For this episode we welcome the extraordinary talents of Aaron J, Brooklyn's Sure Thing record label and podcast founder, known for hosting an immense list of explorative modern techno artists from around the globe. Altering our consciousness for the first time in 2023 with a particularly awe inspiring set at Sustain-Release, Aaron's deeply considered and intricate approach is something of sheer beauty, and coupled with masterful technical ability, his inspiring DJ sets allow for fully immersive dancefloor experiences.

Here Aaron explores the softer edges of his expansive sound palette, meditative soundscapes and tranquil IDM converging in total harmony for what he describes as a 'recalibration of the senses'.

@arn_j

@sure_thing

Q. What sounds or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. Of all the mixes I’ve put together over the years, this one definitely feels the most vulnerable. The months I spent thinking about and working on this mix accompanied an intensely busy time in my life, and the process helped me stay in touch with the simple joy of listening as a way of stepping back and letting things go. There is a direct connection here between the music within and the emotions that live inside me. At the same time, I’ve tried my best to mix this as transparently as possible, so that the act of DJing takes a back seat and allows the music to take center stage.

The inspiration behind the tracks I chose and the story of the mix is one of finding balance, so I hope listening to it feels like a casting off of the present day and a recalibration of the senses. I’d love for people to listen to the mix in a setting where they feel most protected from the changes and stressors of the outside world, whether that be sitting outside in nature or laying on a couch surrounded by the comforts of home.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. There is a track in the mix by Autumn of Communion called “Goodbye PK” dedicated to the late Peter Kuhlmann, who many of your listeners will know as the legendary Pete Namlook of FAX +49-69/450464. It’s an immensely moving track that manages to convey both the tragedy of his loss and the depth of the beauty he left with the world, and I feel we’re so fortunate to have music and influences like this in our recent history. I included it early to set the tone of the rest of the mix, which is quite different than any I’ve done before, and to pay my respects to those who’ve inspired our scene from the very beginning.

Q. I was lucky enough to witness your set at Sustain-Release in 2023 and was in awe of your ability to practice restraint while steadily building up tension and energy in the set with such clinical and seamless execution. Is this part of the DJ craft something you spend a lot of time planning and refining?

A. That was such a life-changing moment for me, so I’m really glad you were there! You really nailed what I hoped to accomplish with that set, and I definitely spend a lot of time thinking about where my sets will begin, where I would like them to end up, and what sort of path I might take to get there. Understanding the minutiae of how a transition will affect someone’s state of mind and how to propel someone forward without jarring them back to reality is something I’m always working to improve on. That said, the upward trajectory is not always the most interesting one, and there are so many other ways of charting a course through a set that I hope to be able to explore. For the mix I’ve made for you, it’s not so much a set that builds energy as it is one that expands and contracts, hopefully in a gentle and purposeful way.

The Tartan Records boss and equally boss DJ Wallace signs off on his recent stint down under with a mix packed with deep sea dubs and bumping 00s techy rollers. Based in England, and having previously run a string of club nights in Edinburgh, Wallace is a proud tartan enthusiast with a full tank of punchy dubwise grooves in his sporran, with plenty of nods to his UK roots here over a glorious hour and a bit full of chunky d-floor burners. Let's have it!

@wallacejimmygs

Q. What sounds or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. It’s been a pretty bruising winter back here in the UK but we’d just had our first smattering of sunshine when I came to putting this mix together. I think that shift—the changing seasons and the first signs of trees beginning to bloom in my hometown (as pictured)—definitely influenced the first part of the mix. The middle section leans more into the kind of stuff I’d play out, but I wanted to bring things to a softer landing toward the end. There’s certainly an outdoor feel to the selections so maybe a listening environment to match but equally I love music’s ability to transport us from our current states so bang it on indoors and see what happens.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that you were especially excited to share, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. There’s a Steve O'Sullivan Dub early on which I recently found & it’s just a gloriously mixed and executed piece of dub techno. Towards the end another recent find by Argentinian producer Federico Molinari which to my ears sounds like a lost 80’s gem but was produced just last year. It's rare to hear a modern producer capture that classic vibe so authentically, without tipping into pastiche.

Q. You were just out here in Australia over the past weekend and from all reports the shows were on point! What kind of directions did you take people in during those sets, and how might the energy of your club sets differ from your mixes?

A. Yes, so glad to have finally made it out here. Was a real joy to meet some lovely people in your scene and to get the chance to do my thing. Always revel in the challenge of playing in a new country as you’ve got to be on your toes to adapt but stay true to what you’re all about. I truly felt the warm Aussie welcome, so let’s call this mix a little parting gift to tide things over until next time x

A much loved figure within the American underground scene, California's Baby Leo has been consciously connecting body and mind from coast to coast, finding space for the unpredictable and the awe inspiring, hypnotising dancefloors with wildly eclectic DJ sets filled with energising twists and turns.

An innovator and sonic boundary pusher at his core, the Dripping festival Leo runs alongside Relaxer is a deep underground oasis in the woods of Sparta, New Jersey, and returns for it's third mind excursion this June, with Leo and DJ Plead combining this year for a hotly anticipated back to back.

@djbabyleo

Q. The mix is truly a wild ride! What sounds or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this, and what listening environments could you imagine it being enjoyed in?

A. This is the deepcast right? For this one, we’re going deeper than what I might usually do in a club. Some of these tracks came to me while laying blindfolded on the floor during guided high-dose mushroom journeys. Because this is a space of complete emotional surrender, many of these tracks became permanently embedded in my heart. Awe, fear, reverence, gratitude are all part of the recipe. The ideal listening environment is similar to how you might want to watch a movie - cozy, undistracted, and fully immersed in sound. Perhaps by yourself and hopefully something to return to and discover something new.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. I think Untitled (How Does it Feel) by D’Angelo is my favorite song of all time. It feels amazing every time. The way energy builds and boils over is unmatched. I played it backwards.

Q. Your festival Dripping returns to the majestic woods of Sparta, NJ for its third year running in June, and I see you’ve got a special extended b2b set with DJ Plead planned which should be quite the mind-bend! How have you been preparing for that one, and what things might you guys be doing differently this year that you’re excited about?

A. Preparation hasn’t really begun in any serious way, but we are both anticipating and very excited to play together. Especially at Dripping, I’m typically trying to push the energy forward for a fully explosive impact. I will usually do a lot of preparation for a set like this and plan certain sequences. In contrast, I’ve seen Plead play sets with incredible restraint, patiently working a crowd into complete hypnosis. I guess the thing about a back to back set is that it will take on a life of its own and just go where it needs to go. There will be less planning for this and more intuition, but mind-bending and heart-opening is certainly the goal and we haven’t discussed anything other than that.

Tracklist:

Avartuva nake - Esa Kotilainen

La Symphonie - Cute Heels

Marka - Carmen Villain

Portamento - Stine Janvin

Flusso I - Donato Dozzy

Winded - 7038634357

O Berimbao - Nana Vasconcelos

Polar Sun - Feral

Temples - Anunaku

Doubles - Untold

Drop it On The One - Untold

Wormhole Chant - Vector Trancer

Through The Cobalt Desert - Marco Shuttle

A Touch Of - Piezo

Andnowawordfromoursponsors - Kabeaushe

Shimming - Yor Kultura

Untitled (How Does it Feel) - D’Angelo

Hamburger Lady (Carter Tutti remix) - Throbbing Gristle

Guboo - Lights in a Fat City

An episode that feels well overdue yet thoroughly worth the wait! A titan of the Naarm underground music scene, Pjenné has been a kindred spirit and longtime pal since the early days of MDC, and it's no surprise that her contribution is packed full of gloriously deep and immersive feels, bassy and driving in parts and light as a feather in others, speaking to a palette that has been meticulously explored and continues to evolve along with her incredible weekly radio show on PBS, Passing Notes.

@pjenne

Q. What sounds of feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. For this mix, I wanted to channel the energy and sounds that I associate with Melbourne Deepcast rather than drawing on the darker side of my sound palette that has been at the fore of my radio and club sets of late. MDC means so many things to me, but there’s definitely an energetic, grooviness that comes to mind and this is what inspired the mix. Although the mix does showcase parts of me (heavily atmospheric, emotive and a few downtempo tracks for good measure), I’d say this is more of a mix for you. :) I imagine this mix being listened to outside, on a sunny day, but when you might also need a little extra pep in your step.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. The first that came to mind is a track by Sean Cusick and Medway (Jesse Skeens) - It is an incredibly beautiful and emotive breakbeat track from 2002 on Saw recordings, there’s just something about how the vocals and the pads wash over you - although its upbeat there's also a sombreness to it and I just think its the whole package.

