from themselves with Henry drawing upon influences from the likes of Dj Sprinkles, Basic Channel, old NY House music and after hours sounds.The end result is a puzzle made up of pieces from each – all with evocative undertones throughout.The latest release is out on Scissor & Thread – a suitable home for an eclectic, long playing selection of pensive tracks which leave food for thought.This is music for late night moments alone, for foggy mornings and reflective moments.
Serenda is a London based DJ who was raised on a broad assortment of sounds which stem from her Guyanese and Greek roots. Her taste is versatile and far reaching drawing from influence from funk, soul, hip-hop and beyond. However, she is perhaps best known for her energetic take on house music which blurs the lines between styles but sure as hell keeps things moving on the dancefloor.This month marked the release of a new EP on Rhythm Section, what is likely to be a pivotal moment in her musical career as she joins an esteemed label of artists who have helped to redefine the shape of British House music and its associated culture.Serenda’s sets are less about fitting into a genre and more about evoking sensation and connection.This mix is a dynamic, fluid representation of that. Showcasing her ingenuity and ability to weave sounds and styles together in a way which is as playful as it is concise.
Beyond the fabled chill-out room and into the field we go...Joe Muggs has lived and breathed 'electronic music culture' for many, many years... like a lot of us probably for more than he'd care to imagine. From journalist and observer to active participant and curator, beyond his celebrated writing career spanning publications like The Wire, FACT, The Guardian, and his co-authorship of Bass, Mids, Tops: An Oral History of Soundsystem Culture. Muggs has built many bridges across the worlds of the electronic and handily, for us, ambient.Experimental, ambient, and leftfield sounds to the fore, get horizontal. Something's feeling quite full circle here.So it is with some excitement that Joe agreed to don his ambient trousers again and step up for part 4 of the Seeds mix. "Music to Smell the Jasmine Whilst Watching for Bats in the Twilight" encapsulates what is often a poetic approach to ambient curation - clearly less about the dancefloor and more about creating an experience that enhances the environment around you.Full interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/seeds-mix-4-joe-muggs-music-to-smell-the-jasmine-whilst-watching-for-bats-in-the-twilight/@loosefmTracklisting: Dr Rod Octopus vs Kirsty Hawkshaw – Ghost TownCobey Sey – Eve (Anwummer)Om Unit – Springdub MeditationWombo – SpyhoppingAda – 25 or 6 to 4Omara Portuondo – TabuAswad – Ethiopian RhapsodyNwando Ebizie – Shadowland (In the Dreams of Others)Muito Kaballa – Like a RiverSam Gendel & Sam Wilkes – Theem PrototypeEgo Ella May – The Morning Side of LoveMinnie Riperton – Minnie’s LamentJulee Cruise – She Wold Die for LoveEnnio Morricone – Messico E IrlandaAlice Zawadzki, Fred Thomas, Misha Mullov-Abbado – Tonada De Luna LlenaResavoir – SunsetDurutti Column – GraceScrimshire, Stac – Pep TalksBrandee Younger – Dust (feat. Meshell Ndegeocello)D’Angelo – UnshakenSabrina Bellaouel – ClémenceBill Frisell – Sing Together Like a FamilyBobbie Gentry – Something in the Way He MovesFrederic Galliano – Niamien Kinkeling (feat. Cissé Diamba Kanouté, Koko Ouadjah)Underworld – DuneRufus Wainwright – Tiergarten (SuperMayer Lost in the Tiergarten Mix)Talaboman – Dins el Lit (Superpitcher Remix)
From the Lock Tavern via The Gun to spoons…Family Silver are Mr Nick ‘The Gun’ Stephens and Casper ‘Volte Face’ Clark.Nick was the publican at The Gun, a much-loved Hackney institution that recently closed its doors – more on that here for those who have been living under a rock. Nick’s excellent Netil radio show can also be found here. Casper, is based in Clapton and was the music programmer for Camden institution The Lock Tavern where our paths originally crossed – most of the time being kicked out whilst DJing. Casper’s shared stages with Justice, Jeff Mills, Helena Hauff, Daniel Avery and many more and is also known for his long-running BleeD events via which he collaborated with labels like Blackest Ever Black, PAN and Downwards. Both share a love for “v lo-fi early eighties sound, kosmische, post-punk and scuzzy electronics,” with Nick’s influences ranging from 80s TV themes and Giorgio Moroder to The KLF, while Casper was shaped in his youth by electronic acts like Leftfield, Underworld, and William Orbit with DJ Hell’s International Deejay Gigolo Records becoming a huge influence later on.Their sound sits between post-punk and the electronic… so with that in mind let’s give it a listen shall we?Handily via the wonder of a recording from this year’s Field Maneuvers where they opened The Gun’s stage.Listen and read the interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/line-out-family-silver-live-sputnik-field-manuevers-2025/@volte_face_bleed @fieldmaneuvers
Rosie Ama's Human Endeavour label announce a debut label outing from Ambient Babestation Meltdown & Borai.The production pairing, whose musical partnership has birthed a string of releases on Optimo Music, Me Me Me and Ritual Poison, join forces once again for ‘Why The Tiger And The Monkey Are Sworn Enemies’.Known for their excursions into scuzzy, cyberpunk and EBM electronics, this three-track EP on our sub-label chronicles the pair’s ventures into chugging grooves, wormhole acid and early 00s tech house à la Playhouse and Rework.In signature style, Ambient Babestation Meltdown’s FX-soaked vocals take centre-stage across the package, ushering us in with the ritualistic vibrations and hypnotic rhythms of lead single ‘Warm’.
Slothboogie is regarded as a bit of an institution, the long running London based record label and party series has been responsible for releasing forward thinking music which has helped push a new wave of artists and dj’s in the pursuit of dancefloor enlightenment.House music underpins a lot of what Slothboogie is and what they do.Founded in 2010 as a blog, it quickly evolved in to something far greater and now the collective are widely regarded as selectors in their own right.SlothBoogie is a vibrant cultural force—championing underground electronic music with a holistic approach that spans curation, release, performance, and community building.There 15 year anniversary is accompanied by the release of a new compilation which they are celebrating with a launch party in London at Cafe 1001 this evening.
The views from the aeroplane were hard to believe, the scale of the deep blue as it disappeared into the great beyond was staggering. The endless abyss of the limitless sky.Clouds were sparse yet every time he caught a glimpse of one he’d try to create a mental image or a sense of perspective as to what they were, floating against the backdrop of the opal sky.He imagined a great dragon, a frightening beast roaring through the sky with a mighty myriad of colours cascading from its magnificent wings.It was all magic up here.Sarayu is set to release an EP on More Rice – a wiggly, techy beauty of an EP which combines lots of fast paced, glitchy elements to craft a deep, pensive groove.
Soaring, majestic ambient explorations from Pisterman as he unveils the first taster from his second album out in Oct on Hologram Teen's Hologram Opera...Full details: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-yoann-pisterman-individual-friends/
In the age of over-information and over-exposure what control do we have over our public persona? It's all about the personality, all about our profile, incessant, endless posts to every medium we can lay our hands on.After 25 years of DJing around the world, the catchily title |-...-.| seems like they've had enough of all that and switched to the exact opposite and put together a project with no real name, no real public persona or much else besides. But it's been getting noticed by the right people - Joe Muggs featured them twice in Bandcamp Daily this year, and their latest album "Deliveroo Studio Séances" is the piece that really caught our ear."This is all about music being judged on its merit rather than ego or identity, transcending the audiences potential preconceptions and focusing on a sonic and visual journey. "The sound pulls from various places - you can hear bits of Aphex Twin, Burial, Daft Punk, and Weatherall in there. It's genre-fluid stuff that doesn't fit neatly into boxes, which is probably why the likes of Trevor Jackson and Prosumer have been supportive.The whole anonymous angle means the music has to speak for itself, which it seems to be doing. So it feels kind of counterintuitive to ask them any questions for this rather tasty mix they've put together of original material, intermingled with other beauties. But we'll do it anyway, hey.Tracklist and full interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/the-shine-a-light-on-ransom-note-mix/@4lob1c66csdd
A long overdue mix from the recent R$N Recs cohort and all-around excellent person, Bleaching Agent.Full interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/bleaching-agent-the-altered-currents-mix/@bleaching-agent
Producer DJ and dweller behind the counter at Phonica, Ysanne makes Mondays ok. "If you're not excited about life you should probably make some changes"Full interview and tracklisting here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/ysanne-the-monday-is-ok-mixtape/
While some industry voices claim it's all computers now, Turbo Recordings maintain that everything in life can be understood as a "funhouse mirror"Sascha Funke's "MZ" was a massive record for both Funke, Turbo and us come to think of it, all the way back in 2017. A classic, you might call it! So much so that it's been given the re-rub treatment from a veritable smorgasbord of left-of-centre royalty including "We have paid access to the halls of European power, where you get to make backroom deals with Emmanuel Macron and British Seinfeld as Opus’ “Live is Life” blares over a gigantic bluetooth speaker. And, yeah, you’ll probably run into the most celebrated European producers of our time. Pional, Axel Boman, Mano Le Tough, and Roman Flügel — these are the kinds of names you only see once you’ve reached the highest levels of success, be it in dance music production or purchasing the hottest tickets in town on your favorite mobile device." says TurboWe're premiering the mighty Flügel remix. The master keeps the roller style but just a bit more pumped. Does exactly what it needs to when you're dealing with this level of royalty; creating something altogether new, whilst maintaining the essence of the source. Pre Order them all here: https://turborec.lnk.to/MZ-Remixes
Sarayu is a key figure amidst the Bangkok underground and remains pivotal in the progression of the scene. As the co founder of More Rice records he has been pivotal in releasing music from locals and broadening the reach of music from Thailand. He works tirelessly and also produces his own music alongside involvement in Bar Temp and Bangkok Community Radio.He keeps busy.This mix demonstrates his prowess as a DJ and what a mix it is.Weaving between different variations of house music, this one is perfect for the hot, sticky summer and is packed with feel good moments and deep groves galore.
Collection of Memories tells the story of where my music begins, with original recordings used in my album Blurred Memories and personal sounds that have inspired me. My Vietnamese heritage has shaped my music through the sounds of martial arts, pagodas, home cooking, dragon dances, and more.This is a collage of those memories:My grandmother arrived in France after the Indochina War with her ten children. The Vietnamese families who left Indochina at that time arrived in France by boat, and some were settled in an empty village in the center of France called Noyant. There, they recreated a little Vietnam to feel at home, keeping traditions and habits alive—women wearing silk pyjamas, grilling skewers in the garden wearing bamboo hats, listening to Vietnamese bolero all day long, and built a pagoda. As children, my cousins and I would always play there, next to the huge black statue of a sitting Buddha, with the sound of chimes hanging in the trees.Every year, our family gathers in this village on the day of my grandmother’s birthday (a random date that was assigned to her when she arrived in France). We spend the weekend cooking in enormous rice cookers and pots—caramelised pork and delicious grilled lemongrass beef skewers. My uncles light firecrackers, and then the dragon dance begins. Everyone takes part—cousins, aunts, uncles, and the little ones—playing drums, dancing under the dragon’s head and tail.The dragon dance is traditionally performed by martial arts practitioners. Viet Vo Dao (Vietnamese martial arts) holds an important place in my family and connects us all. My uncles and my father are masters and each founded their own school many years ago. Every summer, we gathered at the martial arts camp organised by one of my uncles—this was our family holiday. I recorded many sounds from these sessions, including traditional weapons and instruments.Hanoi has also been a huge source of inspiration, helping me understand the origins of certain family traditions and behaviours. While living there, I recorded many sounds from daily life: karaoke singers in the streets, celebrations I could hear from my home, women chatting, cooking, or yelling in the alleys, traditional concerts in front of pagodas, martial arts sessions...
Fun filled selections ahead of Campo Sancho 2025 where Dicky Trisco will be joined by Luke Una. Read the full interview on site now.
The People In The Fog is a moniker of DJ Sodeyama. He has been a stalwart of the Tokyo underground for nearly three decades, cutting his teeth in the 90's and retaining a key presence at the forefront of Japan's house music scene.Over the years he has released a sprawling array of music under a few monikers on the likes of Zenit, Rekids, Quartz and трип. However most recently he has been operating under the guise of The People In The Fog which has afforded him the chance to dig deeper into his sound channeling elements of funk, downtempo and the dubbier undertones of house.He has released this material on Japanese record label Sound Of Vast and for dj's in the know those records have become a 'buy on sight' scenario.This mix showcases versatility and class. Tight blends, excellent, deep thoughtful selections.
House music seems to go through various trends, new iterations, reworks and phases. Jasper James has seen them come and go.The Glaswegian DJ and producer was practically raised on the stuff, growing up around the Sub Club family and cutting his teeth at local parties and in small, dimly lit crowded basements long before it ever became ‘cool’ to be a DJ. His musical repertoire was taught by his father, Harri of Subculture fame. However his own ability to read a room and command a dancefloor remains very much his own.Over the years he has evolved beyond the Glasgow underground playing globally and receiving acclaim before going on to release music on Optimo Trax, ESP Institute, No Art and Steel City Dance Discs amongst others.This mix showcases his versatility in the booth as he weaves between shades of house music – demonstrating a deep rooted knowledge and respect for the origins of the genre.
If you’ve spent any time on Seoul’s dance floors lately, chances are you’ve come across the name ffan. And if you haven’t? Well, you’ve got some catching up to do.ffan has carved out a reputation for his intricate and high-energy sets, navigating seamlessly through genres with a flair that is perfectly controlled. Whether he’s behind the decks or deep in the studio, ffan brings a wild, magnetic energy.His sharp focus has led him to become a key figure in Seoul’s bubbling underground scene. As the founder of club Nyapi Seoul and Studio Namsan, ffan’s voice shimmers through all projects he touches.There’s no better time to get acquainted with what ffan is bringing to the booth.Read more here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/ffan-the-wednesday-alternative-mix/
Hot on the heels of the acclaimed Tears Maker Chant 12” LP, illustrious French Electronic duo Froid Dub are back on Ransom Note Records with an interstellar remix package, with a little something special for all occasions on this colossal record. Slip into something comfortable and sit back.Lead single comes from Strange Affair with their mix of Just One. Who are Strange Affair, we hear you ask? They are the exquisite combination of two big hitters, Ruf Dug and Tia Cousins! We’re delighted to introduce their maiden voyage as a production pair, and they make waves here with a frenzied reimagining of the original.
There were colours and flags everywhere, people gathered beneath the myriad of shades in celebration.They were here to see and be seen.The music played loudly and banged furiously from a battered old sound system in the corner of the parade. Aboard the float people danced and waved to the patrons beneath. They were the VIP’s around here.It was loud, as it was supposed to be.Hyas and Aurèle team up for a wicked collaborative EP which also sees a fusion of their respective record labels Bardouin Music and Demi-Monde. This one is energetic and groove driven.
There was nostalgia in the air. You could almost taste it.From behind his sunglasses he watched as they danced in the thick haze of the sunset. The orange light was scattered over the rippling water as they moved by the pool.They were in the middle of nowhere, the outback of a dream.Some others lay on the grass in the distance, watching as they came and went. Each with their own story of the days and nights which had come before...Mexico based producer Mahkina draws influence from the 90's with a stellar assortment of fast paced sounds which bang hard and are set to have the dancefloor bumping.
There was something in the air, a sense of tension. Out here in the middle of nowhere there wasn’t much to be seen for several miles. That had always been the intention.Gathered amidst a small clearing they all looked tense and excited, for something big was about to happen.Then someone walked forward, flicked the switch, cranked the generator and let everything rip.For miles the sound would echo and boom. The rave had began.X & Ivy hold no punches on a new release for Life and Death – a fast paced affair which flies off the hinges from the get go. This one slaps.
Manchester-based producer Lily Mumby, the creative force behind Lapalace, has chosen Lavender as her botanical muse for this sixth instalment.The standout track ‘new age night’ – a stunning love child of William Basinski's decaying tape loops and Aphex Twin's intricate programming—carries subtle lavender-inspired tones, balancing the plant's calming essence with hypnotic rhythms. Just as lavender requires thoughtful tending before rewarding the gardener with its distinctive aroma, Lapalace's landscapes reveal deeper complexities with each listen.
Medicine 8 are back. The project of brothers Liam and Luke May started around 30 years ago in their South London stomping ground.Their sound, which blended electro and acid house with rock sensibilities, saw the pair release a healthy string of records all the way through to the late noughties, along with a handful of remixes for the likes of Orbital, Manic Street Preachers, Nirvana and pop royalty Kylie Minogue.Medicine 8 has been lying dormant over the last decade but Liam and Luke have been keeping themselves busy in the interim. As well as running Trashmouth Records - the label responsible for bringing you Fat White Family, MEATRAFFLE and Warmduscher - the pair have been keeping the hardware dream alive with Decius, the sleazy acid house outfit they founded alongside Paranoid London’s Quinn Whalley and Lias Saudi, long running label mate and frontman of the Fat Whites.In April the duo marked their first new music since 2016 with a remix of May Lavie’s ‘The Poem’ for our R$N sub-label Human Endeavour. The request from label boss Rosie Ama has now jerked the project back into action and, since the release of the remix, the pair have got back in the studio under the moniker and are now giving Decius tracks a Medicine 8 make over. Looks like this won’t be the last we’ll be seeing of the project…To celebrate this triumphant return, boy have we got a treat for you. Luke and Liam have kindly put together a two-hour long 100% Medicine 8 production mix, packed with tracks from the archive, unreleased music, banging remixes and new releases...
Sleep D are a pair of Australian producers and DJ’s who also run the prolific record label Butter Sessions which has become a home to an array of artists including the likes of Jennifer Loveless, Hybrid Man, Ewan Jansen and more.The label is rooted in underground club music and has been in operation for over ten years and has remained a consistent presence.The pair themselves make music which sits somewhat between genres drawing upon elements of early trance, acid, downtempo, house and techno. It’s always raw and rugged, at times progressive in places but definitely rooted in clubland.This mix is a stellar representation of the pairs musical outlook which is broad and fierce. It goes very deep and as such the length reflects the diversity and strength of narrative in the style of sets they tend to perform and play.This one is a tour de force.
The snake weaved its way through the jungle. It slithered slowly along the leafy underbelly of the great green monster as the trees breathed deeply in and out brimming with warmth and wisdom.The jungle was an ominous place – some called it the beast for the way in which it could swallow you and never let you go.The snake knew little of the landscape in which it lived but the people, the people, they did.It was hot and sticky that night.Budalagi is expertly remixed by Dåser to create a genre pushing version which channels elements of dub, bass, gengetone and beyond. It’s all things and it sounds delicate and punchy in equal measure – however that works is a mystery and testament to the production skills.
Norway x Germany. Two heavyweights go head to head for a belter of an EP.There once were two sorcerers of synthesized sound, Named Skatebård and Lauer, most wondrously renowned, They journeyed to Geilo one effervescent night, With Bordello A Parigi shining strobe-light bright.“Oh fiddle-de-dee with your Trollkraft and strings! What Norwegian-German vibrating bass brings!” They twostepped and tangoed through fog with such glee, While bongos and toms played a disco jubilee. The incandescent synthlines went weaving so high, Like glow-sticks elating the dawning trance sky, The italo-indie-house masters did play, Till the heyday of rhythm drove genre away.And what did they learn from this euphoric spree? That electronic wizards, when paired, disagree On everything proper, but somehow still make The most splendid nonsense for dancing’s sweet sake!Trollkraft unites the mighty Skatebård and (Philip) Lauer, a Norwegian-German partnership.Their self-titled release features two tracks of Italo inspired 90s Garage.“One Night In Geilo” draws on 90s house and two-stepping melody.Out June 6th on Bordello.Get it on…right…now.Listen below:https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-skatebard-lauer-one-night-in-geilo-bordello-a-parigi/
"Ten years of Invisible Inc! It doesn’t seem that long ago since the label was first conceived in a moment of naive enthusiasm, I must confess!"We're premiering "Animal, Mineral, Vegetable" by Girls Chat Room, a standout cut from Invisible Inc's 10-year anniversary compilation. The label celebrates a decade of sitting comfortably in that sweet spot between outsider dance music and experimental sounds. guided by the vision of founder GK Machine since 2014.Part of a special 2xLP release pressed on pink vinyl, across 80 minutes it's exactly the kind of "mental kaleidoscope" that gives this now Glaswegian institution label its distinct identity.The full anniversary compilation drops on May 25th, 2025.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-premiere-girls-chat-room-animal-mineral-vegetable-invisible-inc/@invisible-inc
Illinois-based producer Zvrra expands her discography with the four-track EP “Mica,” released on Munich’s ever reliable QEONE label.There once was a Zvrra so rare, Who lived on a techno-swept prairie with care,With her Wooden Rain Tool, So bizarre and so cool, That made rhythms beyond all compare!She tumbled her beats like a shower, On dry wood for hour after hour,While butterfly wings Made glistening things, As beetles turned gold by her power!The musical Zvrra would play Her hypnotic percussion all day,In QEONE’s domain, Through sunshine and rain, While breakbeats and melodies sway!Oh wonderful, strange little Zvrra, From Illinois, not from Sierra,Her ambient chirps And kaleidoscope blips, Made listeners feel so much clearer! Following her 2020 techno belter “Dress” and 2021’s LP “Bizzaroland,” this new collection spans techno, breakbeat, ambient, and electronica across all its 4 tracks.We’re premiering the percussive, intricately textured roller “Wooden Rain”https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-zvrra-wooden-rain-tool-qeone/@zvrra @qeone
80’s NYC NRG loft party vibes from CC:DISCO! on remix duty for Daisybelle.There once was a DJ named Daisybelle, Who played records fantastically well,With Tasty Lopez she’d shout, “Eyes Wide Shut” all about,Till the dancefloor was caught in their spell!They journeyed from London to Puerto, With CCDISCO’s remixes in tow,On HE.SHE.THEY. RECORDS they’d bounce, With high-energy sounds to announce,Making sunrise sessions brilliantly glow!The vinyl-driven Daisybellian beat, Made fabric and Pikes quite replete,With eclectic selection, And musical connection,The Printworks crowd stamped with their feet!Oh! The shimmer and ravey tension! And dancefloors too many to mention!With euphoria slow-burning bright, Till the darkness turned into light,A melodic house music invention! London-via-Puerto Rico DJ/producer Daisybelle is a regular at fabric and Pike. Eyes Wide Shut features vocals from Tasty Lopez. We’re premiering the 80’s bounce of CC:DISCO!’s rework…Get it on, let’s go.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-daisybelle-ft-tasty-lopez-eyes-wide-shut-ccdisco-remix/@daisybelledj / @cc-disco
Established in 2018, Suffragette City is a not-for-profit Manchester-based club night held annually to mark International Women’s Day. They raise funds for local grassroots charities supporting women and gender expansive people while creating events for all genders that are full of positivity, solidarity and mischief.This May 10th, they’re bringing their friendly Manchester vibes to London for an afternoon of excellent music and community at our friends The Social, 5 Little Portland Street where Suffragette City residents Kath McDermott (Flesh at The Haçienda/Homo Electric), Ghost Assembly (Abigail Ward), and Ladybeige (The Social Service) are joined by Sounds of the Universe’s Vandorta.Lancashire-born. Acid-damaged. 909-obsessed. Abigail Ward aka Ghost Assembly, runs a one-woman op from the dark end of the dancefloor. Raw machine funk, dipped in dub, NY garage, post-punk and the snare fills of Stock, Aitken & Waterman.INTERVIEW: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/ghost-assembly-the-altered-currents-ransom-note-mix/
The car moved slowly, weaving between the traffic and the flickering lights up ahead. The myriad of colours whizzed by as they entered the rollerstate – the city encompassed everything and swallowed it whole.There was silence in the backseat. The driver made little motion but for the occasional twist of the wheel.Outside there was noise, outside there was madness.Inside there was peace. A subtle warmth to the bubble in which he sat.The city was his home.Mosley Jr. releases an excellent collection of deep, dubbed out house music with delicate moods and nostalgic references. This one sounds as good on a lonely bus ride home as it would in the club. Heads down.
