This episode of the RA Exchange originally ran in 2022.

Shanti Celeste is one of those artists whose personality matches her DJ style. Her fun-loving nature and breezy demeanour always light up a room, as do her vibrant sets that span sunny house music, slow-burning disco and emotive techno—just revisit her RA podcast for a reminder. Fresh off her Hessle Audio debut, the London-based artist sat down with Martha Pazienti-Caidan for an honest chat about track selection, bad gigs and her approach to production.

During DJ sets, the Peach Discs co-founder doesn’t like to focus on genres. Instead, "I think about, like, building and releasing tension and making sure that I stay in a specific energy level," she explained. "Whereas before, I think I knew the energy I wanted to bring, but I didn't know how to do that cause I was just thinking about everything in terms of genre."

Reaching this holistic stage, however, took time. It was a process of acquiring knowledge and experience but also confidence, she described, adding how she previously had "really bad imposter syndrome." Learning to recognise that certain factors might be outside an artist’s control is essential to self-realisation, she continued. Recounting her experience of playing big festival stages, she noted the importance of "learning what side of yourself to channel" rather than compromise on music.

For more details on her experience playing with fellow women DJs, her lockdown romance and recording her vocals, listen to the discussion in full.

EX.662 Shanti Celeste

Welcome to the Windy City and the manufacturing belt, straight out the midwest 🌬 
The rap scene here wasn’t established yet during the mid-90’s, grabbing influences from NY and LA, still looking to find its own trademark. It was mostly gangsta rap sounding a lot like your typical californian signature, some more conventional production inspired by the eastern conference, and many in-betweeners. 
This recollection tends to point out a large panorama of tracks, think about it more as a collage and a mosaic, a plural entity. It reminds us about inner city social issues such as schizophrenia. It’s, in the end, the tale of two cities merged together, a manic dychotomia. One is giving a proud message about its territorial background and norms, the other one is preaching peace, asking for a better future. 

Goddamn, these evil spirits got me fighting for my life.

Slim G. & Big City - Caught Slippin'
D 2 Tha S - Whatz On Tha Otha Side
Twista - Street Paranoia
K-Smoove - Hustl'in, Pimp'in, Mack'in
M. Doc Wit Stevio - We Do It Like That (Feat. Blah Zae Blah, Tung Twister, D.A. Smart & Juice)
IllStreet - Paper Chase
JG - Put Down The Guns
Malachi - About Skills (Feat. Rusty Chainz)
Tell P - Mournin' Afta
Just Ro - Confusion (Feat. Common Sense)
Sawbuc - Enemy Within
Swolts - How Do You View You
Triple Darkness - Chicago
Mr. Ville - Is It Real
Crucial Conflict - Just Getting My Money
D-Fly - Maintain 2 Hang Remix
Cyco Satan - Goddamn

SELECTA-7

First show of the year - joined by heavyweight selector and friend of the show, Ruby SD.

First hour with the don @soundsofthephact, final with @rubysavvy.

Demos -> demos@pastryselects.com
Instagram -> www.instagram.com/pastryselects/
Linktree -> linktr.ee/pastry_selects

10 January 2025 - Pastry Selects (w/ Ruby SD)

Hôtel des Monnaies, hosted by Brussels-based DJ Francis99, is a monthly journey through electronic music, featuring House, Techno, Ambient, IDM, and hidden gems. Tune in every third Wednesday of the month at 6pm (CET) for an hour of carefully curated tracks and special guest appearances.

Hôtel des Monnaies w/ Francis99 @ Kiosk Radio 19.02.2025

Gracing the studio, curator of punky tech house and a dedicated digger, we welcomed a friend of the show - Dean Watton.

First hour with @sonofpaul, final with @deanwatton.

Demos -> demos@pastryselects.com
Instagram -> www.instagram.com/pastryselects/
Linktree -> linktr.ee/pastry_selects

21 February 2025 - Pastry Selects (w/ Dean Watton)

Круто, що люди збираються вранці у вихідний, щоб попити чаю та послухати альтернативну музику, якою я зміг поділитися. Це був класний метч, вдалося кайфанути.

Приємно було бути частиною Денного Сну

MIGNUUM - DAYSLEEP - 19.01.2025

Free Download

A Message For The DJ (Munro Blue's Mix) FREE DL

Jose Vilches - Body Reacts

Rico Slavic - MPC [Free Download]

Our Podcast n. 046 is served by none other than French rising star Steve Marie.
Last year he delivered Better Sound 04, along with Astral Body.We all know Steve is a great producer, with his killer releases on Opaq records and many others, now we are thrilled to share Steve as a digger.
Expect Trance, Techno and Break.
And most important expect Steve in Italy with us really soon.

Better Sound Podcast  046 - Steve Marie (Opaq Records)

Despite the restrictions in the Netherlands Brassac was happy to come over earlier this month to cook up a hot blend. We're grateful for his enthusiasm and the end result is something we reckon you guys would enjoy. Two hours of first-rate frisbee's up ahead.

Submid Radio - Brassac

Selectors based in London, specializing in underground dance music. 

Est. 2019

@sonofpaul
@soundsofthephact
@mantis_0