Culture Radio by Operator

Our weekly updated playlist with all Staff Picks, handselected by the Operator crew!

www.operator-radio.com

Operator Picks - 2025

Following last year's kick off episode of Sunflowers Radio that went beyond Women's day and showcased various flinta* artists from various electronic music scenes, pemzzi and Cat A Lula are back this year for a full radio day. For 8 hours, several guests will present their own sounds and practices through live or dj sets, accompanied by some chats, thoughts and recent music favorites.

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Sunflowers Radio Day - 9th March 2025

Recorded live at the PAARD Foyer during Rewire Festival 2025.

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Operator x Rewire

Fundraiser for Palestine | Time is the New Space

Operator is an online community radio station and cultural platform based in Rotterdam.

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www.instagram.com/operator.radio
www.youtube.com/@Operator-radio

Curses - 30th March 2024

L.F.T. - 9th May 2024

Operator is an online community radio station and cultural platform based in Rotterdam.

www.operator-radio.com
www.instagram.com/operator.radio
www.youtube.com/operator-radio

Aleksandir  - 15th October 2024

Culture Radio teams up with AIR once again for a special broadcast live from the Stadmakerscongres!

Cara has invited representatives from Shadows United - a collective of Rotterdam-based artists with and without the right residency papers. 

They’ll talk about using art to humanise humanity, fight for human rights and shape our reality. 

Seb will speak to Jan Brandt from Cult Is Us, looking at the process of turning an empty Rotterdam space into a flourishing cultural venue. 

Shadows United:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadows_united_rotterdam/
Audiotour: https://izi.travel/nl/7d89-shadows-united-audiotour/nl

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Culture Radio By Operator [21] - 15th November 2024 - City Makers Conference

Italorator is back on the Operator airwaves for one last time in 2024. This time, this in for an all-day special with guest mixes from the early sunrise to 4PM, followed by DJ sets live from the container with Italorator affiliates. All the action's in the chat!

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Italorator Special w/ Kimmah - 30th December 2024

Italorator Special w/ Marsman - 30th December 2024

IFFR is in full swing so it’s time for another Culture Radio special!

Two special guests join us this month: Cara speaks to film critic, IFFR programmer and professor of Film History and Theory at Aalto University, Olaf Möller, about this year’s Cinema Regained - one of our favorite recurring programmes at the festival. The conversation heads from Spaghetti Westerns, pre-revolutionary Iranian cinema, Sergei Parajanov, to making friends with archives, cinema in Japan, India, and Iran… a must listen for any cinephiles curious about a programmer’s process. 

And Seb sits down with Sharon Rijsenburg to talk about her film, ‘Bubbling Baby’. The documentary tracks the cultural significance of the much loved Dutch-Caribbean musical genre, particularly amplifying women’s voices and a feminist perspective.

Seb asks Sharine about the experience of making the film, watching your own movie in a theatre for the first time and the pressures of winning the RTM pitch award.

Photo: Bubbling Baby

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Culture Radio by Operator [22] - 2nd February 2025 - IFFR Special

Grauzone special live at Operator for two hours with Marsman.

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Grauzone Special w/ Marsman - 6th February 2025

Seb and Cara dedicate this episode of culture radio to Rotterdam’s web of DIY bookstores, publishing collectives, writers & zine-makers.

Cara meets with Moose M. Goosen (@moshin) from and so on books (@and_so_on_books) to discuss the importance of community in bookstores, finding first edition Valerie Solanas in a kringloop in the Netherlands, and finding kindred spirits among DIY bookstore culture in Rotterdam over the past few years.

Seb is joined by Lianne Enkhuizen from The Base Bookspace (@thebasebookspace) live in the studio to talk about her love of literature, platforming black authors, thoughts on representation and marketing in the book publishing industry, and how to run a nomadic bookstore.

