The 48th guest in the Set the Mood series is DONK, a rising DJ and producer from the Dutch underground scene. Known for his deep and groove-oriented sound, he presents a carefully curated set designed for one of the most important moments of the night: the opening.

For DONK, a perfect opening set depends on many factors. The venue, the time of the night, the rest of the line-up, how crowded the space is, and the energy of the early crowd all influence the direction of the set. It’s not just about playing music; it’s about shaping the atmosphere.

In preparing this mix, he imagined a club that fills up quickly with a crowd eager to dance. The setting is intimate, with low lighting and few distractions, allowing the music to take full focus. The line-up suggests a night that leans toward deep, groovy, and slightly spacey sounds, and DONK’s set reflects that vision.

He believes that a good opening set should never be too fast or intense. It’s a moment to capture the audience’s curiosity with detailed sound design and steady rhythms that gradually build energy. Rather than peaking too soon, the goal is to create a slow burn that pulls people toward the dance floor. By the end, the room should be warm, moving, and ready for the next artist to take things further.

His selection is rooted in minimal house grooves, hypnotic techno, and melodic, percussive textures. The result is a set that feels fresh, dynamic, and open-ended, allowing the energy to evolve naturally as the night progresses.

DONK is based in Breda and is also a co-founder of @ruis_collective, a platform dedicated to community-building, collaboration, and pushing sonic boundaries. His style blends deep rhythms with bleepy textures and hypnotic synths, always guided by a strong sense of tension and release. Whether behind the decks or in the studio, he focuses on locking the crowd into a flow and leading them through carefully shaped waves of sound and movement.
 
Soundcloud: @dion-donkersloot
Instagram: www.instagram.com/donk_music/

📷 'Boat cabin' - Lotte Schoneveld (instagram.com/lotschoneveld)

Enjoy the ride - and stay bleepy.

@Sklasi
Team Oefenmeesters

Tracklist:
DONK - (Unreleased)
Barem - Censored Elephant
Egbert - Korrelig
Barem - Then They
Yan Cook - Fog Catcher
Robotman - Simple Simon
Marcal - Suffocating
Dustin Zahn - Submit Yourself (Rene Wise Remix)
Heijo Laux, Alexander - Lucho Part 1
Kaval - Ifrita
BLUMITSU - Hypocritz
DVS1 - Droid
James Ruskin & DVS1 - Page 1 
Marcal - Biohazard
CCL - Plot Twist
Pierce - Choices
VIL - Bleep This Mess
Len Faki - Make Me Scream (Amotik Remix)
Rene Wise - Jungle House
Introversion - Burden 
BLANKA - Intro

DONK - Set the Mood 048 (Oefenmeesters)


Since 2017, he has been shaping the regional techno scene in Mannheim and its surroundings. Further bookings in institutional clubs like Tresor Berlin or RSO followed. Co-hosting a visionary event series at Disco Zwei, he has been instrumental in presenting well-respected bookings to the local scene. Besides the club nights, the Raserei residents started a record label of the same name, to establish themselves and their musical vision beyond the region.

FOLLOW @confusion_raserei

OECUS Podcast 456 // CONFUSION

Born in Costa Rica, producer and DJ Linear System bends sound with flawless precision. For #252, he delivers a fully live recorded mix that shows exactly why his sound stands out: intricate layers, sci-fi textures, crisp percussion, and brooding low-ends that pull you deep into his world.

His sets and productions move seamlessly from rough, floor-shaking cuts to clean, reverb-laced tools that twist your mind inside out. With releases on labels like Molecular Recordings, Planet Rhythm, and Modern Minimal he continues to shape a sharp, future-focused sound. Beyond DJing, his releases have received international acclaim and strong support across the scene. 

This is his first and only live set of 2025. 

We’ll let the snippets speak for themselves. 

Enter the current with #252.

Artwork by @ankhsious.

Vault Sessions #252 - Linear System

Our next Techno Minder Hero, is an Utrecht-based DJ. With a sound rooted in ambient, breakbeat, and dreamy 4×4 rhythms, this Hero brings depth to the dancefloor.

In this episode, we dive into his creative mindset and highlight his recent mix for Drone:

“For my mix for Drone, I dove into downtempo and electro/breakbeat. The mix begins with a dreamy 82 BPM intro, gradually transferring to electro-infused transitions before arriving at the more familiar techno pulse. Though the tempo remains modest, the energy steadily rises, keeping things engaging by alternating pumping techno with broken beats and new rhythms.
The final tracks hold deep personal meaning for me; they are very high in emotion. To finish the mix, a beautiful piano composition.
This mix tells a story and I couldn’t be more proud of it. Cheers!”

