May is here and promises of better weather and festival season are on the horizon! This marks the start of the XI concept: a monthly mix that contains 11 new and fresh tracks that I really like, to get into the spring vibes. I will be recording these mixes live and upload them to track my progression in skills and taste. Enjoy and see you soon for some open air dancing!

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4VnThyUUWKstBOnhERD2xr?si=RxozfbaET9yyZk1mSrA6og&pi=e-j4B1xv1dSaOW

XI - May 2024

11 Fresh tunes for June to kick off the start of the meteorological summer! Besides just keeping track of my progress (as a very modest bedroom DJ), with XI I try to create a monthly one-hour mini musical journey of newly released melodic house & techno tracks that I want to share with you all to discover. As I am restricted by the music that comes out, this often means a creative puzzle to ensure a nice and compelling flow. But that's part of the challenge and half the fun! Enjo(e)y & see you center front!

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5HCLLW6wHZCO33qjS6WoAG?si=0f1644e4a7d8411c

XI - June 2024

A little rusty on the decks after a long holiday in Barcelona, July's edition brings with it 11 new emotionally loaded tracks that that came out in the past weeks and that I absolutely love and want to share with you. I really try to put something of myself into these mixes and add my own personal touch, and I hope it shows. Summer has come and gone already it seems, but this XI is surely to bring back some sunshine and heat. Let me know your thoughts & enjoy!

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/544s37yzc7F13K2M8QqbIR?si=cGxCRQYvTvmU0FTiLPl5Sw&pi=3AV8SnFlSQC6V

XI - July 2024

What a period of crazy good releases this has been the past few weeks! This month's mix was a stressful and complex puzzle due to all the amazing songs I really didn't want to leave out and the flow I was trying to establish. But the puzzle is half the fun! I'm trying to create a different vibe and energy every month to keep things as fresh as possible, alongside some experimenting with different mixing techniques, all while trying to develop my own style and gain more experience. As mentioned in the very first episode 5 months ago: this series is a nice and fun way to track my progress and as a perfectionist I have to accept the flaws here and there, which is not always easy. But in the end it's all about the 11 tracks I'm serving! Enjoy!

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3N13mBvdkqY4ihkQmkJPyb?si=ZX9YtNijRa6SZXa5lAFW8Q&pi=JO_TnootT_Sv-

XI - August 2024

Early September's forecast is promising us some late summer vibes with sunny days and toasty temperatures. With festival season coming to a close, days becoming shorter and parties slowly moving indoors and shifting into the night, it feels like this year's summer has flown by in an instant, like the seeds of a daffodil fulfilling their duties faster than you can finish a cold one. But fret not! This month's selection of eleven tunes has got you covered for all your emotional cravings for days gone. Let's make the best of the end of 2024's summer, and undoubtedly will be seeing some of you at one front row dancing spot or another. Enjoy, whatcha' say?

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1n6s8eY4o0AiC7X0ke0g4W?si=c3493e6c4e5b4681

XI - September 2024

And just like that, summer is over and a rainy autumn is introduced into our lives. With the changing of seasons also comes a changing of mood (at least for me). Not a bad mood perse, but maybe something like nostalgia for those sweaty summer nights with friends and banter that already seem so long ago. Do you know that feeling when you think that after many struggles you finally got your life figured out, know for sure what you want, and are back once again sailing calm waters? And then life all of the sudden throws you a curveball from a totally unexpected corner? October's eleven new tracks seemlessly fit the gloomy mood that settles in when days are getting damper and darker. Fire up the kettle, pour yourself a nice cup of (pumpkin spice) tea, kick back, and let these melodic tunes wash over you like a warm and comforting blanket.

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6sj596haOaplarHpL23TBH?si=95796e5217c34f74

XI - October 2024

A little all over the place (literally, as I am currently in Barcelona), a little crude, a little insecure, a little dissonant, short-lived. This month's episode feels fuzzy to me. I was honestly doubting whether I wanted to release it, but in the end it feels like poetic justice, as it reflects exactly how I am feeling right now. Last month I mentioned life throwing you a curveball. Even though it looks like you're about to catch it, it might still spin off at the very last moment and hit you right in the face. But at least the sharp pain is proof that you are very much still alive! The track selection for November is a little less adventurous, but nontheless these eleven tracks set the mood right. I gave up on some basic techniques and just let the mood flow wherever it wanted to flow. Sometimes you can't guide these things, regardless of how badly you want to. Which is also why this might not be a typical XI episode (I'll promise we'll be back to your regularly scheduled programing next month), but hey, life's not perfect. And without imperfections, it would be a very boring ordeal. You just have to look through these imperfections and potholes of life's road and find your silver linings in the distance and on the ever present horizon: the people close to you and that matter most. Enjoy, and see you next month ♡.

