AIR Podcast

This month I’m pleased to welcome producer and composer Adam Wiltzie, best known for his projects @starsofthelid, and A Winged Victory for the Sullen (@awvfts). After a chance meeting during university, Brian McBride and @adambryanbaumwiltzie formed Stars of the Lid in Austin, Texas in 1992. Their first album Music for Nitrous Oxide, a monolith of drone and extraterrestrial soundscapes, was a force of nature — and a tribute to the best kind of artistic collaboration. The duo went on to make several other successful albums, becoming of the minimalist and ambient genre, until Brian’s passing in 2023. In this conversation, Adam and I look back on Music for Nitrous Oxide, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, the swings of collaborating with not only Brian, but A Winged Victory’s Dustin O’Halloran, and the impact of grief and memory on creativity. ++ MUSIC "Adamord" - Stars of the Lid (2025 remaster) "Atomos VI" - A Winged Victory for the Sullen (2014) "Buried At Westwood Memorial Park, In An Unmarked Grave, To The Left Of Walter Matthau" - Adam Wiltzie (2024) FOLLOW AIR: Instagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: https://airpodcast.substack.com/

This month’s episode, which welcomes Berlin based, LA bred producer and DJ, @SteveHuerta. Huerta moved to Berlin over a decade ago, seeking out the same dancefloor pleasures as all who make the pilgrimage to Berlin. With a central goal of making dance music, Steve cut his teeth producing and releasing on indie tech house labels, finding joy in creation. In the years since, despite breaking through with LPs like Junipero and TV Slang, a homegrown label called Leizure, and DJ sets that take him to festivals and dancefloors around the world, his joy continues to stay rooted in expression and creativity; the simple pleasures of making and playing music. In this episode, we look back on a career spent persevering in an overly saturated Berlin music scene, the challenges of trying to make it as an artist, and the dedication required to stay afloat as a musician in 2025. ++ MUSIC: "Ruff Groove" - Huerta (2020) "All Wild Things Are Shy" - Huerta (2020) "Safe Passage to Toco" - Huerta FOLLOW AIR: Instagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: airpodcast.substack.com/

For this month’s episode, I’m joined by Portuguese producer and label boss João Barbosa, better known as @Brankoofficial. Perhaps best known for his work as a founding member of kuduro meets techno group @BurakaSomSistema, and his label @Enchufada Records, which was born in 2006 as a creative platform for the band’s many outputs. These days, Branko is focusing on his solo project, which continues to celebrate global club music and collaborations from not only all over the world, but all across the musical spectrum. For episode 75, we’re taking a look back at Enchufada’s history, from its days as a hub for the band to its diverse explorations in global club music. Special thank you to @thehortonbrothers who worked on the sound for this month's episode! ++ MUSIC Branko - "NAFÉ" (feat. ÉLLÀH) Buraka Som Sistema - "Hangover" (Bababa) Branko - "On Top" (feat. Zanillya, Capadose & The Ruffest) ++ FOLLOW AIR Instagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: airpodcast.substack.com/

Here at AIR, we kicked off festival season in with Sonar Lisboa, the little sister to the famed Barcelona festival, which took place in early April this year and featured acts like Max Cooper, Jennifer Cardini, Juliana Huxtable, and this month’s esteemed guest, @MarcelDettmann. A techno veteran whose name is synonymous with big room sound, Marcel recently debuted a new live set, his first ever foray into live performance, the result of a pandemic spent toiling away in the studio and crafting his landmark album Fear of Programming, which formed the foundation for his live act. At Sonar Lisboa, he presented a new version of his project, which he calls My Own Shadow, a mix of his own productions, field recordings, vocal elements, and on the fly craftsmanship. Marcel and I sat down together in Lisbon to discuss his new live set and the creativity behind it, and how his musical and personal life is shifting over years. A big thanks to the team at Sonar Lisboa for the invite to this year’s edition! ++ MUSIC: "Linux" - Marcel Dettmann (2013) "Water" - Marcel Dettmann ft. Ryan Elliott (2024) "Fear of Programming" - Marcel Dettmann (2024) ++ FOLLOW AIR: Instagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: airpodcast.substack.com/

Episode 73 welcomes London based DJ and booker @TobyNicholas, a longtime lover of dance music and a DJ in his own right, best known as one half of a duo with @HamishCole. Toby has seen every aspect of club culture, both the good and the bad. After stints in Leeds and Manchester, where he cut his teeth as a founding member of the cult party series Dog Eat Dog, he started working for London venue @picklefactorylondon when it launched as a sister site to the now defunct Oval Space in 2014. Balancing his creative life as a DJ with the challenges of booking a small, headsy nightclub in Bethnal Green has been an uphill battle for Toby, especially as the nightlife industry in London continues to fight for its life amidst rising costs and reduced spending. In this episode, we look back at Toby’s early days as a raver and finding his place in the music industry as both as DJ and a booker, the trials and tribulations of the London nightlife scene, and his favourite memories of the club he devoted nearly a decade of his life to. ++ Music: Glowing Glisses - "On The Bridge (Larry Heards After Dark Dub Mix)" North Avenue - "Solutions (Instrumental)" Ross Couch - "Groove On (Original Mix)" ++ FOLLOW AIR: Instagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: airpodcast.substack.com/