Time doesn't pass the same when shjva’s behind the decks. It folds in on itself like a bad trip or a perfect sunrise. Born in Lutsk, now deeply rooted in Warsaw’s underground, she’s been building her sound through Penumbrum (her label label & party), as co-owner of Qualia Records and through holding a long-standing residency at the city’s beloved Jasna Club.Across past releases for Viscera Transmissions, Brutaż, Warning, People & Places and Common Ancestors, shjva's sound is always developing and always morphing. Her live sets and collabs with Volodymyr Gnatenko and Stereometrix stretch that sound even further, which sits somewhere between dub techno, dream states, and the kind of melancholic jazz you’d hear drifting out of a broken speaker at the afters. It’s hypnotic and deep.Today's Wednesday Alternative mix is a love letter to minimalism, recorded using a prototype rotary mixer built by shjva's Polish friend Kamilescu, the mixer is raw, tactile and beautiful, just like this set which contains deep cuts and spaced out percussion. This is vinyl only recording that touches the ear on the softest pressure points, all day listening to create a brisk morning atmosphere.
Following Ed Rain’s debut solo album ‘Met Him on a Wednesday’ (Ed is one of Andrei Rusu’s – aka half of Khidja – solo projects,), Malka Tuti Records release two aces remixes of the title track’s collaboration with Fantastic Twins.We’re premiering Superpitcher’s MAD DECENT 10 minute signature opus of a remix. Cor listen to that bassline on some good cans…On the flip Pilooski’s turned in a “big room IDM” belter. But you’ll have to buy the release to get hold of that.Pre Order on Malka Tutihttps://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-ed-rain-ft-fantastic-twins-met-him-on-a-wednesday-superpitcher-lovers-mix/@malkatuti
Maltese producer Rebecca Theuma’s project That bb gets a makeover from Yetsuby Manda, one of half of salamanda’s solo project on Wrong Island communications.There once was a creature called That BB, Who lived on the shores of Wrong Island, you see.“I Wish I Had Something To Say But I Don’t,” Was the phrase that this creature would constantly flaunt.The Yetsuby came with remixes so strange, While Wrong Island Communication derangedAll the messages sent by the creatures around, Resulting in quite an peculiar sound. “Oh fiddle-dee-fumble!” That BB would cry, As it danced ‘neath the purple-green spots in the sky.“My Communication is terribly wrong, I can’t seem to finish this nonsensical song!”So they pranced and they prangled through dew-dabbled dawn, With Communication so curiously drawn.That BB and Yetsuby on Wrong Island stayed, In gloriously gibberish games that they played.We’re premiering Yetsuby’s remix of “I Wish I Had Something To Say But I Don’t” from Maltese producer Rebecca Theuma’s project That bb. The track comes from her upcoming EP “The Words Are Stuck In My Throat” on Wrong Island Communications, with Yetsuby (one half of Korean act Salamanda) maintaining the dreamlike original but transforming it into a skittering, drum-laden, handclap madness, wig out. One for the sunrise methinks, whether that’s the end of a very long night or the start of a beautiful new day.“I wrote these songs while going through a prolonged writer’s block. I had moved to another country and found myself feeling very alone and lost,” explains Theuma. “At this particular point in my life, sounds were better at explaining my inner landscape than words.”The EP will be released on the ACE Scottish-born, now Lisbon-based label Wrong Island, with artwork by Polish artist Jo Sekieta.@wrongisland
The day was brand new, it were as if the past had been scrubbed and the world had been reset with some sort of miraculous grace and bright delight. There was a shine, a glimmer to it all.As he wandered through the city streets he wondered and pondered the magic which had allowed for it all to be undone. All the chaos, all the madness, all the pain.How could it simply shine?This was how it should be, the sound of a piano danced atop the breeze in the distance.Milton Jackson and Brian Kage team up with Detroit pioneer Jon Dixon to collaborate on an exquisite deep house cut on Freerange Records. A beautiful, honest track which brings hope and light.
https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-diamond-haze-the-source-ct-kidobo-remix/Transboundary Haze II is three heavyweight remixes of Diamond Haze tracks.There once was a Diamond Haze quite sublime, Who danced on the Tapes Sublimating in time,With a Source so profound, That it spun round and round,While the CT Kidobó made a fabulous Remix divine!“Oh, wonderful Source!” cried the Diamond Haze, “Your Remixing skills have me quite in a daze!You sublimate tapes, Into curious shapes,And transform all my nonsense to musical praise!” They traveled to Crumbly-come-Tumble by sea, In a sieve that was leaky as leaky could be,With a spoon for a sail, And a thimble for pail,And a bottle of nothing to drink with their tea.And this is the end of my nonsense today, About Diamond Haze Source in its remixing play,With Tapes Sublimating, And CT Kidobó creating,A rhythmical jumble in Lear’s silly way! We’re premiering the CT Kidobó rework of The Source. A deep, dark bubbler… let’s go.Buy HERE on Tapes Sublimating
Melodize are back with their 18th release, this time with label boss Beartrax in the driver’s seat.There once was a creature called Beartrax, Who dwelt in the land of Melodize,With music opaque and remixes so fine,That Pagliara himself would often opine:“How splendid, how jumbly, how strangely divine!”This Beartrax would dance on his tail in the night,While playing a tune that was wondrously bright,Opaque were his melodies, twisted and queer,That made all the Melodize creatures draw near.“Oh! Beartrax, dear Beartrax,” they’d cheerfully say,“Your Pagliara Remixes make our hearts sway!So splendiferous, rumbly, melodiously strange,From basslines to treble, the whole tonal range!”But Beartrax just smiled with his whiskers akimbo,And twirled seven times in a musical limbo,For musical nonsense was all that he knew,In Melodize land where the sky was dark blue.We’re premiering Massimiliano Pagliara’s synth-heavy, bassy rework of Opaque… Belter.
A few weeks back an email landed in our inbox signposting music from a mysterious artist operating under the guise of Cleyra. We were kindly tipped off by the team at Timedance who usually know a thing or two about cutting edge electronica but even by their standards this one was far out.However, we say that in the very best way.Cleyra is an artist who likes to keep themselves private. The music does the talking and offers a brief insight into their psyche but that’s about it.This mix is a tour de force demonstrating the potential future of dance and electronic music, a hectic maze of sounds which challenge and entice at both the same time.
Playful, creative and intelligent, Niklas Wandt weaves a masterfully programmed tapestry of percussive dancefloor delights for Viscera Transmissions 003 with Mehr Phett.Joyous and bright, Mehr Phett evokes a coconut flavoured sunrise on a distant desert island.Viscera Transmissions continue their VT series with some exquisite house, which is the 3rd release in the series following on from Latrec and Manami.We’re premiering the title track, Mehr Phett and it’s a cracker.
Alexander Robotnick is a pioneer – one of the great innovators within electronic music who has helped to shape genres and sounds fusing electronic influences with that of 80’s disco to create something all of his own. Best known for his take on Italo and Electro his music remains as relevant in the present as it did in the 80’s with key tracks such as ‘Problèmes D’Amour’ remaining on heavy rotation in clubs across the world.His own tastes have evolved with time and he is keen to bring forth a new generation of musicians and producers to breathe live into the future of the genre.This is perhaps best represented by the release of a new compilation on Hot Elephant Music which Alexander has curated showcasing a breadth of electronic music from Indian producers.As a dj his sets are eclectic as you like – they draw upon his huge breadth of musical experience and a lifetime spent collecting records which has lead him into scoring film soundtracks, playing clubs worldwide and a myriad of other musical adventures and projects.This mix represents his cosmic best – wild energetic synths and a driving energy make this perfect dancefloor fodder.
Human Endeavour Records launch ‘Dancefloor Designs’, a brand new remix series that reworks previous catalogue material for the club. The inaugural package of remixes revisits music from Anastasia Zems and May Lavie, the second and fourth releases on the Ransom Note sub-label.First up, Calypso Records boss and mushroom house master Thomass Jackson adds his psychedelic touch to Zems’ ‘Trust Me’. One of our favourite producers in recent years, the Mexico-based Argentinian has his own unique off-kilter take on house music that manifests on this remix through trippy soundscapes, squelchy acid licks and a chugging bass groove.
Titled ‘Transmission 96′ the new album features ten tracks which has us reminiscing on late night escapades and the dark lofty warehouses of our youth.Two pioneers of the UK underground, Liftin’ Spirits has been at the forefront of jungle and drum n bass since the early 90’s with Dj Persuasion having earned his credentials as one of the most definitive dj’s in the scene from around the same time all the way up to the present.There is a splendid air of nostalgia about this release – it sounds exactly as it should, channeling elements of the past alongside modern influences in a way which feels true to the rawness and rugged sensibilities of the genre.This track is the lead single from the release – a dreamy affair with all the euphoric notes hitting in the right places. All underpinned by quintessential breaks and sounds which might have been lifted straight from an airfield or barn in the 90’s.
They roamed through town leaving a trail of chaos in their wake. Some worshipped them whilst others feared them – that was all part of the charm.They cared little for the thoughts of others anyway, that was just an afterthought preceded by the mischief that they might cause upon any given evening. As the sunset they gathered on the street corners in gangs to dance and chant, make merriment and cause trouble.They were baddies all right. As bad as they came.One day they might regret all of this but as the weekend rolled in at full speed, they too prepared themselves for the heat of the night ahead.Tom Esselle is set to release a new EP on Rhythm Section International – the now long running London based record label continues its voyage through the meandering world of house music. This time its with a carefully curated collection of tracks which draw for the bounce as much as they deliver on the feels beneath.
'Chemistry', a song whose spacey synth arpeggios wrap themselves around a bass line that pulses like the lifeline of a planet. It’s a third eye opener of a track, one that kicks down the barn doors of perception only to find a secret nightclub filled with neon smiles. Who knew the merging of synth-pop odes, chemical love and intoxicating attraction, pumped into the veins of country disco, could feel this good...Clubland is filled with duos, and when it comes to Lord Fascinator & Kate Stein, they met on a tropical island after one had commissioned the other to create several giant monsters for a music video. Fast forward through ten years of costumes, chemicals, religious art projects and "Mad Max yoga retreats", they have finally cemented their relationship in the studio with their Primary EP, four tracks of psychedelic synth-pop, cowboy disco and cosmically inclined iridescent electronica.@katesteinnyc @fascinatormusic
We're full on this planet; there are two options. Either we kill each other, or we help each other.An eco-friendly song? Maybe.A social song? Maybe. A topical piece?Definitely.There once was a lady named Charlotte Leclerc, Who sailed on an iceberg from here to afar. "Comme un iceberg," she'd rhythmically chant, While wearing her Moiré dress for a nautical jaunt."Delodio!" she'd cry to the curious fish, While balancing teacups on top of her dish. Her iceberg spun 'round like a crystalline top, With nary a reason or purpose to stop.The porpoises laughed and the sea turtles cheered, As Charlotte's strange vessel completely disappeared. Then popped up again near the Isle of Kazoo, Where nonsensical creatures said, "How do you do?"Charlotte Leclerc just curtsied and smiled, Her journey, though frosty, was wonderfully wild. "Delodio Moiré!" became her strange call, The most elegant iceberg captain of all!'Moiré' is the second album by French musician and singer Charlotte Leclerc. Deeply influenced by Reunion Island, where the artist grew up. Steeped in the humid heaviness of the Indian Ocean and caressed by the freshness of the primary forests, Charlotte's songs are nourished by the small details of everyday life that we rediscover when we slow down the pace of our busy days. She uses the sound of her synthesisers and drum machines to create a blend of ambient, electronic music, and pop, and speaks to us about human relationships. Two-person relationships and universal relationships, those that connect us all and allow this planet to function a little better. Remember, "Moire" means "changing."
Make A Dance is a duo made up of Ben Lewis & Josh Ludlow and best believe us when we say that they have been causing quite the ruckus. Their record label come party series has become a UK powerhouse releasing some of the best club music out there with a playful sense of self and dancefloor debauchery to boot.As a duo they mix a broad assortment of house, disco, funk and beyond – blurring the lines between genres but always managing to maintain the soul and energy of a good party. Nothing too serious, nothing too dark. At a time when the world ain’t so happy – they channel the feel good elements of a genre which can often take itself far too seriously and we can safely say that we’re here for it.This mix demonstrates why they are two of the most fun in the booth at the moment as they whiz through a heady assortment of House, Disco, Italo, Balearic and beyond.
After a hiatus, uju Records returns with forward motion and the great Shubostar’s “Galaxy Walker” EP.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-shubostar-galaxy-walker/
The plane careered through the clouds, emerging through the fog into the deep radiant blue above. This was another world, the stresses of planet earth were left far behind as they sat aboard their flying vessel surrounded by the whizz and whirring of machinery.Down below the waters raged and the planet fought amongst itself. Yet up here, in their little cabin they were munching upon snacks and cold beverages from a trolley on wheels.Who cared for what was down below?Not when they were this high.The Magus Project remind us why the 90's was a better time as a new EP is unearthed showcasing the sound which accompanied the tail end of the century. Fast paced, driven by electronics with a raw underground edge.As dance music should be.
Swedish producer Daniel Savio returns on Finland’s Elektorni label. We’re showcasing the electro funk side to the EP.There once was a fellow named Daniel Savio, Who rode on a unicorn spotted and gravio.He called to the Mighty Thor, “I’ve never seen one before!” While dancing the Elektorni fandavio.
George T and Mairi ‘B’ Pots return with a new single on Paradise PalmsAcidic, percussive, hypnotic vocal belter from George T and Mairi ‘B’ Pots as Accident Machine on the ever-reliable Paradise Palms.There once was a contraption so keen, Called the “Accident Machine” – quite obscene!With a premiere most bright, It caused such delight,In a real dream scene rarely seen!The paradise palms stood nearby, As the machine let out quite a sigh.“I manufacture mishaps! And wonderful scraps!Of nonsensical things from the sky!” It whirred and it clanked with a boom, Filling all of the scene with perfume.Not the fragrant kind, no! But a strange psychic glow,That transported you straight from your room!Oh, real dreams it made by the score, Each one stranger than those made before.In paradise lands, Built by mechanical hands,What accidents could you ask for more?
Music To Watch Seeds Grow By welcome Los Angeles based multi-disciplinary artist, E Ruscha V to the Seeds family, with a release for the Cosmos.There once was a fellow named Eddie Ruscha V, Who lived in a garden extraordinarily,He spent all his days reaching up to the sky, For Music To Watch Seeds Grow By.His fingers were leafy like ferns in the spring, His hair tangled vines where the nightingales sing,“O fumblesome, tumblesome, root-tappity-high!” He sang as the seedlings grew nigh. The Cosmos flowers danced in their purple and pink, With petals that shimmer and stems that could think,“Dear Eddie,” they whispered through pollen and dew, “Play something delightfully new!”His orchestra bloomed from the rich fertile ground, Daffodils trumpeted, making a brassy sound,While Cosmos conducted with star-patterned faces, Their petals like musical braces.Said Eddie Ruscha V with infinite glee, “My botanical symphony’s the key, don’t you see? The reaching and teaching and beseeching I try, Makes Music To Watch Seeds Grow By!”When visitors came from the land of Dahloon, They’d waltz with the Cosmos beneath the full moon,While Eddie played tunes on his hollyhock-flute, That made even cactuses root.O! Eddie Ruscha V of gardening renown, With Cosmos flowers crowning his vegetable crown,May your reaching continue through soil and loam, With plants dancing right through your home! Cosmos follows a path that Ruscha began exploring with his 2018 release, “Who Are You”, on Beats In Space and continued through recent works like ‘Green Mirror’ under his alias Secret Circuit and ambient pieces for the “Slow Show” performances. Each project has been a cultivation season that invites listeners to pause, observe, and connect with cycles of natural emergence.Cosmos is dropping at the end of March. Here’s a premiere for ‘Reaching Up’, available to pre-order on Bandcamp now.Pre-Order Cassette/DigitalRelease Date: 28/03/2025
Amine Laje is a multi faceted producer. In fact you might better know him as Romain Poncet or Traumer...Under this new moniker he is keen to explore some of his foremost influences, drawing upon inspiration from the heady days of Trip-Hop and channeling his production credentials into a new sound.For his first-ever published mix as Amine Laje, Romain Poncet crafts a deeply immersive journey through jazz-infused beats, melancholic textures, and raw, intuitive soundscapes.The mix showcases a lot of unreleased songs that were created for the restaurant Datsha in Paris, alongside some tracks from the eponymous album.Best enjoyed in a cozy setting, with warm lighting—let yourself get lost in the sound.This one goes deep.
It was hard to process why he felt this way - for there was no rhyme or reason to such emotion. Loving your mind was hard work - especially when it seemed as though that it was destined to try and trip him up at every turn. Perhaps that's how everyone felt - somewhat at mercy to the merriment and the delusional thoughts which whizzed and wandered on by from time to time.As he walked through the park he took in the sights and sounds all around him. He tried to disconnect from what was going on up there in his mind.For there was no real reason to dwell upon that which he could not control.What will be will be.Mono Junk releases a new EP via Cold Blow, a discerning tasteful electro affair which also includes poised remixes from both Sansibar and Katerina. This remix is a fast paced affair which balances the delicacy of the original with percussive tones and flurries.
Good Block are a familiar duo amongst certain circles. For several years they have been steadily releasing music inspired by the funk and balearic influences of the late eighties and nineties - fusing modern sounds with the sun kissed hedonism of the past. They've been generous with it too. Always keen to share edits and tracks with friends, their music has been the secret weapon of many a DJ.They are about to release a new album - titled 'Window' the record features a collection of dubbed out downtempo and house music which shows a growth and depth to their sound.Based in London the pair are also seriously talented selectors - having built a reputation for their eclectic, far reaching sets which move between styles and genre.This mix is a masterclass in a warm, glowing type of dance music - the sort that makes you long for summer and serenades you into spring.
Originating from Edinburgh Ann Tweak is one of the founders behind the long running party series The Mirror Dance – an eclectic party which has been based out of the longstanding Sneaky Pete’s venue having played host to the likes of Yu Su, Dj Python, Shy One and more.As a DJ he draws upon a broad set of influences – this mixtape demonstrates a deep understanding of the roots of house music as it begins with its roots in the classic Chicago sound before meandering into more progressive, dubbed out tendencies later on.A classy assortment of tracks, folk up north don’t do things by half measures.
Jaye Ward, what a bloody legend!In the sometimes insipid, fickle and murky waters of the dance world not many have navigated its depths with the wisdom, style and sophistication that Jaye Ward has. A force of nature who’s been wielding the acid, since acid began, Jaye still embodies the raw spirit of UK club culture – screaming into the void and moving bodies.For three decades, she’s been keeping it real in the sweaty backrooms of Stoke-on-Trent’s Golden to the hallowed halls of fabric. Her path weaves through the history of British dance music like a rebel’s tale – from squat parties to Sabresonic, from The End to Turnmills, from Homobloc and Dalston Superstore to Field Maneuvers…and maybe somewhere else this summer that we might have a little hand in.Jaye, like the best of these humans walking this rather odd planet, is a restless spirit and this mix she’s done for us is a fucking belter that reflects that. It’s an examination of Jaye’s unwavering devotion to the weird and wonderful corners of dance music.From a DJ who’s seen it all, Jaye remains perpetually curious. Get this in your ears, expect the unexpected, blur the conventional and dissolve into pure feeling…ONWARDSRead more: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/jaye-ward-the-alternate-currents-ransom-note-mix/
‘Techno and Noise are more important to me.”In the barren industrial landscape where noise meets techno, Richie Culver’s Quiet Husband project continues to carve out a landscape that’s as uncompromising as it is compelling. Following the raw, unflinching ‘Religious Equipment’ album, Culver is back with ‘RAGING HABITS 2’.This sophomore EP signals a subtle shift in approach for Culver. Where ‘Religious Equipment’ dug deep into the harrowing depths of addiction through brutal rhythms and spoken word confessionals, ‘RAGING HABITS 2’ introduces Chicago influences with ambient elements and dark, textural explorations. Culver’s music is like “being punched in the gut with a scrap-metal fist” and captures that raw, pure feeling without thinking. Neural rushes. Claustrophobia’s exit door.A mix you say? OK then. How’s a frenetic industrial techno mix then? Good stuff.Here’s an industrial techno mix that doesn’t fuck around.Listen and read the interview below:https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/quiet-husband-the-ransom-note-mix/@richieculver
Portland-based ambient architect and far afield sound technician Graintable steps up for the next edition of Seeds Mix.INTERVIEW: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/seeds-mix-3-the-first-signs-of-spring-with-graintable/@graintable
Bárbara Boeing is a stupendously good digger. She’s been collecting records for many years and her far reaching sets offer but a mere glimpse into her musical sphere.From funk to soul, downtempo to balearic, bossa nova to house and beyond. Nothing is off limits for the Brazilian DJ who was raised in Curitiba and since moved to Milan bringing with her a renowned reputation for eclectic sets.This mix offers a brief taste of her skills as a DJ as she weaves effortlessly between chilled out tempos whilst demonstrating that ‘dance’ music need not be heavy, hard or dark but fun, joyous and uplifting. That’s before we even mention her work as a producer. This one has us dreaming of sunnier climates and brighter days. They’re coming soon, believe us.