Tune in for an episode full of introspection, atmosphere, and boundary-pushing beats.
We would like to welcome: Sklasi

Please enjoy!

https://www.instagram.com/sklasi.dj
https://soundcloud.com/sklasi

View to the full set on our Youtube channel ///
https://soundcloud.com/drone-existence/dro...


CONTACT EMAIL: contact@drone-existence.com

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#DroneExistence #Techno #technomindedheroes

Drone Select 052 /// Sklasi

Spektrum Stockholm - Live Recording 28.06.2025

015 - KATIA

(interview below)
Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Katia has quickly made a name for herself within Madrid’s music scene. Her sets are defined by a refined narrative flow, marked by precision, subtlety, and a clear minimalist aesthetic.


INTERVIEW
You are originally from Bogota, Colombia. To what extent has this influenced you and your musical career?

Colombians are very passionate and hardworking people. We don't give up easily. I think this characteristic has helped me a lot to not give up and stay focused even when everything seems so distant and complicated.


You've been living in Madrid for a few years now. How would you describe the scene in Madrid, what do you like best, but what are perhaps also challenges there?

I would describe the Madrid scene as passionate and deeply multidisciplinary. It's inspiring to see how different artistic expressions converge through music, and how collectives manage to integrate them in an authentic way.
What I value most is the sense of community: growing alongside my friends and colleagues, sharing processes, and seeing how each person evolves both artistically and professionally. The most original and stimulating projects often emerge precisely from this local scene, driven by closeness and collaboration. 
As an emerging artist, one of the main difficulties I face is the lack of visibility and the unfavorable conditions we often face. In an environment where not having an agent or support figure can mean you aren't taken seriously, it's also common that, due to the need to gain space and exposure, we accept proposals that don't always adequately value our work.


Is there a DJ or a particular set that has had a significant and lasting impact on you?

I'm deeply grateful for the incredible musical experiences I've had this past year; they've taught me in unimaginable ways.
If I had to name a DJ, it would be Fumiya Tanaka or Danny Daze. Their sets were so impactful that they helped solidify the new musical path I've been exploring.
It's incredible how one DJ set can change everything, and for me, they certainly did.

@katia_musik

Artwork by Janu Krohm

6D. Podcast 015 - Katia

SC: https://soundcloud.com/groemm
IG: groemm.6d

GRØMM | Symbole @ El Invernadero 09.05.25

https://soundcloud.com/dxrvo
www.soundcloud.com/KollektivSynergie
www.instagram.com/dxrvo.syn
www.dxrvo.bandcamp.com





[rauh_x 069] dxrvo

Buy here: found.ee/crowd008

With the Scratch EP, Scottish techno powerhouse Gary Beck delivers four razor-sharp cuts that bring raw energy and dancefloor pressure to FJAAK’s label CROWD. Known for his unmistakable grooves and stripped-down power, Beck presents a no-frills EP that bridges classic techno aesthetics with forward momentum.

Opening with the single ‘French System’, the EP kicks off in full throttle. It’s a propulsive roller built around tough drums, catchy synths, a female vocal leading the way and Beck’s signature percussive tension. Title track ‘Scratch’ follows with a twitchy, angular rhythm that spirals around a fragmented vocal motif and bold machine-funk energy with tense breaks leading to ecstatic drops.

On the record’s flip side, ‘How Do You Feel’ keeps the level high, fusing jacking rhythms with a funky vocal and a Beck’s heavy signature kicks. Finally, ‘Eclipse’ closes the EP pushing the energy into darker territories with relentless drive, its distorted pulse and industrial edge.

This release marks a fierce debut on CROWD for Gary Beck – four no-nonsense weapons crafted for peak-time moments and the rawer corners of the club. A heavy-hitting addition to the label’s catalog and a must-have for techno selectors with a taste for precision and punch.

BUY HERE

Gary Beck - Scratch

Radiant

GROOVE IN THE NIGHT

WWW.DRONE-EXISTENCE.COM

Founders and owners:
@deemarbus | @deniell-biswane | @kelvincelciusnl | @t-rad94 

For contact: 
contact@drone-existence.com

For podcast inquiries :
podcast@drone-existence.com
(We don't respond on direct messages on Soundcloud)

For bookings:
booking@drone-existence.com

/// DRONE EXISTENCE presents the DRONE PODCAST.
The DRONE PODCAST delivers a podcast from a Techno Minded Hero. We select the finest artists from around the globe. Techno heavyweights & Techno talents, all heroes that will provide you with only the best livemixes, livesets & studiomixes. /// Techno music at its finest. 

/// Drone Stream Sessions
In this time of staying home we bring the party to your living room with the Drone Stream Sessions. Techno Minded Heroes will provide a set in different settings and areas. Visualized on our Youtube Channel.

Drone Select 052 /// Sklasi

Drone Existence