Dishing up an extended all-spice-mix from local hot saucier @lava-brain. Prepare for some genuine mind realignment with 3.5 hours of mesmerisingly deep heat!

Q. Hey Eric, what inspiration did you draw upon when putting this mix together? Is there a sound, feeling, or time in dance music history that connects all the different elements in one way or another?

A. Thanks for having me! I don’t know if there was a conscious thought so much, but lots of music to either get you in a meditative mood or moving depending on how you’re feeling. I guess there are definitely a lot of elements from the 90s Bristol scene threaded through the mix in one way or another. That trip hop/down tempo sound was really a big gateway into a lot of electronic music for me and it’s what I was listening to a lot of when I first started DJing. ‘Bass is Maternal’ by Smith & Mighty was a really big record for me; bringing together a lot of trip hop, dub, bass, breakbeat and jungle sounds, which feature in a lot of tracks in the mix.    

Q. Are there any records in the mix that are especially close to your heart?

Definitely! There’s a mix of some older favs like 'Transient' by Mr G, 'Tokyo Dawn' by Doc Scott & a Smith & Mighty tune. 'The Edgelands' by Rings Around Saturn has definitely had its fair share of listens over the years for me too. There's also a bunch of newer tracks, lots of local favourites & just music that inspires me. 
One tune which I hold especially close would have to be Delano Smith’s ‘The Rock’. I remember hearing it for the first time and I still find it hard not to get hypnotised by it. The vocal sample about universal unity is also pretty groovy :)

Q. Tell us what’s the latest with the visual aspect of your Lava Brain project? How would you describe your approach?

A. It’s been really great to get more opportunities to work on the live visuals & projection mapping part of my practice recently and to focus on it 100% at a party. 

In terms of my approach to integrating the two, with every event there are so many different elements that need to work together to make it a success. I think it's really about creating an awesome experience, working together with the music and space to compliment each other and help curate a mood. Working with different collectives or venues is always interesting, as all the elements change including the physical space and I enjoy the design process; usually starting with the logical side of the ‘how’ will this technically work and then the ‘what’ in terms of creative content. 

I guess I try to tap into my own feelings when designing an install or content and ask myself something like ‘How would this make me feel in the context of the party, music and space and what’s the intention we as a collective are trying to curate?’ I’m also starting to expand my setup, experimenting with mapping a small wireless midi controller to be able to still be able to control the visuals while being away from the laptop and part of the party, letting me further tap into those intuitive feelings. 

Currently I’m working on a visual instalment for Ferdydurke’s 11th birthday on August 12th and have been working with some new projection materials, experimenting with sheer fabrics to project a succession of images above the dancefloor to give a sort of floating holographic tunnel effect. For the event I’m also working on building a motorised lighting sculpture for the entrance to the venue, which is something new for me. 
In parallel, I’m working on some grant applications and starting to look for sponsorships for a multi-day projection art and music series I’m working on, in collaboration with the Section 8 crew. With all going to plan, that should be happening mid-next year. 
Other than that, continuing to learn, play and experiment, currently I’m starting to teach myself Touch Designer to expand that side of my creative practice and just always staying open to new projects and collaborations :)

MDC.286 Lava Brain

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

Here we go for a massive 100th edition of the Warning Mix series. To mark the end of our first "century", we decided to welcome back one of our absolute favourites. Back in the early days of Warning Mix '#6 we had S.O.N.S delivering a masterclass in Drum & Bass, still one of the absolute highlights on our SoundCloud. This time we got permission to share the live recording of his garden set at our Berlin party last summer, a three hour vinyl only journey into psychedelic music based on an out of this world selection and stunning mixing skills. We could actually end the series after this one - but don't worry, there will probably be a hundred more. Now turn on the volume, tune in to the music, drop out into the universe :-)

Follow
https://soundcloud.com/s-o-n-s

Warning '#6 SONS (2018)
https://soundcloud.com/warningberlin/sons

Warning #100 S.O.N.S

It’s springtime in the southern hemisphere and today we’re celebrating it with a mix from London-based DJ, Anna Rose (aka ANNX). 

We’ve been admiring Anna’s mixes for some time - her flawless mixing and the relentless collection of the best progressive & psytrance. We’re lucky enough to be able to share a recording of her set from this year’s Above Below Festival in Chiltern Hills in the UK. Anna played 7-9pm on The Beacon stage, and woweee it’s making us wish we were there to witness this set as the sun went down. 

Thank you Annx for gifting us this mix ❤️

@annx-anna-whomp
@annx-anna-whomp
@annx-anna-whomp

the space between us

Rotations 34: ANNX

At the controls of the next Voyage to Plantera is a long time source of inspiration to ourselves, Tywi - or as we more fondly know him as, Eben.

One of the brains behind 'Haŵs' - the Cardiff based label and party series which since inception has impressed in all corners of the globe. Eben has consistently pushed sounds that resonate with us here at Plantera HQ.

Whether that be curating dancefloor journeys with his extensive wax collection or through mind-warping productions - namely his recent four-track slammer 'Reality Checkpoint' released on Belfast imprint, Duality Trax.

An absolute dream for us to have such a lovely and talented human at the helm for this voyage, big love Eben <3 


"Welcome to 'Spirit Land,' in the enchanting realm of Plantera. A place within our own minds, accessible to all, where our spirits roam free.