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/44vgE7dpJnSZLyDz7gHK4U?si=ad50a187efbb45bd

XI - November 2024

Damn. We're already in the last month of 2024. I say this every year but honestly, this year feels like it flew by in a heartbeat. I made so many new memories with the people I love, and attended so many great parties that I'm almost having a hard time recalling all of them. 2024 For me has been a year of extremes. There were the highest ups, but also the lowest lows. I went to Barcelona (a place that really feels like my second home) 3 times, both to (re)discover and lose myself. In the end, every experience you encounter and live through makes you into the person you are today. Sometimes life is easy sailing. And sometimes life is plain unfair and outright difficult. But in the end there's always music. For every occasion. Because so many crazy good songs got released the past weeks, I couldn't choose which direction to go with for this month's Eleven mix, since one direction meant axeing so many incredible songs I wanted to share with you. But then, what's the end of a year without an end of year special?! If you already took a brief glance at the title, you'd have seen that to wave goodbye to 2024 there is not just one but TWO mixes for you! Dedicated to two women that support me unconditionally and have my back always, through the highs and through the lows. I would be little without them and I certainly would not be making these monthly mixes for all of you. We're starting off December with some heavenly sweet melodic synths for part 1. Part 2 will have us dive head-first into the deep and hypnotic end. Enjoy <3.

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4QoTd85gADUZNZStWNJOQ0?si=c9c1310a45cc4368

XI - December 2024 (Part 1: Nienke)

Closing off December and with that 2024 with a very special one, dedicated to a very special one. I'm sending you off on an epic journey with this longest XI set so far. Strap in, close your eyes, and let this mix take you off into the great unknown. Maybe you will lose or find yourself a little bit. Where Part 1 felt warm and comforting, Part 2 is none of that. It feels more of an adventure, with all the insecurities that come with it. As said before, 2024 wasn't always the nicest to me. I felt like with the closing of this year, I pressed the hard reset button on my life. It feels a little bit like I have lost control, and to be honest that feels frightening at times. But life only happens when you step out of your comfort zone. Here's to new beginnings in 2025, both professionally and personally. Here's to many more days and nights of dancing with friends and lovers. And to you, everyone who has been listening to my journey so far, and supporting me with your kind words and honest feedback: thank you from the bottom of my heart! Spend the holidays with your people, and we'll see each other again soon enough! <3 Joey.

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1m5OAvfa2FiAwDRjf18GIu?si=12a9c72959f04556

XI - December 2024 (Part 2: Nena)

Happy new year! Thinking of a fitting description for this first mix of 2025 while laying awake at night, for some reason the vision of a pool table came into mind. The funny thing about pool is that for the longest time it can seem like you're ahead and winning, maybe even after a starting with a perfect break, but all it takes is one fumble of accidentally pocketing the 8 ball and you're out, game over. But the kicker is that that is never the end of things! The table will reset back to default. A new game starts. New opportunities and challenges arise, ready for you to give it another shot, try some new strategies. If you feel like you are stuck, don't be affraid to reset the table. Never settle for a losing game. Rules and conventions are there to be bent and broken. Live a little. Damage the table. Lose the chalk. Shoot the balls into the room. Break the cue. But for fuck's sake don't settle for mediocre and boring. Play with fun people. And while you're at it, make sure to play some good tunes to bring comfort in chaos. See you on the other side. x Joey.

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4rD0Mt9cEYPDC136M6QJFH?si=a5c6b5c6cbc14438

XI - January 2025

The past month felt like it took disproportionately long. Maybe it were all the new impressions and all the new people that I met, maybe it was all the travel time (I'm writing this while on the train), but I feel like I exponentially grew as a person in such a short amount of time. They say you're never too old to learn, and indeed I am still learning a lot about myself and life in general. I read a nice quote that you can only change your life when you go from wanting to change to deciding to change. And while on paper I decided to make such drastic changes to my life, it doesn't feel scary at all. I just feel like I am on the right track, towards the right positive energy. And maybe it's because however unpredictable and dynamic life gets, music will always be a stable factor for me. It gives me inspiration, it helps me focus, and it drives me nearer to my emotions and passions. Spending so much time commuting and actively listening to music lately, has made me appreciate all the more music's capabilities of storytelling and transporting you to some other plain of existence. For February's mix I tried to include some unknown gems that struck a chord with me and that really deserve some love. May they accompany you on your travels unknown. <3 Joey.

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3MxI1xJY0gEydN7lL3bADa?si=pGrP-O8xQ9iQ3YuZ4Pxpig&pi=l3UHgsodQhCw1

XI - February 2025

One year ago I bought my very first second hand DJ deck, and started making these little mixes to work on my skills and share new music that I really enjoy. This was exactly the creative outlet that I had been missing for so long and can be passionate about. I find it interesting to see how even in one year my taste and techniques have developed, which was why I wanted to record and upload these episodes. Besides a quick tutorial on the basics as a jump start, I went in fully blank and along the way I taught myself by just trying to see what works and what doesn't. Most of this stuff I just do based on feeling. I know that I still have a very long way to go and am nowhere near perfect, but that's all part of the learning journey and I'm damn well having loads of fun. I try to dig for some new gems and make every XI just a little bit different, be it in energy, genres or vibes, just to keep things interesting. This month made for an extra difficult puzzle, but in the end I'm happy how it turned out. And while my original intention was to just make these mixes to listen to myself, I am beyond happy that all of you have been tuning in every month and listening and giving me your feedback. You give me the confidence to keep going and keep practicing and getting better. Here's to another 12 more episodes!  <3 Joey

