Modulations

For episode six in the series, Modulations are thrilled to present a live recording of a piece named 'When Aurora Danced for Me by 'Firebox and The Doctor'.

About Firebox and The Doctor:

Linda Pope, an environmental scientist with a background of folk and classical singing combined with a passion for traditional step and modern dance together with partner Andy Fierman, an electronics engineer, with a long term fascination with electronic music are exploring a new creative path through electronic music.

Andy’s fascination with electronic sound and music dates back to the 1970s, inspired by artists like Tangerine Dream, Klaus Sculze and Brian Eno. Over decades, he’s built his own analogue synths and embraced digital systems, using various platforms such as Hybrid Systems Music 500 on a BBC computer through Beast and LMMS on Linux before settling on SunVox on Linux and Android.

Whether it's her ear for weaving a haunting lyric through an ethereal soundscape, setting traditional clog steps to the manipulated sounds of the machinery that inspired them and then freestyling them into an unfamiliar world of electronic processing that transforms them into the music that they were originally danced to or singing a cappella into a process that generates a choir of angels, Linda's enthusiasm to blur the boundaries between the different worlds of music and dance be it folk, classical, modern or electronic, brings a kind of creative iconoclasm.

Together, Linda and Andy fuse traditional vocals and step dance with experimental electronics and processes to create music that bridges genres and eras.

About When Aurora Danced For Me:

Inspired by a rare and breathtaking display of the Northern Lights over Yorkshire in October 2024, When Aurora Danced For Me is a deeply personal piece capturing the awe of that night. Created entirely in SunVox using live and pre-programmed synthesis, including recordings of the artist’s voice, the music evokes the shifting colours and movement of the aurora as it unfolded across the sky.

Performed live under the name "Firebox without The Doctor", the piece exists in two versions: a 14-minute rendition from York EMOM XIX (Nov 2024), and a 20-minute version from Whitby EMOM (May 2025). The swirling, shimmering, and crackling textures reflect both the visual spectacle and the sound of VLF (Very Low Frequency) radio signals often associated with auroral activity.

Dedicated to Linda, Jacky Botterill, and Dave Walker, with a title inspired by a comment by Rebecca Denniff, this is a sonic tribute to wonder, nature, and friendship.

Links:

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/firebox-and-the-doctor

Music and video: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Ayhh38vRnaQIlgYxx31ymhaXAUaE2TXO

For episode five Modulations gladly welcomes A.C.R.L

This is the third in a set of four live recordings from the event 'ADSR' held in Chapel Allerton, Leeds - 06/06/2025.

Info:

I've been fully modular for about a year now. Pushing towards mainly being live improvisation, taking off from where I last finished and seeing where the mood takes me. Some prepping of samples is required but I’ve chosen synths for most of my modules for me to be able to sound design live. The 1010 bluebox and my 64 knob midi controller are the central parts enabling hands on control. Mutes and 4 sends per channel give great scope for “playing” the mixer.

Links:

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYQdsNrP8Jy2STWSqZW7xww

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/carl-brade-lee

We’re very pleased to welcome The Last DJ, aka Nick Hayes, to this episode of Modulations—a standout figure in the online hardware scene, known for his DAWless techno jams, playful energy, memorable performances in unlikely places (including a wheelie bin), and hands-on synth tutorials.

Info:

The Last DJ Nick Hayes started making music at the age of 59, initially using samples. He then jumped straight into using synths with the Digitone and now uses the Syntakt for all music creation, along with the Pioneer RMX500, to create all music completely DAWLESS.

Tracklist:

EBM

After Party Live

Miniature Techno Pony Rides

Techno Garden

The Art Of

Clock

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/@thelastdj

For episode three we welcome Entropy Tango.

This is the second of a set of four live recordings from the event 'ADSR' held in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.

Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXg8F8C2aRo

Info:

Entropy Tango is the musical project of John Stratford.

I’ve been deeply involved in immersive sound experiences through pagan and shamanic camps, where live drumming and chanting sessions were recorded in a Roundhouse—an acoustically rich, natural space that shaped the character of the sound. During these gatherings, I captured hours of raw audio using a Tascam recorder, including performances with Tibetan cymbals, Ting Sha, tongue drums, and various other acoustic instruments.