Towards the end of the mix there’s also a very very classic ambient trance number, Lazer Worshippers by Damon Wild & Tim Taylor from 1993 - Not the most deeply dug track but it's a classic for a reason.

Q. You have been lovingly broadcasting your weekly radio show Passing Notes on PBS for six years running, which is a serious achievement! Tell us what you did for your sixth anniversary on International Women's Day, and what keeps you inspired to broadcast the show week in week out?

A. It’s been a wild ride that’s for sure! I really appreciate that International Women’s Day marks each yearly anniversary of Passing Notes - it reminds me to stop and reflect on each year as an achievement that I would probably otherwise forget in the chaos of life. This year I enlisted the help of Syrian DJ and Harmony Rec affiliate Zeynep, who provided an excellent, playful and sassy celebratory guest mix.

As for my inspiration to keep going, I’d say that I draw from the collective power of electronic artists locally as well as internationally. There’s just so much good music to share, and Passing Notes enables me to provide a crucial connection between ‘underground’ electronic music and the wider music community. I'm also inspired by live radio as a format - it provides a sanctuary for me from the highly curated nature of music today and allows me to be more playful in the way that I explore different sounds. To me it is a place free of judgement.

Settled back in the UK after a long stint in Berlin, London chill-out devotee Lucy Cook treats us to one of her notoriously nostalgic blends, with meditative vocal swept soundscapes and smoky jazz lounge space dub fused with trip-hop cuts resurrected from obscure CDs from the 90s and 00s. Deeep mood exploration at its finest!

@lucyscook

Q. What inspiration did you draw upon when planning this mix, and what type of listening environment could you imagine it being enjoyed in?

A. I put the mix together after a bright and productive start to the year. It’s somewhat reflective of my mood I guess, maybe not through the vibe of the tracks, but in the space around them. I’ve explored some deeper sounds in this one.. so maybe one for some introspective listening.

I recently visited Japan too and was super inspired by how intentional everything is, with a focus on simplicity and quality. Stripping things back and consistency are new-ish themes in my personal life too, which feels really good.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. I really can’t choose, but there’s a couple of edits and things I made which feel special. I had fun layering some interesting vocal samples and weird sounds I’ve been collecting over the years, and created some bits with these which are peppered throughout.

Quite a few of the tracks are CD rips from the 90’s and 2000’s, which is a method of digging I love. For me without it, so much amazing music wouldn’t be shared. There’s also one or two from friends’ labels Truffle101 and Sonido Chido which are really cool ones. It’s important to me to support those around me and get good music heard :)

Q. I know you recently made the move back to London after some years living in Berlin, how's the transition been and what are a couple of your favourite UK parties or festivals that you're looking forward to reconnecting with this summer?

A. It took a little while to “arrive” here actually. I’m a pretty calm person and the energy is very different, but I’m feeling happy and at home here now.

Electronic music wise, I went to Houghton for the first time last year and was blown away by the quality of the music, so I’m looking forward to being there again. Otherwise, I’m enjoying seeing more live musicians. There’s always a lot of great psychedelia, jazz, soul, and hip hop to see here, especially outdoors in the summer. Oh and number 1, Glastonbury!

London’s friendliest DJ duo Merchant summon their deepest club crates for two hours of summery prog and rhythm heavy house heaters!

Oozing their signature feel good sensibilities, this one’s a bumping ride with classy 90s groovers and contemporary UK dance music mixed up with love as the main ingredient..

@merchantrecordslondon

Q. What inspiration did you guys draw upon when planning out and making this mix together, and what kind of listening environments might you see it being easily enjoyed in?

A. We’ve always loved a variety of different music and it feels really nice to be able to put out a dance mix that shows that side of our sound. We often spin dance music with our mates at home before a night out, so this could be quite good for the pre-game or as you’re gearing up for the dance in the festival campsite.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. Two of the three tunes we’ll be releasing in our first EP this summer are in the mix so look out for tracks Viva and Twenty46. We worked with our very talented producer friend Strath on those and we are excited for playing them more this summer.