“Pure Blueberry and Armadillos”Russ, aka Skeleten’s, dropped by for a mix recorded in the early morning hours in his Sydney studio, windows open to an “unusually quiet street below”. Best enjoyed, “when your driver puts this on for an hour-long journey back from a party outside the city just before the sun rises while wearing your friend’s clothes”. It arrives as Skeleten has just released his second album, “Mentalized,” this month which explores how the world around us shapes our minds. “This whole record is the feeling of your brain being shaped by all the forces in the world.” From trip-hop to dreamlike vocal outings, the album blends industrial elements with deep house rhythms, all filtered through Russ’s lens.The mix is a taste of that musical world, featuring tracks from City Reverb, Dregs, DJ Counselling, and Tryphème.“Pure Blueberry and Armadillo on a good day.”Get it on, let’s go…INTERVIEW: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/skeleten-the-altered-currents-mix/
"I always like starting with something out of context..." He of WH Lung greatness and now a solo live artist & DJ delivers a belter of a mix.Having grown up in Manchester's DIY band scene, Tom Sharkett came late to these things called dancing clubs and all that came with it, discovering electronic music through synthesizers while recording with his most excellent band W. H. Lung. His journey from guitar music to the dancefloor mirrors his present-day musical output; a collision of post-punk abrasiveness and the electronic that feels equally at home in sweaty basements and proper nightclubs.Now based back in Todmorden, Tom has carved out his own niche releasing on Optimo Music and System Olympia's Okay Nature label... and it's a bloody brilliant niche! His production approach remains coloured by those early days of bedroom experimentation with friends, citing the peerless Andrew Weatherall's fearlessly exploratory spirit as a key inspiration. It's interesting how he keeps coming around and around again, doesn't it? "His approach reminds me of the excited feeling I had trying to record things in my bedroom with my friends with anything we had at our disposal and just experimenting with the weird and wonderful results,"When it comes to disc jockeying, Tom brings that same experimental energy. This mix was recorded in his panoramic valley-view studio in Todmorden, captures that ethos perfectly, opening with Spacemen 3 before wandering through territory that spans from Tirzah-esque experimentalism to classic New Beat.Between touring with Julie Byrne, collaborating with Raf Rundell - more on that to come soon pop pickers - and working on a new solo record featuring multiple vocalists, Tom's not a 'sit still' kind of guy.Just how we like it.Get it on, let's go... read more below.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/tom-sharkett-the-altered-currents-mix/@tomsharkett @whlung
Weaving and winding it moved through the jungle with devilish pace.Yet to the naked eye you might never know that it was slipping beneath the surface. On the ground and in the rivers the basilisk was king – a scaly creature with a pointed tongue. It’s venomous power was enough to floor even the heartiest of prey.As the sun beat down upon this desolate place it remained anonymous, almost invisible.For only a handful of people had ever seen the basilisk, some even believed it to be a myth. However, the reason so few had caught a glimpse of this magnificent beast was because once you had you weren’t likely to be left behind to tell the tale…High energy material on Hardline. Bouncy and energetic sounds which will echo and cause damage in the club – Prizefight & Trustee are on to a winner.
It’s always good to know that music is in safe hands. From time to time the relentless pace of social media and its affect on dance music ‘trends’ can lead us to forgetting what it’s always been really about.Anna Malysz is a key figure in the German underground, working in numerous capacities hosting dj workshops and as a member of various collectives and projects including the DRIVE series at the recently closed Institut fuer Zukunft, as part of the local club culture network “Livekomm Leipzig” and in the curation of ambient music as part of the Nachtdigital Festival programme.A keen DJ, she has played at the likes of Paloma, Watergate, about:blank and Golden Pudel and is well versed in a broad array of styles and sounds.This mix sits at nearly three hours long, demonstrating the far reaching taste Anna has built up. It’s a heady assortment of sounds which lends itself perfectly for the headphones and comes highly recommended.
His mind wandered from time to time. From this to that and back again.His perceptions danced atop a fragile sense of perspective, he wondered if he might ever regain the right to reality. For every thought was a maze, a whirlwind in which to become lost in the fog of the morning.Whether he could be trusted was another thing.There wasn't much else for it but to try.Slump Recordings continues to grow from strength to strength. Now a prominent force in a new wave of House music with progressive, deep rooted sensibilities. There's plenty of fun to be found on this one from SY but this slightly deeper cut was what caught our ear.
It were as if he’d been here before. Everything looked ever so familiar, the lake in the distance, the rolling hills which watched over it all, the dense greenery of the forest alongside.He strolled through the long grass trying to recall how and when he might have been here. Had it been in a dream? Was this some sort of strange future memory or was nostalgia simply playing a cruel trick upon his psyche.Regardless of it all, the beauty was stark. It was hard not to get caught up in the ethereal might of the landscape.It were as if it was all one big daydream. Cult Polish producer Two Ends goes deep on a new EP for Mythstery who are celebrating ten years in the game. This EP features a chilled out assortment of downtempo, balearic and deep house grooves perfect for early mornings.
Enea Pascal is the co founder of IVREATRONIC and has just released a new record called ‘BRUTTO?’. It’s a wicked release, compiled of downtempo explorations, trip hop, weird skits, mutations and beyond. It’s tripped out and freakish, playful and yet somehow makes sense as a body of work.Released on IVREATRONIC, the label and party series first emerged from Ivrea in Italy in 2017 and has grown from strength to strength, helping to push forward the leftfield, underground of Italy’s electronic music scene. Now to this mix…Enea delivers a killer selection of sounds, woozy, wonky and punk esque in style. This is a mix for the heads. Think Mo Wax meets L.I.E.S meets early 2000’s Grime. A wild ride through a number of sounds makes this a wicked journey.
Hidden in the middle of the desert was a mysterious old barn, a place in which ancient rituals had once been held in a bid to bring down the sun from up above so that it might be extinguished. It was damn hot.This place had been known as Umbra. It remained as it was, a mere shell of a building in which wild dances, wild songs and wild chants had beckoned and bellowed between the four walls.Little did they know that the sun would never fall from the sky up above - let alone that it might never be extinguished.If anything it might only get hotter and Umbra would be all that was left to burn.La Pointe is a a trio formed by Geneva-based techno pioneers Crowdpleaser and Entlet alongside New York City’s Jonny Sender. Together they are set to release a new EP on Secret Teachings featuring remixes from Jonny Rock & Nathan Fake. Jonny's caught our ear - we all know when the rock is in the house.
It had been ever so lonely out there, deep in the darkness of outer space. There were tall tales which he might be able to one day relive and reconcile but those were not to be told now. Those were to be kept firmly secret, locked away in the confines of his mind. For he had returned but what was out there must not.Down here everything was normal. Life was normal. The people were normal.Every day was just the same. Not like out there...Occasionally he'd see flickers and flashes of the wild, alien like faces he'd left behind amidst the stars. Had they ever been real?Returning was bittersweet.Innate Editions are set to breathe life into a rare gem, a lost classic if you will. They are set to revive Connective Zone's 'Palm Palm', a millennium-era cult classic and Ben UFO favourite. Intelligent dance music, at its very very best.
She was all that he'd ever dreamed of, a perfect picture in his mind, a vision in red dancing amongst the skies. You never quite knew when one day you might stumble upon her, for she might be lurking just around the next corner or in the glimpse of a window passing quickly by. Things come and go so quickly in this life. You could be anyone, perhaps.Yet still, the same face continued to dance up there, smiling down, enticing him onwards through the weight of the morning fog.Dj Balduin is set to release a new EP on Lola Haro's record label Small Steps. The record is a dreamy, ethereal affair which sits within the realms of melodic House and Breaks. Perfect for those cold January mornings.
The city was quiet in the warmth of the morning sun. It was the height of summer and soon the cafes on every street corner would be crowded with onlookers and tourists taking in the sights and sounds of this great, dense place. It was hot and dusty.As he wandered from block to block, corner to corner, he could not help but think how about how grateful for his freedom he was. It had been long coming and well fought.That was all that anyone ever wanted really, freedom. A place in which to be truly free.Nesa Azadikhah is set to release an EP via tape on Kulture Galerie. The music is progressive in the sense that it channels futuristic elements of dance and club music culture. However, the message it promotes and the cause it rallies behind is equally so, with proceeds from the release going to support women prisoners in Iran.
Inhabiting the delicate space between immersive ambient soundscapes and experimental fieldwork.For this week’s Monday Is OK mixtape we welcome Zurich-based artist Philipp Stolberg, whose new album “The Dog Under the Lantern” (released his month), us a multimedia project exploring ambient, liminal spaces with cyanotype prints. The album focuses on themes of light and darkness, solitude and movement, wilderness and domestication through minimal, textured compositions.While Stolberg’s roots lie in house music, this work concentrates on recycled church music and field recordings, influenced by artists like Nicolas Jaar, Fennesz, and Tim Hecker. The project represents “a deliberate exercise in minimalism, where each element serves a specific purpose.”Full interview: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/philipp-stolberg-the-monday-is-ok-mix/
Our friends Kiara Scuro, the London-based duo made up of Rosie Ama and Nadia Harris, have built up a repertoire of spooky tracks over the last few years for the likes of fabric Originals, Ritmo Fatale and Accidental Meetings.After hunkering down in the studio last year, they're now joining the Faux Poly family for their debut EP, Night Crush. Layering their own vocals with samples, the pair deliver three percussive, rolling club tools that draw inspiration from late, hazy nights spent together in the club; the place where their friendship blossomed.
A haunting reimagining of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game,” in honour of the late David Lynch recorded for the Beta Biennial of Architecture.The release arrives as a tribute to David Lynch, featuring visuals from his recreation of the Trinity nuclear test as seen in Twin Peaks: The Return.“The Biennial originally commissioned the track, and I closed my show with it there, but it felt like the right time to finally share it with the world. David was a big influence on a lot that underpins Fantastic Twins and this is my swan song to an amazing person.”Following her acclaimed 2023 album, “Two Is Not A Number,” the great Julienne Dessagne’s Fantastic Twins project continues to surprise; in this instance, transforming the original into something entirely new.DOWNLOAD HERE: https://fantastictwins.bandcamp.com/track/wicked-game-fantastic-twins-trinity-version@fantastictwins
Zeynep Erbay is a Turkish producer and dj who has released music on the likes of Soul Clap Records, Fool’s Gold, Nu Northern Soul and Exploited. She tends to blur the lines between traditional house music and that steeped in a more italo lead, cosmic influence.As a DJ she is commanding, her taste informs sets which tend to weave and wander, telling a broader story rather which soundtracks long nights on the dancefloor.They are often highly energetic, yet packed with feel good influence.Now based in London, she has worked tirelessly, cementing herself as a key figure in the eclectic underground.
Watching from his penthouse he gazed out over the city, taking in the view and wondering whether those down below ever thought much of him up high amongst the clouds. He could see it all, the city in all its abject disarray and chaos. The clouds as they came and went overhead might affect the mood or the tone, yet the underlying themes remained all the same. This was his empire. His kingdom. Up here he was safe and free. Perhaps one day he would retreat down to the streets, take in the sights and sounds, the people below. Perhaps one day he would be one of them.Goose Down releases a wicked assortment of dusty, groove focussed house and downtempo. A splendid assortment of mood music which will soundtrack many a pensive, peaceful moment.
On the 20th September 2024, we hosted a joint party with Spezialmaterial at Zukunft in Zurich.True to form, the night brought together Tia Cousins, Matt Cowell, and Princess P for a session that lived up to the Spezial ethos.For a taste of what went down, check out this 2-hour snippet from Tia Cousins and Matt Cowell’s b2b, capturing the essence of the evening in full swing.
Stormy waves for January, direct from Donegal courtesy of Harri Pepper’s brother.Raised amid the rhythms and canvases of his family’s jazz bar and art gallery on the wild Welsh coast, Jac Pepper’s journey began in the creative crucible of Peppers in Abergwaun. Brother to DJ Harri Pepper, featured on these very pages for time, Jac has spent over a decade crafting vinyl-only residencies from Ireland to Australia.Now settled in the surf town of Bundoran, Donegal, where the raw beauty of the Dartry Mountains meets the Atlantic waves, you’ll find him holding court at George’s Bar and Treehouse Live events. What started as a few months chasing swells turned into finding his spiritual home – a place where music and the ocean merge. Spanning continents and decades with the raw energy of post-punk to ‘global rhythms’, meditative downtempo and euphoric disco, and from classic house to sideways acid this mix is a deep slice of his musical cake (yup I made that all up on my own) and reflects the ethos of his upbringing: creating spaces where people feel “comfortable and free to dance” – or music “checking some stormy waves.”Nice curveball for January, let’s go…
We recently released the most excellent debut EP from the mysterious Double Body. Four scuzzy, Lo-Fi dance floor destroyers that brim with hypnotic patterns and mesmerising, looped samples.Even though they won't tell us their real identity, we thought we'd see what a mix from them would sound like... from early Photek that sounds "like an abandoned factory on Mars" which gives you a sense of the vibe the mix reflects their approach: a bit of an outsider, but definitely still plugged right into the world of the electronic.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/double-body-the-alternate-currents-ransom-note-mix/
Organic exploration with our first Music To Watch Seeds Grow By signings…Some musical journeys begin with a whisper, a gentle rustling of leaves, and a breath of sound. For brothers Clive and Mark, aka the legendary Woo, this journey has been unfolding since the 1970s through a four-decad long sonic odyssey of discovery…Their latest output on our very own Music To Watch Seeds Grow By imprint is an ode to Sweet Peas. One of a series of five unreleased albums from their archives, it’s a thoughtfully curated collection of ambient, minimalist, and new-age soundscapes designed to be the perfect soundtrack for moments of sowing these seeds, which accompany every release in quiet reflection.“To our surprise and delight, Sweet Peas can be planted in the autumn and they’ll blossom in the coming spring” notes Clive.To accompany this creation, they’ve created “A Walk in the Woods with Woo” mixtape, where Stevie Wonder’s forest-infused melodies dance with Marlene Dietrich’s vocals and Schubert’s transcendent strings paint aural woodland landscapes. Each track is a seed, carefully planted, slowly unfurling its own unique narrative. It’s a meditation on growth, on patience, on the delicate art of nurturing something beautiful from the smallest of beginnings.FULL INTERVIEW HERE:https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/seeds-mix-1-a-walk-in-the-woods-with-woo/
The clouds were scattered, a delicate array of colours illuminated in pinks and blues from the late evening haze. The sun was setting in the distance casting strange shapes and shadows on the land below. At times it was hard to assess where the sky began and the fields ended, for they met somewhere in the middle in a myriad of shades.Who knew what sort of god might live above their hollow might. Up in the heavens there had to be some sort of shepherd which watched over them all.For if there wasn't, what else was there?Nummer Music are set to reissue material from Paul Mahoux’s seminal BùLù project. The release comes with new remixes which reimagine the ethereal, dream like states of the original and rework them with prowess for discerning dancefloors and clubs.
Do!! You!!! radio host and selector steps up for a round of RansomThe great Sarahtonin is a selector who’s not one to fit into boxes. Less about genre boundaries and more about pure, unadulterated feeling – crafting sets that are part emo-odyssey, part dance floor magic built of rare disco through to techno Sarah’s is one for the journey…Her Do!! You!!! radio show has already garnered her a cult following, with listeners all over the world. Whether she’s lighting up the sweaty confines of Corsica Studios, festival stages like Gala, or curating mixes Sarah brings an infectious energy that’s impossible to ignore. Buckle up, and let Sarah be your guide.“Take off all your clothes… I feel the beat… come and dance with me…”FULL INTERVIEW: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/sarahtonin-the-shine-a-light-on-mix/@sarahtonindj
For those who've been paying attention, Wes Baggaley isn't just another DJ—he's a selector who has meticulously explored the underground electronic landscape across Europe for many years. From the hallowed decks of Panoramabar to Frankfurt’s seminal Robert Johnson and in the sweaty depths of Glastonbury's NYC Downlow, Baggaley has cultivated a reputation as a vinyl obsessive who treats records like a primary language.He's not one to pull punches either; in real life and on his Instagram, he offers a refreshing take on the absurdity of the state of the music world—from lamenting the current popularity of "garbage pop remixes" masquerading as "cool" and "underground," to poking fun at the disconnect between an artist's public persona and the commercial realities behind the 'scene'...there's definitely a reason Dave Clarke's FUSE is his favourite mix!Drawing from a deep well of experience—eight years on Rinse FM and residencies that span from London's Dalston Superstore at the most excellent queer house music party Bottom Heavy to the world's most revered underground spaces—Baggaley delivers a journey that's both intense and unpredictable.This mix captures the restless spirit of someone who refuses to be confined by genre boundaries. Dark ambient textures collide with driving techno, industrial edges spark against electro. It's a mix that reflects Baggaley's current Narr Radio remit, and it certainly refuses to sit still...FULL INTERVIEW HERE: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/wes-baggaley-the-alternate-currents-ransom-note-mix/Follow here: @wes-baggaley
“Like nature, our approach has always been quite random,” Renowned duo Woo on Music To Watch Seeds Grow ByThere once was a Woo on a musical spree, Who sang to Earth Angels beneath a tall tree.With tunes of delight, they made seedlings grow, Their “Music To Watch Seeds Grow By” did glow!The Woo danced a jig with a cucumber cane, While the Earth Angels hummed a melodious refrain.“Seeds sprout in time!” they chirped in their glee, And the Woo clapped along, as happy as can be.So now when you hear that harmonious tune, Think of the Woo and a sunny afternoon.For Earth Angels and melodies make gardens thrive, And nonsense like this keeps the whole world alive! A thoughtfully curated collection of ambient, minimalist, and new-age soundscapes designed to be the perfect soundtrack for moments of sowing these seeds, which accompany every release in quiet reflection.Composed by the renowned duo Woo—Mark and Clive Ives — this is one of a series of five unreleased albums from their archives. The release combines soothing tones from clarinet, guitars, percussion, and electronic elements, creating the perfect soundtrack for gardeners and music lovers alike. Featuring tracks like “Golden Hours” and “Earth Angels,” this album is an ode to the slow, rewarding process of growth and new beginnings.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-woo-earth-angels-music-to-watch-seeds-grow-by/
Marking a quarter-century of, Swiss duo In Flagranti present a mix steeped in their patchwork aesthetic, stitching together threads of 70s disco, 80s post-punk, and 90s US house.Full interview here; https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/in-flagranti-the-altered-currents-ransom-note-mix/
LA-based artists and Sensory Signal co-founder Capes and Adult Hits join forces for the tenth release on Ransom Note offshoot Human Endeavour Records. Mirroring the sonics that the pair champion at their parties, ‘Stellar Bodies’ explores visceral acid, electro and breakbeats that stimulate the mind, body and soul.The release launches with single ‘Rush’, a collaboration with fellow Los Angeles artist and vocalist Dick Ensalada. His gruff, raunchy vocals marry perfectly with a driving bassline and squelchy acid to create a pumping acid house track built for sweaty dance floors.The following three tracks journey across the electro spectrum. ‘Move Your Body’ is powered by plenty of low end, crisp breaks and robotic vocal samples, while title track ‘Stellar Bodies’ lets a haunting synth and bubbling 303 take centre-stage, before ‘Four’ brings the EP to a high octane close with stomping breakbeats and dark, moody pads that swallow you whole.Read More: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-capes-adult-hits-feat-dick-ensalada-rush/
A New Wave mix from jungle pioneer, hip-hop cult figure and dancefloor alchemist, Ayman Rostom aka @maghreban Doctor Zygote and Strange U. under his new alias Mystery Tiime...With latest album, 'Maudlin Tales of Grief and Love, ' he examines lo-fi dance, post-punk, and new wave.With all that hyperbole in mind we asked him to put together a New Wave mix, recorded with the same spirit of experimentation for the album...https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/mystery-tiimes-new-wave-ransom-note-mix/
This week’s Monday Is OK mixtape is an immersive experience into the world of YANA, the alias of Polish composer and multi-instrumentalist Joanna Bieńkowska. YANA’s latest album, Daydreamer, released on Ólafur Arnalds’s OPIA label, continues her journey into emotional landscapes shaped by lush string arrangements and atmospheric electronic textures. A graduate of the Academy of Music in Gdańsk, YANA’s music blends classical training with a flair for modern, ambient soundscapes.For YANA, music creation is almost a ritual—an intense, organised practice. “Constant work is a kind of ritual for me. It strengthens me and organises my life,” she reflects. Daydreamer’s journey flows from darkness to light, mirroring the human experience.Interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/yana-the-monday-is-ok-mix/TRACKLISTINGKeaton Henson - Dorma 3:42The Smile - Open The Floodgates 4:29So You Are Tired - Sufjan Stevens 4:50Vega Trails - Love Your Grace 2:32Thom Yorke - Knife Edge 3:20Nonkeen - that love 7:46The Hum II - The Vernon Spring 2:05Colin Stetson - Rain Song 3:01Yana - Tender 4:22Sofi Paez - Everywhere 3:53Valentin Hadjadj - Closer from „Close” Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 4:13Claude Debussy, Alain Planes, Reverie, L. 68 3:53Jean Kapsa - Dernière Fete 3:08Yana - All Alone 2:08Chilly Gonzales, Jarvis Cocker - The Tearjerker Returns 3:33Robot Koch, Viktor Orri Arnason, Foam and Sand - Star as Eyes - Foam and Sound Rework 4:00Jóhann Jóhannsson, Jonas Colstrup - Be Forgotten 1:36Ólafur Arnalds, Nils Frahm - Life Story 5:41Jóhann Jóhannsson - Flight from the city 6:31@olafur-arnalds
"Think Pachanga Boys’ Time…but with soul."The register chimed loudly. He glanced up at the queue of customers steadily gathering and took a deep breath. It was going to be a long hot day.The shop was small and crowded, outside in the street it was scorching, the block was on fire in the midst of the summer and everyone and everything was looking for relief. He would be their answer…He wasn’t sure how it had come to be this way, that he was the one to serve. Yet here he was…From time to time he’d have to check himself, check anything, check something. Then the chime would ring out again…The made ace, insanely brilliant Brian d’Souza aka Auntie Flo, releases ‘Aker The Lion God’ on 31st October, a precursor to his upcoming album ‘In My Dreams (I’m A Bird and I’m Free)’, out on 21 November. PRE-SAVE ALBUM ~Inspired by field recordings from New Zealand and Brazil, the environmental sounds of a conch shell and a bassline influenced by Charanjit Singh’s proto-acid house work is worked into some altogether more ethereal.
