It has been quite some time since the last time we gathered for a night of MBTS. I wanted to take some time after the pandemic to be quiet and see how the dance music scene would evolve, and what sounds would come out of the standstill that was Covid. Now that I have a good sense of where I want to be sonically, and what kind of energy I want to spread onto dance floors, I am ready to restart MBTS in 2023. Stay tuned for more info, and enjoy this preview of what's to come.

Much love, 
The Scumfrog

M.B.T.S. (Most Below The Surface) 2023

Hello Hot Dogs! I've waited for this day for over 14 years: mix #100 is live. When I released my first mix in 2010, I titled it [001] instead of [01]. Using three digits was aspirational, a quiet promise to myself that I might one day reach triple digits.

These mixes trace the narrative of my adult life. They've been the thread connecting me with so many of you—some I'll never meet, others who've become close friends (and even roommates—hi Dan, hi James).

Back when I released my first mix in 2010, we were still buying mix CDs for our cars. Soundcloud was just emerging, and I committed to monthly releases to this new platform. I may be overreaching here, but I can’t remember any other DJs presenting conceptual mixes, monthly, as packaged works of art: a conceptual title, description, and artwork. That consistency and novelty helped build a following outside of my local scene, and when my 2012 Robot Heart recording came out, things really took off internationally.

By 2015, the momentum led me to leave my software engineering job for full-time DJing—largely thanks to these Soundcloud mixes. I was purely a DJ then with a nascent Manjumasi label formed with Mark Slee, not releasing my first original track “Peculiar Colors” until 2017.

The landscape in 2024 looks different. As Soundcloud rotted to hell and Spotify rose, the value of mixes has sharply declined. With thousands released daily, they've become ubiquitous. The career path for electronic artists now revolves around original productions and social media presence.

This industry evolution pushed me toward producing my own music, opening up new creative paths I'm grateful for. The social media aspect has felt natural, as it's been an integral part of my project from the start. These last few years, the touring schedule, studio time, and home life as a husband and father slowed me down from my monthly cadence, but each mix still feels like a deep-rooted part of my message to the world, (mostly) through other people's music. 

Mix [100] was recorded September 7, 2024, at Public Works in San Francisco, the city that "raised me" as a club kid, where I first learned to DJ. This 5-hour set marked my last show in North America before taking an indefinite mental health break from touring. Playing this set was emotional, to the point of tears in the DJ booth, with support pouring in from both new listeners and those who've been there since the beginning. I couldn’t think of a better way to reach 100.

I've also created http://www.atish100.com to house all my mixes and their 1,400+ tracklists in one place, which I'll keep updating as new mixes go up on Soundcloud and YouTube.

This mix marks a meaningful milestone for me. Thank you for making this journey possible. You, and the 1400+ artists and labels I referenced helped create a life I never imagined.

Tracklist

atish - [100] - Atish All Night (Live in SF, 5 hours)

Performing a sunrise set at Maxa holds a truly special meaning for me and has become a cherished tradition over the years. The delicate yet powerful deer symbolizes something deeply personal, and sharing my music not only with the audience but also with incredible acrobatic dancers made the experience even more meaningful. It was an epic moment—one of my favorite mornings at that year's Burn. 🙏🏼

- Mira

ARTIST

Instagram: mira_kater
SoundCloud: @mira_kater


MAXA

Instagram: maxacamp
YouTube: -maxa-
Audio Mastering: Gabriel Velazquez
Cover Design: Alvaro Manzo
Cover Photo: Tepo López

Mira - Maxa - Burning Man 2025

As the first release from Burning Man 2025, we’re honored to share a set that carries a different kind of Playa energy - one made for a night like Burn Night. Bilal blessed us with a set rich in soul and grit, channeling the roots of house from Detroit, Chicago, and New York - the very foundation that shaped the dance floor. 🕺🏽✨

In Bilal’s own words:

this was burn #11 for me. and you'd think you know what to expect by now. but NOPE! this place really knows how to throw a curveball at all of us... but seeing people bounce back and knock that curveball out of the park is more amazing to see. 

i really didnt know what to expect on Man Burn Night, surrounded by all the different art cars and crowds. its basically like standing in the TV section at Best Buy with every channel blaring at once. 

anyway, this mix is the result of the environment at the time. i had fun sharing this music and i hope you do too. 

BIG LOVE & GRATITUDE TO THE ENTIRE ROBOT HEART CREW FOR ALL THE MAGIC YOU POUR INTO THIS, YEAR AFTER YEAR!

