An episode that feels well overdue yet thoroughly worth the wait! A titan of the Naarm underground music scene, Pjenné has been a kindred spirit and longtime pal since the early days of MDC, and it's no surprise that her contribution is packed full of gloriously deep and immersive feels, bassy and driving in parts and light as a feather in others, speaking to a palette that has been meticulously explored and continues to evolve along with her incredible weekly radio show on PBS, Passing Notes. 

@pjenne

Q. What sounds of feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this mix, and what listening environments could you imagine it being best enjoyed in?

A. For this mix, I wanted to channel the energy and sounds that I associate with Melbourne Deepcast rather than drawing on the darker side of my sound palette that has been at the fore of my radio and club sets of late. MDC means so many things to me, but there’s definitely an energetic, grooviness that comes to mind and this is what inspired the mix. Although the mix does showcase parts of me (heavily atmospheric, emotive and a few downtempo tracks for good measure), I’d say this is more of a mix for you. :) I imagine this mix being listened to outside, on a sunny day, but when you might also need a little extra pep in your step. 

Q. Are there any songs in the mix that are especially close to your heart, and what is it about these tracks that resonate with you so much?

A. The first that came to mind is a track by Sean Cusick and Medway (Jesse Skeens) - It is an incredibly beautiful and emotive breakbeat track from 2002 on Saw recordings, there’s just something about how the vocals and the pads wash over you - although its upbeat there's also a sombreness to it and I just think its the whole package. 

Towards the end of the mix there’s also a very very classic ambient trance number, Lazer Worshippers by Damon Wild & Tim Taylor from 1993 - Not the most deeply dug track but it's a classic for a reason.

Q. You have been lovingly broadcasting your weekly radio show Passing Notes on PBS for six years running, which is a serious achievement! Tell us what you did for your sixth anniversary on International Women's Day, and what keeps you inspired to broadcast the show week in week out?

A. It’s been a wild ride that’s for sure! I really appreciate that International Women’s Day marks each yearly anniversary of Passing Notes - it reminds me to stop and reflect on each year as an achievement that I would probably otherwise forget in the chaos of life. This year I enlisted the help of Syrian DJ and Harmony Rec affiliate Zeynep, who provided an excellent, playful and sassy celebratory guest mix. 

As for my inspiration to keep going, I’d say that I draw from the collective power of electronic artists locally as well as internationally. There’s just so much good music to share, and Passing Notes enables me to provide a crucial connection between ‘underground’ electronic music and the wider music community. I'm also inspired by live radio as a format - it provides a sanctuary for me from the highly curated nature of music today and allows me to be more playful in the way that I explore different sounds. To me it is a place free of judgement.

MDC.308 Pjenné

@mr_mur_ray is a NYC based DJ and the founder of Ladies On Wax, Outwatch, & FTF Records.  Here's a few words from the artist about the mix...

This podcast has been a real journey for me… like flipping through the pages of an old journal, seeing how my taste has shifted, evolved, and expanded over time. But even as I grow, I always keep that kid in mind… the one with gauges, blasting Senses Fail and Taking Back Sunday, feeling everything way too much..

My love for EBM, techno, and electro isn’t something new. It started back in my earliest encounters with electronic music… first as a raver falling hard for the Libertine sound, where everything felt raw, rebellious, and punk as hell. That energy never left me.

Making this mix felt like I was searching for something… meaning, maybe, or some forgotten part of myself. Each track came together not because it was supposed to, but because it felt right. It wasn’t about making something crowd-pleasing or polished… it was about letting the music speak, letting it pull me wherever it wanted to go. And honestly…I had the best time making it.

This isn’t a background listen. You don’t have to get it. You don’t have to like it. But if you give it a chance… if you let it sink in a little… it might just move you.

Carole a.k.a. Mr. Murray

Sparkling 07 | Mr. Murray

DJ Balduin from Leipzig is a seasoned selector with more than two decades of experience in tracking down musical treasures. As an avid believer that some songs shine only under the right circumstances he doesn’t shy away from weaving repetitive loops with patterns of ambience just to let some hands-up moments unfold every now and then. Since he doesn’t like to think in categories, his best guess to describe his vivid 4/4 sets would be “Hypnocelestial salsa-dub house”.

Small Steps w/ DJ Balduin @ Kiosk Radio 19.04.2025

recording of my opening set at insolar, before Miran N and Trancesetters of Westphalia

12:00 - 15:00 ☼
31.05.25 Fitzroy, Berlin

Sean H ☼ opening set Insolar at Fitzroy [31.05.25]

Podcast Series 47 • Eli Verveine

Episode 1 of Down into the Abyss
In this first episode, I explore dark sounds that have accompanied me for years. The journey searches, among shadows, for small flashes of light. It’s an intimate trip, passing through sleazy goth, krautrock, ambient, and electronic disco.

Descend into the Abyss w/ Natalia Ninou 21/06/25

Downtempo mix by Moopie, Melbourne-based head of A Colourful Storm record label

Moopie - Timeless Series #52

Lorro & Mankiyan live op Steloase, de zomerbar in Stelplaats.

@laure_rbnk @mankiyan
instagram.com/laurer0benek
instagram.com/mmankiyan

Lorro & Mankiyan 𓇼 Steloase 𓇼 03.07.2025

Vessel - Skylab Radio 01 w/ Norachi

heatwave

pass the shock  Extended Dance Mix Djloops (1984)

Mix series & label curated by @pascaleproject

Info: sssparklingmusic@gmail.com