This is a mix of stuff that either makes me feel like I want It All Levels Out to make people feel, or music that made an impression on me years ago and inspired it. Hopefully it provides a soundtrack for thinking, maybe while walking the dog around in the rain. Lots of instrumental stuff, so it’s blank for your own message.Out last week on Bytes; It All Levels Out, is album no 10 from Minotaur Shock, aka the Bristolianelectronic multiinstrumentalist/producer David Edwards. The album is a hopeful meditation on getting older and Edwards’s most personal and reflective album yet.Full interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/minotaur-shock-the-monday-is-ok-mix/01 waltz (in memoriam old ways of living) - More Eaze02 Milkweed - Holly Waxwing03 Another Haunted Mirror - G S Schray04 some days felt like home - mu tate05 Die Dinge des Lebens - To Rococo Rot06 Drive My Car (The Truth, No Matter What It Is, Isn’t That Frightening) - Eiko Ishibashi07 Each Dream is an Example - Gastr Del Sol08 Overbraid - 703863435709 Cryptic Reserve - Wim Mertens10 Surface Pan - Sofie Birch11 Side Lengths - Grand River12 Appalachian Grove III - Laurie Spiegel13 Dub One - Egil Kalman14 Overand - Autechre15 Blink - Hiroshi Yoshimura16 Echo’s Answer - Broadcast17 8:07 - Global Communication18 Pendulum Man - Bark Psychosis19 Plays John Cassavetes 2 - Ekkehard Ehlers@Byteslabel @minotaur-shock
“It fits every situation. From sailing to baptism to weddings and name days. Not ideal to listen in the sewer.”Jaakko Eino Kalevi returned at the end of last year with new album, Chaos Magic (the Greek concept of “kháos”) – a double album of elemental pop and baroque electronics. It was a wild, immersive experience written and recorded largely in his new home of Athens. Navigating a kaleidoscope of styles of cosmic jazz, neon synthpop, disco and space-rock journeys, it featured contributions from artists like Alma Jodorowsky, Jimi Tenor, Faux Real and Sigurlaug Gísladóttir.Full Interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/jaaako-eino-kalevis-heaven-and-hell-ransom-note-mix/Tracklisting1. Gina X Performance: Nice Mover2. R. Stevie Moore: Pink Litmus Paper Shirt3. Les Rita Mitsouko: Un Soir Un Chien4. The Passions: I´m In Love With A German Filmstar5. Orange Juice: Flesh Of My Flesh6. Selda Bağcan: Yaylalar7. Gnonnas Pédro: Dadje Von O Von Non8. Klaus Weiss: Survivor9. Egg: Fugue In D Minor10. Cindy: Never Let Me Go11. International Music System: Mojave12. Marxist Love Disco Ensemble: Dust13. Scribble: Silly Girl14. Dizzy K: Omoge15. Maximum Joy: Searching For A Feeling
"The mix is all over the shop but a common theme is exploration, expansion, deepness."Respected New York-based DJ and co-founder of Singapore’s Darker Than Wax label, Marco Weibel has quietly built a loyal following through his wide-ranging sets, which seamlessly blend everything from spiritual jazz to house and UK garage. Known for his deep, genre-spanning selections, Marco’s approach emphasises rhythm, texture, and flow.Interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/marco-weibel-the-wednesday-alternative-mix/ As a resident at The Lot Radio, Marco has built a solid reputation for curating diverse and exciting music. His work also includes ‘Various Channels Vol. 1,’ a compilation featuring NYC-based artists, which highlights his passion for supporting local talent.This mixtape captures Marco’s ability to blend genres "all over the shop"@marcoweibel @thelotradio
It’s funny how something so wrong might feel so right. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, the deck stacked against you and the rules all askew. Yet these were the cards that he had been dealt, perhaps dealing was healing after all?As he wandered through the city streets, a wildcard in the night, he wondered what people back home might think of his predicament. They’d always doubted him anyway so maybe this was nothing new after all?He tucked his hand deep into his pocket to check everything was nice and tight. It was all there, closely wrapped, ready for the evening.Gråzon features on a new split EP from Amsterdam based record label Pintai. This track is a classy, understated affair with floating ambient tones, a beautiful dancefloor moment.
"We made this mix foryou with some previously unpublished material. Cocaine Sex was originally recorded & included, Sub Aqua Overdrive Dub for Rhythm King Records(Mute Records dance subsidiary) in 87. Later reissued on Mute Records. Cocaine Sex has spawned many children over the years through various recordings & I've included some of the many including Dragonbass Soundsystem & Renegade Soundmachine to exemplify its broad impact & bookended with a vocal & instrumental versions of our most recently released recording A.D.I.D.A.S... for the Hua Hua, Compilation album."Step forth the mighty Renegade Soundwave with all the wit, cheek, and chaos that defined RSW, Asquith dips deep into their archives, pulling out tracks from the seminal Cocaine Sex sessions, Rhythm King’s dancefloor dubs, and RSW’s back catalogue, offering a true taste of a time when dub, industrial, and raw attitude collided. It’s a celebration of that unmistakable renegade spirit that never quite fit into any box – and wouldn’t have wanted to.@renegade-soundwave-official
Eluard’s LP track “Dirty Hall” receives a remix treatment from Slow Motion Label head Fabrizio Mammarella…https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-eluard-comic-bad-fabrizio-mammarella-remix-slow-motion/@mammarella @slow-motion-records
Rough digi-dub and bass-heavy pulsations. Love Song's Thomas Korf and Sebastian Kokus and the prolific Ulf Schütte aka Cloud Management bring forth a ray of sunlight through the February clouds.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/cloud-management-the-monday-is-ok-mixtape/
London-based artist, producer, Rinse FM host and all round polymath ELLES reimagines her Anthem, infusing it with a rave-ready UKG energy:https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-elles-anthem-angel-of-rhythm-refix-pt-2/@e_l_l_e_s
Dropping self-releases via his own bandcamp and Kulture Galerie following his contribution to the labels NFTS 999 compilation his musical interests took a sharp turn when he discovered artists like Gene on Earth, Sweely, Black Loops, and many others in the realm of the good electronic.His new EP ‘Witless Q&A’s via the Filippo MSM helmed Kulture Galerie this February with five original cuts. You can also find Nate working as a Barista at Berlin's new listening bar Anima.It's that vibe which forms the basis for this Wednesay Alternative mix, let's get it on and ask him a few questions eh...https://www.theransomnote.com/music/natebytheway-the-wednesday-alternative-mix/
High-energy remix banger alert. Chloé Robinson & DJ ADHD take on Matisa on Correspondant.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-matisa-dj-adhd-chloe-robinson-remix-baby-correspondant/
The magnificent Bawrut returns to Ransom Note Records with an incredible new collection of interpretations of his music from the past couple of years, Remix Pack EP. Featuring a cast of the finest producers the underground currently has to offer, this four track whirlwind of club pounders exhibits everything that is great about electronic music in 2024.First up on remix duties is the magnificent Marc Romboy, taking Que Quiere Usted by the scruff of the neck and straightening it out into an absolute dance floor stomper! Originally a hand clap laden, frenetically jolly, five minute romp, Marc has taken the original concept and upped the techers chug factor by 200%!
Airhead retains a relatively low profile, to an extent this seems to be out of choice. Emerging in 2010 his sound was deep and introspective, paired alongside counterparts from the UK bass scene such as Pariah, James Blake, Joy O, Peverelist, Shackleton and others.Some of his music worked well in the newer school of clubs, for those keen to challenge preconceptions and conventional constraints of dance music. However, a lot of what he has released over the years is also a perfect accompaniment to a late night walk home or a view from the bus window. It’s always atmospheric and tinged with a sense of poignant nostalgia.Earlier this year he returned to Hemlock Recordings, the imprint run by Untold. He released an extended collection of music which dances and weaves between broken beats, delicate melodies and synth laden experiments. It’s arguably his most accomplished to date and having been released digitally will be followed up by a vinyl version in the new year.This mixtape showcases his versatile approach to selection, spanning an array of styles and sounds.
Low-slung Polygon Window-esque acid from Tramic on Kulture Galeri’s Metropolitan Soul Museum round 2: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-tramic-lanterns-kulture-galerie/In a Tramic town, lanterns aglow, Kulture Galerie, where nonsense does flow. Dancing Tramic with lanterns in hand, In a whimsical world, oh, so grand.Pigs recite news, cows wear polka-dot, Lanterns paint rainbows, a peculiar lot. Kulture Galerie, a surreal decree, Where whimsy and folly dance merrily.Elephants strum guitars, as snails scribe verse, A tale of Tramic, lanterns, and whimsy diverse. In this fanciful land of peculiar spree, Kulture Galerie, a nonsense jubilee.
Polito are a group of musicians who have just released a new album called ‘Collapse Phase’. The record is self described as “a meeting of improvised contemporary dance and live improvised techno music, working together to create entrancing performance experiences”.Drawing upon a broad array of influences the music has a number of multifaceted touch points – Dub, Techno, IDM, House and the spaces in between are all explored through a unique approach driven by live improvisation and collaboration.Polito is a collaboration between musicians Robert Downie and Finnian Langham, and dancers Arabella Frahn-Starkie and Hillary Goldsmith.This mixtape showcases their diverse approach to sound design and helps to build a narrative around the group and what their music means.
The machines had been turned off. It had been many years since anyone had ventured into the old warehouse, there was only some slim hope that it might still even work. Once upon a time this place had been a paradise, a kingdom and a place in which revellers came to let loose and be free.This was back in the old days, back when the dance was all innocent and little did we know about what might lurk around the corner. The bans, the trouble, the crime, the chaos.Yet after all this time, the machinery was still here. The speakers, the towers, the noise. He wondered for a moment, dreamt even, whether they might still have the unction to function.DJ ojo is back with another release, following on from the well received outing on Blank Mind, things get deep and introspective on a new EP which features odd electronics and dusty, moody sounds.
Luke Hess remains one of the most innovative, underground producers and DJ’s out there. Not one to seek the limelight or the fame, his focus remains in the present what it has in the past. He is committed to spotlighting and showcasing deep, thoughtful, pensive Techno and its ability to transcend space and time.Representing Detroit, he weaves moody ambient textures throughout shuffling percussion and dusty drums to create an atmosphere which is as eerie as it is for the dancefloor. This mix reflects that.Over the years he has released material on the likes of HotMix Records, Echochord and Visionquest amongst many more. He remains spirited and committed to the music born and raised in Detroit and is a keen ambassador for Techno in the purest, truest sense of the word.
There was a strange feeling lingering in the air, an eerie sense of tension which hung thick and left a bitter taste in the mouth. Why would it be that there was so much stress? Where had this come from? Why now? What caused the pinch?He sighed as he wandered through the quiet city, it was dead, the people of the week had left town to return to their families leaving nothing but empty streets and still puddles.There were no sirens, no cars, ho beaming headlights. Yet still it was noisy where he was.Preference releases a new EP on Ayeland – a futuristic extravaganza which lends a nod to the early days of Bass music alongside the deconstructed improvisations of the genre which later followed suit.
He watched from the window, at the world passing by below. From the fourth floor he considered what his world might look like if he were to be one of them, busy and on the way to and fro. Perhaps they were going to work, some might meet friends, others were simply taking in the brisk air of an Autumn morning.Not him…Here in this room he simply looked on, a distant figure on the periphery of a world which was not his. For he needed to be here, to be away, to be alone.At least that’s what they said…Kepler delivers futuristic House cuts on X-Kalay. This track ‘Need’ is a wicked, grooving Dub infused track reminiscent of 90’s/ 00’s Berlin. Excellent, high brow material for the discerning dancer.
"Think of it as a double-sided cassette with earlier & more recent, from established & emerging, at least seemingly like-minded colleagues & friends."The award-winning, East Berlin-born, Potsdam-based, polyinstrumental composer duo Brueder Selke aka Sebastian Selke on the cello and his piano-wielding younger brother, Daniel Selke, are not your average siblings fighting over the TV remote.An open-minded start to the week, buckle up, hit play, and let the Selke brothers be your musical co-pilots through this week's adventure. Read the full interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/brueder-selke-the-monday-is-ok-mixtape/@bruederselke
Collaborating with a 16-voice choir Von Oswald delves into the interplay between the human voice and electronic synthesis.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-moritz-von-oswald-luminoso-tresor/In the realm of Moritz Van Oswald’s delight,Luminoso at Tresor, a surreal flight,Twinkling stars in the techno night,Where beats and dreams take their curious height.Electronic wizard, with a hat so tall,His tunes enchant, and the walls do crawl,Through the dancefloor, we heed the call,Luminoso’s magic, we surrender to all.In the land of nonsense, we find our way,Where melodies and rhythms start to sway,Moritz Van Oswald leads the play,In Luminoso’s world, we’ll forever stay. Moritz von Oswald’s album “Silencio” due out on Tresor Records, November 10th, 2023, is an exploration of the differences and similarities between human and artificial sound.Collaborating with a 16-voice choir he delves into the space between these sounds, drawing inspiration from composers like Edgard Varèse, György Ligeti, and Iannis Xenakis. Combining elements of repetition and reduction, reminiscent of techno and minimalism it showcases the interplay between the human voice and electronic synthesis.The compositions for “Silencio” were created using classic synthesizers in von Oswald’s Berlin studio and then transcribed for the choir by Finnish composer Jarkko Riihimäki.Out Nov 10. Listen below and pre-order here:@tresorberlin
Next up on Paradise Palms Records, two remixes of Ukrainian artist ID_UA’s “Dyakui”.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-id_ua-dyakui-fausto-remix-paradise-palms/ID_UA and Dyakui, in a wild parade, Fausto’s Remix, where dreams cascade, On Paradise Palms, the music’s crusade, A nonsensical groove, our senses persuade.Dancing through the night, in a cosmic trance, ID_UA’s beats make our bodies dance, Fausto’s remix takes a chance, With electronic rhythms, we all enhance.In this surreal world, we’ll forever dwell, In a realm of sound where time can’t quell, ID_UA and Fausto, the stories they tell, On Paradise Palms, our spirits swell. Next up on Paradise Palms Records, two remixes of Ukrainian artist ID_UA’s “Dyakui”. We’re premiering Los Mochis’s Fausto who’s had releases on Turbo Recording and Tom Tom Disco.Swirling, distorted synth lines give way to innocent melodies bringing it out into the light.Out Nov 10. Listen below and pre-order here:https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-id_ua-dyakui-fausto-remix-paradise-palms/
Synth-heavy, breakbeat banger from Kristy Harper on Ten Eight Seven: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-kristy-harper-u-silver-bear-recordings/Kristy Harper – U Ten Eight Seven,In a land where llamas danced in heaven,With disco unicorns and leprechauns aplenty,Grooving to beats that made them feel so trendy.The music was magic, the rhythm so sweet,As they moved their hooves and tapped their feet,Kristy’s premiere was a wild, wacky ride,With a mix of tunes that no one could hide.So grab your shades and put on your vest,Join the llama dance, be their special guest,In the world of U, where fun never ends,With Kristy Harper, our musical friends! Listen below and pre-order here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-kristy-harper-u-silver-bear-recordings/@silver-bear-recordings @kristyharper
"An overview of recent productions and remixes of mine interspersed with some offbeat inspirations from fellow producers."Read the full interview here:https://www.theransomnote.com/music/thomas-fehlmann-the-umdrehen-ransom-note-mix/@thomasfehlmann
This series has seen us team up with Pirate Studios to spotlight artists and challenge them to a quick fire mix showcasing as many blends, transitions, tips and tricks as possible in a short time. Next up is ELLES, a familiar face in the London underground music scene who has released music on the likes of Naive and Love On The Rocks. A wicked DJ and a talented producer, she is set to release new music and has just launched her own new label, Emotional Intel.Her music sits precariously placed between a number of styles and genres, yet cannot necessarily be pigeon holed. At times it's dark and pensive, at others it's light and euphoric. It's all mood based and as reflective as much of ELLES own character and emotion as it is in an attempt to be one thing or another. This mix and interview was recorded at Pirate Studios in Dalston and showcases a playful, versatile approach to DJ'ing - something which ELLES is keen to cement in the idea that the role of a DJ is to soundtrack a moment or experience in time. The dancefloor is the place to let loose and this mix celebrates that.
@prettymuchtribe @koneliunasElephants tango, and flamingos break free, Underneath a disco ball on a mushroom tree.Momoko and Koneliūnas, a curious pair, In a realm where the animals dance without a care. Their track “Fauna (Original Mix)” in the air, On “Pretty Much Records,” an atmosphere rare:https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-momoko-koneliunas-fauna-original-mix-pretty-much-records/
“I am a mildly confused individual not trying to fake like he knows what is going on, with relatively mild existential qualms, a dabbler, an aspiring jack-of-all-trades:This week's mixtape for a Monday has been put together by Mr Patrick Larkin:https://www.theransomnote.com/music/p-larkin-the-monday-is-ok-mixtape/
Operating under a number of guises @Jan-Shulte has made some of the most exciting and interesting music of the past ten years…As Jan Schulte he has compiled compilations and material for the likes of Safe Trip and Music for Dreams whilst as Wolf Müller he has appeared on Themes For Great Cities, International Feel and Growing Bin.As Bufiman he has released on the likes of Dekmantel and Warning and now on the ever-excellent @Comeme with the ace Switch Beats EP.His output is wild and far-reaching, his passion for music unrivalled and it’s a pleasure to have him in his Bufiman guise deliver this week’s Ransom Note mix.Listen and read the interview here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/bufiman-the-ransom-note-mix/
Laid-back, late-night "AfreakA" featuring the vocals of Giara.Read in full here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-cristian-croce-feat-giara-afreaka-ruvido-records/
“A mixtape of unreleased music and a few collaborations with friends which I thought would be a perfect mix for a Monday listen.”KMRU, also known as Joseph Kamaru, is a sound artist originally from Nairobi and currently based in Berlin. He explores sound to convey various interpretations in his work, drawing from his listening experiences in Nairobi and beyond and grounded in the discourse of field recording, noise, and sound art.Working under the guidance of Jasmine Guffund at Berlin’s Universität der Künste (better known as UDK), KMRU looked at waveforms and embarked on a process where he would “write scores from the shapes, gradually turning the scores into raw synth sounds.” Kamaru’s ambient-experimental music has taken him to the Barbican, Berlin Atonal, Présencesélectronique, and seen releases on Editions Mego, Subtext, Seil Records.His new LP ‘Dissolution Grip,’ released on his OFNOT imprint, marks a shift in his approach, blending field recordings with synthesized sounds, hinting at his evolving musical direction.With all that in mind, we thought we’d ask Kamaru to put us together this week’s mixtape for a Monday… let’s get stuck in.@kamarujoseph
Be it known that Matthew Herbert and Robag Wruhme have broken the internet for the longest-track title ever.Matthew Herbert, oh so absurd,With the London Contemporary Orchestra he stirred,“The Rider (Not The Horse)” he penned,Robag Wruhme, a name to comprehend.Their music, a whimsical, wild discourse,Intricacies galore, an imaginative force,A symphony of chaos, a cacophonous spree,In this sonic adventure, there’s no guarantee.Notes and beats, a rollercoaster ride,In this surreal composition, they confide,A musical journey with no remorse,Matthew Herbert and Robag Wruhme, of course!@accidentalrecords-1 @matthew-herbert-official @robag_fm
The evening was hot as the cars whizzed by quickly on the boulevard – the last of the sun worshippers could be seen bathing on the sand. In the distance the sky was a faint glowing pink, the light was thin. Headlights flickered and flashed as cars whizzed up and down the stretch by the seafront, tall buildings were like dark shadows overlooking it all from behind.Occasionally there was a shout or a scream from one of the neighbourhood bars or bodegas, people had gathered in the warmth of the evening to take in the dying embers of the summer. It was sticky and humid out though, so they sat beneath fans sipping cold drinks to keep cool.He sat waiting by the side of the road for his ride. It had been a bittersweet day – long and hot. Then, like a blazing hurricane whizzed past his ride, window down his girl shouted to him from the passenger side. He smiled with a wink.‘Hola Papi…’ she screamed.Hugo Mari is set to release a new single, a sun kissed house track with a deep groove and sexy sensibilities. This one is for the hot and humid dancefloors – wherever they might be found.
The mountain was calling out to them from up above, it were as if the peaks themselves were demanding that they be climbed and conquered so as there may be no stone left unturned by man. The clouds hovered thick around each pointed top, in the distance they watched as eagles soared high. It was easy for them, without such fear of falling.The morning air was cold and brisk as they watched from the riverbank beneath, it seemed an awfully long way up and a very far way to go. Was it worth the risk? To who would their effort be worth?Soon they would pack up and depart, taking with them all that they could carry. For it was right to leave no trace and heaven forbid they upset the whimsical power of the mountain to crush them beneath its might and weight at any time.Gem Wallow is set to release a new EP on Barcelona based record label Playground . The record features a fun assortment of downtempo tracks with a pensive slow moving ambience which is almost ritualistic. It's rounded off by remixes from Simple Symnetry and Francis Inferno Orchestra.
The weekends were getting longer, it were as if they party had gone on for far too long. It had never meant to be like this, the lack of sleep was becoming stark.Back at the beginning people had used to as if you were 'up to much?' Now it was a case of being up too much.There was only so long that the madness could continue - only so long before the cracks began to show. Was it all a little bit far fetched for what it was worth?You bet...Andy Bainbridge is set to release a new EP on Not An Animal - a pumping original paired with two futuristic club expansions which take the record further beyond.