Another standout is Rockin The Boat by Reflex Blue. It’s got the perfect amount of groove to it with that sax coming over that acid line and it’s a great track for moving sets in different directions.

We are also really fond of the last two tracks.

Life Formation by Epsylon 9 is a 90s trance track that has got a lot of positive energy. We paired that with the closing track Please Come To My Show by Kolter which carries that atmosphere but with a more contemporary sound.

Q. Harry I know you’re heading back to the UK to reunite with Al after spending the summer down here in Aus. What are you guys looking forward to upon your return, any new projects or parties in the works?

A. Mainly excited to give each other a big hug, crack a bottle of wine and chuck a few records on. DJing never feels the same when we aren’t together so we are really looking forward to some nice European gigs soon. Obviously the EP is also exciting. We are also starting a run of parties later this year so keep an eye out for that on our insta if you’re listening from London.

A longtime conductor of contagious positive vibrations, Danny Bodega is a much loved name among balearic dance music enjoyers round the globe! Co-founding Gazebo Records last year, his killer ear for breezy coastal cruisers and deep crossover club jams make Bodega's effervescent energies the perfect tone setter for those long 'n' balmy summer nights.

Step back in time for 3 hours of extended hangs and zesty hedonistic pleasures with Danny Bodega as your good time guarantor!

@beaton-4

Q. What inspiration did you draw upon when planning this mix, and what kind of listening environments might you see it being easily enjoyed in?

A. Last year I went to my neighbour Lenny’s night at a tiny basement club in Hackney with Dan Beaumont and Wes Baggaley playing records together. Had not felt that feeling in the club since the early days going out in Naarm with locals playing records all night at Lounge, Liberty Social and Roxanne Parlour. This mix is a nod to that vibe and best suited to before, or after the club hangs…or triathlon training.

Q. Are there any records in the mix that are particularly close to your heart?

A. There are quite a few records in here that I’ve had for more than 10 years and have only ever played to myself at personal kick-ons, so it’s a delight to share them more widely. The Usual Suspects remix of Mr. C and Robert Owens’ ‘A Thing Called Love’ is one. While I’ve never been a fan of Robert Owens’ vocal stylings, this remix is an overlooked $2 Layo & Bushwacka! banger. Will put it up on the Gazebo YouTube channel soon.

Q. You and Nick managed to gather a tonne of support for your inaugural Gazebo Records release last year, releasing Fuemana’s 1994 cult classic New Urban Polynesian on vinyl for the first time. What was your favourite part about that whole process?

A. The response to the Fuemana family’s story and musical talents from a whole new generation of fans really blew us away. Having Tony and Mamma Fuemana fly over from Auckland for the launch party was the perfect culmination of family, friends and community spirit around the release that was also the perfect send off for me moving to London the following day. News on Gazebo 002 incoming shortly…

Q. Where can people catch you spinning next?

A. All night at Frequence in Paris this Friday, Feb 21 at Bodega Nights, April 12 with Daisy Records and Evie at the Jago. Nick and I are putting on a Gazebo party over here on May 3 with some special guests that we are excited about!

Tech friendly coastal groovers and bouncy breakbeats from the sun kissed shores of Lisbon with @magic_carpet co-pilot Hazr in the hot seat!

@haz_r

Q. What inspiration did you draw upon when planning this mix, and what type of listening environment could you imagine it being easily enjoyed in?

A. I recorded this poddy on the Wild Lady, my girlfriend’s canal boat. I find a lot of inspiration digging & plotting here - I’m surrounded by nature and the slow pace of the canal unplugs me from distractions.

I guess it depends what side of the world you’re listening 🙃 There’s quite a bit of sunkissed house in here, so down under it could keep ya sizzlin’ nicely at a bbq or with a warm brew and biccy for us in cooler climates.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. The closing track ‘Does It Really Matter’ by Jeff Dam is a real beauty, there’s something about blissful & groovy breaks which always connects with me. Also shout out to Pistaccio, there’s one from his EP on Magic Carpet last year.

Q. What’s the latest with the Magic Carpet label you run alongside @djappleb? Any upcoming releases you’re particularly jazzed about?