Shout-outs to:
Justin – You were right when you said to me don’t plan for anything, just come prepared.
Jason – Thank you for giving me a shot on my FAVORITE soundsystem, and for your support in releasing this recording.
Adrian/Dimitris – None of this would have been possible without you both.
Chief – Getting you on your feet was the best compliment.
Gabriel – You havin' fun yet?
To the people in the crowd – It wouldn’t have been the same without your presence and energy.
Gunita – Thanks for the pushing and nudging and pushing. Also, you finally made it to one of my sets.
Tyler – Thanks for keeping me calm, 'cause maybe, I was low-key shitting myself.
Chad Livingston – You helped me make the people laugh. We did it!
Zoe – Next time!
@cherk-gdp – WARNING: There is no Playatech in this recording.
Anna – I saw you dancing the whole time! Sorry I missed you on your way out.
Etty/Essem – I did show up to Greg and Summer's wedding, just ask them!
Kamal/Tazeen – This trip was not possible without you both. Also, I’m really sorry I yelled.
Colette – My best friend and wife, no one has shown more patience with me than you. I love you.
And to the artists who make the music I love – I'll keep doing my best to share what you put out in this world.

YT: youtu.be/oJK-LoTCk0g
Musical Journey: bilaliwood
https://soundcloud.com/bilaliwood / instagram.com/bilaliwood

Cover photo: Polaroid by Colonel

bilaliwood - Robot Heart - Burning Man 2025

As the final sunrise broke over the desert, Gadi aka Baby Prince guided us through the full spectrum: unfiltered, wild, and everything in between. 
🔥💋🔥

In his own words… 

Time marches on… Sometime around 2007, Geo told me they were building something massive, the likes of which the playa had never seen. That summer, we were among a handful of artists who played that very first year on Robot Heart. We dropped Sade and Prince, played for hours, and from that moment on, there was no looking back. The Wolf + Lamb sound was reborn that morning.

This set was my first time playing back in the bus in over a decade, and what a thrill it was to close the burn with my crew and the Robot Heart fam. Massive love and thanks for the support, boys and girls. What a ride!

YT: youtu.be/QVIONwLs3qw
Musical Journey: Baby Prince
soundcloud.com/babyprincemusic / instagram.com/babyprince76

Cover photo: Lynsey Dyer / instagram.com/lynseydyer

Baby Prince - Robot Heart - Burning Man 2025

Disco De Los Muertos

Chambord Solidmind - Lost In The Desert

It was an incredibly big honor to have been asked to be a part of the second Further Future event, even more so for the opportunity to play on the revered Robot Heart stage alongside so many DJs and producers I am personally quite fond of. I had so much music that I wanted to share, many styles and directions, so I decided (as I started my set with a homage to one of my very early electronic music inspirations Leftfield) to show a cross-section of the current vibes I like to share with you all, from the ambient intro to the final 124bpm throwback epic ‘Rave Child’ by DJ Metatron. I hope you enjoy the mix and for those who were there I hope you enjoy the flashback. Thank you for listening.


www.facebook.com/kimballcollins
soundcloud.com/kimballcollins

Kimball Collins - Robot Heart - Further Future 002

Each and every time I’ve played music at Burning man I felt privileged to do so. Its a truly special place full of truly special people.Sunrise. Sunset. Smiles. Tears of pure joy. 

There, i’m never one. I’m many. Connected. Connected to everything and everyone. One of the threads connecting me is music. Over the years the music has become a time machine that’s marked magical moments on my journey.  To hear it again allows me to travel back in time to those moments.

Perhaps you feel the same way too?

If so, close your eyes, turn up the volume and get ready to depart. The bus leaves any moment now. 

Lee

https://soundcloud.com/leeburridge

Photo: John Dill

Lee Burridge - Robot Heart 10 Year Anniversary - Burning Man 2017

Hoj's 2012 post-sunrise set atop the Robot Heart at Burning Man has become one of his most popular. What many people don't know is Lee Burridge joined him after his set for an epic back-to-back session that went on into the afternoon. Hoj and Lee found the recording on an old hard drive, and wanted to share.

Live on the Robot Heart 2012

Hoj b2b Lee Burridge - Burning Man 2012

so it was a rainy afternoon in Singapore, I'm in bed listening to some of my favorite chill tracks - old, newish and in between.  at one point thunder and beats dominate the air..  I stopped the music to record the storm on my ipad and enjoy natures rhythms!  

Later I decided to go back and make a short mix ...   since I cannot use my usual set up because of my eye / recovery situation I decided to give traktor on my ipad a go..  so keep that in mind as u listen.. its my first iPad traktor mix, no editing.. one strait go at it.  it reminded me of making a mix back in the day. 

Hope you enjoy , I only had a few chilled out beats on my ipad .. they helped keep me company thru my bed recovery!  thank you all for the love and support... xo

p.s.  photo taken from my bed that afternoon.

Rainy Afternoon Dillight (Recovery mix)

A place beyond space and time. This is where we will meet: Further Future.

Beyond Vegas 

www.furtherfuture.com