Modulations - Series 2

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

Modulations

MODS2.01 - Boris Donkson

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_/

MODS2.02 - Askalotl

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

MODS2.03 - Entropy Tango

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

MODS2.04 - The Last DJ

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

MODS2.05 - A.C.R.L

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: 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.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts