AIR Podcast

Episode 67 invites a producer, DJ, and live performer who is probably my most requested guest…. I’m happy to welcome @JochemPaap, also known as Speedy J. With a string of successful releases on Warp and Plus 8 throughout the 90s and early 2000s, Speedy J’s name became synonymous with a special kind of driving, peak-time techno that helped define the genre. Although he’s explored ambient, sampling, and the world of audio-visual, his deepest dive has been into live performance and improvisation, both solo and in collaboration with fellow techno stalwarts like Chris Liebing, Surgeon, and Lucy. His pandemic-inspired project STOOR is just the latest in a decade of devotion to the craft of live performance, welcoming other artists into the fold for an entirely improvised live show that can last as long as eight hours. In this conversation, Speedy J and I explore the intricacies of improvisation, the thrill of the moment, and how he captures captures that excitement in the studio. ++ Music: "Klave" - Speedy J (2010) (2021 remaster) "The Fun Equations" - Speedy J (1995) (2021 remaster) "The Oil Zone" - Speedy J (1995) (2021 remaster) ++ Follow AIR Instagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: airpodcast.substack.com/

This month’s episode welcomes British producer Leon @Vynehall. After a start DJing around the UK, Leon’s focus shifted to production as he released his debut EP Music for the Uninvited, and a widely acclaimed first album on Ninja Tune called Nothing in Still. Inspired by his grandparents emigration from the UK to New York, Nothing is Still also included a novella and a set of short films, an entire world crafted from the seed of the music. His second and much loved album Rare Forever, however, focused inwards, as Leon explored his own identity, capability, and ambition; although it lacks a traditional narrative, Leon himself became the protagonist. With Rare Forever as a jumping off point, Leon and I explore his journey in self-acceptance, his growth as an artist, and how to thrive from failure as well as success. ++ Music: "Duofade" - Leon Vynehall (2024) "Ecce! Ego!" - Leon Vynehall (2021) "Drinking it in Again (Chapter IV) - Leon Vynehall (2018) ++ Follow AIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: https://airpodcast.substack.com/

This month’s episode welcomes Reykjavik based Australian producer, composer, and sound artist @BenFrost. Early albums like Theory of Machines, By The Throat, and Solaris established Ben Frost as a frontrunner in conceptual, boundary-pushing, and sometimes aggressive electronic music — echoed in his earth shaking live performances, which themselves are celebrations of spine tingling bass frequencies and volume. Not for the faint of heart, his music is inspired by punk rock guitar, minimalism, and in the case of his most recent album, heavy metal, often eschewing storytelling altogether in favour of a visceral, physical musical experience. And yet, his work in film and TV scoring, dance, and even opera suggests he’s still interested in narrative artwork. In this conversation, Ben and I explore the different facets of storytelling, or lack thereof, as a musician, his new album Scope Neglect, and his approach to composition across these decidedly different fields. ++ Music: "Unreal in the Eyes of the Dead" - Ben Frost (2024) "Chimera" - Ben Frost (2024) "Ich Dachte, Ich Haette Mehr Zeit" - Ben Frost, from the Netflix series Dark (2019) "The Burning World" - Ben Frost (2022) ++ Follow AIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: https://airpodcast.substack.com/

This month, my guest is a true icon in the UK dance music scene, and that is Manchester’s own DJ Paulette. A club kid from her earliest days, Paulette cut her teeth at Manchester’s number one club, before earning her first residency at Flesh, the beloved queer party at the infamous nightclub Hacienda. She helped forge the electronic music scene in the UK as one of country’s first and best-loved black female DJs, celebrated for her expert selection and her inimitable charisma behind the decks. She continues to carry the torch for the next generation of young artists — a journey explored at length in her new memoir. In this conversation, Paulette and I discuss her book Welcome to the Club, her vital and pioneering role in music, and what it means to be trailblazer. ++ Music: "Sheroes" - Massey & DJ Paulette (2018) "And I’m Telling You" - Donna Giles (Stonebridge Poppers Full Delight Remix) (1994) "Violins & Things" - Massey & DJ Paulette (2018) ++ Follow AIR Insta: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast

Best known for albums like Radio Amor, Ravedeath 1972, Harmony in Ultraviolet, and his most recent project, No Highs, @TimHecker has always been interested in going beyond the superficialities of ambient — preferring to craft music that challenges, confuses, enthralls, and excites. His creative process reflects this, often including bleeding channels, feedbacking pieces, pitch shifting, noise, and distortion. His live shows, meanwhile, can be flooded with darkness or cloaked in fog. In this conversation, Tim and I discuss his musical philosophy and love of creative and artistic dissonance, and the inherent challenges in making music that isn’t always easy. ++ Music: "Monotony" - Tim Hecker (2023) "In The Fog" - Tim Hecker (2011) "Chimeras" - Tim Hecker (2006) Follow AIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: https://airpodcast.substack.com/

This is also the last episode of 2023, and I’m so grateful for what’s been an incredible year of episodes. I’m happy to say that AIR has grown since last year, but on top of that, I feel more and more like I’m making something of value. Thank you all for your ongoing support, can’t wait to show you what I’ve got in store for next year. This month’s episode welcomes Russian producer, composer, live performer, and sound artist @Dasha-Rush. Dasha has become known for pushing the boundaries of music and art, exploring the visual realm through AV projects, performance, and art installations, including use of spatial sound, generative imagery, light, and even dance performance. The constant seeker, Dasha’s fascination about everything from science to black holes to the human brain have opened up her productions beyond the realm of every day techno. In this conversation we explore her every intricate curiosity and how they intertwine with her music, her art, and her life. ++ Music: "Summer Photons" - Dasha Rush (2023) "Light and Dust" - Dasha Rush (2023) "Dance With Edgar Poe" - Dasha Rush (2015) "Outer Space" - Dasha Rush (2015) Follow AIR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast

@John-Carroll-Kirby has steadily made a name for himself as a session musician, collaborating with and contributing to artists like Solange, Frank Ocean, and Blood Orange. That collaborative nature has seeped into his excellent catalogue of solo records, which revolve around his piano compositions, but also draw from the jam session mentality and the controlled chaos of jazz as he invites other musicians and artists into his colorful world. Never one to take himself too seriously, John thrives off the energy of play and breaking the rules of composition. For episode 61, we explore all the different ways that music can be fun, playful, and even uncomfortable, and how to find the magic in letting go. ++ Music: "Oropendola" - John Carroll Kirby (2023) "Blueberry Beads" - John Carroll Kirby (2020) "Dawn of New Day" - John Carroll Kirby ft. Laraaji (2022) "Sensing Not Seeing" - John Carroll Kirby (2021) FOLLOW AIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: https://airpodcast.substack.com/

Welcome back to another episode of AIR, an interview podcast series with a different theme each episode! This month's guest is Austrian DJ, producer, and @kwench-records label boss, @cassy-official A veteran of electronic music, Cassy’s career as a DJ started in the 1990s, bringing her from her native Austria around the world, first settling in Berlin for a residency at Panorama bar in its earliest days. Since then, she’s gone through countless big changes as an artist: growing her voice as a DJ, experimenting with production and singing, starting a label, becoming a parent, mentoring, touring, teaching, and everything in between. In this conversation, we explore the evolutions, transitions, and changes in the life of an artist, and how each phase has helped bring Cassy to where she is today. ++ Music: "The Get On Down" - Cassy (2023) "Feel" - Cassy (2017) "Where Are We Now" - Cassy (2023) "Strange Relationship" - Cassy (2017) FOLLOW AIR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast

This month I’m joined by German producer and live performer, Tobias Freund. A true veteran in electronic music, Tobias’ first job was as an apprentice in a music and recording studio in Frankfurt where he grew up. Fueled by a deep love of technology, machines, and sound, he learned to engineer and later to create. These days, he has a concise collection of hardware which he uses to experiment in techno, downtempo, punk and beyond. Tobias and I met at his studio in Berlin to discuss all things machine, technology, and the joy of exploring a craft he’s spent a lifetime perfecting. ++ Follow AIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patron: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast ++ Music: "CR 24" - Tobias (2017) "the key" - Tobias (2011) "1972" - Tobias (2020) "Beatbox" - The Mutual Torture (2022)

