Ransom Note

Colour is the name of the game. We all need a little bit of colour, flair and originality in our lives. Matisa has it in abundance, a fine role model with impeccable taste in music and beautiful selection. The Italian disc jockey has helped to refocus the stereotypes sometimes associated with Italian dance music as she digs incredibly deep for far reaching selections across a wide spectrum of genr...

To listen to the records that Stu Robinson has put out under his ASOK moniker you’d think that he’s been producing for years. Deep, rolling techno and house music that has such a distinctive feel that you can pick his tracks out a mile off. In actual fact he only got into production relatively recently but that’s only half the story. With a deep love of electronic music that goes back to his schoo...

Based in London the singular sounds of Lung Dart have resonated with a niche yet heavily engaged audience. Blending weirdo ambience alongside dusty bass and beyond they have crafted a place for themselves amidst the sprawling, monster of a city. Their music is as much a soundtrack for the dystopian city as it is for individual listening. This is something which translates well beyond their own pro...

Next to appear in our showcase series is a producer and disc jockey from Berlin. An artist who has made his mark as of late having just released on Marcel Fengler's Index record label. The release has come after many years of hard work for AVION who has appeared at the likes of Gerberei Schwerin Waagenbau and Tresor. Originally inspired by the likes of Jeff Mills, Depeche Mode and Bjork his sound...

For those of you who reside outwith London, yes, those people do exist - here is a mix from perhaps one of the most pioneering outfits in dance music culture in the Midlands at present. Leftfoot are a trio who have been running parties and promoting nightlife and dance music for a long time, their impact on the local scene is commendable to the highest letter. They have hosted some of the most inn...

Lennard Poschmann is a producer and disc jockey from Germany who continues to evolve as an artist. Based in Frankfurt he has asserted himself as one of the most interesting producers in the city at present having formed close relationships with the likes of Live At Robert Johnson. It is in fact Live At Robert Johnson upon which he will release his debut album in the coming months, no small feat. H...

Now it's time to switch it up a little. On a Wednesday we like to try things a little differently. This time around we feature Braqueberry, a producer with many faces. However, this time around we feature him under an alias in which he focusses upon juke, footwork and bass as he steps up to deliver an electrifying assortment of sound and frequencies. Coming in at fifty minutes he blends juke along...

oqko are perhaps one of the most intriguing imprints to emerge in electronic music as of late. The Berlin based collective has released music from an array of vastly talented producers whilst managing to maintain an under the radar profile which allows them to dabble in experimentation and diversify. R_108 is a musician whose music evolves in delicate soundscapes, oddball ambience and distant haze...

Originating from Hong Kong Mr. Ho has amassed a serious reputation as a selector and label boss through his imprint Klasse Wrecks alongside Luca Lozano. The label has carved a niche for itself through it's visual identity associated with early rave culture and nostalgic days spent dancing. However, the releases themselves have been strong and singular in their sound. Dj Fett Burger, Cardopusher, H...

If you’re a keen techno head then the chances are that you’ve encountered the sounds of DJ Shiva, AKA Noncompliant on a dancefloor recently. I first came across her work via her excellent EP on the Valance imprint recently, and that spurred me on to dig into her back catalogue and I quickly became a bit of a fan boy. Hailing from the backwaters of Indiana, Lisa Smith’s career goes way back, with o...

Next up to our mix series we welcome a producer whom has bubbled beneath the surface for far too long. Mr Assister is a label boss, drummer and producer based in London, he has long had an affiliation with the 1-800 Dinosaur imprint but has recently begun to release his own music via a new imprint titled BEAM. His sound is rooted in percussion, perhaps this stems from his passion for drumming, his...

Ah, the distinctive art of the alias. The mystery figure who prefers to be known as an alter ego, a removal from their otherwise known state. In this case we are delighted to introduce to you Ursa's Reef, the alter ego of an artist perhaps better known as Photonz. The new project sees him focus on elements more commonly associated with trance than his previous works on the likes of Principe, Creme...