On this voyage through the mystical landscape of Plantera, the adventure begins with an introductory passage transporting you directly to the shores of the otherworldly land. 

A sonically coherent journey free from constraints or linearity - exeplifying the first steps in this unfamiliar, uncharted terrain. 

An unpredictable traverse filled with twists, turns, moments of euphoria, and serene interludes – an exploration, as exciting as it is contemplative, guided by the beat. 

‘Spirit Land' is an invitation to simply let go and immerse yourself in the experience of sound."

009 | 'Spirit Land' by Tywi

@magicwire on NTS. 2hrs. Vinyl Only. recorded LIVE at *The Institute of Advanced Thinking* London

Magicwire ~ Midnight Vapour Trail Ep.78

Warming up the Naval Store stage at Mode Festival 2023 before Ludwig A.F, Klon Dump, Object Blue b2b TSVI and DJ Voices

Photo - Benjamin Weser

Command D Mode Festival 2023

- @dreamsoftwarecorp

Delighted to have my good friend Dream Software join me on Noods at last for a two-hour cosmic exploration.

I’ll be at the control for the first hour playing some new dreamers and recent digs before DS provides us with an audio adventure showcasing the best in mind-expanding sonics.

Noods Radio - Ollie Kirk w/ Dream Software - 09.11.23

Ahead of their EP Overgrown Echos (Out Dec 08) we have a special recording of Hybrid Man LIVE @ Globus Berlin 30/08/23. Serious business. 

Vinyl & Digital 
>> https://onrotation.bandcamp.com/album/overgrown-echos <<


Label Links
https://onrotationmusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/onrotationmusic
https://www.instagram.com/on.rotation.music
https://soundcloud.com/on-rotation-music

Vinyl & Digital

Rotation 039: Hybrid Man Live @ Globus, Berlin

london based katie barrett ( @loramipsum ) takes over earth dog this month with a delicate selection of banging prog & trance <3

Earth Dog 026: Lora Mipsum

Rounding out the year with two and a half hours of perfectly weighted dream grooves, tech savvy-transcendence and heavenly vintage house music from a beacon of the deep dancefloor, Hannah D! 

@hld
@thespacebetweenus

Q. Hey Hannah, what inspiration did you draw upon when putting this mix together? Is there a sound, feeling, or time/place in dance music history that connects all the different elements in one way or another?

A. Hey Myles! Thank you so much for having me on, I’m over the moon to be a part of the series. This mix is a bit of an ode to my favourite time and place to DJ — sunset at a festival or doof in the bush. When the day turns to night is such a special time, especially in these settings, and I really wanted to try and emulate that feeling — starting out soft and building into something a bit euphoric.

Q. Are there any records in the mix that are especially close to your heart, or new or old favourites that you’ve been keeping up your sleeve for the right moment?

A. Yes actually! One that comes to mind is Dario - Sweet Love (Evolution Mix). I found it a few years ago and was obsessed with it but the record was so expensive on Discogs (currently $200!) and I couldn’t find it anywhere else so I kinda gave up on it. When you asked me to do this mix I decided to have another look for it and ended up being able to trade someone for a rip of the vinyl. So happy to finally play it!! Another special one is Kalle-M - This Place. My partner David actually found this and sent it to me a while ago and I love it so much, so shout out to Dave for that one :) and a final special mention for Blue Noise - Coldflow which is close to the end. It gives me goosebumps every time, so intensely emotional and I would be crying if I heard this on a dancefloor!

Q. I know you’ve had quite the busy year on the events front, hosting a number of different parties with great local and international DJs as part of the Luna Blessings and Send/Return collectives. What were some of your favourite moments from the year that was, and what projects are you looking forward to working on in 2024?

A. Thank you! It’s been a crazy year looking back and I’m so grateful to be a part of so many special parties. A moment that stands out was the Waxo Paradiso x Hope Street Radio party the other week, the vibes were so perfect all day. This year I’ve actually played quite a lot of b2b sets which has been so fun, and I’ve had the chance to play interstate a couple of times and in Europe which was amazing :) We’ve got a super stacked year ahead with both Luna Blessings and Send/Return which I can’t wait for! We’re hosting one of my favourite artists ever for Luna in January which we’ll announce very soon. I’m looking forward to more of all of the above in 2024!

MDC.291 Hannah D

✼ Bookings/Enquiries via DM or Email
✼ Noods Residents (Show airing 2nd Friday nights ~ monthly)

✼ Mix Series ∞Voyages Of Plantera∞

✼ Upcoming gigs ~~
✼ Sonic Rites, Wales (April)
✼ Gottwood Festival, Wales (June)
✼ Sumor 2024, Wales (June)
✼ Wax Galactique Boat Party, Wales (June)
✼ Come Bye, Wales (September)

Step into 'Plantera' 

- an Earth-like planet thriving in a distant galaxy. 
Where music vibrates through every aspect of the ecosystem; where the lines between space and nature are blurred via psychedelic means.

Aural narratives unfolding moments of Plantera. 
Project ran by Mason James & Lewys Morgan.

Pushing terrestrial|extra-terrestrial sounds from the psychedelic realm.

009 | 'Spirit Land' by Tywi

PLANTERA

Recent comments

microboyy

TSUNIMAN

Quim

jammcfar

Related tracks