We're back! Episode 72 welcomes English producer, composer, and vocalist Ema Jolly, better known as @emika_official. A classically trained pianist, Emika has been making music for most of her life, both in the contemporary classical realm and the electronic one. Albums like her self-titled debut and early work like DVA, Melanfonie, and Falling in Love with Sadness were testaments to her thoughtful composition and emotional resonance. After having her two children however, her connection with music has only grown in depth and creative nuance, and these days, she’s making some of her best work yet. Her immersive sound performances at planetariums around Europe bring her music to the venue it was always meant to be in, and these experiences in sharing her sound has sparked a new passion project: a community studio for immersive sound crafted by Emika and funded via Kickstarter. In this month's episode, Emika and I discuss motherhood and its relationship to creativity, and what it means to become “we” as an musician. ++ Music: "Ache" - Emika (2024) "Dilo 22" - Emika (2020) "Sleep in the Day" - Emika (2024) Emika's immersive studio build Kickstarer: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/emikamusic/how-to-make-music-immersive FOLLOW AIR: nstagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: airpodcast.substack.com/

This is the 71st episode of AIR, an interview podcast series with a different theme each episode. AIR is actually on hiatus from recording new episodes, and set to return in the new year 2025… However, this month and last month’s episodes are actually recordings of two interviews produced in collaboration with @DimensionsFestival. Both took place on site with a small audience, and it was really special to be participating in the festival via these intimate artist talks. For the second instalment, I’m speaking with @Unai-Trotti and Sabri, co-founders of the iconic label and event series @Cartulisday. Instead of our usual focus on one topic, these on-site interviews act as artist profiles, exploring creativity and craft, and delving into the label’s history and milestones including their upcoming 15th anniversary which they’re celebrating at the legendary FOLD venue in London on 23 November 2024. Hope you guys enjoy this recording, and thanks again so much to Pat and Hamish at Dimensions for the invite. ++ Music: "Horton" - Unai Trotti (2020) "Where Has Love Gone" - Reade Truth (2018) "Tracid" - Zap (2020) "Twilight Expanse" - Ebeats (2023) FOLLOW AIR Instagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: airpodcast.substack.com/

Episode 70! As you probably know, AIR is actually on hiatus from recording new episodes, and set to return in the new year 2025… However, this month and next month’s episodes are actually recordings of two interviews produced in collaboration with @DimensionsFestival. Both took place on site with a small audience, and it was an absolute treat to be able to participate in the festival in this unique way, the first time that Dimensions has hosted artist talks at their venue in Tisno. First up, I’m chatting with a true legend of the scene, Tameko Williams also known as @DetroitinEffect. Instead of our usual focus on one topic, these on-site interviews act as artist profiles, delving into artistic history and personal milestones, exploring creativity, craft, and music. Hope you guys enjoy this recording, and thanks again so much to Pat and Hamish at Dimensions for the invite. ++ Music: "R U Married?" - Detroit in Effect (1997) "The One" - Detroit in Effect (1995) "The Men You'll Never See" - Detroit in Effect (2002) "Detroit Story" - Detroit in Effect (2023)

Episode 69 welcomes welcomes English producer and DJ Dave Clarke. An early interest in music pushed a young Dave to follow his ambitions no matter what, and as a teen he worked moved out of his parents place, worked odd jobs, and lived rough in order to pursue a life in music. He got an early residency at a club in his native Brighton, but it was his production — releases like Archive One and Red — which propelled him into the spotlight. Since then, he’s become an authority on all things techno, a stalwart of the scene, eternally delivering inimitable and exciting DJ sets. In this episode, we discuss Dave’s breakthrough with Archive One, the ups and downs of releasing records, and the undulating path of his creativity in music, photography and beyond. @dave-clarke-dj-sets ++ MUSIC "Protective Custody" - Dave Clarke "Wisdom to the Wise" - Dave Clarke (Robert Hood remix) "The Woki" - Dave Clarke Follow AIR Instagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: airpodcast.substack.com

Welcome back from an unexpected month off, we are here with episode 68 of AIR, an interview podcast series with a different theme each episode. This month, I’m joined by producer, DJ, and live performer Sibel Kocer, also known as @jakojako_live. Having spent years toiling through manuals, books, and working at the famed synth shop Scheidersladen, Sibel eventually bought her first eurorack and the rest, as they say, was history: her productions are rooted in not only her love of storytelling, but her expertise as a modular specialist. On stage, her live and DJ sets are journeys, too, sometimes ambient, other times driving techno, but always thoughtful, hypnotic, and full of texture thanks to her uniquely changing live and studio set up. Sibel recently left her job at Schneidersladen to focus on making and playing music full time, and we sat down together to discuss the career ebbs and flows of an artist on the rise. JakoJako's new EP Segmente is available here: https://jakojako.bandcamp.com/album/segmente-ep ++ Music: "Introspektion" - JakoJako (2024) "Opak" - JakoJako (2023) "Obejkt" - JakoJako (2022) ++ Follow AIR Instagram: www.instagram.com/_airpodcast/ Patreon: www.patreon.com/airpodcast Substack: airpodcast.substack.com

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