For the 18th edition of our mix series we are joined by a revered breakthrough of recent years, @ciel_dj.

A key figure on and off the dancefloor, Toronto-based Ciel has been an ever growing force on the electronic scene. Spearheading the female focused Work In Progress collective and co-founding the touted Parallel Minds imprint, she has helped bring diversity, safety and representation into the clubs whilst also working with advocacy groups to change the city’s laws to be more favourable towards creative ventures. Pushing a distinctive sound that is characterised by a club-focused blend of deep and energetic contrasts, she showcases why she is one to watch with a standout mix for the Junction 2 series.

Here is what Ciel had to say about the mix:

“This mix was inspired by 1) clubs reopening 2) my love of cheesy tech house wafters and 3) a desire to present the most authentic version of myself as a DJ. I think most Djs have very complicated feelings about making mixes, the process of premeditating a mix at home away from an audience and the insatiable drive for perfection can both be very anxiety-inducing. So I chose to do as little planning as possible, seeking instead a truly spontaneous recording experience with zero plan and nothing more than 2 USBs full of bangers. The result is a high energy 90-minute trip into trancey house, techy rollers, dub techno, and minimal-UKG tools. Play this on your way back to the club.”

Junction 2 Mix Series 018 - Ciel

"I am still dizzy ... flying from Tokyo eastbound through Los Angeles and Detroit to London. I see pigeons nesting in the pine trees from the hotel window."

@thinner_groove

Mantissa Mix 250: Powder

“For the closing night of Return to the Source at the @ithqdetroit presents @thebunkerny party, we have a night of unique pairings, back to back sets from people who knew each other mostly, but usually don’t play together. After a full weekend of non stop great music, what better than the drama of the unknown combinations to keep you fully engaged, with deeply curated pairings and flows for each room. On May 27, @mikeservito x @jeffreysfire scheduled from 1am until 3am. Mike Servito always majestically closes out No Way Back, but what would this combination bring? Sfire brought the heat, and their styles melded in a slightly pitched down form, music from all eras appeared. To me, it was a form of sonic bliss. I went and asked the Danny from Bing (who does the sound and built the speakers for the Garden Stage) if he minded if we went later, he was all for it. So were Servito and Sfire, and it just kept getting better and better. The crowd was totally locked in, the feeling was ecstatic, it was truly a beautiful moment. A magical closing set that naturally extended from two hours to 5 hours of pure heat from two DJs whose whole life is this music and this culture — who could ask for more?” — BMG

Catch Servito and Sfire playing an extended set to close out No Way Back NYC presented by The Bunker at the Chocolate Factory as a day party on Sunday November 12:
https://ra.co/events/1983236

The Bunker Podcast 233: Mike Servito x Jeffrey Sfire

Recording of Orpheu The Wizard's set at Dekmantel Selectors 2024.

Dekmantel Selectors 2024

Orpheu The Wizard at Dekmantel Selectors 2024

Xiaolin's exclusive live mix for RDC 2025 podcast:

The reason I love to do live set is that it’s a completely different approach from DJing - while DJ focuses on adapting to the crowd and the room, liveset is a raw expression from the heart, music that was created in the comfort of home and studio - kind of feels like: “this is all I’ve got, love it or leave it.”  My livesets normally focus on 3 different kinds of energy:  Sun energy, Moon energy and Body (Earth) energy.  This 1-hour liveset was originally designed for Sound Metaphors’ 9-year Anniversary at Panorama Bar, drawing from Sun energy - it is driven by joy, romance, warmth and a shared feeling of “things are gonna be okay… we have each other, let’s go on a fun journey together”.  I used Juno60, Korg Minilogue for sequences, Linn Drum & 909 samples, RD-05 for live melodies and pads, plus Ableton Push, midi keyboard, electric violin and vocal.  There are a few alternate (live set only) versions of released materials, and a few unreleased collab materials, as well as of course the “Moods Of Love” Canto series released on Bless You.  The first Cantonese vocal track in the liveset will be the third vinyl release coming end of this month (BLESSYOU029).  It is a cover version of Tina Lau’s “Half A Dream/半個夢” from 1987, but completely redone from scratch with a different take and original vocal.  There will be a few different versions including a club version and Mogwaa’s Latin-style remix.  I hope you enjoy it!

RDC 084 - Xiaolin (live)

In an era of everything at once, Gabrielle Kwarteng is a DJ who weaves stories that often look to the past, while always focusing on possible futures. Dip in to hear a range of dance music from downtempo to deep house to techno rollers - and everything in between.  
Find the full tracklist and related episodes on NTS: https://www.nts.live/shows/gabrielle-kwarteng/episodes/gabrielle-kwarteng-13th-june-2025

Gabrielle Kwarteng 130625

Episode 5 of the Sixth Sense mix series brought to you by Peach. This episode by Toronto based Ciel (@ciel_dj). little blurb, interview, tracklist >>>>>>>>>>thisissixthsense.com<<<<<<<<<<

Sixth Sense 005 - Ciel

Interstellar Funk at Polifonic Festival Milano

Optimo at Dekmantel Selectors 2017

The Chicago DJ introduces us to the Motherbeat.

Read more: https://www.residentadvisor.net/podcast-episode.aspx?id=604

RA.604 Eris Drew

I recorded this mix in 2018 for the Her Damit festival and titled it the Mystery of the Motherbeat. I was hungry to tour Europe for the first time and agreed to do a mix and play the festival on a shoestring budget. Her Damit went into bankruptcy later that year, failing to pay artists and others for their work.  They also let their Soundcloud account expire, losing all the mixes they commissioned for the series. 

I am re-releasing this mix under its original name. Its real name. It is one of my deepest mixes. It is filled with the love and hope for the future that I put into it. It was recorded a week before I went to visit Maya and Brooke for the first time in March of 2018, exactly two years ago. That visit would change my life.  

Metronome - Voyage to the Bottom of the Bass (WBR Records 1991) 
Visions of Rhythm - Power of Purchase (Klasse Wrecks 2017)
Christian Tiger School - If You Want To (Original Version) (Lissoms 2018)
DJ Python - Cuál (Incienso 2017) 
Pseudopolis - Tracer (Redstone Press 2017)
Bassbin Twins III - untitled (Bassbin Records 1995)
Nitro Delux feat Silk - Hypno House (Deep Dub) (Cutting Records 1990)
Christian Tiger School - If You Want To (Edmondson Version) (Lissoms 2018)
Friends of Mathew - Out There (Raw mix) (Pulse-8 Records 1991)
DJ bwin - Mit Bonus... (First Second Label 2017)
Glas Rm - Fully Dipped (Wells Street  2017)
Ben Cohen - Entrance (from “Lesser Mysteries”) (Brokntoys 2018)
DJ Psychiatre - Trust Issues (Gasp 2017)
Hawke - 3 Moods in a Gurple Parden (Hardkiss Music 1993)
Dream Cycle - Paradise State (Sneaker Social Club 2017)
Human Movement - I Need (12 inch mix) (Of Leisure 2017)
Waterpark - Data Orb (Deep Blue 2016)
Environments - Ultimate Thunderstorm (Syntonic Research, Inc. 1979)

Eris Drew’s Mystery of the Motherbeat Part 1 (formerly Her Damit)

Amsterdam based DJs, events company and record label. - support@dekmantel.com for all your webshop and label enquiries.