Introducing a group you might perhaps not be aware of. Balmorhea are a six piece instrumental group from Texas founded by Rob Lowe and Michael Muller in 2006. Across the years they have released a diverse array of sonic experimentations which fuses an assortment of genres in a kaleidoscopic blend of style and artistic grace. Their sound is defiant of niche, space or time and could perhaps be best...

Guy Evans is an unsung hero of sorts. Based in Cardiff he has been a presence in the wider electronic music community for over twenty five years, however, it is only more recently that his own music has started to amass the respect and credibility which it has always deserved. A few years back I was introduced to his music by one of the team behind All Caps in Rubadub in Glasgow, at the time they...

Sydney is beginning to change its public perception. For many years there was reports of a club scene in decline and a jaded culture. However, in recent years there has been a significant wave of new musicians, producers, parties and labels to emerge from the land down under. Ben Fester is perhaps one of the pioneers of this new wave of talented up and comers. As the boss of the Heavenly party ser...

There is a sense of purpose about the Italian duo Underspreche. Perhaps this is best demonstrated through the volume of work they have released over the last couple of years. However, what is in fact most impressive about the up and coming pair is their stature and from which camp their releases have emerged from. Last year the enigmatic duo released three independent EP's on Optimo, this is no sm...

Coming live and direct from Leeds we welcome a heated newcomer to our Ransom Note Mix series. LOFT is about to release his debut EP on The Astral Plane, an illustrious label associated with all things abstract and futuristic in relation to electronics. LOFT"s new release is described as a “hairbrained proto-jungle track”. Forward thinking, progressive music for the clubs, heady and yet pensive at...

Amidst a competitive industry there is a lot to be said for those who strive to better the lives of others. Heels & Souls is a London based non-profit party which hosts intimate events and club nights, pioneered by Ben and Pat the project was launched two years ago and has seen them play host to the likes of Charles Drakeford, Nick The Record and more. There is no strict focus on genre or style as...

There are few familiar faces in London, many come and go, parties chop and change and there is sometimes a sense of mystery about those behind the scenes. Robin Ball is not a man who conforms to such a representation. The Memory Box parties have established themselves as some of the most robust and dependable in the city for which Robin is very much responsible. Having been involved in dance music...

In the current climate of electronic music most people have to become a Jack of all trades but only very rarely do you come across someone who is truly accomplished in as many fields as Kevin McHugh. He’s an excellent DJ, runs two very highly respected labels, Delft and Valance, and is a consummate producer under the monikers LA4A and Ambivalent. Across all of these, he is completely uncompromisin...

Multi Culti is full of life, an elaborate project which has sky rocketed, blossoming with musical heritage and a new wave of artists. Red Axes, Clarian, Auntie Flo, Nicola Cruz, Manfredas and many more have all appeared on the imprint. Thomas von Party and Dreems first founded the record label back in 2013, unaware of the course it might take. The two are both independent producers and dj's in the...

Piero Paolinelli is a highly sought after Italian producer, a man very much in demand. His soulful approach to house has led to him appearing record labels such as ANMA, Banoffee Pies, Loveless Records and many more. A keen musician he draws influence from jazz, funk, soul, disco and deep rooted dance. A mature approach to production and a keen eye for detail makes his work significantly prominent...

In an age in which new artists compete for attention it can be notoriously difficult to be heard amidst the noise. William Florelle is an up and comer who first caught our attention on a release via WotNot music earlier this year. His soul tinged take on house oozed with quality and showcased an artist ready to step up. The London based producer is turning heads very quickly and this make showcase...

Earlier this year Luke Standing surpassed himself whilst releasing perhaps what was his strongest piece of music to date. Under the alias of Blue Hour, the UK born Berlin based producer has acquired a reputation for intricate production and an inspired take on techno. "The Midnight Sun" EP saw him interlink gorgeous soundscapes and driving percussion in a manner which was somewhat reminiscent of t...

Based in Frankfurt Shan might have already been a familiar face amidst the locals, however, his international presence is most certainly on the rise. The producer is perhaps best known for his interaction with Gerd Janson's Running Back imprint on which he has released a string of EP's and collaborated. He has worked closely with Tuff City Kids and has further released on the likes of Beats In Spa...