Cara also speaks with Ash Kilmartin (@ask_kilmartin) from Short Pieces That Move! (@shortpiecesthatmove), photographed here by Bart Lunenburg. SPTM! are a reading and writing group as well as a DIY publishing house with an emphasis on collective learning and permission-giving: the permission to experiment, sometimes for the first time, with writing, and to work with or against English as a material. Ash & Cara discuss the links between independent radio & book-making culture and the importance of accessibility in publishing (aka how to make the best book for the lowest price) 📚

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Culture Radio by Operator [23] - 2nd March 2025

swærm b2b The Spy - 4th March 2025

Dirtydub, Moving between dub, dubstep, bass, dnb, jungle & contemporary productions inspired by IDM, ambient, techno and contemporary electronics.

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DirtyDms - 6th March 2025

Following her turntablist set, tune in for an insightful talk with Nago about her experience with turntablism, digging, recent music favorites, participating in competitions and tips for starting up.

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Sunflowers Radio Day - talk w/ Nago - 9th March 2025

This live set plays with different electronic landscapes — I’m crafting and mix all these scenes while seriously looking for textures and kicks to soothe the noise, then I dissect the sound to find another beauty and wait around for a new poem to appear. It’s one-hour trip of limboistic sounds and thoughts looking for noise and drones. Featuring unreleased diamonds. Synthesized poetry and glitchy vocals. Experimental sound design. 1 hour of bitter-sweet electronic meditation. Mood varies: from ambient to brutalist, industrial to something else.

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Sunflowers Radio Day w/ Kovač FM [live] - 9th March 2025

Hints will be playing a mix of ambient, downtempo, pretty songs, and some trap and other more bassy things. Low end, deep, bad & sad songs. Music for singing and sinning, music for driving cars late at night <3

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Sunflowers Radio Day w/ Hints - 9th March 2025

For this set, sausy will steadily take you through a dreamy but booty-bounce-proof realm of deconstructed club, breaks, bass and more, in conversation with their own poetry.

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Sunflowers Radio Day w/ sausy - 9th March 2025

Lis is an interdisciplinary electronic music creator based in Amsterdam. Whether it’s a DJ set, Live set, or Hybrid. She enjoys the mix of different machinery to build unfamiliar rythms within Goa, Double-Bass, Footwork, Acid, Trippy and Percussion

She is the founder of Epiphany Records and Epiphany Agency, and is constantly working behind and in front of the scenes in nightlife. Her biggest work-passion is towards building FLINTA* safe spaces, and de-constructing dance floors. 

Sunflowers Radio Day - talk w/ lis (Epiphany) - 9th March 2025

People sometimes speak of something that happens frequently as happening 'ever so often'. But when something happens only occasionally, it happens every so often. Ever so often is a monthly show at Operator by Samira, a dj that usually comes back to a darker palette of melancholic electro, acid and new beat.

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Ever So Often w/ Samira - 15th March 2025

Talented producer and DJ Luna Ludmila comes to the trusted blue container to showcase her unique sound.

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TOZO show w/ Nathan Homan & Luna Ludmila - 18th March 2025

Tarra is a Ukrainian DJ and producer. He co-founded Capsule Events, a series of gatherings that helped shape Chernivtsi’s electronic scene. This led to a growing presence in Ukraine’s club circuit, with performances at renowned venues such as Kyiv’s ∄ club, Arsenal XXII, and Cxema events. Due to the full-scale invasion of russia, Tarra relocated to Amsterdam, where he began building his home studio. At this stage in life, he is returning to producing music and DJ’ing. His recent track, “Under Pressure”, was released on Fear of Silence's VA compilation, marking a new chapter in his journey.

For this show, Tarra will go with a club-oriented mix in the 145-150 BPM range, leaning towards breaks, IDM, bass music and techno.