A. We’re celebrating 5-years riding the carpet this year, with some lovely treats to share. The 1st instalment is a EP from b0n with some slammin’ breaks, check the clips up on our SC ⚡️

Q. I know you guys do a regular label night at the legendary Lisbon club Lux Fragil, how would you describe the energy of those nights, and what’s next in the pipeline?

A. Deeply active, big love to our crew who bring the nrg! On the 7th of Feb we’ve got Malika bringing her aromatic grooves and our homie Velvet Velour on closing business, should be a sweet one.

The 2024 Review has landed with MDC's @myles-mac blending up some the tastiest treats from the year that was.

Tracklist:

C.K - We Share The Skies // PRS

AV Moves & Alex Ho - Perennials // Public Possession

naemi - Couch Angel w/ Arad Acid & Huerco S. // 3XL

Pleasure Planet - Alien (Alex Kassian's Sphinx Gate Mix) // SELF:TIMER

DJ Relax - Anti Free Flowing Anxiety // Speed Dial

Mosam Howieson - Ether // Semantica

OP BOOMBOX - Mystery Bay // Serenity Now

Alex Kassian - A Reference To E2-E4 By Manuel Göttsching // Test Pressing

Picasso - Sub Rosa [l.o.v.e] // Tackle Audio

Jamma-Dee - On & On // Public Possession

Patrick Holland - S Mobile // Verdicchio Music Publishing

BùLù - Senegalese-Sharpshooter (Original Mix) // Nummer Music

Mayurashka - 12:00 P.M. // Serenity Now

Cousin - ~O.V.O~ // Self Released

Huerta - Cool Frijoles ft. CJ // Leizure

DJ SWISHA - WEIRDO BEHAVIOR // Self Released

Julie Marghilano - All I Need // RAWAX

DJ Pipe - Deeper Strainz // Global North

Shinichi Atobe - Dub 6(six) // DDS

Picture - Sea // Help Recordings

Retza - Solum Silvus // Looking For Life

Fantastic Man - Warm Waters // Axis of People

DOC 'N' P1LL - Fastforward // Serenity Now

Opal Sunn - Elastic - Phase I // Test Pressing

Avalon Emerson - A Dam Will Always Divide (Lew E Asks the Dust Remix) // Another Dove

The supremely talented DJ Plead launches us into a mind warping world of percussive pleasures and dexterous genre bending, with his trademark agile club rhythms and pacy low end palpitations on full display in episode 303!

@1djplead

Q. What inspiration did you draw upon when planning this mix, and what type of listening environment could you imagine it being easily enjoyed in?

A. I actually looked through my rekordbox history from a recent Animalia night I played in Naarm and drew some inspiration from that. When listening back to the mix I can imagine it being played for a semi-casual game of Futsal or something like that. I feel like there are some light-footed tracks in there that would be useful to some nimble futsal players.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these cuts that resonate with you so much?

A. Mata by Nidia & Valentina

It's taken off a truly sublime Album that I draw lots of inspiration from. It's simultaneously organic and loose and club-playable, which is a tough one to get right. It's something I’m constantly trying to achieve but they seem to have done it effortlessly.

Dotted by Cliques

I actually tried to google to see if I’ve ever put this tune in another guest mix before. I probably have, so I’ll apologise for that now. Cliques has always had a big influence on me since I started producing music. They’ve since stopped producing themselves which is a shame but I always play their old tunes out if I can. RIP Cliques..

Q. One of the things I’ve been fascinated with in your DJ sets (the Sustain-Release set for example) is your mixing of polyrhythms to seamlessly bridge tempos throughout a set. How did you first get inspired to experiment with this style and what are some of otherwise conflicting genres/sounds that have blended nicely?

A. My DJing style is at times an extension of my music production. I think this might be a good example of that. The sustain release transition from 150 to 100 is using a tune that I produced years ago in a 3/4 time signature. I’ve produced a few tunes over the past few years that are able to do that. It just allows me at times to bounce around to different worlds and stops me from feeling stuck in a tempo-range. I haven’t done it so much recently but I’d like to get back into doing it. It can create a really strange feeling for the audience. At Sustain-Release, a lot of the audience were on hallucinogens so it felt appropriate to get trippy in that way. It's harder to pull off in a nightclub environment.

I’m no longer sure what the original inspiration for experimenting with this style was. Playing a lot of tunes that have a polyrhythm in them can often make you feel like you have the option to dance at two different tempos.