What does great techno sound like in 2024? Enter LYDO. This week's RA Podcast captures @lydole in full flow, combining the old-school vernacular of European and North American techno—reduced rhythms, hi-hats and punchy 909s—with tracks from the new guard (Sev Dah, GiGi FM, D.Dan) sprinkled throughout.

After moving to New York in 2015, the Vietnamese-American sound artist and X-XTRA.SERVICES founder became one of BASEMENT's first residents; the scene built around the revered Queens club has helped nurture their adventurous sound. Lately they've been making waves beyond North America, playing with the MARICAS crew in Barcelona and locking down slots at De School, Bassiani and Draaimolen.

RA.947 is the sound of artful hypnosis: it's techno with elegance, depth and just the right amount of thump. Rig this up on a proper system, turn off the lights and any worries—about the genre's direction of travel, or otherwise—might melt away. 

Read more at https://ra.co/podcast/947

RA Podcast

RA.947 LYDO

Niall Augustine is set to release his debut EP, "Seeker," on Desert Hearts Black solidifying his position as a rising force in the underground dance music scene. The EP features two tracks: the title track "Seeker," a high-energy Breaks anthem, and "Haunted," a deep dive into Tech House with Augustine's signature danceable grooves and intricate sound design.

Niall Augustine's discovery of dance music and subsequent immersion into the underground electronic scenes of Detroit and Chicago ignited his love for DJing, a pursuit that has led him to perform alongside legendary artists like John Tejada and Gene Farris. In his home base of San Francisco, he currently plays at iconic venues including Public Works and Monarch, as well as the legendary grounds of Burning Man.

Inspired by artists like Kyle Watson, Holt 88, and Justin Martin, Augustine's latest venture into music production is a reflection of his diverse influences and his evolving sound. The "Seeker" EP showcases Augustine's ability to blend heavy-hitting grooves with light melodic elements, all while maintaining the playful yet sophisticated sound that defines his style.

Joining the Desert Hearts Black family marks a new chapter in Augustine's journey, as he continues to carve out his unique niche in the electronic music landscape. With its analog synths and driving rhythms, the "Seeker" EP is set to make waves among dance music fans and DJs alike.

Niall Augustine - Haunted

The producer best known as Huerco S. accompanies One Day, our record of the year, with two hours of minimal and dub introspections.

This summer, Kansas-raised DJ and producer Brian Leeds released One Day under his revived Loidis alias. Enamoured with the restrained, loopy sounds of early '00s dance music, the album’s eight tracks linger in the air, luxuriating in dubbed-out chords, swung beats and sub vibrations. It's our favourite record of 2024 for a reason. 

It's a sound he's coined, in his typically teasing fashion, "dub mnml emo tech." All winks aside, it’s no wonder One Day became the soothing balm we all needed. In a scene overwhelmed by hard and fast trends, the softer—and Leeds might argue, more sincere—stylings of minimal and dub techno enjoyed a welcome second wind. 

Not only was One Day one of our favourites of the year (more on that this week), but it also inspired us to break our usual no-repeats rule, inviting Leeds back to the RA Podcast under a different alias after his 2019 turn as Huerco S. 

"The prevailing trends in dance music are more and more maximalist," Leeds noted. "I missed restraint, subtlety, and sensuality." Clocking in at just under two hours, RA.965 embodies that ethos in spades.

@huerco_s

Read more at ra.co/podcast/965

RA.965 Loidis

One of Mexico City's key players in session.

Paulina Rodriguez, AKA Paurro, came to club music relatively late in life. It took hold of her for the first time when she was in her twenties, during a chance visit to the legendary London institution, fabric, in 2008. One look at her CV today would confirm that she's definitely made up for the late start. 

Sixteen years later, Rodriguez has worn nearly every hat in the industry, from radio programming, label management and PR to residencies at Mexico City's finest clubs. Nowadays, she's just as hard to pin down as ever, with a global reach: she currently holds a residency with Munich's Radio8000 and tours extensively across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

The House of Paurro, her party series, is much like its globetrotting founder: this year alone it's hosted events at Tresor in Berlin, Making Time in Philadelphia and Public Records in New York City. Oh yeah and don't forget, she's also producing absolute bangers, such as 2022's "Galavision," in the moments in between. It sounds like a lot, but you get the feeling the sky really is the only limit for Paurro.  