When DJs and producers @eris-drew and @octoocta first met, they felt an instant connection that has only grown over the years. Kindred spirits in both music and life, the pair released their first split EP entitled Devotion in 2018, sharing the same artistic values that make their music deeply moving in all senses of the word. Their DJ sets, meanwhile, light up the dancefloor — their back to backs can be as bombastic and high-energy as they are personal and emotive, speaking to a healing force that seems to drive all of their work. In this episode, we discuss their b2bs, their joint tour and label, @T4TLUVNRG, and their collaborative project Alchemical Sisters — the latest addition to a cosmic world in full colour. ++ Music: "Late Night Love" - Octo Octa (2023) "My Body is Powerful" - Octo Octa (2019) "Trans Love Vibration" - Eris Drew & Octo Octa (Eris Goes to Church) "A Howling Wind" - Eris Drew (2021) ++ Follow AIR Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast

Back in May, I had the pleasure of attending London’s @Gala-Festival, which took place in May on Peckham Rye Common, and together we collaborated on this month’s episode featuring one of London’s most exciting jazz musicians and composers, @Nubya-Garcia. Born in London, Nubya is not only a saxophonist, but also a composer and a bandleader, having first taken up the saxophone at the age of 10. Her time spent with youth music workshops like Tomorrow’s Warriors was formative for her as a young person, thriving in a community of like-minded musical souls — a necessity in jazz music, which finds its heart in collaboration. Despite that or perhaps because of it, Nubya has nevertheless found her own voice in jazz, with albums like 2021’s Source speaking to her triumphant rhythms, her openness, and her expressive energy. In this conversation, Nubya and I get into jazz music, collaboration, and finding your voice. Big thanks to GALA Festival for making this very special one happen! Follow AIR: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: https://airpodcast.substack.com/ Follow GALA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisgala/ ++ Music: "The Message Continues" - Nubya Garcia (2020) "La cumbia me está llamando" - Nubya Garcia ft. La Perla (2020) "Together Is A Beautiful Place To Be" - Nubya Garcia (Nala Sinephro Remix)(2021) "Source" - Nubya Garcia (2018) "When We Are" - Nubya Garcia (2018)

This month, I’m joined by German producer and live performer Rajko Müller, also known as Isolée. A veteran in electronic music, Rajko has always done things differently. Although perhaps best known for his 90s hit beau mot plage, Rajko’s career has steadily chugged along, with albums like rest and we are monster earning him enduring critical acclaim and a laudatory name amongst his industry peers. Eschewing DJing for live performance and putting out only a few albums in total over the course of his career, Rajko’s path is perhaps untraditional, avoiding the spotlight in favour of the simple pursuit of tenacious, truthful music making. In this conversation, Rajko and I discuss his unique trajectory and life outside the music scene, its impact on his creativity, and, in the midst of it all, how his latest effort, Resort Island, has come to life. @Isoleee's new album Resort Island is out now: https://resortisland.bandcamp.com/album/resort-island Follow AIR on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast ++ Music: "Canada Balsam" - Isolée (2023) "you are" - Isolée (2020) "Beau Mot Plage" - Isolée (1998) "Clap Gently" - Isolée (2023)

For episode 54, I’m joined by Dutch-Italian producer and sound designer Aimee Portioli, also known as @grandriver. After her celebrated first full length, Pineapple, which debuted on the iconic Spazio Disponible back in 2018, Grand River established herself within a world of cinematic sound, best loved for her narrative style which sees her experiment not only in electronic music, but also in acoustic instrumentation, sound installation, and beyond. Her latest record, All Above, effortlessly mutates from droney bass pieces to vaporous atmospheres — it was a particular pleasure to hear this album live at Berlin’s Silent Green, in all its engulfing, enrapturing glory. This kind of deep experience is one of Grand River’s specialities, as a performer of course, but also as a producer and composer, and in this conversation, we explore all the ways in which her music immerses the listener in her unique world. ++ Music: "Human" - Grand River (2023) "Side Lengths" - Grand River (2020) "Petrichor" - Grand River (2023) "Korg MS-20 1978 Classic" - Grand River (2016) "Recollection" - Grand River (2018)