These field recordings were later processed through my modular setup. At the heart of my system is Pamela’s Pro Workout, serving as the main clock and trigger source for the Rample—a four-channel sample player loaded with loops and textures, including sampled drum loops created in Studio One.

I incorporate analog noise to modulate various voices, and use modules like the Cursus Iteritas Percido—a dynamic wavetable oscillator—routed through the Viol Ruina, a low-pass filter with built-in distortion. The result is a layered, evolving sound that merges organic recordings with modular synthesis.

Links:

https://youtube.com/@johnstratford6734

For episode two we welcome Askalotl to the fold.

This is the first of a set of four live recordings from the event 'ADSR' held in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.

Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufTE_Ehtwwg

Askalotl Info:

I’m Askalotl a.k.a. known as Saul, and like a lot of synth-loving blokes that reach the age where they start to lose hair on their heads and replace it with hair on their backs, I decided it was time to have a mid-life crisis and get into music hardware.

I’m Leeds based but I’m a hillbilly at heart, hailing from a sleepy drinking town in North Yorkshire. I actually moved to the city 8 years ago with the intention of connecting with other music tech heads, but I ended up partying instead.

One day I was approached by a big, grumpy guy called Chris Bate who’s sense of humour was dryer than your mouth the morning after 20 pints and a couple of bags - but he was super welcoming and encouraged me to come along to an EMOM - rather cleverly finding me through an ad for a Bastl Softpop 2 that I’d placed on FB marketplace.

I suppose I should say something about music here, really. I currently use a Digitakt MK1 for drums and other samples and a Roland SP404 MK2 for live performance fx like High Pass FIlter and Frequency Isolation. My broke-ass mindset is how can I do the most with as little as possible, actually removing other devices from my live set-up. The material I’m writing at the moment is influenced by old school dance, hip hop and metal, alongside all the hard techno and alt-dance that I listen to these days.

If you’re reading this, check out Dean and I’s night called ADSR - currently residing at Northlight Arts Centre, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. More info on our socials, cheers.

Tracklist:

Biggie

Protek

Sucker

Deftech

Greedcore

Uno Dos

Skippy

Silent

Gaslit

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/@askalotlmusic

https://www.instagram.com/askalotl_/

Modulations is back — with a new musical direction.

In this next chapter, the podcast will focus mainly on live performances from electronic music artists who embrace a DIY approach to creativity — many of whom perform at EMOM and similar grassroots events.

Over the past few years, I’ve been attending various EMOM (Electronic Music Open Mic) events across the north of England. It’s at these gatherings that I’ve discovered some incredible talent — from both familiar and often unknown artists. This includes close friends, whom I’ve had the pleasure of watching take to the stage and perform for the very first time. The whole experience has been inspiring — and eye (or ear) opening, to say the least.

Click here for more information about EMOM and how to get involved: https://electronicmusicopenmic.com

In addition to live performances, I’ll occasionally upload DJ sets — from myself and a few handpicked others. No genre boundaries — just the good stuff.

If you create live electronic music — whether you play at EMOM events or elsewhere — I’d love to hear from you.

To kick things off, please welcome Boris Donkson.

Boris info:

Boris Donkson (UK)

Presenting sounds out of context gives Boris Donkson’s work a firm Concrète base.  Passionate about driving interest in electroacoustic music, he performs in pubs and clubs across northern England. As a mature student, a B.A. in Music Production rekindled his passion for early electronic music, and saw him study Sonic Art (MA) at Leeds Beckett.  The regular use of spoken word within his work has led to compositions appearing in concerts and poetry podcasts. Broadening the scope of his work to include mixed media and installation pieces, Donkson’s still attempting to bridge the gap between illegal events and formal academic settings.

Pieces in this podcast:

Flex

On The Cut

Neverdently

Cressida

It’s Good to Talk

Conservative MPs

Cluck Click

String And Trumpet

Between The Sounds

Polyethylene Paradigm

This is the last episode of series one of the Modulations podcast. Huge thanks to all the contributors and listeners over the years, it's been an absolute pleasure.

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Episode 66 is brought to you by friend of the show and regular contributor, Implant. Here we have a cracking mix of eclectic sounds, spanning many genres. One for the connoisseur, enjoy!

