To guide us through the next simulated experience; Passing Notes Radio boss and 1/2 of the great new label ‘Companion', Pjenné [Melbourne, AUS], shows us what a utopian existence can sound, feel and look like.

Follow on as she glides through the stratosphere, looking down on the lush greenery and crystal water that our earth effortlessly inhabits... occasionally looking up into the vast display of distant stars and planets, glittering across the stillness of outer space.

Pjenné beautifully illustrates the phenomenology of nature through tracks which touch on each element, whether that be the ethereality of air, the intricacy of water, the depth of earth, or just the pure warmth flowing through this immaculately thought-out audible narrative.

We couldn’t help but think this would be the perfect soundtrack for the day peace on earth is declared, where humanity sits back and appreciates a new world— where collectively, we love what grows, exists and dies.

This small blue dot is our home… our balanced oasis in the desert of space. Perhaps we need the ability to fly to see a different perspective - and we’re sure this will help.

Close your eyes and drift into your own self.

Enjoy, and thankyou Pjenné 

“SAHASRARA” - The Thousand Petal Lotus

Virtual Utopia 03: Pjenné

Kuba'97 & Rino at EYES. EYES. baby, Horst Arts & Music Festival 2023.

Photo by Illias Teirlinck.

@kuba97
@rinobxl

Kuba'97 & Rino at EYES. EYES. baby

IBU 600 from Imaginary Friend crew - very special guest mix and refuge debut. check out more bits here: https://soundcloud.com/user-785368649

PLO_radio // drizle.FM - Ep:003 PLO man, IBU 600 - 13.12.23

‘For home use only’ is an anti-club social, a chance to get to know someone/something. A series of transmissions purely dedicated to exploring the other side.

As our trajectory accelerates head-first into another year, it’s more important than ever to slow down and catch your breath. As automatic as that may seem, I’m talking more about the metaphorical meaning of breath aka a self-imposed moment of peace and quiet. To comprehend such a thing nowadays it’s crucial to have a soundtrack, and this episode of FHUO from the Daisy Records crew is the perfect accompaniment to refill the oxygen tanks. Frankifettucini & Obelix have created something truly special in this two-hour time frame, a magical trip through the sky, hopping from cloud to cloud, chasing a never-ending sunset. 

This mix is a true masterclass in immersion, which is what you would expect from two music nuts who run an incredible record store, as well as releases under the Daisy Records sub-label and curated events that really showcase what Naarm has to offer. They get it, and so will you after you listen to this. Enlightenment at its absolute finest, lose yourself then proceed to find yourself. See you on the other side. 

Peace & Love 

Their sounds >>>> https://soundcloud.com/daisyrecordsmelbourne

Their store >>>> https://www.daisyrecords.com.au/

FHUO # 92 // Daisy Records

Nak’s sound is immersive, otherworldly, psychedelic; all grounded in a love for storytelling through music.

Originally (and always) a fan of Melbourne's underground scene, Isabel is drawn to DJ sets that take the listener on a journey - whether that be through mood, genre or tempo - to create something beautiful and entirely anew. This is a quality she explores in her own sets, weaving together intricate, spiraling blends of IDM, techno and bass to create a dreamy, glistening tapestry of sound.

@isabel-nak

Mirrors 019 - Nak

Command D summons the gods of the deep to have us completely submerged in a world of interdimensional dub techno, traversing us through an hour and a half of infinitely looped reflections and subaquatic soundscapes. 

@commandd

Q. This certainly feels like one of your most immersive mixes to date, deeply contemplative and full of dreamy dub techno atmospherics. What inspiration did you draw upon, and what type of setting or situation could you imagine it being enjoyed in? 

A. I started to get into this sound when I was putting together my mix for the Moonshoe mix series. I didn’t know what to call it at the time but I found all of those tunes and tied them together with a certain feeling that was really inspiring me then, it was very organic and that is still one of my favourite mixes. You can hear dub elements scattered throughout that whole mix.

As I started incorporating more dub elements into my productions I discovered artists like Stephen Hitchell and Rhythm & Sound that had created a kind of music that was really extremely satisfying for me to listen to, especially considering my developing love for hi-fi and larger sound systems. I incorporated those artists into my FHUO mix which was a much more considered exploration of the style. Looking back on the process of making the mixes and how much I enjoyed them really assures me that the deep and contemplative sound is a big part of who I am.

For this mix I’ve taken inspiration from the MDC series itself which I’ve been listening to for years. I wanted to add little hints of deep house sounds as a nod to the mixes of the past. I personally think mixes like this are the best to listen to when you’re travelling and looking out a window, otherwise maybe sitting at a desk on a rainy day doing some work. I’d like people to listen to this in a time where they won't be distracted by something else or feel the need to skip forward, I’d want people to just throw it on and let it play, drifting in and out of the tracks and their own thoughts.