XI - March 2025

Maybe it's due to the change of scenery, but for some reason I've been having a big influx of all kinds of creativity lately. Turns out is  much easier to lose yourself in things you're passionate about. I get so much energy from creating things, even if it's just writing these cheesy windows into my mind for you to gloss over. With spring around the corner, daylight becoming more abundant, and temperatures un-Dutchlike for this time of year, the summer butterflies are already starting to flutter. I can't wait for all the new memories, music, and friends this year will have to offer. Let this month's mix be a small encapsulation of that feeling for you to enjoy and yearn for. For the longest time I had this fixed idea of how exactly my life should unfold in a sensible and practical way, without actually listening to my inner dreams and passions. But sometimes you need to be shaken to to your core to actually realise that there is so much more to life than mediocrity. It is the low lows that make you truely appreciate how really good the highs are. And you're never ever done learning. Life is ephemeral, so might as well enjoy it while we can. And to share with you my personal motto: stay true to yourself, get out of your comfort zone, and never be boring. X Joey

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kLRyZM7jyN1lMZbCceIv1?si=eed55def9c3b40dd

XI - April 2025

What a treat this sunny weather has been the past few days. A nice preview of what hopefully this entire summer will look like. I can't wait to soak up all the good that the outdoor season will have to offer! Untill then, I will be fully swamped in the stress of moving house. I've barely had the time for any creative outlets lately, but I made myself sit down and put my heart into making another special episode for this month regardless. I hope it delivers. May will be a month of one chapter ending, and another, more exiting one starting. Loads of new impressions to look forward to, and busy times ahead! In any case, let's enjoy the spring sun to the fullest, and soak up that vitamin D! x Joey.

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/16QCG95sBFodOyUdonkBgR?si=b3deff6fc407480d

XI - May 2025

A full month since I touched my setup, but I was super eager to get back to mixing again. And how I missed it! Luckily I kept track of all the great releases from the past months. I feel so incredibly grateful and at peace currently. A stark contrast with how things were several months back. Music is such a comfort to me, whatever state I am in. It brings me closer to my emotions, and gives them extra strength. And after a long day of giving it all, music soothens the soul. I had a hard time figuring out the story of June's mix. The plot lines went all over the place while preparing the tracklist, but I feel like I ended up with eleven tracks that form the soundtrack of a story of epic proportions with all its twists and turns. Even though you will not know where the road you're on might take you, sometimes that's okay. Because deep down, you'll know if you're on the right track. You'll know that you were always supposed to be there. Here's to happy endings.

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0WubkIIg1WdbpmRaTWl3tN?si=206c315804854fe1

XI - June 2025

June was without a doubt one of the best and craziest months of my life. I made so many core memories in such a short timespan, that I feel like I didn't even had time to properly process everything, so I am enjoying some much needed downtime while recording this mix and writing this little description. I have been feeling a little emotionally vulnerable lately, which makes me get back into my natural state of isolating and slowing down. I think July's mix is built on that feeling. When life gets too crazy or tangled, sometimes all you need is to sit down, reflect, and get carried away by the sound of soothing synths. Take it slow for a while, and I hope that in some way this month's mix is also for you. <3 Joey

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4aeuESAE3v7LtbFUHRsXbf?si=cdfbef64645f496f

XI - July 2025

They say there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. Well, that and the fact that there is a new XI episode every 1st of the month at 10 in the morning. Although this month was a way bigger technical struggle than others to get the mix the way I wanted. I am really due for a holiday to reset and re-energize, and forcing creativity under these circumtances just doesn't work for me. I keep striving for some unreasonable perfection, and try to make every episode better than the last one. While wanting to improve yourself in principle is not a bad thing, I need to not lose track of what XI in essence is all about: digging for unknown songs and combining them into an eleven track showcase of everything I have enjoyed the past month, and enjoying the whole process from start to finish. I try to capture recent moods and expectations for the coming month, all the while keeping track of my progression as a DJ. And that not every mix ends up like a flawless diamond should not matter all that much. Sometimes I just need to refocus to get that straight. So here is your monthly certainty: eleven fresh tracks that hopefully deservedly will find their way into your streaming libraries. Now then, nothing left to do but to enjoy Dutch summer to the fullest; pull on a sweater, equip your raincoat and stare out of the window of the train while the drizzle trickles down. These are your 50 minutes to be the main character in your own movie. X Joey

Tracklist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1yWNIiDSvs3qAYpajc1qOm?si=599bc132a5304617&pt=d02885ad2e3d581712574794ee731e6b

XI - August 2025

Mellow melodic marinated in emotions.

(Extended Mix) enthusiast.

XI

JoeyRups