There wasn’t anywhere else like it, no place in earth could evoke the same feelings of wild desire, freedom and magic. As the sunlight began to fade over the campsite, they sat in the foothills of the tall mountain which would watch over them through the night and keep them safe.The air here was clean and warm, a soft breeze was the only thing to unsettle the branches of the trees which lined their enclave in the forest. A fire burnt in the middle of the clearing.In the distance they could hear the sound of the birds soaring upon the evening wind.Electric Shapes are set to release a new EP from HOS – a deep, pensive, percussive listen built for dark rooms and private moments.
This was the message they had to hear. This was not a case of rhyme or reason. There was to be no debate, no further instruction or guidance. This was the truth, the message from above, a meaning from a greater place beyond.This was the prophecy.As it beckoned and echoed in the streets, as it reverberated and shook the walls, as it echoed and crackled against the very foundations of a society not built for all but built for one.This was the prophecy, power to the people.Serenda is set to release a wicked EP on Josh Caffe’s record label Love Child. This one goes hard, banging the drum with punchy synths and spoken words set to ignite, empower and tear the dancefloor to bits.
In the first of a new series we invite Jacana People to take to the decks for a special hotmix, showcasing as many tracks and tricks as they can inside ten'ish minutes. Recorded live at Pirate Studios in Dalston - this mix powers speedily through House, Breaks and beyond. Jacana People are a duo with a penchant for creating delicately crafted Electronica with melodic undertones. The pair have risen to prominence following a string of releases with have gathered wide support and demonstrate a knowledge and expertise well beyond their years in respect of sound design. The pair begun working together in the studio and have since evolved into DJ'ing thereafter. This mix spotlights some of their creative influences and tastes in a short space of time.
To come ‘Full Circle’ is to travel the path and arrive back at the point you think you left from.Full Circle, also known as Alexis Le-Tan (Wonders Ovze World) and Joakim (Tigersushi, Crowdspacer), a long term project with close friends Le-Tan and Joakim music project and “concept band born from loving ears that want to re-process our electronic past.”They’ve delivered some amazing edits of obscure Goa tracks and remixed the likes of Die Orangen, 10Lec6, and Tapan and released on Good Morning Tapes and Vladimir Ivkovic’s Offen.“To complete a journey is to learn and to slow down and re-imagine is to enrich – Full Circle hears the hedonistic sound of the 90’s in a light that reflects a different space for our current time and beyond. Always bridging the gap between the past and present: they are and continue to go Full Circle.” You got that? Good… then let’s get our ears round their first recorded mix action and dig into their minds a bit more.Listen and read the interview below:https://www.theransomnote.com/music/shine-a-light-on-mix-full-circle-alexis-le-tan-joakim/@alexisletan @joakimbouaziz
Announcing their debut for Insult To Injury Records, Manchester based newcomer, Lapalace, has furnished the good ship ITI with three ambitious, epic cuts of divergent dance destroyers that touch on Ambient, Jungle and everything in between! Lily Mumby, the creative brain box behind the project, has a no limits approach to her sound palette, with a range of inspiration from William Basinski, to Autechre and Lorn. Backed up by a break-tastic remix from the mighty Thugwidow, Lapalace’s Ephemera EP is a tour de force debut that will have disc jockeys rejoicing, the world over.Titular piece Ephemera kicks things off with a trademark Lapalace soundscape, blending both field recordings from the natural world and synthesised sounds, all mixed with a touch of nostalgic 90s keyboard work. The climatic drop manages to be both beautiful and aggressively caustic simultaneously, as hazy, evocative chords meet a thoroughly pugnacious drum breakbeat!Tired Eyes slows the pace a little, immersing the listener in an audio bath of retro, cavernous strings that create a celestial soundscape of truly divine proportions. Constance continues on the downtempo tip, fading into view with its arpeggios darting up and down, underpinned by a frightfully hefty bass line. This tranquil beginning transpires to be a red herring, however, as the drums kick in hallway through and transform the ambience into a full throttle, no nonsense, breakbeat behemoth!ITI Records are very excited to have Thugwidow on remix duties, as we’ve been a fan of his music for some time. He does’t disappoint here either, as he ‘breaks’ Ephemera into tiny pieces and rebuilds it in his own image. Make no mistake, this is a dance floor demolisher of the highest pedigree!As the name suggests, the original mix of Ephemera is a rather brief affair, so Lapalace has worked their magic and concocted an Extended 12” Mix for all you lovely club DJ’s. Taking the elements from the original and adding a few extra, this lengthier version lets the music breathe, taking it’s time as it effortlessly glides along, before slapping us around the chops with that final break. To which we can only say, Amen Brother!
21 years on from its original release - and after years of being out of print - The Bees' Mercury Music Prize nominated debut LP "Sunshine Hit Me" is getting a re-release and a remaster. Drawing from various musical spheres including Jamaican roots and Brazilian Tropicalia it was a timeless mixtape that echoed the 1960s and 1970s.Released originally by Wall of Sound's sublabel We Love You in 2002, the album was recorded and produced in a home garden studio - aka The Shed - on the Isle of Wight. This reissue includes with six bonus tracks, including the unreleased "Seeds."Read the interview in full here: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/the-bees-the-monday-is-ok-mix/@the-bees-official
There were a number of memories of which he felt to be missing, one day he hoped that they might return. There were faces and shadows which he could not recall, places he was sure he had been but could not place and moments in time he was not sure had been his.He wanted to believe and know them all, as if he'd known them to be true and real all along. He wanted to feel the way in which they'd felt - that rush of whimsical nostalgic energy which left him longing to go back.It seemed as though it was at the very edge of his fingertips - just out of reach. Out there in the great beyond.Perhaps he was pure lost...Helium Robots return with new music - a welcome treat. Following previous outings on the likes of Dissident and Running Back they now steady their sights on a new record on Unsure.
Alan Strani, in a tux so fancy, Danced the Apocalypso, feeling so chancy…With I:Cube Remix, the rhythm did enhance, see,In Bordello A Parigi, where dreams run free.He twirled and he swirled, his moves so bizarre, Apocalypso madness, like a shooting star, I:Cube’s beats, like a wild electric guitar, In Bordello A Parigi, where no rules are.The night went on, a surreal cabaret, Alan Strani’s dance, a wild display, Apocalypso and I:Cube’s sway, In Bordello A Parigi, where we all stray. Alan Strani returns to Bordello with a remix package of his album title track ‘Apocalypso’ featuring I:Cube – which we’re premiering here + Lauer, In Flagranti and himself on remix duties.@bordelloaparigi
Birmingham-based artist Emily Jones, also known as Echo Juliet, releases her debut mini-album “Abandon Reality” on October 27th through her label, Invisible IDs.________________________________________________________________________Invisible IDs, a mystery to decode, Echo Juliet, with a Red Sun she rode, Through the cosmos, where the music flowed, A whimsical journey, down a creative road.Invisible IDs, their secrets well-kept, Echo Juliet, never ceased to be adept, With beats and rhythms, she happily leapt, In a world of sound, where dreams were swept.Red Sun painted skies in hues so bold, Echo Juliet’s melodies, a story to be told, Invisible IDs’ magic, a treasure to behold, A surreal symphony, in this tale of old.____________________________________________________________________________________ Raised in Essex, Jones she transitioned from her classical training into the world of the electronic. A journey, marked by self-doubt, led her to DJing and music production. “Abandon Reality” reflects her escape from societal issues, with tracks like “Red Sun” inspired by her childhood and concerns about climate change.@echoojuliet @invisible-ids
Next up is a DJ with truly unique and innovative music taste – this mix is a testament to that fact demonstrating a broad array of interests and perspectives.This one is not a traditional presentation of ‘club music’ (whatever that means) by any stretch. What it is is a journey through deep, pensive, haunting, stranger sounds. It’s kaleidoscopic in its approach, tapping in to a mood as much as anything else.The tracklist which was sent and accompanies the selection is incredibly far reaching and demonstrates a vast wealth of knowledge as dj peanut soundtracks nearly two hours of music.Originally from Glasgow but presently based in London dj peanut has cut her teeth in both cities, establishing connections through parties and friends.This is exactly what the ‘shine a light on’ series has always been a representation of – showcasing those unique dj’s who really don’t give a f*ck and continue to focus on pushing things forward and doing their own thing.
Lunatic Music’s second release is the debut from London-based Tokyo-born producer DJ Himitsu ( @user-796730172 ) DJ Himitsu played a tune so absurd,“Acid Three” on repeat, oh my word!Lunatic Music took us on a ride,Beats and rhythms dancing side by side.The moon joined in with a laugh so bright,Stars grooved along, oh what a sight!Himitsu scratched vinyl in the cosmic sea,A nonsensical jam for you and me. We’re premiering the percussive acid of “Three Acid,”. The EP also features a remix from Dexter Gregg under his Solid State guise.@kevandmick
https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-vell-floating-mists-warm-vistas/Bangkok-based artist @musicvell releases debut EP “Floating Mists, Warm Vistas,” on the @boiledwonderlandrecords banner.In a vell of floating mists so fine, Warm vistas danced in a twisty line. Boiled Wonderland records played a tune, Singing a song to the glowing moon.Mists giggled and twirled with glee, Vistas whispered secrets to the sea. Boiled Wonderland laughed along, Records skipped, oh what a song!Through the vell, a whimsical flight, Floating dreams took their height. Warm vistas hugged the sky so tight, Boiled Wonderland spun day to night.Records danced on the starry floor, A nonsense rhyme forevermore. In this world where imagination exists, Vell, vistas, records – a dreamer’s tryst! An expansive sonic journey of an EP, we’re premiering the title track; “Floating Mists, Warm Vistas,” packed full of skipping drum breaks, rolling basslines and bubbling synths.The full EP’s out on September 22nd, 2023.
Mélopée Records unveil “Presente Ausente,” an Italo/Dark Disco collaboration by Silicodisco & Alex Aguayo.Silicodisco and Alex Aguayo,Danced in a Cabina A Marte glow.With beats so wild in the Original Mix,They joined the party in a rhythmic fix.Melopee Records set the scene,Where grooves and melodies careened.In a world of sounds so sweet and neat,They danced to the rhythm of the street.So let the Silicodisco lights ignite,With Alex Aguayo, a musical flight.Cabina A Marte, they ventured afar,In the Melopee realm, where wonders are. Mélopée Records unveil “Presente Ausente,” an Italo/Dark Disco collaboration by Silicodisco & Alex Aguayo. The EP features two originals and re-versions by Armonics’ and Marching Machines’.We’re premiering the original of Cabina A Marte.
https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-rampue-inside-a-tribe-called-kotori/In the realm of Rampue, where unicorns prance,Lies a tribe so wild, it's like a mad dance,"Inside [A Tribe Called Kotori]" they chant,In a bubblebath trance, they love to enhance.With feathered hats and shoes that squeak,They slide on rainbows, oh so unique,In a bubbly river, they giggle and speak,Their nonsense language, oh so chic.Rampue's skies are made of lemonade,Marshmallow clouds provide the shade,In a bubblebath trance, they wade,Laughing at pineapples in a serenade.Squirrels play trumpets, birds play the drums,As they dance with pineapples, their silliness hums,The moon joins in, doing twirls and sums,All lost in the trance, where absurdity strums.So if you're looking for a whimsical chance,To escape reality and join in the dance,Find Rampue's tribe in their bubblebath trance,With Kotori's spirit, let your nonsense advance!Rampue's Bubblebath Trance is the A Tribe Called Kotori label's first foray into long players. Venturing into extended musical narratives they invite Berlin-based producer Rampue who examines electronica, abstraction, and "Balearic-infused progressive-house" no less. Rich textures and intricacies form a "lushly textured promenade in sound."We're premiering Inside.
Earlier this month Public Possession teased the upcoming release of a second album from Nice Girl - a producer with whom they have worked closely in recent years and supported through the release of records.Taking the jump and releasing albums as an artist is no small feat - it's a leap of faith and one which demonstrates ambition and drive towards a musical future.Public Possession is the perfect home for the record, playful music deserves a playful home.Ahead of the release we asked Nice Girl to deliver a mix which reflects her present headspace and drive as an artist. The result is a wild ride which demonstrates her prowess as a DJ as much as it does anything else. We reckon that you'll enjoy this one, we certainly did.
There was a deep rumble - the sound of machines. It was what inspired him - the loud noises and the reverberating echo of progress as the noise grew and grew in a great harmonious cacophony.Some said that one day machines would rule us all, little did they know about the wild ambition of mad scientists and anarchists who would use them to unleash unruly madness.However, the machines could be just as peaceful if they were allowed to be. Just because something roars does not mean that it has to bite.Forthcoming on Compost Records, a compilation which spotlights and showcases the best of a newish generation of krautrock featuring producers and musicians such as I:Cube, Fred und Luna, Abrão and many more. This track from Halwa takes our pick of the bunch.https://compostrecords.bandcamp.com/album/future-sounds-of-kraut-vol-1-compiled-by-fred-und-luna
Diving into the depths, @martin-noise, the Argentine DJ/Producer now based in Barcelona, intricately weaves introspective downtempo to pulsating rhythms influenced by new wave and the "primal energy of the jungle". As a co-founder of Playground Records - a DJ collective from Buenos Aires - he's transitioned from playing in rock and punk bands and now holds down residences at La Terrrazza, Razzmatazz and Freedonia.Read the full interview on the link above: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/martin-noise-the-shine-a-light-on-mix/
Featuring Kenyan producer KMRU, the lead single taken from a new EP explores dreamlike states and the blurred lines between reality and the subconscious.https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premiere-bolt-ruin-skevr-ft-kmru-infinite-machine/BOLT RUIN’s beats start to swoon.“Skevr” they cry, a magical tune,With KMRU’s touch, it’ll make you croon.Infinite Machine, the stage is set,A premiere that you won’t forget.Groovy rhythms, a sonic bet,Dancing souls, the night they’ll get.BOLT RUIN and KMRU unite,In a sound journey, taking flight.Through the stars and endless night,Their music guides with pure delight.So gather ’round and let’s begin,With beats and melodies that spin.A nonsense rhyme, let’s dive in,To the world where their music’s akin.Belgian producer BOLT RUIN releases his EP “False Awakening Loops” on September 22, 2023. The EP, his second on the Infinite Machine label, delves into his experiences with parasomnia, crafting an unsettling ambient soundscape.We’re premiering the lead single “Skevr” featuring Kenyan producer KMRU, the EP exploring dreamlike states and the blurred lines between reality and the subconscious. Blending cinematic soundscapes, distorted field recordings, and industrial rhythms the release will be available on cassette, Bandcamp, and digital platforms.
Ploy makes mad music – a lot of his music sounds mad. It shouldn’t necessarily make sense but it does.The term discombobulated comes to mind at times but in the very best way. No, seriously we mean that as a compliment.For many years Ploy has been one of the most interesting producers in underground Electronic music having released records with the likes of Hessle Audio, Hemlock, Timedance and L.I.E.S.No two have sounded the same and each of them have drawn upon a musical influence or five as Ploy attempts to piece together his own flavour of dance. As an artist he has continued to evolve – creating his own world in which to release the music that feels right to him.Ploy’s own record label, Deaf Test, has been integral in the evolution of his sound. Acting as a platform in which to experiment and explore new sounds and concepts.One challenge of his career thus far has been working out a way to connect the dots between his own musical tastes, productions and outlook towards club culture. However, as of late his focus has been rooted in the wonkier undercurrents of UK Bass music and its intersection with Tech House. A new record on Timedance forthcoming cements this idea.We invited Ploy to record a mix and the result… Well, you are in for a treat as we gain an insight into some of the music which makes Ploy tick on the dancefloor.
In a world in which there is so much music it can be difficult to know whose perspective and opinion to trust. Often those with the most public profile and reputation receive the most recognition. However, behind the scenes there is a whole array of folk who picked them and so on and so forth…Villella has been involved in the underground music sphere for many years – as a leading curator behind Truants and as a DJ in his own right. Having been exposed to a broad array of sounds and styles across well over ten years in Dance music it is interesting to see what has stuck not only in the mind but in the record collection of a DJ who has seen a hell of a lot come and go. This mix has been a little while coming – something Villella apologised for upon delivery. However, all things considered, we were glad for his respective patience as the result is well worth the wait.This mixtape features two hours of music spanning an eclectic array of sounds. It’s a real mix from start to end – a journey through sound done proper which really feels considered and put together in a way which few DJ’s tend to these days.
The flickering, the flashing of the lights. They disorientated everything and left little to the imagination to grasp onto in this realm. Where were they? How had they got here? It were as if the world had no clear shape…In the dark corners of the room everything was fluid, no beginning and no end. For all they knew they were in some limitless multiverse no longer bound by time or the rigid constructs which had held them all back.The music played more loudly as they progressed further and further into the depths of the experience. It was hard to imagine that they might ever find a way back now.Perhaps it was all for the best…Kassian are on an absolute roll. Big release after big release the duo seem to have a perfect understanding of what works best in the clubs at present. Next upon on Faux Poly comes a collection of remixes from friends who have been invited to reimagine their material. The track we have picked to feature is an energetic, frenetic cut which bounces and swings with palpable tension, a remix from Gina Breeze.
It's always interesting to learn about the musical insight and influences of a radio host or dj who doesn't travel the road most followed. Thea HD, has for many years, worked behind the scenes, drawing inspiration from music in the widest sense. A regular radio show on NTS has offered Thea an opportunity to showcase a variety of interests and perspectives on sound - fusing the likes of Soul, Folk, Ambient, Jazz and everything in between into a listening experience which somehow makes sense, cementing a musical identity and a story. This year also marked the launch of a new label - a side project designed to offer a new outlet for musical expression. Thea emailed us earlier this summer to tell us about Odda Recordings - an imprint described as being focussed on "design, landscape and unearthing new sounds".With this in mind we weren't sure what to expect from this mixtape. However, what has arrived is pleasantly delightful and perhaps represents the very best of a music collection and a personal journey which feels well rounded and whole. There are delicate Ambient textures, percussive grooves and deep, whimsical sounds which make for a perfect atmospheric midweek listen.
In the land of @ParadisePalms, where nonsense reigned supreme, a soul named @GeorgeT embarked on a peculiar escapade. While frolicking among the fronds, he chanced upon a crumpled love letter. Its ink, a rainbow of hues, danced across the page like butterflies dance across the sky. It professed adoration for a walrus named Wanda, with promises of whisker-filled wonders. And oh, the audacity! A desire to pirouette with a kangaroo named Kip, bouncing through bountiful meadows. Bewildered, George T scratched his head, wondering if sanity had escaped the palm trees.He embarked on a quest, scouring the paradise for these whimsical creatures. Alas, Wanda's tusks were tucked away, and Kip hopped into hiding. But fear not, for George T discovered a truth profound. The love letter, a playful ploy, was but a lark in rhyme, a whimsical trickster's jest. With a chuckle and a nod, George T bid adieu to the palm-filled paradise, leaving behind the absurdity and the love letter's charm.Edinburgh-based producer George T releases his latest single, "Love Letter," through Paradise Palms Records.A fusion of left-field and dub influences George's music blurs the lines between the electronic and the experimental.Out shortly through Paradise Palms Records - pre-order here.
babyschön is the musical moniker of Safi Bugel. Based in London, having spent a spell in Leeds and moving to the big smoke, she has built a reputation for her eclectic taste and approach to music.She’s also worked tirelessly as a journalist in a number of guises – helping to document grassroots musical communities and uplifting creatives with astute commentary and deep understanding.From a musical perspective – her interests are broad taking on influences from Post Punk, Synthwave, EBM, Italo, New Wave and beyond.Radio has always been an important influence on Safi’s musical trajectory as well. She’s hosted shows on community-led stations NARR (which she co-founded) and Sable Radio.Now she focusses her attention toward DJ’ing more firmly. This mix cements that intent and we believe you’ll be seeing a lot more of babyschön in the coming spell.
Berlin can be a little crowded – that’s why it’s always exciting to see a DJ move through the ranks and cement their place amidst the melting pot.ābnamā has been building a reputation – playing at parties around the city, some well known and others for those in the know.Appearances at the likes of Buttons, Cocktail d’Amore and Body Language have helped to cement an identity as a fierce, fast paced selector with a unique style. It was at Body Language that this mix was recorded, a wild two hours of vinyl only madness which we can only imagine blew the roof off.ābnamā is also involved in the running of queer party DUMP and formerly Climax. Originally from Tehran and now based in the German capital – we anticipate that you might be seeing a lot more from ābnamā over the coming years and judging by this mixtape… if you do you better dress to sweat.