Episode 54 of AIR is here, and welcomes DJs, producers, and founders of the @Slow-Life collective, @laurine_sl and @cecilio-sl, to celebrate their label’s 10 years of existence. Comprised of a core crew featuring Laurine, Cecilio, S Moreira, and Indi Zone, Slow Life are defined by their thoughtful, easygoing approach to everything from music and parties to life itself. They have quickly carved out a niche for themselves through their artist showcases and record label; while Laurine and Cecilio have likewise worked tirelessly to explore careers as DJs and artists in their own right. Recently back from a South American tour that took them to a dozen cities across a handful of countries, they’re back in Berlin and looking forward to bringing that inspiration to Hoppetosse, where Slow Life will celebrate its 10 year anniversary on Saturday 26 March. In this conversation, we look back at Slow Life’s 10 years, the collaboration at the heart of their collective, and the philosophies about life and music that drive Laurine and Cecilio as artists. FOLLOW AIR Patreon: patreon.com/airpodcast Insta: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Substack newsletter: https://airpodcast.substack.com/ ++ Music: "Era un Ravero" - Laurine & Cecilio (2023) "Beyond Lightspeed" - S.Moreira (2013) "Consciousness" - Paolo Mosca (2022) "Nobody Knows" - Laurine (2022) "Metropolis" - Primary Perception (2022)

AIR episode 53 is here, featuring a true craftsman in every sense of the word. @Neel is a techno mainstay, not only as a DJ, and a solo producer, but also as a live performer, best known for his expertly designed ambient journeys. This skillset is especially celebrated in his work with Donato Dozzy as Voices from the Lake. But even if you’re not familiar with his work, you’ve almost certainly listened to a record he had a hand in. A mastering engineer for over a decade, his studio Enisslab has over 400 credits on Discogs, including landmark albums by Deepchord, Pauline Oliveros, Abdulla Rashim, DJ Nobu, Atom TM, Mike Parker, Caterina Barbieri, and of course, his own work. In this conversation, Neel and I get deep on mastering and the evolution of his technical craft, his ears, and his artistry, as well as how each of his creative fields inform one another. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/airpodcast and sign up for the AIR newsletter: https://airpodcast.substack.com/ +++ Music: "Naeba" - Neel (2022) "Post Landing" - Neel (2014) "Osmio" - Neel (2018) "Circe + S.T." (VFTL Rework) - Voices from the Lake (2013)

Happy new year! This is our first show of 2023 and the 52nd episode of AIR, an interview podcast series with a different theme each episode. This month I'm joined by American composer, producer, and vocalist @kaitlynaureliasmith. Kaitlyn has put out countless well-loved albums which feature her explorations in synthesis and voice, including the famed 2017 record The Kid, 2020’s atmospheric Mosaic of Transformation, and her most recent album, Let’s Turn It Into Sound. Throughout her sonic journey, listening, both with her ears and with her body, has been at the heart of what she does as a musician; hoping that by listening in different and more intentional ways, she can more deeply connect with sound. In this conversation, we delve into Kaitlyn’s love of deep listening and somatic hearing, and how these rituals help to enlighten her artistry, her creativity and her performances. Kaitlyn's EU/UK tour is starting in April 2023, check out her website for more details: https://kaitlynaureliasmith.com/events/ ++ Music: "Give It To The Water" - Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith (2022) "An Intention" - Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith (2017) "Carrying Gravity" - Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith (2020) "Moon In Your Eye" - Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and Emile Mosseri(2021) "Check Your Translation" - Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith (2022)

we are here with the last AIR of 2022, and what a year it’s been! Thanks so much for all your support this year, we’ve managed to a hit a couple of lovely milestones, including of course our 50th episode last month with Paquita Gordon. Don’t forget you’ve still got a few days left to purchase your 50th episode commemorative t-shirt, available on Everpress here: https://everpress.com/profile/air-podcast On to this week’s episode, which welcomes French producer and DJ @Terence-Fixmer. A fixture in the EBM meets techno scene since its creation, Terence has established himself over the past two decades as a creator of deep, hypnotic, dark electronica. His live sets thrive off the feeling of jumping into the unknown and the unpredictability of performance; thrills that also fuel not only his personal life but his music as well. In this conversation, we discuss Terence's constant quest for new ways to explore, create, and live. ++ Music: "Expedition" - Terence Fixmer (2018) "Corne de Brûme" - Terence Fixmer (2022) "Desertic" - Terence Fixmer (2022) "Electro Static" - Terence Fixmer (2001)