Tracklist:

Psyche - How The West Was Won

Operandum - Dub Token

Marek - The Underwater Temple

Neuronphase - Here We Go Again

Demdike Stare - Eulogy (from Testpressing #003)

Sleeparchive - Perspective

Random Factor - First Principles

Claro Intelecto - Sirens

Reedale Rise - Artemia

Ceephax Acid Crew - Strut (Storm Mix)

Bless The Marcc - Alcoline Drops

Bless The Marcc - Life Spans

Cygnus - Deactivating Laser Mode

Neutron - Transition

Hidden Spheres - IshOnSax

For this latest episode, Modulations welcomes back good friend of the show, Sputnik. with a precision mix of fine Electro cuts, enjoy.

info: https://soundcloud.com/sputnikbaz

Previous episode: https://soundcloud.com/agent808/mod35-sputnik

Tracklist:

Working Men's Club - 19 [Heavenly]

w1b0 - Main Squeeze (Original Version) [Bass Agenda Recordings]

Telephasycx! - Chaos Theory [Bass Agenda Recordings]

X-truder - Testing Reality [Crobot Muzik]

Sol Dat - Excession [[k]rack-troni[k]]

Norwell - Dissonant Division [Pinkman]

dynArec - A Dispatching Role [Central Processing Unit]

Deemphasis - Searching [Ukonx Recordings]

Sound Synthesis - Operator88 [Crobot Muzik]

Datawave - Breach Out [Gated Recordings]

Cybernet 1202 - Danger From Above [Bass Agenda Recordings]

Morphology - Mirror Comparator [Central Processing Unit]

Ascension Électronique - 2012 A.D. (Rogue Frequency Remix) [Fundamental Bass Intelligence]

Franki Juncaj - Waiting In The Dark (Aux 88 Remix) [Decabaret Records]

Errorbeauty & Serge Geyzel - Delusions [Fundamental Bass Intelligence]

Episode 64 is brought to you by Modulations resident and super duper DJ, Fergus O'Connor, who says:

A homage to many, many mad nights out 91-92...'ardcore will never die ❤️

Tracklist:

Jailed Jamie: Ninja

Rico Casazza: Atompunk (Eusabeia Remix)

Kaotic Chemistry: Drum Trip (Detboi's Low Ends & Amens Remix)

Hooverian Blur: Despite Everything

Hooverian Blur: Energy Energy

The Brothers Grimm: Exodus (The Lion Awakes) WNCL VIP

No Moon: Sirens

John Strongrock: Shredder's Acid Gang

L/F/D/M: Shock Hair

Walton: Rolla

Bakey: Bring it Back

Shun: Digital Slave

Frequency: Kiss the Sky

Silver Fox ft. Spyda: Dream (MOY Remix) [Release date 30th June: Amentec]

Stones Taro: Promise

OverworX: Have a Think

Isolated Material: Unmarked Sequence

Desert Sound Colony: Infinite Strikes

Guau: Layer Cake

Fugitive: Too Strong (MOY Remix) [Release Date: 30th June: Amentec]

Further listening: https://soundcloud.com/fergus-oconnor-2

For this latest installment, Modulations welcomes back https://soundcloud.com/6047, with this dope mix, showcasing electro releases from 2020-2022.

Info:

Globally supported LA based open format electronic DJ & producer since 2002.

Host & curator of Elektronik Tranzmissionz Podcast.

https://linktr.ee/6047

Tracklist:

01 Cybereign - City Of Ghosts (Original Mix) [Rator Mute]

02 Raavel - AY AY AY (Original Mix) [Juicy Gang]

03 Exzakt & BFX - Close (Original Mix) [Struments]

04 Amadeezy & Arm Record - Bass Beat Bang (Original Mix) [International Chrome]

05 Maelstrom - Never Crash (Original Mix) [Mechatronica]

06 Dez Williams - No Longer Human (Original Mix) [Rator Mute]

07 Soft Grunge - Bass In Your Chest (Original Mix) [Posse Up]

08 Yermak - Bass Things (Original Mix) [Your Character]

09 Nasty King Kurl - Stop Talking Boy (Original Mix) [Nerang]

10 Dom Perignon - When U Say (Original Mix) [199]

11 LectrO cOd_E - Infamous Bass (Original Mix) [Woodwork]

12 CTRLS - Transfer (Original Mix) [Micron Audio]

13 Assembler Code - Generator (Original Mix) [Censor]

14 DJ Aleister - Knock (Original Mix) [DJ Aliester Self-Released]