A digital archive preserving the raw spirit of the Melbourne underground.
Original podcast episodes from the legendary Hidden Forest club era — gritty minimal, filthy grooves, and unfiltered early 2010s energy.
For those who remember… and those discovering it for the first time.

Hidden Forest Preserved

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 1, originally released on July 30, 2012, marks the beginning of what would become a defining series in the Melbourne underground scene. This was the sound of raw clubs, gritty minimal, and a tight underground community — just before the rise of commercial Melbourne Bounce.

This opening mix was crafted by Reece Low, one of the key names in the scene at the time. His sets captured that signature hypnotic, driving energy that defined early 2010s Melbourne sound.

Hidden Forest wasn’t just a podcast — it was a movement. The series was originally hosted by the now-closed Hidden Forest nightclub, a staple of the Melbourne underground. Though the club is gone, its legacy still pulses through mixes like this.

Massive shout out and full credit to Reece Low for this timeless set.
SoundCloud: [https://on.soundcloud.com/hj65EjH5kDC96TEb7]
Uploaded for cultural preservation and respect to the scene that raised us.

If you were part of the Melbourne Sound era — this one’s for you.
If you weren’t — welcome to a sound that shaped a generation.

This one’s for those who were there — and those who still remember.

Original description from Hidden Forest (2012):
“Did you parents ever tell you NOT to walk into the Forest because it's scary and you don't know what is in there? Well, soon you will all know what lies deep within the Hidden Forest. Which creatures will come out to play? What will you find on your venture into the Forest? Who will you meet? What will you hear?

Many questions can be asked, however the adventure into the Forest is only one that YOU can make.”

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 1 - Reece Low

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 2, originally released on August 12, 2012, continues the raw momentum of the Melbourne underground scene. This episode is part of the legendary Hidden Forest podcast series — a defining sound of the era, just before the mainstream Melbourne Bounce wave took over.

At the time, the local scene was still deeply underground — fuelled by word-of-mouth, dimly lit clubs, and a close-knit group of artists and ravers who lived for the sound. This series captured the early pulse of what would become a cultural movement across Melbourne and beyond.

This mix was crafted by JDG & Samual James, two of the standout selectors of the time, delivering that signature raw, gritty, hypnotic minimal vibe. Heavy grooves, filthy basslines, and that unmistakable early 2010s Melbourne sound.

The Hidden Forest podcast series was originally hosted by the now-closed Hidden Forest nightclub — a true staple of the underground community. Though the venue is long gone, its legacy still echoes through timeless sets like this.

Massive shout out and full credit to JDG (https://on.soundcloud.com/zY2Bga44dsk6Cb519) & Samual James (https://on.soundcloud.com/srnLWhX3huCb3Jjd9) for this timeless mix.
This upload is for cultural preservation and respect to the scene that raised us.

If you were part of the Melbourne Sound era — this one’s for you.
If you weren’t — welcome to a sound that shaped a generation.

This one’s for those who were there — and those who still remember.
Uploaded for cultural preservation and respect to the OGs.

Original description from Hidden Forest (2012):
“Fantastic VS set between Jordan Griffiths and Samual James, 2 Djs that are just smashing Melbourne apart right now!

These guys are hot, and what better way to show there music then and VS set!

Enjoy!
Hidden Forest”

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 2 - JDG VS Samual James

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 4 — mixed by Slice N Dice.
Released on September 3, 2012, this episode brings a different flavour to the series.
Rather than the raw Melbourne minimal sound that was dominant at the time, this mix taps into a gritty electro house vibe — heavy grooves, distorted synths, and late-2000s energy with a unique edge.

One of the more unorthodox sets in the Hidden Forest archive — still part of the era, but standing in its own lane.
Respect to Slice N Dice (https://on.soundcloud.com/nRrj3JUtqYZnpUDV8) for keeping things raw, different, and club-ready.
Uploaded for archival and cultural preservation.

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 4 - Slice N Dice

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 6 — mixed by Adam Bartas, one half of the iconic Melbourne duo Orkestrated.
Released on September 9, 2012, this set brings things back to the core essence of the Melbourne underground — raw, groovy, hypnotic, and unapologetically minimal.

