As part of RA2122, our ongoing celebration of 21 years of club culture, we'll be featuring some of our favourite DJs from around the world, highlighting the parties or clubs most important to their lives in dance music. 

The first time we featured DJ Nobu on the RA Podcast, over ten years ago, we called him "one of Japan's best DJs." In hindsight, i think we can all agree that the country qualifier is no longer necessary: he's one of the world's best DJs, bar none. An absolute master at curating and mixing techno, Nobu has helped to inspire a Japanese school of techno that is psychedelic, hypnotic and often very pretty, without losing the genre's oomph or edge. And he's more popular than ever around the world, playing some of the best parties and clubs in pretty much any country or city you could name.

But DJ Nobu's roots and heart are close to home. Frustrated with techno in the Japanese capitol, he created his own party in his neighbouring hometown, Chiba, where nightlife was less pretentious and the vibe was a little looser. Future Terror quickly became known as one of Japan's premiere techno parties, and paved the way not only for Nobu himself, but many other Japanese DJs who Nobu and his later partner Haruka gave the chance to shine. The party also recently celebrated its landmark 20th anniversary with its first-ever party in London.

This mix is a direct tribute and encapsulation of Future Terror, what Nobu calls a "condensed story" of the series focusing on the more outré elements at the fore—an "awareness of techno" with plenty of more leftfield tracks thrown in. What follows might be a little gentler than you'd expect from Nobu, but it's all top-tier techno mixed with an expert hand.

@djnobu_bitta

Read more at https://ra.co/podcast/855

RA podcast

RA.855 DJ Nobu

an excerpt from the middle of a four hour opening set. enjoy.

photo by willem mevis

Richard Akingbehin @ Draaimolen x Sustain Release, Tilburg - May '24

Aaron J B2B Oberman at Draaimolen Festival 2024

We’re thrilled to have @jessegofficial relaunch our mix series this year: a dynamic and rhythmically rich selection of grooving, driving techno. Last year we had her over for a back-2-back with Konduku at our ADE party, and we’re excited to announce her as the first confirmed artist for Nous’klaer Festival on June 28! 

Jesse G comes from the Berlin school of techno, being affiliated with RSO, Tresor and Hard Wax - a serious talent everyone should watch. Even more so because of how effortlessly she makes techno sound so fun. Dive into her sound with this sublime one hour mix.

Nous'klaer Radio #37 - Jesse G

Full Tracklist: https://bleep.com/bleep-mix-297--sandwell-district

For our latest Bleep Mix instalment, Sandwell District come through with a hefty programming of dark rollers fulfilling that promise of reinvigorated purpose they mentioned before: “Having a good time”. And with a wealth of exclusive unheard material it’s hard to refute the mission statement. Dropping straight into the cavernous environs of an unreleased Regis side Frosty Jack’s, the selection rides a restrained line building tension through a number of Nastia Reigel tracks deployed with utmost precision before upping its stride with Luke Slater’s Planetary Assault Systems and quickly landing first peak from The Wizard himself, with Jeff Mills' slamming ‘93 cut Step to Enchantment (Stringent). Taking in a track from their comrade Surgeon’s forthcoming album, as well as the simmering acid of their own tune Hidden, Sandwell District bring it back round full circle via two further unreleased reworks of heroes Meat Beat Manifesto providing a breakbeat singed rupture to close out the proceedings with the vocal snatches of MBM’s Helter Skelter summing it all up really: “It's in my brain now. This is it!”

Bleep Mix #297 - Sandwell District

We are very happy to present @jasminhoek for the next Nous’klaer Radio! The label favourite, both in DJ sets and productions, gave us the perfect start of the week with her new recording. Get to know her better through the small Q&A here below. Big thanks to Jasmín!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴/𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴?
I started practicing DJing at the end of 2015, and had my first real gig in early 2017. I got Ableton in 2019, but didn’t get to spend a lot of time with it until the pandemic. So, it’s been 10 years (!) since I started DJing this year, and 5 years since I started producing.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲/𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼?
I think there were several tracks, but two tracks that stand out for techno specifically are Rrose’s Waterfall and Blawan’s Vibe Decorium. I remember being blown away when I first heard them on YouTube. They're still among my favorite producers, and I play those tracks quite regularly.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆?
As soon as the first rays of sun hit, I get sucked into late 1960s and early 1970s music.
Ann Peebles – I’m Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down (this whole album is such a masterpiece)
Jefferson Airplane – White Rabbit
Jimi Hendrix – Foxey Lady

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲?
I’m a huge nerd when it comes to fashion and fashion history. I actually wanted to work in fashion as a kid/teen before I got sucked into music. I must say, for creativity, fashion is still my biggest source of inspiration. I really admire the crafts of sewing, designing, and working with fabric. Of course, like in any creative industry, there are plenty of things to be critical about as well, but the creativity and world-building behind certain fashion shows or editorials is magic to me.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗝𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘀?
Specifically for DJing, I’d say go to clubs early, see how a club night evolves, and learn what makes a good flow for the night/event. Listen to a lot of opening sets to learn how to build up a set. It takes time to learn what it’s like to play on a club sound system, so opening sets are great for easing into it. If you can do a good opening set, you can definitely slam it out later during the night. That said, this might be a hot take, but I think DJing should start as your hobby, and could then eventually turn into your job. If mixing, digging, collecting, or deep diving into music isn’t something you’d do if you weren’t paid for it, it’ll be hard to stick with it. Try not to monetize your hobbies right from the start.

Nous'klaer Radio #39 - Jasmín

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Tresor Expansions - Erika & Chloe Lula - 15 Apr 2025

"My mission is to explore the boundaries of psychedelic music." The revered techno artist talks about expanding consciousness, breaking the rules and his new album on Tresor. 

There has always been a strain of dance music that has leant psychedelic, from the leftfield psychoacoustics of pioneers like La Monte Young to the proggy techno taking over today's dance floors. One artist who embodies the spirit of psychedelia is Anthony Child, AKA Surgeon, a revered DJ and producer who has historically been placed in the world of industrial techno, but whose output over the years has consistently flirted with altered states of consciousness and a strong opposition to the mainstream.

Child is originally from Birmingham, where he and Karl O'Connor, AKA Regis, helped birth a style of powerful, loop-driven techno. Together, they're British Murder Boys and have released music on O'Connor's seminal label Downwards. But they've also ploughed successful solo careers, with Child putting out several releases on Tresor and performing live improvised electronics as Surgeon and as part of ambient listening duo The Transcendence Orchestra.

In this interview, Child talks about his most recent release on Tresor, the album Shell~Wave, and its innovative use of techniques associated with Jamaican dub. He also discusses the through line of psychedelia in his work and what it means to surrender oneself to sometimes uncomfortable processes—both creatively and in life—and come out the other side. There are strong links to spirituality and Buddhism in Child's work, many of which are designed to prompt listeners to question and reconsider the boundaries they've set around the reality they live in. Listen to the episode in full. -Chloe Lula

EX.766 Surgeon

@kia-sydney is @mixmaganz's July Cover Artist.

In just over an hour, one of Australia's most exciting talents presents a mix made up entirely of new and forthcoming material on her equally influential @animalia-label.

Tracklist:
1. @okegmusic - 'Spirit' (Forthcoming)
2. @sub-basics - 'Signal' (Forthcoming)
3. @okegmusic - 'Veil' (Forthcoming)
4. @sub-basics - 'Lobby' (Forthcoming)
5. @zaraolsen - 'Whirl' 
6. @sub-basics - 'Residual' (Forthcoming)
7. @o-utlier - 'Pulse' 
8. @andy-martin - 'Skye Spirals' (Forthcoming)
9. @aedis-aedis - 'Ortogon' (Forthcoming)
10. @o-utlier - 'Ionic'
11. @sub-basics - 'Proportion' (Forthcoming)
12. @shoall - 'Median'
13. @aedis-aedis - 'Vaen' (Forthcoming)
14. @www-coloursound - 'Sierra' (Forthcoming)
15. @andy-martin - 'Afrofuturism' (Forthcoming)
16. @shoall - 'Temporal Blend'
17. @www-coloursound - 'Locus' (Forthcoming)

Kia: Mixmag ANZ Cover Mix 06 (100% Animalia)


“The hardware world is like a sport.” The DJ and producer talks about mastering synthesis and finding community in a male-dominated music ecosystem.

Is talent innate? Today's guest, producer and modular synth extraordinaire Sibel Koçer (AKA JakoJako) doesn't think so. She's seen an extraordinary rise in her career in the last few years, earning a residency at Berghain, releasing on Mute Records, playing live shows at festivals around the world and becoming an in-demand remixer and collaborator for artists from the worlds of classical music, techno and pop. But she doesn't think she got where she is because of some God-given gift; instead, she says, her success is the result of tireless hard work.

Many years ago, when Koçer moved to Berlin to finish nursing school, she spent slow periods in her job poring over modular synth manuals. She eventually abandoned nursing and instead chose to pursue an internship at the popular Berlin synth shop SchneidersLaden, where she started learning the ins and outs of building her own system and making her first connections in the modular synth world. In this Exchange, she talks about the specific dynamics of the producer community that loves and uses hardware—which she describes as competitive and "sports-like"—as well as being a woman in this environment, finding creative inspiration from synth manuals and channeling her energy into mastering synthesis when she felt she had no other choice.

Koçer is curating a compilation called Hardwired for the label Air Texture, which will be out on July 11th. It showcases music from the community of hardware enthusiasts and people who have an appreciation for machine-based music, including Rødhåd, The Field, Acid Pauli and more. Listen to the episode in full.


EX.766 Surgeon

Resident Advisor