In the realm of extraordinary lives, there existed a person named Elysia. Blessed with an inexplicable longevity, Elysia defied the boundaries of time, living for nine centuries. Yet as the years marched on, an insidious anxiety crept into their soul. Witnessing the cyclical nature of existence, the rise and fall of civilizations, and the inevitability of loss weighed heavily on Elysia's heart. The burden of accumulated memories grew overwhelming, eclipsing the joy of longevity. With each passing day, Elysia longed for the simplicity of mortal existence, where moments were fleeting but cherished. Their extraordinary longevity proved to be a paradox, a testament that even immortality cannot shield one from the ravages of anxiety.Maps (aka James Chapman) has worked his magic on ‘Methuselah’, the latest single from the Liverpool trio Seagoth. Chapman, who records for legendary imprint Mute, has delivered a stunning and emotional remix of the original New Age-inflected indie-rock track. Layers of euphoric synths are set alongside epic drums, while snatches of Georgia Ochoa's powerful vocal sing out as the track builds and builds into a resolutely optimistic and melancholic electronic symphony that fans of Maps will know and love."I am a big fan of Seagoth so I was delighted to be asked to remix 'Methuselah',” says James. “It is a beautifully melodic and mysterious track, and I was instantly drawn to how the original song felt like a constant 'push', until the uplifting resolution in the outro. I took this as inspiration for where I went with my remix. I wanted to keep this sense of a journey, which then resolves into a huge and uplifting feeling of joy. Georgia's vocals are so deeply emotional and enigmatic, and they really are the heart of the remix. I really enjoyed working on this!"The Maps remix is available digitally in all the usual places, including Bytes Bandcamp
Prague based ambient-electronic artist dné recently released his second album, Basic Living, via Platoon. The album delved into what is the essence of embracing the simplicity of life, exploring the ups and downs of dating, the experience of living with chronic health conditions, and the peculiar world of capturing café plants for social media.Basic Living stood in stark contrast to art centred around the world’s end, climate anxiety or political discourse, opting instead to depict the often overlooked aspects of our everyday existence.Holý, the creative force behind dné, talks of his desire for disabled individuals to be portrayed as complex individuals with rich emotions, rather than solely focusing on their ability to overcome obstacles. Sonically, Basic Living exhibits a more vibrant and diverse palette compared to dné’s debut album, blending field recordings, lo-fi aesthetics, ethereal synth pads, classical instruments, and traces of Midwest emo-inspired guitars. An experimental playground for dné of sample manipulation, arpeggiated melodies, pop vocals and pure guitar tracks, Basic Living arrived seven years after his award-winning debut album, solidifying Holý’s growth as a composer for film and TV series.We asked Holy to set our Monday straight… INTERVIEW HERE: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/mixes/dne-the-monday-is-ok-mix/TRACKLIST HERE: tracklistRichard Strauss – Zwei Gesänge, Op. 34, 1Oliver Coates – Caregiver Pt. 4 (Spirit)Richard Wagner – Tristan und Isolde (Prelude to Act III)Paul Desmond – SoonMaurice Ravel – Rhapsodie Espagnole (Prelude a la Nuit)Gustaf Ljunngren & Skúli Sverisson – Vi OverleverMaria w Horn – Fall of O’DeaMiles Davis Quintet – It Never Entered My MindAlva Noto – Xerrox KirlianModest Mussorgsky – Il Vecchio CastelloBranko Mataja – Sreo Sam TeArvo Pärt – SummaJohn Coltrane & Johnny Hartman – Lush LifeTidiane Thiam – MinuitDaniel Lanois – My First LoveBoxhead Ensemble – Homage To The Tren BrothersColin Vallon – Sisyphe
Justin Robertson’s new Deadstock 33s EP takes in dub to motorik chuggers via the dark basement club. We’re premiering the lead skank of Sticky Web of Happy Spiders.Deep in the heart of the forest, Justin Robertson’s record played a mysterious melody that echoed through the ancient trees. The Deadstock 33 beat was magical vibration coursed through the forest floor, summoning a swarm of happy spiders. These mystical arachnids weaved a glistening sticky web, spun with strands of pure joy. As the music intensified, the spiders danced on the strands, their tiny bodies pulsating with rhythm. The web stretched higher and higher, forming a bridge that led to a hidden realm. Curious adventurers crossed the bridge, stepping into a world where dreams came alive and music held the power to unlock unimaginable wonders.Justin Robertson’s new Deadstock 33s EP takes in dub to motorik chuggers via the dark basement club. We’re premiering the lead skank of Sticky Web of Happy Spiders.
The room was dark as they entered cautiously – it had been so very long since someone had entered the space, let alone someone like him. It were as if the shadows of long lost dancers were still swaying back and forth beneath the disco ball which shimmered up above. There was dust everywhere, murky corners that had been untouched for decades. \He wondered whether the music might still even work in a place like this? Would it sound the same?Who still danced these days anyways? As he approached the booth at the forefront of the hall he began to tickle with excitement at the thought of it all. The lights, the people, the music, the past. It was time to breathe again…Jun Kamoda has worked hard, releasing music which has since gone on to be supported and played by the likes of Ben UFO, Eclair Fifi and Tim Sweeney to name a few. His music is raw in places, capturing the true energy and origins of House music in a unique way. This latest EP is perhaps his most accomplished to date…
The lights were but a blur from the window as they roared down the M1 in the pissing rain. Horns blared and the occasional squeal of brakes was all that could be heard over the pounding from the car stereo. Everything inside the motor was banging and rumbling beneath the strain as they drove onwards into the darkness as fast as they could.They'd probably never get away with it - at least they'd tried. What was it? A stolen motor careering up the highway in the dead of night on a Tuesday? Of course it was, a Ford Escort to say the least, hitting 145 with the most brutal pedal to the metal in the glow of the orange floodlights.In the distance they could hear the sirens coming, it would all be over soon, up in flames in the back end of nowhere as they ran into the darkness.Papa Nugs is set to self release a new EP which can only be described as being 'no holds barred'. We are talking hair raising dancefloor pumpers reminiscent of old Techno raves, Dance Mania bangers and all of that other good stuff which happened in between.
First single Que Quiere Usted from @bawrut 's new EP RAQS is streaming here with mesmerising clap patterns augmented by Bawrut’s trademark sparse, bouncy, synth lines.https://ransom-note-records.lnk.to/RaqsEPDeep in the realm of Elador, an ancient tome lay hidden within the Whispering Forest. Legends spoke of its power to unlock forbidden secrets. The brave sorcerer, Bawrut, embarked on a treacherous quest to find it. Guided by ethereal whispers, he deciphered the cryptic runes and uttered the incantation, “Que Quiere Usted ,Ransom Note.” In a blinding flash, the book materialised before him. Its pages whispered forgotten spells, offering unimaginable power. Bawrut’s heart raced with anticipation as he absorbed its knowledge. With newfound mastery, he weaved spells that wove tapestries of light and shadow, forever changing the fate of Elador.The mighty Bawrut returns to @RansomNoteRecords with his incredible new record, Raqs EP. The follow-up to his debut album, In The Middle, our Man In Madrid discharges four weapons-grade club monsters.“Raqs means dance or dancing in Arabic. The need for dance in our society and its act of liberation is the focus of this new EP, where I explore a beloved place like the Mediterranean sea, mixing Arabic voices and Latin American rhythms, stabs, trance and flamenco.”First single Que Quiere Usted is streaming here, entering the fray with mesmerising clap patterns that grow and evolve throughout the track, augmented by Bawrut’s trademark sparse, bouncy, synth lines.
On Versions, Queralt and Smith’s four tracks have been reimagined by Nandele, Flug 8, GLOK (Steve’s RIDE bandmate Andy Bell) and Nina Walsh, kindred spirits and treasured members of the extended Bytes/Ransom Note family.And so I walk along the beach, turning my back on a world that’s stopped making sense, and the feeling that maybe sense is the first thing to go; before our civilisation falls, it will stumble through a long delirium, like an old man with Alzheimer’s, before it finally grinds to a halt … I’m trying to turn my back on all that, before me the great unknown, the poetry of the magnificent blue distance … to gaze out at the blue and open myself up to that which is beyond us, to let the blue beyond wash all that away like pebbles in its foam …Bytes is proud to announce Sun Moon Town Versions, a companion piece to last year’s EP, on which Steve Queralt, bass player of pioneering shoegazers RIDE, joined forces with the writer and film-maker MIchael Smith for a stunning four-track EP featuring Steve’s music and Michael’s spoken-word musings. On Versions, the four tracks have been reimagined by Nandele, Flug 8, GLOK (Steve’s RIDE bandmate Andy Bell) and Nina Walsh, kindred spirits and treasured members of the extended Bytes/Ransom Note family.Premiering here is the GLOK remix, continuing Andy’s hot streak under his electronic alter-ego, which has seen him deliver stunning remixes for Dot Allison, Maps and A Place to Bury Strangers. For his rework of ‘Chaldean Oracle’, Andy eschews Michael’s vocal almost entirely, transforming the track into a Detroit dub-techno monster that has echoes of Bandulu and Carl Craig in its shimmering melodies, eerie distortion and pounding drums.As well as these four new remixes, due to popular demand the release also features instrumental versions of the original tracks, with fans keen to hear Steve’s exceptional electronic soundscapes in isolation. It’s out on July 21, available digitally and a limited edition cassette, only available from Bytes Bandcamp.More Info: https://www.theransomnote.com/music/premieres/premiere-steve-queralt-michael-smith-chaldean-oracle-glok-remix-bytes/
Vancouver artist Kristen Roos' Universal Synthesizer Interface Vol II celebrates algorithmic Music MakingIn a realm where magic and technology intertwined, Kristen Roos was a renowned adventurer. Armed with her trusty sword and enchanted armour, she set out on a quest to conquer the treacherous world of Diablo I. Little did she know, her journey would transcend the boundaries of the virtual realm.As she battled demons and explored labyrinthine dungeons, whispers of her exploits reached the ears of We Are Busy Bodies, a secret guild of mystical beings. Impressed by her valour, they summoned her to their hidden sanctuary.There, they bestowed upon Kristen ancient scrolls and enchanted melodies, enhancing her skills and infusing her weapons with arcane power. With her newfound abilities, she became a legendary warrior, feared by demons and revered by her fellow adventurers.Kristen Roos, the champion of Diablo I, now stood as a beacon of hope, protecting the realm from the forces of darkness. Her name would forever be etched in the annals of tales of that time, a symbol of courage and determination.Kristen Roos' The album pays homage to the early era of algorithmic music making, inspired by vintage software. Roos stumbled upon Laurie Spiegel's 'Music Mouse' on a Commodore Amiga floppy disk, a groundbreaking MIDI sequencer from 1985. Intrigued by its simplicity, Roos delved further into this 'first wave' of music software development.Vol II of Universal Synthesizer Interface focuses on two personal favourites: 'Music Mouse' and Frank Balde's 'Diablo.' The album showcases the interaction between repeating loops, forming vast tapestries of sound. Roos spent over a year studying, experimenting, and collaborating with software creators to craft this musical journey.The album's released on We Are Busy Bodies..Order/Buy/Stream Etc Etc here: https://kristenrooswabb.bandcamp.com/album/universal-synthesizer-interface-vol-ii
The first in a new series spotlighting the musical community based around Pirate Studios. Emma Lou is an eclectic DJ who weaves an intricate web of RnB, Hip Hop, Downtempo and beyond - a perfect accompaniment to a Monday afternoon.Emma Lou does things a little bit differently - seeking to cement herself as a DJ who is capable of meandering between styles and sounds rooted in her own influences growing up - blurring the lines between the new and the old.Focussing on Funk, Soul, Hip Hop and RnB her selections often create a certain ambience, one best enjoyed in dimly lit clubs or during quiet moments of personal reflection as you lose yourself in some old RnB B-Side from the late 90's or a forgotten sample from long back.A relatively fresh faced DJ on the scene she has begun to build a presence for herself with guest appearances on the likes of Rinse FM and Reprezent Radio. She has most recently taken up a residency at Pirate Studios, utilising the opportunity to define her sound in more focus and build upon her musical repertoire. This is the first mix in a new series which will spotlight artists from within the Pirate Studios community - Emma Lou makes a splendid start, with deep moving cuts which highlight her broad knowledge and eclectic taste.
Finally, the big day arrived. Adrenaline coursed through Amy's veins as she stepped onto the course, her Whippet at her side. With synchronised precision, they flawlessly manoeuvred through the obstacles, leaving the audience in awe.As they crossed the finish line, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Amy's heart swelled with pride as she hugged her faithful companion. They had done it—they had conquered the competition.To celebrate their remarkable achievement, Amy treated her Whippet to a well-deserved milkshake. As they sat together, basking in the glow of their triumph, their bond grew even stronger, solidifying their partnership forever.Amy Dabbs & Athlete Whippet - Into You’ EP is out now on Aus Music Order/Buy/Stream Etc Etc here: https://aus.lnk.to/IntoYouEP
Self-released pumper from Kristy Harper on her Sanctified Dreams imprint…Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a brave and kind-hearted young woman named Kristy Harper. She possessed a magical gift: the ability to bring hope and strength to those around her. Her mission was to “Get The Girls” of the kingdom, who were trapped in a cycle of fear and self-doubt.Kristy embarked on a perilous quest, guided by a mystical map. Along the way, she encountered enchanted forests, mountains, and mythical creatures. With her unwavering determination, she faced each challenge head-on, drawing on her inner courage. As Kristy ventured deeper into the magical realm, she discovered an ancient artefact, the Crystal of Empowerment. Its radiant energy resonated with her purpose. Using the crystal, she awakened the dormant powers within them, unleashing a wave of confidence and resilience.The kingdom transformed as they embraced their newfound abilities. They radiated with magical energy, using their unique talents to bring harmony and prosperity. The once-diminished spirits of the land were uplifted, and a sense of unity spread like wildfire.Kristy Harper’s name became legendary, spoken in hushed tones by grateful villagers. She had fulfilled her noble quest, forever altering the destiny of them and the realm. Together, they forged a future where dreams flourished, fears were conquered, and the magic within every girl was celebrated.And so, the tale of Kristy Harper and her quest to “Get The Girls” echoed through generations, a testament to the transformative power of belief and empowerment in a fantastical world.This self-released pumper from Kristy Harper is out on her Sanctified Dreams very shortly. Check bandcamp for pre-orders etc etc.Listen below:
Time seemed to move at a snails pace, but he couldn't tear his eyes away from the clock. Today was different from the others: nobody had called, there were no messages in his inbox, barely a soul in the office. Maybe he'd missed something, a memo or a calendar invite... or maybe he should see it as a blessing in disguise; an opportunity to spend time with his imagination and forget that work even existed..For their third release, Brussel imprint Undo Seat Belts welcome the Parisian chartered accountant by day, and music maker by night, Frédérique Sueur. Le Temps Mutile Les Talons is the name of this blissful and offbeat collection of nine tracks that finds itself lingering in the spaces between new wave, experimental, synth-pop, minimal synth and ambient. Its lo-fi bedroom quality and DIY touch imbues it with a feeling that's both comforting and disconcerting: a must listen.
R.A.M. back in action for May's drive time slot on Netil Radio, featuring a special microphone appearance from Timothy Clerkin.
Tel Aviv-based producer, vocalist and live performer May Lavie joins the Human Endeavour Records family for its fourth release, ‘Are You Having A Good Day?’ The four tracks are a window into May’s mind-expanding world, which she creates through hypnotic, textural loops and spoken samples dug up from all corners of the Internet. She pairs passages of text from scientists, social activists and films that raise questions of human nature, with her intoxicating vocals and a cosmic concoction of indie dance, synth-wave and electronica. ’The Poem’ picks things up next. Eerie and hypnotic, a dizzying vocal passage is layered over a bewitching, echoing synth line, moody pads and May’s gliding voice.Buy: bit.ly/HE004MayLavie
She stared at the screen, her eye sight waning from its harsh glare. Attempting to tear herself away had been an impossible task, she couldn't switch off her thoughts, they continued to race at warp speed giving her no respite at all. She'd tried putting them down on paper, even toyed with the idea of sealing them in a letter and posting it through his door, but the fear of rejection was too much. How had she got herself in this deep? She'd only met him just a few weeks prior, how had she become completely and utterly hooked...Barkley Bandon is creeping out of the shadows once again, this time for his sophomore EP Heaven Was A Failure. The illusive London-based producer first popped up on our radar through his Bandcamp self-releases, then again when his debut EP Always Gonna Wait For You landed in our inbox last year. On this brand new release for South London party-turned-label Scenic Route, he explores themes of desire and intimacy through his sleazy, stripped back cocktail of tripped out rhythms, infectious pop melodies and hypnotic bass grooves.
Zaltsman knows a thing or two about what sets off the dance floor. Whether it's behind the decks, in the studio or as a curator, the London-based artist has a knack for getting bodies moving. His own productions for the likes of Dansu Discs, Silver Bear and Cross Country are characterised by crisp percussion and infectious rhythms, plus he's a real dab hand at flipping a classic for the club.Over the last few years his music has been getting props left, right and centre, becoming a staple in the sets of DJs like Midland, Ben UFO and Moxie, and we imagine it'll be no different for his next release, You Fly, So Do We.The EP inaugurates the brand new label arm of his long running party series Emergency Room. Since 2017 they've been throwing events across London, Bristol and Brighton, inviting artists like Overmono, Call Super, Leon Vynehall and Eliza Rose to join them.He takes care of this week's Shine A Light On mix with a blend of shuffling, percussive, rhythmic delights that would set the off the dance.
They couldn't see anything through the thick fog, could barely make out their own feet trudging through the boggy grass. It didn't bode well, what should have been an easy journey had turned into a treacherous mission across unknown terrain; they still had a long road ahead of them. Darkness was looming on the horizon, and soon their vision would become even more impaired, was it worth them battling through the obstacles despite their better judgment? Jokios Kultūros is part of the Electric Shapes family, he's been a constant throughout the Lithuanian imprint's journey. After a string of EPs and track contributions over the last few years, he's finally releasing his first long player into the world, the aptly titled ALL IS ONE.It amasses all the different styles and influences that have motivated his productions, from breakbeat, house and DnB to ambient, trance and downtempo, and a taste for Japanese-inspired melodies and video game elements.
On their new single for Tropopause Records, musical collective Kalabash look at how man-made objects can provide us with new and strange views of the world.Sonically the track plays with texture and mood, drawing influence from UK techno and experimental club sounds, underpinned by touches of smooth RnB.In Kalabash's own words - "it’s our view of how a machine might interpret electronic music today" - which naturally extends to the visual accompaniment to the release. In the spirit of collaboration, a central component of Kalabash's work, the collective have teamed up with film director Matt Hass for a short film that riffs off the theme of re-contextualising everyday objects and subverts the idea of non-human entities perceptions towards humanity.
"Chaotic cohesion" is how LORA describes her sound. And that's something we love here at R$N HQ. Borderless electronic selections, a few twists and turns, hands in the air moments... Catch one of the London-based DJ and promoter's sets and you'll get plenty of that.LORA's pathway into DJing came via her residency for longstanding hip hop night Livin' Proof, which led her to promote her own parties. For a few years she helmed Grapefruit and Nice One, two parties that gave her autonomy on sound and curation, and welcomed artists like Violet, LSDXOXO, Afrodeutsche and Shygirl.This experience as both a curator and resident, as well as her monthly residency on Balamii Radio in South London, has played a part in her broad approach to selection, which can see her moving from warm, deep grooves to classic old school house, shuffling UKG and euphoric breaks.Ahead of her launching her brand new party Floorjam, which will see her bringing the likes of Raji Rags and Arianne V to Peckham's Carpet Shop, she treats us to a mix of dusty house cuts and rolling vocal grooves with a few classic cuts thrown in for good measure.
The machinery came to a clattering halt, the sheer sound of it forcing the entire building to judder and shake. The factory had seen better days; the brickwork was crumbling away, the smell of dust and oil hung thick in the air and clung to your clothes. It was a wonder it still operated as it did, that it even opened on a daily basis or that it managed to retain enough staff to keeping things ticking over. Slowly but surely its purpose was becoming defunct, but it would cling on to life for as long as humanly possible...Cyphon Recordings next signing have made a name for themselves under a number of different aliases. The Tijuana-based brother duo have had deep house outings as Soul of Hex and a debut as Mano De Fuego on Underground Resistance, but with this brand new project, Cyborg Nerve, their focus is firmly on electro. Balancing crystallised intergalactic cuts and raw, machine funk grooves, the EP is a triumphant introduction to the newest musical string to the Vicario Musique Recordings bow.
Lewis G. Burton has played an integral role in spotlighting the new wave of trans+, non-binary and femme identifying artists in London and beyond. Through their infamous techno party and art platform Inferno, which has been running since 2015, they've championed DJs, producers and performers who are bubbling up in London's queer scene, and in turn have created a forward-thinking and inclusive space for self-expression in the capital.As a DJ, producer and performer themselves, Lewis takes a no holds barred approach, rattling through hard, furious and infectious sonics that'll have you dripping with sweat.On top of their musical endeavours, Lewis is a staunch activist for trans+, intersex and non-binary rights, which sees them helping to organise protests and marches at London Trans+ Pride every year - the next of which will take place 8th July (go and march!!).Off the back of Inferno's programming at ICA's 75th birthday (the home of many of their parties), Lewis brings the energy for their Ransom Note mix, and wastes no time blowing away any residual cobwebs from the weekend. Strap yourself in.
"An apartment building, floors, songs. In the stairwell, a meeting: sound artist, radio interference manipulator and musician-producer-arranger. The bass escapes from the cellar and vibrates along the corridors. A door opens, oscillations swirl, clash, and blur the tracks. A voice rises. Concrete architecture. Bodies armed for expression. In the distance, the echo of a rave party."H.L.M (Haute Lévitation Mutée), the project of Guillaume Laidain & Andrew Claristidge, are next up on artist duo, agency and label Milk Me's release schedule. Titled 'Grenoble', the single is a homage in name to the Southwestern city where H.L.M. met and is coincidentally also the home of one of the release remixers, French electro luminary The Hacker. He's joined on remix duties by an equally strong French cast of Arnaud Rebotini and Pablo Bozzi, who together put their own spins on the moody, chugging EBM of the original, which is laced with hypnotic spoken word and haunting synth lines.
How long had it been since she felt the sun on her face; since she felt the sand between her toes and the fresh sea air clearing her sinuses? Too long than she cared to remember... She could literally taste the freedom on the tip of her tongue, the liberation slowly cascading over her - it was a feeling she never thought she'd have again, but now here she was, looking out to sea with a renewed sense of existence. Who knows what twists and turns lay ahead, what obstacles might be just around the corner... She really couldn't wait to find out.Optimo Music's Digital Dancefloor series returns with its 49th instalment, this time welcoming Trule boss Al Wootton for a two-tracker that's certified to cause destruction on the dancefloor. Having featured Al's music under his Deadboy alias back in the day on their “Dark Was The Night” mix CD, Optimo now bring him on board for two chuggy, dubbed out disco tracks that both unfold over the course of nine minutes. Laid down live in takes and using hardware synths and external processing, he explores a host of different genres that he's always held dear from post-punk and psychedelia to proto house and dub.
These were the stories that he told himself, tall tales from long ago which had got lost in the spaces in between. It had been a while since he’d last let himself think about such history and nostalgia for it was buried deep in the recesses of his mind. His memory palace was a place visited once in a blue moon for the magic which lived behind those thick castle walls was sometimes best to be left alone.Lying amidst the tall grass he watched as the clouds moved slowly by overhead, he’d allowed himself this one afternoon to daydream upon what might of been in another life. He opened the heavy gates and let his memories of a wilder, better time come rushing in.He closed his eyes and nodded off…Priori continues to develop and grow as a producer, moving toward deep, pensive textures and atmospheres on a new EP for Midgar Records. The Pareidolia EP is comprised of four tracks of intelligent Techno which teases and intrigues – this is a record which will sound good on dark nights and in smokey rooms.
For March's instalment of The Dispatch, Rosie Ama was joined by Johnny Xie and Global Warming Records boss Malcolm for two hours of good tunes, vibes and sound effects.