This is the sound that fuelled dance floors in dark clubs across the city — a rolling, gritty groove that defined a generation.
Adam Bartas was already a respected OG in the scene at this point — his work with Orkestrated helped shape the very foundation of Melbourne’s underground sound.

Proper old-school Melbourne energy, no fluff, no compromise.
Respect to Adam Bartas (https://on.soundcloud.com/cNjyB3ZcmdJ5v5ea6) for this timeless mix.
Uploaded for cultural preservation and to keep the scene’s legacy alive.

Original description from Hidden Forest (2012):
“Adam Bartas is in the house!

Hope you enjoy, and remember... Hidden Forest every Friday!

229 Queensberry St, Melbourne

https://www.facebook.com/HiddenForestFridays”

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 6 - Adam Bartas

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 3 — a rare, recovered gem straight from the archives.
Originally released on August 19, 2012, this mix brings a darker edge to the series — thick with old-school Melbourne minimal, stripped-back grooves, and hypnotic club pressure.
Less bounce, more shadow — this is the sound that filled rooms like TFU and left concrete sweat-soaked at 4AM.

A heavy versus set from two proper old-school Melbourne names:
Kalus and the duo Slice N Dice. Both brought their unique energy — Kalus with his dark, minimal textures, and Slice N Dice with their raw, electro-driven punch.

Full credit and respect to Kalus (https://on.soundcloud.com/828YtPr9PfxG2YtdA)
and Slice N Dice (https://on.soundcloud.com/nRrj3JUtqYZnpUDV8)
for this timeless piece of Melbourne underground history.
Recovered from original CD. Uploaded for archival and cultural preservation.

Original description from Hidden Forest (2012):
“Two of the Biggest DJS in Melbourne battling it out at ARMAGEDDON at Hidden Forest!

Sit down, turn up your speakers and get ready for the ride!!”

Slice N Dice VS Kalus - ARMAGEDDON at Hidden Forest - Episode 3

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 7 — mixed by Will Sparks, released on September 25, 2012.
This set captures the pinnacle of the Melbourne underground sound — a raw, driving mix of dirty Dutch house, slowed-down psytrance influences, and gritty, groove-heavy minimal.

Before the Melbourne bounce era exploded, this was the sound dominating dark clubs and tight underground spaces across the city — unfiltered, energetic, and unmistakably Melbourne.

Will Sparks, still on the come-up at the time, delivered one of the most definitive sets in the Hidden Forest series.
Credit to Will Sparks (http://soundcloud.com/willsparks)
Uploaded for cultural preservation and respect to the era that raised us.

Original description from Hidden Forest (2012):
“Well what can we say about this young man...

"Drunkest man in Melbourne... BUT can dj"

This long blonde silky smooth hair man has been tearing up Melbourne Clubs, and is set for big things in the future.

Catch him THIS Friday 28th of September at Hidden Forest.

For everything else:

https://www.facebook.com/WillJSparks

http://soundcloud.com/willsparks

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 7 - Will Sparks

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 8 – originally released 16th October, 2012, during the peak of Melbourne’s underground rise – features Jamie Vlahos delivering a high-energy mix packed with that unmistakable early 2010s sound.

This one’s got it all: phat basslines, stripped-back minimal grooves, dirty Dutch synths, and a proper underground club energy. A true reflection of a time when the Melbourne scene was wild, gritty, and at the edge of becoming global.

Resurrected and re-uploaded for cultural preservation — with full credit to Jamie Vlahos [https://on.soundcloud.com/NWa6Mn7CClvdFIQtWj] and the Hidden Forest series. Not for profit. Just for the heads who know.

Original description from Hidden Forest (2012): "They call him the KING of Billboard The Venue. Dunno if its due to his good looks, or free drinks, but boy can he DJ.

Jamie is now a Fortnightly resident at Hidden Forest Fridays, and is really getting the crowd on there feet.

This podcast is simple amazing, and Vlahos is know for his bootlegs and mashups.

Watch out for this kid, he is spending alot of time in the studio making original music, and we are sure to see bigs things from Jamie.

Hope you all enjoy this mix by our mate - jamie Vlahos

All information about Hidden Forest, visit our website www.hiddenforest.com.au"

Hidden Forest Podcast Episode 8 - Jamie Vlahos

Love making music that touches my soul (and hopefully other souls too).

Hidden Forest Preserved

Andrew Kalis (Andy K)