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Tarra - 21st March 2025

Culture Radio returns with a record store special! Seb H. riding solo today, tune in for extended interviews with the teams behind beloved Rotterdam record stores Clone & Offbeat. We hear Nathan & Jelmer’s staff picks from the first quarter of 2025, plus an in-depth chat about the shifting landscape of electronic music. And as Offbeat celebrate their second anniversary, Chris and Boaz talk about the journey so far, how Discogs has changed the game and the crazy world of Record Fairs.

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Culture Radio by Operator [24] - Record Store Special - 31st March 2025

A sound that seamlessly blends house, trance, progressive and italo disco, all laced with subtle yet unmistakable 90’s influences. His music channels the raw energy of classic house records while reimagining it for today’s dance floors.

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Boudi - 2nd April 2025

The Spy mixing up some Electro, breaks, EBM, techno, and whatnot, live at Operator.

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The Spy - 4th April 2025

Cardboard Lamb | Rewire Festival - 5th April 2025

Ernestas Sadau | Rewire Festival - 5th April 2025

awyn1000 | Rewire Festival - 5th April 2025

Rosa | Rewire Festival - 5th April 2025

jacquestrax | Rewire Festival - 5th April 2025

Ernestas Sadau Presents: John Cage 4’33 slowed down 800% by Ernestas Sadau. World Premiere

The realm of modern music is dynamic and perpetually shifting. This show is dedicated to connecting with contemporary music, exploring a blend of unique and recognizable tones, and uncovering both the enigmatic and unrefined aspects of the musical spectrum.

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4’33 Slowed down 800% by Ernestas Sadau - 12th April 2025

Rena Volvo is a Berlin-based DJ and record collector with Sardinian roots. Her sets are an eclectic and playful mix of warm, energetic disco and timeless synth gems from around the world. As one quarter of Berlin's Automaticamore crew, her heart probably beats fastest for Italo Disco that whisks you back to the Rimini of 1983. She forms the vivid duo Liquid Sky alongside Hara Katsiki, embarking on a journey that explores all spheres of the synth galaxy, pushing the boundaries of sound and creativity. Volvo's passion for the unknown and obscure may also hold a few sneaky treats you’d be wise to stay curious about.

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Italorator w/ Rena Volvo - 15th April 2025

Dash is a young, Slovenia-based DJ inspired by the '80s and '90s sounds of Italo Disco, Synthwave, EBM, and early Trance.

With her unique sound, she has quickly made her mark on the Slovenian music scene, becoming a regular at Slovenia’s top clubs. She also played at the sold-out Kurzschluss event, commemorating Umek’s 30th anniversary, and has shared the stage with world-known names like Maroon.

Dash is the co-founder of Slovenia’s top Klub K4 Italo-Disco event series, Pozione d’Amore, where they regularly host thr biggest names in the genre, like Kendal and Andi.

Italorator w/ Dash - 15th April 2025

Ever So Often w/ Samira- 16th April 2025

Recorded live at Time is the new space during Motel Mozaique Festival 2025

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Culture Radio by Operator [25] - 18th April 2025 - MOMO'25 Special

Submid with Special Guest DJ Pipe. He is behind some of the grooviest, swingiest house records around, but you won't find much in the way of his DJing online. Now live at Operator 

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Submid w/ DJ PIPE - 25th April 2025

For this mix, MATRIX3K decided to pick out a slower selection, going away from her usual sound (which normally consists of faster tracks). So prepare for an hour of house, ukg, ghetto and tech house. Vinyl only as always...

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MATRIX3K - 3rd May 2025

Fundraiser for Palestina live from Time is the New Space w/ Emir Cello 

Fundraiser for Palestine w/ Emir Cello - 11th May 2025

Fundraiser for Palestine live from Time is the New Space 

Fundraiser for Palestine w/ Rotational - 11th May 2025

Fundraiser for Palestine live from Time is the New Space w/ Samira 

Fundraiser for Palestine w/ Samira - 11th May 2025

Fundraiser for Palestine w/ Nessim - 11th May 2025

Fundraiser for Palestine live from Time is the New Space w/ Gamma Intel 

Fundraiser for Palestine w/ Gamma Intel - 11th May 2025

This month, marienus invites Krismika.

operator-radio.com

No Soap Radio w/ marienus & Krismika - 16th May 2025

Avsluta is a London-based sound artist, DJ, live performer and event curator navigating the liminal spaces between ambient and dance music. For the past 10 years, Lucie has been deepening her musical knowledge working behind the counter at Phonica Records, catering to London’s ambient, downtempo and deep dance music heads. She is the founder of Introspective Electronics, a platform featuring regular radio shows, guest podcast series and listening events, and together with producer and DJ Alicia, she runs cozy club night series Terra Obscura.

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Avsluta - 19th May 2025

First hour: Downtempo mix with industrial and electro, second hour: variated selection of disco, post-punk, minimal synth and new wave.

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Filmmaker & Byron Maiden b2b Sad Tigers - 20th May 2025

INTERPOL is a DJ/Producer hailing from Naarm/Melbourne in Australia. Focused on but not limited to house music rooted in the sound of the 90’s, his sound draws inspiration from classic records and modern tracks that carry the same spirit—simple grooves, punchy drums, and catchy melodies. 

For this mix, INTERPOL will go into the deeper/proggier side of my collection - expect a constant groove of 90's house/prog/tech house with a tinge of positivity sprinkled throughout. As the sun is still shining at 15:00 he still wants to put a smile on peoples faces while they groove throughout their day!

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INTERPOL - 21st May 2025

Thanos Hana is the label owner of TH ± Tar Hallow, which was launched in 2015. His heavy acidic productions can be found released on TH±Tar Hallow, Planet Rhythm Records, and Mord Records. Thanos Hana's DJ set and hardware-based live set are made for dark spaces and will spark off an immediate response from the floor.

If you embody an attitude to music fully, you carry a spirit forward, not trends. Mareena's deep connection with electronic music began in her early teenage years in East Germany, where she experienced the quaking rise of techno. Growing up amidst youth club culture and underground parties in abandoned buildings, she was shaped by the no-nonsense, freedom-oriented spirit of the post-communist era. But it was when she moved to Berlin in 2004, that she started DJing, and the city and its vigorous nightlife contributed immensely to her understanding as an artist. Musically spoken, her roots branch deep into the spirit and sound of dub techno and pre and early 2000s techno productions. Adding to this foundation, Mareena has developed a statement sound characterised by rhythmic, lively, and non-linear beats that create an unrelenting flow of energy on the dance floor.

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Thanos Hana w/ MAREENA - 24th May 2025

Two hours of POING radio.

20:00 - 21:00     mher
21:00 - 22:00     Sub-C


POING RADIO w/ mher - 30th May 2025

Late 70’s Disco Rap, early incarnations of gangsta rap, European Pop Rap, 80’s Electro bangers and any offshoots that fit the bill. 
And…. Remember kids, Crack Is Wack.

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Crack Is Wack w/ The Fluid Druid & MennoStereo - June 5th 2025

For my upcoming mix at operator I've prepared a selection of deep and luminous sounds, moving across generes such as House, Dubstep,Jungle, Footwork among others

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No Fame - June 11th 2025

A monthly show focusing on Mowgli’s more moody and out-there tracks. Take a ride through this concrete jungle full of surprises. From stripped-down electronics melancholia through weird synths and analog rhythms.  As Mowgli is now in Japan, Redray took over Anak Kota FM.

Passionate crate digger, a producer with a penchant for analogue sound, an owner of tattoo shop. Tomas Eriksson a.k.a. Redray is the Amsterdam-based artist who for a long time stayed away from commercial spotlight yet always managed to captivate those who know with his raw and authentic approach. Redray's sound creates a distinct sonic tapestry that transports listeners to a different era. 

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Anak Kota FM w/ Redray - 12th June 2025

On A Dose of AMPFEMININE, we’re diving into the messy, beautiful world of collaboration and collectivity. Each episode brings in guests — DJs and non-DJs — who’ve been part of collectives or collaborations, sharing what’s worked, what’s been hard, and why they keep showing up. It’s about the joy of shared vision, the friction that forces growth, the laughter in late-night planning sessions. Alongside the conversations, we’ll feature mixes from our guests and ourselves — sounds that reflect different ways of being and creating together.

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A dose of AMPFEMININE - 12th June 2025

when you put your full body into it...

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making out w/ ru-ga & 33cl - June 13th 2025

Zineb mixes a spicy blend of North African and West Asian rhythms, Electronic and Amapiano. As a Dutch-born DJ with Amazigh heritage, she brings cultural influences to her music, crafting a unique sound that captivates. Her journey is about celebrating her roots while exploring new musical territories.

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ZINEB - June 13th 2025

The Rubber Legs Movement, two men of a certain age from the Isle of D, bringing nonalgorithmic sonic adventures in hi and lo fi . Music collectors since the 70's so every show has a fresh theme ranging from jazz, soul and disco to kraut, dub, house and other electronics. Each show has to be a surprise, not only for the people tuning in but also for themselves. Can you feel it?

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Rubber Legs Movement - 14th June 2025

Read-Only Memory. Reboot your spirit with a sonic morning shower consisting of ambient landscapes, recordings, conversations, and simple beats.

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ROM w/ Datavideo - 19th June 2025

A lively 1 hour-long radio show about language examined through music. Your guide to the latest and greatest tunes from around the globe. Osmanbas diving into the newest releases, breaking free from the confines of one sound with another episode of 'A Way With Music'

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A Way With Music w/ Osmanbas - 19th June 2025

Funkyard is a collective of DJs, vinyl connoisseurs, and event organizers specializing in the genres of afro, high-life, dub, disco, Latin, jazz, funk, boogie, and hip hop. Tune in live till 19:00!

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Funkyard Soundsystem - 19th June 2025

I’ve been blessed to meet some wonderful talented people who inspire, with whom I want to discover, talk, share and just ouwehoer! Every month a guest will come and join me to talk about dj life, their musical fascinations and just seeing where conversation takes us. Sometimes we'll do a little B2B, but the focus will be around conversation.  

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Stevie& - 19th June 2025

A brief introduction to Vasco's record collection. Expect oddball disco productions, a pinch of house, fast-paced rhythms and haunting vocals.

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VASCO - 20th June 2025

In occasion of the launch of Jonica Records, Franco Corica presents "Oltremare", the first release of his new imprint and many more tunes in a listening session at our beloved blue container.

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Franco Corica - 20th June 2025

reunited in real life and in radio waves with the mood being a question: alive and well? yes? no? we will explore this sonically. 

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the_moodring- alive+well ii w/ g4yfx & Kimmah - 20th June 2025

This month Nathan invites the shining appearance of Moxes. House baby, house!

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TOZO show w/ Nathan Homan & Moxes - 20th June 2025

Uptempo dancefloor tunes with a heavy emphasis on groove and rhythmic structures. From four on the floor to Bruk riddim catch a vibe and dance!

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Kofi The Unknown  - 20th June 2025

Expect some bass heavy sound with sweaty urgency and joyful chaos, nostalgic moments. I've selected some of my all-time favourite high-energy summer club sounds blending footwork, juke, drum and bass & jungle. Pure movement, no time to chill - just as life these days

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Eklektik - 20th June 2025

All sets recorded live at Ombra Festival Barcelona  30.11.2019

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www.ombrafestival.com

Imperial Black Unit (Live) | Ombra Festival - 30th November 2019

Online community radio station and cultural platform based in Rotterdam.

We broadcast a variety of live shows, from music to science and sports, featuring international DJ's, artists and guest speakers weekly since 2017. We are committed to support emerging talents and to engage the local community and beyond. Our main goal is the overall cultural development through diverse initiatives.

www.operator-radio.com

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