Hello everyone and welcome back! This is the 50th episode of the series if you can believe it, and joining me this month is none other than Francesca Faccilongo, also known as @PaquitaGordon. When I created the series in 2017, it was just a small idea I came up with and pitched to some friends before starting out with literally zero idea what I was doing, aside from that I wanted to tell stories in a different way. Although I’m not a music maker myself, I’ve always been passionate about music and creativity, and it’s been such an incredible experience to meet so many like-minded artists, to hear their stories of triumph and failure, to dig into their creativity and artistry… And of course to share that all with you. To celebrate, my very talented friend and designer Grant Gibson has created two different AIR Podcast 50th episode t-shirts, which will be sold through Everpress, here https://everpress.com/air-50th-episode-t-shirt and here https://everpress.com/air-50th-episode-bubble-t Thanks again so much for your support, I’ve got some really amazing episodes coming up for 2023 and am looking forward to what's next. I also recently started a Substack newsletter for AIR, where I’ll be sharing updates about the series, and also my thoughts and musings on music and my various guests. The first newsletter is out today, you can read my thoughts on making the 50th episode and interviewing Paquita here: https://airpodcast.substack.com/p/50 You can also follow us on Instagram at @_airpodcast or support us on Patreon at patreon.com/airpodcast. Onto today’s episode, which features Italian DJ Paquita Gordon, a resident of festivals like Terraforma and Waking Life, and a true musical devotee. A DJ for over a decade now, she’s spent time in London, Mallorca, and Sicily, bringing with her a deep love of music, creativity, and nature. Her mixes are meticulous and thoughtful, with each record well-researched and purposefully chosen. Her DJ sets are storytelling in its truest form, and playing out, for Paquita, is the best part of her job. Her site-specific performance project Il Vulcano invites artists to join in her in different Mediterranean regions for a jam session that is recorded, but never shared. Her goal as an artist is always to form links, whether that’s through sound, through art, through nature, or beyond, she is always seeking connectivity rather than publicity. She finds joy in the making of things, rather than solely in the end result. In this conversation, we explore her creativity, and the musical and artistic connections that make up a life spent loving music. ++ Music: Paquita Gordon - STE54 Paquita Gordon - Various recordings from Il Vulcano

Joining me this month for episode 49 is Canadian producer and live performer Mathew Jonson. Initially from the west coast of Canada and now based in Berlin, Mathew’s upbringing in electronic music started in the nineties with the jazz-meets-techno live band Cobblestone Jazz. Collaboration and improvisation continue to play key parts in Mathew’s music career, extending to inform his creative process, his solo work, and his techniques as a live performer. With this in mind, he created the Freedom Engine Academy, a music school offering intensive courses around electronic music production, music theory, and creativity taught by a roster of talented musicians and Mathew himself. In this episode, we’re discussing collaborative learning, and how the group experience can make music better. ++ Music: "Magic Through Music" - Mathew Jonson (2020) "Chance" - Cobblestone Jazz (2010) "Rays from the Cosmos" - Units & Measurements (2016) "Lunar Lander" - Cobblestone Jazz (2011) "Typerope" - Mathew Jonson (2020)

This month’s guest is German-born Turkish artist @SedefAdasi, a DJ and burgeoning producer based in the city of Augsburg, Germany. Sedef is perhaps best known for @HAMAMNights, her self-made event series which sees her booking not only local favourites but big name artists at City Club, one of her hometown’s handful of electronic music clubs. Despite a jam-packed tour schedule and a new residency at Panorama Bar, Sedef isn’t interested in moving to a music capital, preferring to work with friends to create all-inclusive events and workshops that foster the growth of her community. In this episode, Sedef and I discuss the story of HAMAM Nights, small city living, and its impact on her creativity as a DJ and producer. ++ Music: "Gel Gidelim" - Sedef Adasi (2021) "Turbo Ride" - Sedef Adasi (2021) "An Anonymous Force" - Sedef Adasi (2021)