Rodriguez's journey wasn’t without struggle. She's openly addressed challenges like breaking into the industry as a Mexican artist and facing sexual harassment. Today, she's a champion of community-focused global club culture, embodying optimism and ambition.

At the heart of it all: sharing unabashed joy, wherever that may be. Her RA Podcast is no different—it's a joyride through the House of Paurro, weaving together influences spanning a rich fusion of UK, Latin and truly borderless sounds. 

@paurrro
ra.co/podcast/966

RA.966 Paurro

Known for her genre-bending and transformative music both as a producer and a DJ, Tara Brooks is set to captivate listeners with her latest release featuring two striking tracks. With Come Back EP, she makes her long anticipated debut on Desert Hearts Black, and with her fierce sound she perfectly embodies the vibe the label is so loved for.

Tara's approach to music is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from her connections to the world and the environment around her. Known for her ability to craft personal journeys through sound, she seamlessly blends deep, funky grooves with hypnotic rhythms, raw acid tones, and soulful beats. With releases on legendary labels like Bedrock, Desert Hearts, and Global Underground, & upcoming Kms records & Never B Alone, Tara continues to experiment & evolve her unique styles, connecting with audiences worldwide.

The Come Back EP is no exception, offering a powerful and groovy darker tech feel. Come Back is an acid-infused exploration of heavy percussions and wild synths, while Off My Mind delivers a driving rhythm laced with bass-heavy tones and subtle vocal elements, perfect for late-night dancefloors.

Tara Brooks - Come Back (Original Mix)

🎧 Mastermind Live by Pro-K 🎶
Embark on a musical journey with my latest mix, Mastermind Live. This set captures the sounds that resonate deeply with me right now—an exploration of rhythm, vibe, and flow. 🌌

Hit play, feel the energy, and let me know what moves you! 🖤

#MastermindLive #ProK #RominimalVibes #DeliciousSounds #MinimalInstincts

MasterMind -Pro-K -Live

TRACKLIST :
Buck - Stand up
Maqman, Aquadeep & Veesoul - Banana berry
Pedro Barros & Osman Öz - Moonlight
Ramin Majlessi & Rawman - Four track
Ben Vedren - Tess
Tommy Doc - Blue waves
Handek - Can't you digger
Danny Howells - Powershow
Jim Rivers - Salix
Amháin - Dream one
Juan Mejia - Bengali
Harry Charles - Visions of red


Cities #724 - La Antigua [Deep House - Progressive - Melodic House]

Kaprin - Crave

El Barrio - The message is clear, even if the floor is shaking - this track speaks on connection, energy, and motion. Its heavy, yes, but its also a moment of clarity in the chaos. 

Muted Exchange - This one moves like machinery in motion - glitchy textures, vocal commands, and an undercurrent of digital tension that feels like it was wired straight from the future. 

Vice Versa - kicks in with no warning - aggressive hats, a moody acid-leaning synth twisting through the mix, and dark atmospheres that hit like concrete. Built for warehouses and peak hours, this one doesn't ask permission.

Vice Versa - Class-A Deviants

Crate Duty

TRACKLIST :
Caputi - Baltic
Zalapa - Affliction
Bieu - Dawn
Diego TC - Dfcult
Chris de la Soul & Tabares - Colombiano
I.g.n.a. & Rush Arp - I see you dancing
Scartip - Crate duty
Valentino Guerriero - Ice
Loopdeville - Celestial quest (Mihai Pol remix)
Manu - Creamfield
OlaRu - No words
Antraum - Koisuru

Cities #834 - Voronovo [Deep Tech - Atmospheric]

Class-A Deviants was formed in 2007. While their overall soundscape is dark techno, they create unique atmospheres by incorporating the lost art of storytelling into their mixes and productions. The Deviants believe that a driving beat is essential, yet they never hesitate to stray from convention. Their main inspiration is the family they have found on dancefloors worldwide – the greater community of music seekers who lose themselves in the morning hours, reveling in the primordial love of the drum. They have released records on Degrees Ov Separation, Desert Hearts Black, Underdub, Denied Music, Minimal Sessions, Optimal Sonance, BugCoder, Sequel Sound, and Listen_React, to name a few.

Notable gigs included the Desert Hearts Spring Festival, Monarch in San Francisco, and the Wherehouse in Tijuana. They also opened the Kalliope Art Car at EDC Las Vegas 2017 as part of the Desert Hearts takeover. Boombox Art Car EDC 2021, and completed a mini-tour of Texas with labelmate Llama A.