The Sustain-Release co-founder steps up to the Phonica mix just ahead of the acclaimed festival’s 11th year. 
New York has an iconic history when it comes to club music, and over the years has seen many great names emerge from its underground scene. In modern times, Aurora Halal is undoubtedly one of those names. 
Aurora has become a staple at forward-thinking institutions like Berghain, De School, and her home base, Nowadays, where she holds a residency. Alongside her international touring, she’s carved out her own vital space through the long-running Mutual Dreaming parties and Sustain-Release, the DIY-rooted festival she co-founded, which continues to push boundaries as it enters its second decade.
Her Phonica mix offers a vivid snapshot of her deep, intuitive approach to DJing—captured live at Mansions, a cozy NYC wine bar turned house party haven. Known for her genre-fluid sets that blend hypnotic techno, house, acid and experimental textures this is the perfect calling card to showcase why she can hold it down with a range of greats like DJ Nobu, Vladimir Ivkovic and more.
We had a chat about the mix with Aurora as well as touching off Sustain and some of her favorite moments at the festival.

Phonica Mix Series 134: Aurora Halal

7-9am in Montreal at Parquette for the 24h Best In Town Sound FLIP takeover.

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Hiroki @ Parquette - Flip (07/27/25)

A resident of La Case à Chocs, an iconic venue in the Swiss nightlife scene, Rylca approaches electronic music with curiosity and thoughtfulness. Always in search of rare sounds, he builds his sets around downtempo grooves, offbeat rhythms, and acid textures from the 90s. 

An emerging artist based in Neuchâtel, he aims to share his musical universe with a wide audience by exploring various facets of electronic music in his performances. For him, each set is an opportunity to share what excites him, to spread positive energy, and to create a light, curious atmosphere full of good vibes.

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Outsiders: Proxima w/ RYLCA @ Kiosk Radio 23.08.2025

079 - SOFT PXRN

There are few names as widely loved in clubland as Bristol-based producer Omar McCutcheon, AKA Batu.

His label Timedance, currently celebrating its ten-year anniversary, has been instrumental in shaping a certain corner of contemporary electronic music. It champions a mutant, rhythmic, UK-flavoured sound that escapes any obvious genre touchstones, as well as spotlighting the careers of artists like Verraco, Ploy and Hodge who push musical and cultural boundaries.

In this Exchange, McCutcheon sat down with Resident Advisor's editor, Gabriel Szatan, in London to reflect on the label's Afrofuturist philosophy, its journey over the past decade and the sense of purpose and direction that have developed over time. He spoke about the impact that scenes beyond the UK—such as China, South Africa, Brazil and Mexico—have had on his productions and label curation, and how they offer fresh perspectives that contrast with Europe's sometimes overly nostalgic take on dance music. He also discussed finding positivity in a dark time, and music's enduring potential to inspire and connect.

EX.778 Batu

Our b2b at @sustain-release-nyc 2025
00-02 Friday night at The Gym
A lot of physical activity indeed

Mor Elian b2b Piezo @ Sustain Release Year Eleven

A leading figure in Taiwan’s underground techno scene for over a decade, described by Resident Advisor as one of the world’s greatest techno DJs. This mix was recorded live at Tresor Klubnacht this August, his weightless form of techno glows with a natural energy, moving with aerodynamic precision.

@Diskonnected is the creative mastermind, and the principal DJ of the well-known Smoke Machine collective. Formerly a resident at Taipei’s legendary Korner, he now holds residencies at its successor Pawnshop, and at Hong Kong’s renowned 宀 Mihn.

Throughout his decade-long career, Diskonnected has been the foundational person developing, shaping, and sculpting the Smoke Machine sound and is the musical nucleus of Taiwan’s Organik Festival, one of the world’s most respected techno gatherings. A musical chameleon, he adapts his sound to each environment, generating boundless energy on the dance floor, he has toured widely across Asia, Europe, and the USA, and has played has played at prestigious clubs such as Berghain, Tresor and Nowadays.

PURE Guest.095 Diskonnected

DIAMOND - Techno Electronic Music (11)

Divine geometry

https://www.instagram.com/__softiii
https://soundcloud.com/jazz_brown

softi @ The Lot Radio 10-18-2025

SECOND TRACK PREVIEW: NIGHTSHIFT! FOR DEAR FANS. TRIBUTE TO NICK WALKER!