"Any moment can crash your emotional state of mind. You are looking for help. You can’t find it with-inside of you. A Diamond shines twice a day. The night can be day and vice versa."We love you, no doubt. Our friends love you too. Do you love yourself? A Zebra is not a unicorn but is still unique. Who are you to tell us We can’t do it?"ava. label boss and Robert Johnson affiliate Damiano von Erckert is landing on the aforementioned club's in-house label, two years after his Space, Diversity, No Limits 12". This time he's sharing a full long player, Euphoric Spirits, which transports us straight onto the dance floor and, as its name suggests, it's full of eyes-closed euphoria. Taking cues from the roots of Chicago and Detroit he shares a batch of emotive house, rave and electro cuts that take you out of your head and into your body.
Her huge bay window felt like a porthole to the entire world. From here she could see everything; the towering skyscrapers that seemed to stretch beyond the clouds, the trees in shades of green, white and pink rustling in the soft afternoon breeze, and in the distance, the sea and the mountains promising an escape from the urban jungle. She watched the people go about their days - watched them argue and make up, greet and bid each other goodbye, stumble and fall, race and disappear - How funny that one window gave a view of so much life....After a long and chaotic journey to completion, Invisible Inc have finally released Secret Circuit's double LP, Green Mirror, into the world. Almost two years in the making, the album sees the return of the project of LA native and audiovisual artist Edward Ruscha V following two EPs on the imprint in 2016 and 2018. Known for his music under several different bands, projects, guises and collaborations over the years, he's a dab hand at meandering in all kinds of directions, but on this release he focuses on balancing emotion and experimentalism, creating a collection of 21 pieces that bounce between the cosmic, the ambient, the otherworldly and the off-kilter. This is music for the open minded.
Gag Reflex's moniker is an apt embodiment of her musical output. It's propulsive; pushing you forward then pulling you back, dragging you under then spitting you out.It's down to the intriguing spread of influences that fuel the US-born, Berlin-based producer and DJ's work. While there's nods to percussive noughties techno, classic rave and early UK dubstep in there, you'll hear echoes of her formative love of punk bands like Crass and The KLF bubbling underneath the surface too.As a DJ she's made quite the name for herself in the US, holding residencies in Portland and San Francisco, as well as her former home of Seattle, where she ran transfeminist club night BLOOM: a space to inspire connection, catharsis and experimentation within the local scene and beyond.The connections that she's made have led to releases on international labels like Scuffed Recordings, Violet's naivety sub-label and, most recently, on the former's newly minted sister label Angel with her Lush EP, which drops on 21st April.In the lead up to the release she takes the controls of this week's Shine A Light On mix with a blend of murky, percussive and weighty sonics for the heads down and the hands up crew...
The water was a deep radiant blue, from time to time small bubbles would rise from the ocean floor up the surface where an occasional flicker or glimmer of light would illuminate the lagoon as the clouds came and went before the sun. Diving deeper and deeper into the abyss, it were as if he was exploring some sort of mythical aquarian dream - a planet nestled beneath what he knew existed and floated up on the surface. There was no sound down here but very occasional he'd become aware of a change of pressure, a heavy weight and a light release as he moved slowly through the murky blue beyond. All he could do was keep swimming...Third Place are set to release a new EP from Later Version, a beautiful assortment of fluid tracks which draw influence from a sense of weightlessness and ambient textures. Later Version is made up of Oakland-based artists Dan Letson and Jerod S. Rivera.
Music is the vehicle for Nathan Dawidowicz to tell a story. But not just their story... they're inviting you to fashion your own narrative; to draw your own conclusion.Nathan's personal tale has been a vibrant one. The son of a Polish-Lithuanian mother and Cameroonian father, they moved to Jerusalem at the age of six from their birthplace of Milan. Whilst growing up in a Jewish ultra-orthadox community, they dreamed of moving away to become a musician and fashion designer, which became a reality when they moved back to Italy and broke the constraints of the religious environment they'd been raised in. Fashion became their academic pursuit but music was ever-present, a sonic remedy that brought them life. It had been a constant, from their childhood years spent playing piano to the influence of their father who spent time as a DJ during the 80s and 90s in Milan. Soon enough sound became a way of exploring the art of story-telling and this journey took them to their now home of Berlin. Here they connected with Luspoderosa, a label based between Zurich and Berlin that isn't afraid to colour outside the lines. This platform would become the home for Nathan's debut solo album Sanctuary of Ideas - a deeply personal, psychedelic and cosmic dive into their memories, journey, reflections and heritage.Off the back of the release we invited Nathan to open up their sonic world to us even more with a mix of hypnotic and atmospheric new wave, Italo, acid and deep rhythmic excursions. Don your pyjamas and your fluffy slippers and sink into it...
The lights flooded the room lighting up the sea of gleeful faces from the front to the back. The party had been going all day and all night, and the energy had never let up, even for a moment. Bodies swarmed the dance floor, moving in unison to the pulsing beats seeping out of the speakers in each corner. Time seemed to stand still inside here, there was nothing but them and the music, the outside world no longer mattered...Following his debut outing on Jennifer Cardini’s Correspondent, Adonis family member Nyra returns to Canoe Records for the label's first EP in two years. Made up of two tracks, the release draws inspiration from the Sheffield-born producer's formative clubbing experiences in his home city and a love of the early Belgian rave sound. Self-described as “intergaleatic future sounds”, it's full of euphoria with ravey synths, energetic rhythms and soaring piano melodies that transport you back to the heydays of the 90s.
The room was crowded with bodies, all hoping to outlast one another in what felt like an eternal waiting game. Everyone had been told the prize would be worth it in the end but they could only take their word for it. Impatience was getting the better of them, they'd been sat twiddling their thumbs for hours and hours now. Time seemed to crawl along at a snails pace; they had to keep reminding themselves that it was a marathon, not a sprint. Paul Blackford has been releasing music for two decades, and you can tell, his slick electro and machine funk creations are deftly produced, characterised by a meeting of modern and classic influences. His next release comes via N-Gynn and Mike Gill's Superlux imprint, which has previously been home to music from Thoma Bulwer, Dawl, Desert Sound Colony and more, and has a serendipitous story behind it.Mike and Paul connected after a video was posted on the former playing one of his tunes, and in response Paul sent his entire catalogue to Mike by way of thanks for the support. So the conversation about an EP on the label begun and Weekend Warrior is the result, which showcases his classic fusion of future-facing electronics and classic Detroit-flavoured electro.
The thought of him made her blood boil, her fists clench and her brow sweat. What had begun as shock had soon been replaced by sadness and swiftly that had contorted itself into anger. The person she'd known all these years wasn't really who she thought he was, and now she couldn't even bear to look at him, it were as though he had become a stranger. He'd been exiled from her home, from her life, from her inner circle, but there was a mountain to climb when it came to exiling him from her mind.After racking up appearances on Me Me Me and Riotvan, among others, German-born, Brooklyn-based producer Tony Y Not crash lands on Live At Robert Johnson with a stellar debut. She's already built a distinct sound through her previous releases which orbits around metallic synth lines, pulsing dynamic rhythms and dark moody atmospheres, all of which come together on her new three-tracker. Titled Your Exile In My Mind, the EP takes cues from techno, euro disco, acid, Italo and wave, and is without a doubt made with a dark dance floor in mind.
Today marks what would have been the Guv'nor's 60th birthday.As a little nod to the late great Andrew Weatherall we've re-sharing an old mix of his alongside Sean Johnston, recorded in the lead up to Electric Elephant 11 years ago, which was only previously available on Mixcloud.This came just a year into the duo's journey as ALFOS and their now infamous project which Andrew described as “an oasis of slowness in a world of increasing velocity”.A solid slice of oompty boompty music to see you into the weekend. Stick it on and raise a glass to the chairman!
Phuong – Dan has been a resident at Hamburg’s Golden Pudel club for nearly two decades – it has become a space synonymous with off piste and leftfield dance music acting as a home for exploratory DJ’s to broaden the expectations of dancers.Phuong – Dan has been a pivotal part of the evolution of the club, hosting his party Gatto Musculoso since 2006.As a DJ his sound is diverse, drawing upon a wild array of influences and nuances as he seeks to create abstract experiences through music.Working on a project by project basis, with a particular focus on artistic integrity, Phuong – Dan has become one of the most interesting artists working in this space. As the founder of dispari, a multi disciplinary record label and platform he has released music and works by the likes of Gavsborg, Cloud Management, Anatolian Weapons, Hector Zazou, Laurie Anderson, Florian Bräunlich and Sven-Åke Johansson.This mixtape is a wild trip, spanning a variety of sounds.
Esa is a producer, musician and DJ who has never been one to sit still. He is always working on something exciting and seems to draw strength from collaboration and the creativity of others as much as he does himself. Over the years he has released music on the likes of Highlife, Local Talk, Dekmantel, Bronswood, Endless Flight and many more – his sound evolving based upon his external influences and discoveries of late.Based in London, he is incredibly well travelled and has worked alongside a number of musicians and bands, seeking to broaden his musical horizons and draw upon the roots of the sound and cultures which have informed his tastes.As a DJ Esa is well versed, honing his craft on dancefloors in Glasgow where he held his first residency at the infamous Subculture. It is here that this mixtape was recorded, his return to the party earlier this year was a triumphant tour de force showcasing just how far Esa has come as an artist.This mixtape spans a wide variety of styles and sounds but most importantly is destined to keep you moving and dancing throughout. Sometimes live sets don’t make much sense out of context, yet in this case there is something special captured in the sound which makes you feel like you are right down the front banging that old Sub Club booth.
Perhaps one of the most wondrous facets of music culture in the UK comes in the form of grassroots, diy promoters and dj's who strive to broaden the eclecticism and experiences of people in their town. Based in Aberdeeen, Nina Stanger is a dj from Scotland who recently sent us an email following what some might deem as a fortunate, unfortunate experience if that makes any sort of sense. You never know who might turn up, hit the club, or the opportunities which might unfold as such...
Earlier this year footage emerged from a party in Aberdeen in which British politician Michael Gove was seen wildin' out to electro and jungle - he was alone yet found his way into the murky, smoke filled club in which Nina Stanger was playing a carefully crafted set of electronic and bass inspired sounds.
Soon after this she dropped us an email, explaining that she was gutted by the oblivious, unremarkable press coverage of the incident and was keen to be known for something more than accompanying the late night escapades of a rich Tory. We liked her style.
She sent us the mixtape from the night itself and we were blown away by her selections.
A keen digger, a radio regular on Edinburgh station EH-FM and a talented dj we offered her the opportunity to record a mix and demonstrate what she's all about. The result is an hour of cleverly orchestrated music which would work wonders in the club.
Next up is a prominent producer and dj who has made a name for herself in London following her move to the city in 2016.
Giulia Tess has released music on the likes of Fever AM, Future Bounce and More Time Records. However, most recently she announced a new EP on Scarlet Tiger, the record label run by Ross From Friend’s. The record itself is a leftfield exploration of experimental electronics which features elements of Techno, UK inspired bass sounds and abstract soundscapes. It's a hypnotic, strange release which is as fitting for late night moments all alone as it is on discerning dancefloors.
Originally from Italy, Giulia has established herself as a fierce and fearless dj having appeared on BBC Radio 1xtra, BBC Asian Network, NTS and most regularly on her own Threads radio show.
We invited her to record a mixtape which reflects where she's at as an artist in the present, she doesn't hold back.
Based in Vancouver, Venetta is fiercely independent and has become a crucial figure as far as social and political change goes within music culture in the city. As an underground artist, she is the co founder of NuZi Collective, a platform focused on uplifting and representing black & brown women, trans women & gender non-conforming individuals in the local music scene.
A keen activist for change she has worked tirelessly to reclaim the black & brown roots of electronic dance music, creating black political spaces as a source of empowerment.
This mix packs a fiery and ferocious punch as she weaves and meanders between techno, electro and bass inspired sounds. Trapped out hooks feature aplenty and this is a hell of a rollercoaster ride through the repetoire of a DJ at the very top of her game. You have been warned...
It's always a joy when we get sent a mix out of the blue by someone we've never heard of which rip roars through the office.
TI-DJ, A Nigerian producer and DJ from North London, hit us up with a nice email explaining his love and passion for jungle and drum n bass - we then spent some time digging through his archives and were cheerfully impressed with what we discovered amidst the material.
This mix then hit our inboxes last week, a collaboration between him and a friend WDubs. It doesn't dissapoint as it meanders through bass frequencies, UK inspired sounds and wild breaks. This is what it's all about and we reckon that you and yours are gonna' love this one.
For over fifteen years Steve Moore has worked to create expansive, synthesizer driven music which challenges the limitations and preconceptions of the machinery itself and the sounds created.
He has released numerous records on the likes of L.I.E.S, Mexican Summer, Future Times and Be With Records. Many of these releases have explored variable themes, some have included club ready material whilst others have been strictly focussed on ambience and experimental styles. It is not the case that Steve Moore is a jack of all trades, more so that he produces and creates the music which he wants, when he wants. Where and how it is received is beyond his actualisation, if it makes people dance then great, if it doesn't then that's great too.
Most recently he has released new material on Kompakt, the longstanding German label founded by Wolfgang Voigt, Michael Mayer and Jürgen Paape. It might be described as 'techno' but in reality it's as much a cinematic, synth driven, ethereal collection of music which might sound as perfect on a dark and lonely late night drive as it would in any nightclub.
In keeping with this theme, we asked Steve to create a mix which reflects his love of ambience, soundtracks and tonality. He does so with delicate precision, showcasing music by the likes of Dopplereffekt, Steve Miller Band, Ennio Morricone and more. There's even an unofficial Steve Moore version of Al Stewart's 'Year of the Cat'.
Over the past few months we have been focussing our attention on some of Glasgow's most influential local DJ's - we wanted to spotlight some of those who have worked hard behind the scenes to form residencies and develop their own pathways.
Quail + AISHA are two residents at Animal Farm, a long running Glaswegian institution which has become widely known for its forward thinking approach to techno. As a party series Animal Farm has played host to the likes of Surgeon, Regis, Blawan, Anthony Parasole and Marcel Dettmann. However, these big names have often been shrouded and deemed secondary to the supremely talented local DJ's who have breathed life into this party for many years. Animal Farm has become a place to channel the harder, darker fringes of experimental dance and electronic music and this is perhaps more so the case than ever before as this mix from Quail and AISHA demonstrates.
Forget Monday, this one is all about the Friday night. The pair will appear this summer at Riverside Festival and are sure as hell to blow the roof off.
Next up is a man who needs little introduction, one of the foremost figures in Garage and perhaps the greatest of them all? We'll let you be the judge of that.
Todd Edwards has been releasing music for almost thirty years, he remains one of the definitive pioneers of the genre which first emerged in the UK during the mid 90's. His influence has been profound and there was a period of time in which major artists would demand a remix from Todd to certify their release. He's Grammy award winning after all.
Anyway, this mix was delivered off the back of a release for Defected in which Todd released 140 tracks of original material, remixes and edits. Some unheard and an unreleased previously. This seemed like as good an opportunity as ever to ask him to return to the wheels of steel to showcase why he is still just as influential and important to UKG as ever before.
You are in the presence of a legend.
Earlier this year Artefakt released a new album via Delsin, a striking collection of pensive electronics and techno which was designed as much to humble the independent listener as it was to intrigue on the dancefloor.
The Berlin based pair have become well known and acclaimed for their unique take on techno, often channeling deep ethereal soundscapes and melody atop rugged drums and percussion.
Over the years they have released material via the likes of Sungate, Konstrukt and Semantica Records. It is however Delsin where they appear to have made themselves most at home, releasing material which sits between worlds and defies the notion that techno might need to be rigid 4/4 focussed club music.
We've featuured the pair several times previously. However, this is the first time that they have recorded a mix for the website, a special occassion given the scarcity of these sets.
Emerging from Paris, Tatyana Jane is a dj with a reputation on the rise. With regular appearances on Rinse France she has become well known for her eclectic yet fun focussed take on dance and electronic music fusing elements of house, funk, soul, amapiano, rap, r'n'b and beyond.
Growing up in a Cameroonian family full of musicians and music lovers, Tatyana was exposed to a wide range of sound and dance from an early age.
In the present day she is working to craft her own niche sound, working in the studio to produce music which represents her own sensibilities and creative personality. With numerous releases and remixes in the pipeline we're expecting it to be only a matter of time before she becomes big news.
She steps up with over an hour of dancefloor focussed pressure - dig in.
Based in Washington DC, Jackson Ryland is a producer who's been around for a hot minute. His latest record has just dropped on Step Recordings, a well established imprint run by Catz N' Dogz. However, he has been making music for many years before this having released material on the likes of 1432 R and Cahoots Records.
His sound is pretty versatile, drawing upon influence from the age of Italian Dream House and beyond - melody is important, as is spaciousness and ambience. All of his music makes sure to take the above into consideration and whilst his latest material for Step Recordings is arguably his most heavy hitting to date, it is still just as listenable from the perspective of an individual.
In a recent interview for The Washington Post jackson reflected on the nature of his approach to music - it's far more than just material for the dance:
"I want the music to complement something that’s already in your head and brighten that idea for you.”
We invited him to record a mix for us and he does so in fine style, this one comes with high recommendation.
Now, next up is a DJ who has become a bit of a local legend amidst the underbelly of Glasgow's dance and electronic music community. For many years Bonzai Bonner has worked tirelessly to champion the sound of High NRG and Italo in Glasgow via the spectacularly successful party series Shoot Your Shot. The party has become a widely loved event and has brought a breath of fresh air and fun to the occasionally overly techno focussed stronghold.
This summer she will play as part of the line up at Glasgow's Riverside Festival, a celebration of leftfield electronic music in the city.
Her approach to dance music is energetic, fluid and dynamic and you never know quite what your gonna' get from one of her sets. They are often rave focussed and euphoric yet draw upon influences of new wave, disco and beyond. A pivotal figure within the LGBTQ+ community, Bonzai Bonner is a proper champion and we are delighted to be able to showcase her eclectic approach as a DJ in this wild, fun filled Friday mix.
Here's something just a little bit special...
Ahead of Riverside Festival in Glasgow this coming September we have been blessed with a series of mixes from some of the best and most influential dj's in the city. There is no better place to start really than with Slam, the dj duo extraordinaire who have contributed a lifetime to techno. The pair remain two of the most prominent dj's on the circuit and over the years have established a fierce reputation for their approach to the genre. Their own record label Soma, which they founded alongside Dave Clarke and Glenn Gibbons, has released some of the most crucial music from within the realm of techno and has been a home to musicians like The Black Dog, Surgeon, Deepchord, Daft Punk, Gene Farris, Schatrax, Silicone Soul and many, many more.
Longstanding residents at the infamous night Pressure the pair have worked alongside some of the biggest and best in the business. However there are stories to be told about their roots as promoters of the Atlantis and their own 'Slam' parties in Glasgow in the 90's.
As producers the pair continue to push boundaries, releasing music with great consistency, continually managing to reinvent and approach the studio in the pursuit of something new.
This is a special mix, Slam a special pair. Strap in...
Electro is within the very DNA of dance and electronic music itself, it emerged from that which came before, the likes of Kraftwerk and 80's hip hop remain as influential on the genre of the present as they were at the start.
Plant43 is a producer who has dedicated much of his life in the pursuit of understanding and progression within the genre. Her has released music on the likes of Ai Records, Shipwrec, Semantica, Central Processing Unit and Frustrated Funk amongst others.
His sound has evolved over many years, moving with the times yet never far from the music he first fell in love with.
During the late nineties Plant43, real name Emile Facey, promoted parties in London showcasing both the best in up and coming and stalwart electro, connecting producers and dj's alike.
This mix comes alongside the release of a new record on his own Plant43 label, an imprint which he founded in 2020 to release his own material.
Earlier this year it was announced that French, Argentinian multi-disciplinary artist Yoann Pisterman would release a new tape via London based record label Bytes.
The tape is titled "Water Groove" and is his debut album and follows on from prior experiments. It's described by the lavel as follows:
"An impressionistic sound journey into waves, frequencies and electronic resonance. Yoann employs loops and repetitive patterns, interwoven between drones and melodic elements, to create magical, transportative music with echoes of the classic Japanese ambient and New Age music of the Eighties and the trippy Kosmische of 1970s Germany."
Yoann Pisterman draws upon influences from far and wide, as a painter he tends to reflect on architectural structures, the natural world and beyond. All of these things make up his creative identity and the result is a beautiful collage of ethereal inspirations and environmental realisations.
Got that Friday feeling yet? If you ain't you will soon...
This is a special mix recorded by one of the most important figures in the UK jungle scene at present, Tim Reaper is flying the flag high for the genre. pushing new boundaries with his exceptional approach to sound design and a nod to the legacy which has gone before him.
Over the past ten years Tim has grafted, releasing a sprawling array of music on respected labels such as Skeleton Recordings, Dark Age Recordings, Omni and more.
Earlier this year he released a new EP on Lobster Theremin, a record label which never fails to capture the imagination, releasing left of centre electronics across the spectrum of dance music. The EP showcases Tim Reaper's modern approach to jungle and D&B in the present and features collaborations with Massachusetts breakccore producer Devnull.
Anyway, we invited him to record a mix for us and what he has delivered is a whirlwind exploration through wicked breaks, euphoric soundscapes and beyond.
Earlier this year we brought you the news of an innovative new collaboration which pairs two producers with unique perspectives on sound design and music.
Prequel Tapes is best known for his noisy, disjointed approach to techno and the rougher drone inspired fringes of electronica and IDM. He has released music on the likes of Mannequin and R'COUP'D.
Meanwhile, dBridge remains one of the most innovative figures in UK bass music culture having released cutting edge downtempo, jungle and drum 'n' bass over many decades for the likes of Creative Source, Exit Records and Metalheadz.
Now the two have collaborated on a new EP for Midnight Shift, a record label which continues to connect generations of well versed music heads through its consistent release of high quality techno, bass and the weirder, heavier fringes of dance music. This new EP pairs two unique, creative minds. The result is a mutant hybrid showcasing the importance of collaboration and innovation.
Following the release we asked kindly whether the pair might be up for recording a mix together, an alternative insight into their own collections and musical tapestry. The result is an old school mixtape, reel to reel vibes with integrity at its core.
Surpises are good, surprises are interesting, surprises are what keeps things exciting. It's always nice to receive an email from a musician or an artist who offers something different.
Vonpsyche is a self described "hip-hop producer and obscure underground rapper". However, this mix couldn't be further from this, across many years he has dabbled in downtempo electronica and has since channeled new energy into a project in which to focus these creative ambitions.