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. My favourite tracks in the mix are Saftig Komposition by Rasmus Hedlund and Sedlec Ossuary by Persuasion. At a base level I love these tracks because they take a more modern approach to a dub techno track with tight production. Going deeper, the thing that really resonates with me is hard to put into words and best left unsaid. I think this kind of music (along with many other kinds) allows the listener to feel emotions that aren't able to be put into words, part of why I love it so much. I find that dub techno specifically can feel sad and happy at the same time like lots of jazz ballads. That to me is a really beautiful sound that kind of encapsulates life in general.

Q. Tell us about the development of your live set, and where things are currently at with it? Do you feel like you’re able to explore different shades of your sound when playing in a live setting?

A. Putting together my first live set was an awesome experience. I got to play it all around Australia from clubs to rainforests. I’ve put the current live set to bed for now and am starting to work on a new one with a slightly different setup. Although it was a challenging experience, I loved making a live set because often when I would dig for tunes to play out I’d think ‘I wish I had a song like this’ and writing a live set meant that I could bring those ideas to life and curate a set exactly how I wanted. I think I’m really starting to settle into ‘my sound’ in production and DJing, but there are creative limitations in both like finding new music or learning new skills. Overcoming technical barriers in production allows me to get closer to my most true form of expression when it comes to what’s coming out the speakers so I’ve been really working on that recently. Hoping the next live set will be bigger and better : )

MDC.302 Command D

An episode that feels well overdue yet thoroughly worth the wait! A titan of the Naarm underground music scene, Pjenné has been a kindred spirit and longtime pal since the early days of MDC, and it's no surprise that her contribution is packed full of gloriously deep and immersive feels, bassy and driving in parts and light as a feather in others, speaking to a palette that has been meticulously explored and continues to evolve along with her incredible weekly radio show on PBS, Passing Notes. 

@pjenne

Q. What sounds of feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. For this mix, I wanted to channel the energy and sounds that I associate with Melbourne Deepcast rather than drawing on the darker side of my sound palette that has been at the fore of my radio and club sets of late. MDC means so many things to me, but there’s definitely an energetic, grooviness that comes to mind and this is what inspired the mix. Although the mix does showcase parts of me (heavily atmospheric, emotive and a few downtempo tracks for good measure), I’d say this is more of a mix for you. :) I imagine this mix being listened to outside, on a sunny day, but when you might also need a little extra pep in your step. 

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. The first that came to mind is a track by Sean Cusick and Medway (Jesse Skeens) - It is an incredibly beautiful and emotive breakbeat track from 2002 on Saw recordings, there’s just something about how the vocals and the pads wash over you - although its upbeat there's also a sombreness to it and I just think its the whole package. 

Towards the end of the mix there’s also a very very classic ambient trance number, Lazer Worshippers by Damon Wild & Tim Taylor from 1993 - Not the most deeply dug track but it's a classic for a reason.

Q. You have been lovingly broadcasting your weekly radio show Passing Notes on PBS for six years running, which is a serious achievement! Tell us what you did for your sixth anniversary on International Women's Day, and what keeps you inspired to broadcast the show week in week out?

A. It’s been a wild ride that’s for sure! I really appreciate that International Women’s Day marks each yearly anniversary of Passing Notes - it reminds me to stop and reflect on each year as an achievement that I would probably otherwise forget in the chaos of life. This year I enlisted the help of Syrian DJ and Harmony Rec affiliate Zeynep, who provided an excellent, playful and sassy celebratory guest mix. 

As for my inspiration to keep going, I’d say that I draw from the collective power of electronic artists locally as well as internationally. There’s just so much good music to share, and Passing Notes enables me to provide a crucial connection between ‘underground’ electronic music and the wider music community. I'm also inspired by live radio as a format - it provides a sanctuary for me from the highly curated nature of music today and allows me to be more playful in the way that I explore different sounds. To me it is a place free of judgement.

MDC.308 Pjenné

A mix from extended naff family members Command D and Peanut

In the words of Command D :

Carrying on from some legendary parties before it, the next generation of ravers held 'plur' true to it's og meaning. Young Harry (Peanut) and I had been mixing together and talking about tunes we loved for months leading up to the event. We played in the side room while the morning light slowly poured in, all the homies in the front and gun fingers to the back. Big party mode with some blissy ones, freedom while it lasted, and a fun one to listen back to. Big thanks to everyone who hosted and the dancers!

Recorded on Wangal land.

@commandd @harrisonross

Art by Jesse Osborne-Lanthier as always

Virtual Utopia 03: Pjenné

Dream Software