Based in the West Siberian Plain he channels elements of abstract ambient alongside house and techno into poignantly crafted soundscapes and musical wanderings. This mix is perhaps a suitable representation of that - a subtle affair which captures a certain energy and emotion, a mix built as much for thought and self reflection as it is the dance. There is a delicate precision and a unique understanding in the mixing and in the track selection, we hope that you appreciate and hear this in the same way that we do.
Manchester remains one of the most crucially vibrant cities in dance and electronic music in the UK. However, it's influence on funk, soul, R&B and beyond remains as prominent and integral as ever. The roots if you will.
One DJ who has uniquely intertwined both branches of music is Tarzsa, she has become one of our own personal favourite DJ's over the past year, her regular NTS show has guided us through many a hazy afternoon with her delicate selections made up of Jazz, Hip Hop and the associated spaces in between.
This weekend she will join us for a special daytime party at Ducie Street Warehouse, an opportunity to hear her showcase her well versed knowledge of music and curation.
We invited her to record this mix wwhich she describes as being made up of "lots of electronic soul and soulful house layered with jazz grooves."
We can dig it.
Earlier this year marked the release of a new EP by a producer who has made a remarkable transformation in respect of sound design and creative process. When chatting with Joe, who operates under the guise of Remotif, he describes himself as having realised his process and the type of music that he wants to make. It's always inspiring to observe the evolution of a musician and in his case this year seems as though it may very well be definitive in his progression as an artist.
Based in Bristol Remotif has released music on the likes of air miles and his own Familiar Strangers label. 2021 is set to be busy for the up and coming producer with a number of crucial releases lined up in the coming months.
As a DJ he draws for an eclectic selection of house, techno and beyond. He pays particular focus to textures and melody, using it to often guide the narrative of his sets, telling a story through sound. This mix showcases Remotif at his very best as he meanders between genres into a climax with a big Friday night feeling.
Based in South London, Kit Grill is a producer, label boss and radio host on NTS. Since 2013 he has run his own imprint, Primary Colours, which has acted as an outlet for his own music and that of a few friends.
He tends to create material which sits somewhere between the fringes of balearic, ambient, krautrock and downtempo. It nods to pioneers of the infamous 'fourth age' but remains very much rooted in the present and future of electronic music.
His radio show also acts as an outlet in which to showcase music which has inspired and influenced him - the material featured is often broad, eclectic and highly listenable. This mix shares a close likeness.
Moonilena was introduced to us by Andrew at Huntleys & Palmers who rather interestingly told us a story about how he was in fact introduced to Moonilena.
"I met Moonilena in Stockholm a few years ago. Pedrodollar told me that she plays weird music and we'd get along - and he was completely correct."
This in itself was a fabulous introduction and automatically caught our attention, alongside how good her latest ep on the sub label Belters was.
The Swedish producer and DJ is one to watch and looks set to release some wonderful music and that much is clear by her impeccable taste which is on display in this short, sweet mix.
Bristol has been a home to many a creative and musician, it's played a pivotal role in the emergence of many artists whom have influenced and shaped electronic music. Twinsen in based in the city and has spent hime honings his craft, mostly self releasing experimental leftfield material which has done well to have caught the attention of labels and counterparts.
However, his most recent outing, an EP on All Centre is arguably his most notable music to date. A more club come anti club affair which see's him experiment with electronic textures and sounds. It's introspective and odd, an EP reminiscent of early works by STL or the sludgier side of Joey Anderson's back catalogue. It's good stuff.
We invited Twinsen to show us around his musical collection and heritage as part of the Monday is Okay series, he does so in good form.
It's hot in Portugal, the electronic music scene is as lively as it's ever been with a whole new wave of producers, musicians and dj's pushing futuristic sounds which draw upon elements of local musical heritage and culture as well as house, techno and bass music.
Silvestre is perhaps one of the best known names to emerge in recent years, he's become a key figure in the progression of hybrid sounds emerging from Lisbon and has released music on the likes of Diskotopia, Meda Fury and Secretsundaze. He also runs Padre Himalaya, a record label upon which he himself has appeared alongside friends and producers from further afield.
When Silvestre asked us if he could record this mix we couldn't say no, he's one of the most exciting new talents to come around for a while and his music is hot property.
This one is a little bit special - Orlando Voorn remains one of the most significant producers and dj's of a generation having released a sprawling catalogue of material across almost thirty years. In the 90's his focus was placed on techno and purpose built club tracks, this is perhaps what he is best known for. However, in between this there have been explorations into IDM, House and beyond with endless monikers fulfilling his creative aspirations. The Living Room, Format, Fix, Baruka and The Nighttripper are but to name a very few.
Orlando Voorn played a pivotal role in the emergence of Detroit techno in Holland - he pioneered a sound which evolved in the underground communities of the US and helped bring it to life overseas. Collaborations with the likes of Blake Baxter and Juan Atkins cemented this further.
In the present he remains an unsung hero of the underground, still furiously releasing music at a relentless pace. His latest outing is on Kompakt and showcases his longstanding relationship with old school electro and Detroit techno in fine form.
We invited him to record a mix for the site, it's blistering and fast paced straight from the off - you have been warned.
Next up in the series is a mix from an up and coming producer and dj who operates beneath the guise of Witch Trials.
A mysterious figure with a penchant for dark, futuristic sounds which touch upon elements of UK bass, techno and ambient.
Omar is the founder behind record label Myryrs and an artist we anticipate to be hotly tipped for this year, with a new EP due for release late next month via the imprint.
This mix places emphasis on dark, foreboding textures and would likely destroy sound systems all over the UK if the circumstances presently permitted. Seriously, this one goes in.
Matthew Tavares is the founding member of perhaps one of the most definitive, cutting edge bands in funk, soul and jazz of the moment. Instrumental group BADBADNOTGOOD have been influential in a new wave of musicians and artists who blur the lines between hip hip and the old school sentiments of 70's and 80's music. They have become a household name playing festivals and venues worldwide to critical acclaim.
As a musician in his own right, Matthew has also released music independently and alongside alternative collaborators. He has formed a close friendship and relationship with Brighton based imprint and record label Mr Bongo which makes perfect sense. Here he has contributed to compilations and released material alongside the likes of Leland Whitty.
Rather unsurprisingly he has impeccable taste. We asked him to record this mix showcasing some of his own personal musical influences and points of reference. The result see's him include music by the likes of Odyssey, Richard Hawley, Art Ensemble of Chicago and more.
And here we are, closing out the year with a mix from a relative newcomer whose music has travelled well this year.
A Psychic Yes is a producer with whom some will be familiar and others not - with releases on the likes of Tech Startup, Kalahari Oyster Cult and Schloss his sound is uniquely individual. It draws upon a wide collection of influences and moods, pairing elements of IDM with playful UK bass, techno and beyond.
Each of his releases are woven as a wonderful tapestry of odd glitches, melodic flutters, strange percussion and experimental electronics.
This mix is a representation of his sound and shows us a glimpse of what's to come in the near future for what is a very promising artist.
Seeing out 2020 is a dj from Mexico, Paurro is a rising talent, a selector who blends heritage alongside cutting edge electronics in a way which is abstract and unique.
Paulina Rodriguez represents some of the most intelligent, cutting edge dance and electronic music to emerge from Mexico and her carefully orchestrated sets span a breadth of styles and sound which touch upon music native to the country and sounds from far beyond.
Her sets are always fun, wild and enthusiastic. They have a fiery Latin energy and the pulse of techno often drives the experience forwards with relentless pace and flare.
We expect to be seeing a lot more of her in the new year and as such felt she was the perfect candidate to see out our 'shine a light' on series this year.
Musclecars are infamous New York City party purveyors - two dj's and producers with an exuberant reputation and excellent taste.
Brandon Weems and Craig Handfield have been running parties for many years and in 2018 launched 'Coloring Lessons'. The party has brought a lease of life to New York's dance community and has become a stalwart of house, techno, disco and beyond. It is described by the pair as follows:
"While the party and sound is not genre specific, it is heavily focused around house, disco, jazz, and soul, embracing the musical elements of black and brown ancestors."
Now they are about to release a new compilation celebrating the series, they have invited the likes of Levon Vincent, Beta Librae, Kai Alice and many more to join them on the inaugural release on the label.
We invited them to show us what they're all about with a mix ready and set to go.
Maurits Verwoerd is a producer and dj based in Amsterdam, in recent years he has released music beneath the guise of Nachtbraker, a carefully assorted catalogue of house, breaks and general oddball club music.
His label has become prominent and his music has found its way into the bags of a broad array of dj's worldwide - it does not sit politely within one such sub domain of electronic music but leaps forth boldly into all. Across the years he has released music via the likes of Heist, Dirt Crew, Quartet Series and more.
There is a sense of fun and personality at the core of his music and he brings this energy to life when dj'ing himself, as you are about to find out. This mix was recorded recently and reflects a humble, present state of mind which twists and turns as it skips between breaks, garage, house and beyond.
Earlier this year a new project emerged from Amsterdam made up of a pair of familiar producers operating beneath a new guise. Darcey Electronics is made up of Darling and Tracey, two stellar musicians in their own right who have each released music in various capacities over many years. Collectively they have released music on the likes of Aus, Safe Trip, Dial, Intergraded, Off Minor and Voyage Direct.
They both live and breathe music and operate amidst a collective of inspiring Amsterdam producers who have established their own take on dance and electronic music - channeling influences from house, techno, ambient and IDM. It is the latter two genres which perhaps best informed the pairs first release under the collaborative moniker. Released on Pleasant Life earlier in 2020 the EP was well received and widely supported, showcasing abstract experimentation and playful melodic flurries which based upon the set below seems to be a hallmark of their taste and style.
Anthony Hart doesn't f*ck about, for many years he has worked tirelessly producing music under various namesakes, perhaps most prominently as Basic Rhythm where he released music on the likes of Sneaker Social Club, Arcola and Planet Mu.
It is Planet Mu with whom he holds a close relationship, the record label has been pivotal in the development of British electronic music, meandering between the origins of rave and soundsystem culture through to the present modernisms of grime, footwork and beyond.
East Man is a relatively new moniker for Anthony, he began to release music under the guise in 2018, using the new alias to collaborate with MC's and work amidst London's ever growing grime scene - all the while drawing upon influences from dancehall, jungle and techno.
He is politically outspoken and deeply rooted in the communities which help breathe life and inspiration into this musical scene. He knows about the importance and value in speaking the truth and his music lends itself to storytelling and the opportunity to challenge societal pressures and norms.
This year he released a new album on Planet Mu, "Prole Art Threat", a record which perhaps represents his sound and voice best.
Here's something a little bit different this Wednesday, an eclectic mixtape from two exiled twenty-few-year-olds from Santo Domingo. Mauro and Gonzalo produce music as Error Subcutáneo, channeling elements of electronic influence alongside jazz and percussion infused sound design.
Their sound sits somewhere between the midst of downtempo and draws upon balearic influences, albeit with an abstract, experimental approach.
Earlier this year they released a beat tape which caught our attention and in all honesty deserves wider acclaim. Finely tuned, grainy experiments which meanders between hip hop and the odd.
We invited them to record this mix and in all honesty weren't entirely sure what we might get. To be honest, that is what makes the project so exciting. This is a mix made up of entirely original material from the pair, a real treat.
Through his musical pursuits Rotterdam-based DJ and producer Najel Monteiro is exploring the African rhythms that soundtracked his youth, but approached through a contemporary electronic lens.
Whilst these influences are present in much of Monteiro's music, like his inspirations that came before him - principally Detroit techno pioneers Jeff Mills and Robert Hood - his mission is to use his music as a vehicle to “challenge the status-quo”, channeling this into authentic and forward-thinking electronics.
With several releases under his belt, landing on the likes of DNA REC, Forte Techno, Induxtriall, Motech Records and most recently on Carista’s Modern Intimacy compilation, we expect it won’t be long before we’re hearing a lot more of Monteiro’s name.
Ahead of the release of Modern Intimacy, we invited him to take care of this week's Shine A Light On mix. So lock in and get yourself aquainted...
In February of this year photographer and producer Daniel Herrmann and his partner, singer-songwriter Kristina Kristofferson, released their first collaborative outing on our cassette offshoot Bytes. The album was a beautiful collection of long, meditative and atmospheric soundscapes made during a winter spent at one of their homes in the Taunus forest, on the outskirts of Frankfurt.
Individually they've both had their fair share of musical accolades; Daniel as Flug 8, who has been a regular on Ransom Note Records for the last few years, and Kristina as Mono Girl, who formerly composed music for Nintendo.
Stimulated by an introduction from a friend to Börft Records, the pair have created a mix in homage to the Swedish label, recorded in their woodland home...
This has been a busy year for a relatively new producer, Eden Burns. He first appeared on our radar with the release of a balearic come club crossover EP on Public Possession, the record label come shop come fashion parlour extravaganza. Since then he has been busy having been invited to remix music on Optimo and then in his return to Public Possession not once but twice with new music.
Eden Burns has broad taste, this much is clear in his diverse approach to music and the elements by which he manipulates. You might be as likely to find yourself lost amidst a drawn out ambient saga as an oddball club jam and you never know quite what you are going to get. That's what makes it exciting.
Next month he will release a new EP via the label, AGAIN! He works fast. This time it's a club driven affair on a new EP called "Big Beat Manifesto Vol. I“. In keeping with this we asked him to record a mixtape of his own big beats and he does so in unique style.
Jean Marc Virard is a creative by nature, under the guise of 4THSEX he has previously worked predominantly in the fashion industry, having launched the brand in Summer 2018 at the critically acclaimed high-fashion retail store Departamento Los Angeles.
However, behind the scenes he has also been a prominent and proactive member of the Timetable Records crew hosting a monthly radio program on NTS Radio alongside the likes of Nosaj Thing, D.Tiberio, Holodec and Gerry Read. More recently he has entered the realm of production himself and is set to release a full body of music on the label in the coming months, two LP's to be precise.
Earlier in the year we were greeted with an insight into his own musical perspective, a two track EP was released via Timetable which demonstrated his creative prowess - blurring the lines between elements of house, techno and hip hop. It was a distinguished and powerful statement of intent which was reminiscent of heady warehouse parties and nostalgic days of rave which he described as follows:
"One night we were talking about what it was like to go to parties as teenagers. How every aspect is exciting and kind of dangerous, especially for a kid. The House & Techno scenes in France & Chicago were at their peak in the late 80s / early 90s and we were lucky to see what we did. Next thing you know I started to patch on my Eurorack modular systems, programmed some 909 and tracked some emotional strings. When I opened the mic Rob [English] told a story about taking a bus to the Legendary Muzic Box in 1989'"
We since invited Jean Marc Virard to record a mix and it is a blistering showcase of his own music, reference points and is uniquely riveting throughout. This one comes with high recommendations.
The roots of house music stem from Chicago, whilst some may argue and contest such a statement it's hard to deny the influence that the city has upon the genre, even some forty odd years later. New York also has a place in the heart of house, a city born upon breaks and disco culture before being re-imagined by the likes of Larry Levan who interacted and with music by the likes of Frankie Knuckles, Jesse Saunders, Ron Hardy and Larry Heard.
Dj Spen grew up in Baltimore, watching on with keen interest he observed the lineage between the cities, the pioneers and the sounds. In the eighties he was a hip hop dj, appearing regularly on the radio. It was only later that he would evolve his sound and begin to piece together his own musical narrative which lead to him being more prolifically involved in house music.
Over the years he has released music most prominently via Basement Boys Records and Black Vinyl Records. It is at this point in his career in which we focus, a time when house music was alive, evolutionary and perhaps its most dynamic.
We invited Dj Spen to record a mix, an ode to the sound of Chicago upon which he was raised and hasn't left since.
Run by Willis Anne and based out of Berlin, LAN is a record label which channels the underground ethos of electronic and experimental music culture in a humble, unpretentious manner.
It has acted as an outlet for an extensive array of musicians to channel unique, abstract sounds - sometimes these are club focussed yet often they are built as much with a pensive, reflective listener in mind.
This mix is a testament to the hard work and commitment Willis Anne has invested in the label and showcases a plethora of music due for release or featured on LAN thus far.
It's an exciting representation of his own ethos and approach towards music and creativity.
A few months back we were sent an album via Huntleys & Palmers, a record label with which we have worked closely over the years. It was by an artist called System Olympia who upon digging we discovered had previously released music via Slow Motion Records and was a regular on NTS.
However, nothing prepared us for the supreme quality of the record and to be honest it caught us completely off guard. Titled "Delta Of Venus" the album features ten tracks which move slowly and provocatively, some built for the dance floor and others simply for a dark room and late night funk. Elements of Lo-Fi and nods to the P-Funk era creep throughout in what is an alluring, sexy affair.
The record has already received widespread support and airplay, it's of little surprise given how well rounded and addictive it is. System Olympia is an artist who has very much made a statement and we are humbled and delighted to be able to feature her as part of our mix series.
This month marks the release of a new LP by Filipino musician Vex Ruffin, it's his third full length outing on the renowned imprint Stones Throw, a record label which requires no introduction.
Vex grew up split between California’s Inland Empire and Alabang, Manila in the Philippines. His music is very much a reflection of that and draws upon influences from funk, soul and hip hop alongside Filipino culture. Family, nostalgia and the personal connections he's made along the way all inform his own creative process and the music that he makes is humble, warm and honest. He himself described his latest album as follows:
“At my age, you start to reflect. I’m going back to my roots, channeling that time, mixing nostalgia with how I am right now.”
This mixtape is as much of a reflection on that as the album is as Vex showcases a collection of Filipino music and records over the course of an hour. Funk, soul and delicate disco play out across a mix which is truly unique.
South Africa is alive and kickin', a fresh faced wave of musicians and artists are helping to pioneer a shift in dynamic releasing music reflective of their experiences, identities and culture. It's wild and the rulebook has well and truly been scrapped, hell yeah.
Mx Blouse is one of these artists, their music has captured the imagination of a new generation applying a limitless ethos to the notion of style and genre. Sitting somewhere between house, vogue, funk, hip hop, r'n'b and afrobeats the music is a resilient soundtrack to underground Johannesburg and represents what is a very exciting new chapter the country's musical legacy.
Whilst not a dj by nature, Mx Blouse has done a rather spectacular job of piecing together a mix which represents their sense of self, tastes and club lead experiences. It comes highly recommended.
Operating out of Melbourne, here is a group who have been showcasing jazz and diy experimentalism in a whole new light.
The four piece group have been making waves amidst funk, soul and jazz communities the world over and most recently released a nine track album via longstanding UK based imprint Mr Bongo, a label which has become an authority in the sound.
"All News Is Good News" was released in July and was met with critical acclaim, it was well received and showcased the instrumental capabilities of a group very much on the rise.
We invited them to piece together a mixtape, they do so in fine style.
Based in New York, Amelia Holt is a disc jockey and a collector with sophisticated taste. The way in which she pieces together a narrative through music is fascinating and this has perhaps been best showcased through a selection of mixtapes that's she's released online for the likes of Mitamine Lab and Knowing Something amongst others.
Her taste is far reaching and having spent time behind the counter of a record shop in New York she has amassed a wealth of knowledge.
Recently Amelia launched a residency on Public Records' online radio and streaming platform Public Access on which she invites dj's to curate audiovisual material. It's a testimony to her own taste and her notion of curation.
There's a lot more to come from her but we'll let her tell you all about that for herself.
Running a record label is no simple feat, it requires dedication, investment and commitment. Many have tried and failed whilst others simply dream of the notion.
Multiplex is a label which has been in operation for twenty five years, a remarkable achievement for what began as a passion project in Denmark all those years ago. Founded in 1995 the label went on a hiatus of sorts and was then reborn in 2017 following an absence, it has been responsible for the release of music by the likes of Orlando Voorn, Morgan Geist and John Tejada.
More recently the label has released music by Cai Bojsen-Møller, Wilma, Ultra and Luca Lozano.
An imprint reborn yet still very much clinging on to the underground sensibilities which launched and birthed the label in its own right. It is a true testament to the commitment and perseverance of Kong and Daniel Karrill.
Not one to shout too loud or make a scene, Eric Cloutier is a resilient disc jockey and producer who perhaps represents techno and its truth in the most humanistic and humble of senses.
For many years he has worked tirelessly perfecting his craft and for anyone who has witnessed him dj, they will know that the intricacy, dedication and commitment is meticulous.
His sets are free roaming, fast paced and wild. They are designed to encourage as much provocative thought as they are to move the feet and sound best played loudly beneath the cloak of darkness.
This special mix which he has recorded for us is no exception to that. A pensive, beat juggling affair which blurs the lines between techno, IDM and dub. It's a real treat and we are humbled and delighted to be able to feature him as part of our Ransom Note mix series.
Scandinavia is home to a remarkable collection of dj's and producers who have crafted a fun filled take on dance and club music across decades.
As the co-founder of Karlovak Records and the label boss behind Velvet Pony, Art Alfie has been a crucial figure in the evolution of the leftfield house and techno community in both his native Stockholm and beyond. His sound has been well received and championed by a way of chance taking promoters and dj's who have warmed to his creative experimentation and playful take on the genre.
Over the years he has released numerous EP's via the likes of Toy Tonics, Howl Records and many more. He has also collaborated prominently alongside close friend Mr Tophat and the pair have released a splendid array of music through Junk Yard Connections, Bass Culture Records and beyond.
In 2017 Art Alfie released his debut album via the acclaimed Studio Barnhus label and ever since has been experimenting with the leanings and evolution of that record since.
We invited him to record a mix for Ransom Note and we weren't quite sure what we were going to get. That's part of the excitement Art Alfie brings to the forefront and why we are delighted to welcome him to the series.
Ceri is a producer and disc jockey who has made a name for herself through hard work and graft. She hasn't taken the simple route as any former resident of infamous London party Jaded will tell you. Nine hour sets in the small, odd hours of the day allowed her to hone her skills and amass a reputation as an intricate and well versed selector. She knows how to read the room.
In 2017 she launched her label, Find Your Own Records. The name seems like little coincidence for a dj who has worked tirelessly to carve a niche for herself with releases on the label having gone on to be supported by the likes of Ben UFO, K-Hand, Ryan Elliot, Move D and more.
Ceri's own musical taste is broad, at time susprising and as delightful on the dancefloor as it is in the headphones. We are delighted to be able to feature her as part of our mix series.