Ivan Smagghe is the seamlessly cool founder behind Les Disques de la Mort. For years he has been regarded as one of the leading figures in Electronic music and continues to push the boundaries between the weird, wonderful, obscure and danceable, alongside the likes of Andrew Weatherall, Optimo, Trevor Jackson and more. He slots firmly into chic French fashion culture and gritty, underground musical eclecticism at the same time. Over the past couple of years his label has released music from far and wide: pop obscurities from Israel, punk funk from Lithuania and experimental electronics from the likes of Mutado Pintado, Golden Bug and Margot. He delivers over an hour of energetic fun for Ransom Note.

@colonelgatito

Ivan Smagghe: The Ransom Note Mix

Friends, fun, great music. Building unique spaces that bring people and music to life for over 20 years. Join us for the next chapter. 

https://www.instagram.com/talesxoxo/

Think warehouses, dance studios, cathedrals, neat clubs. Killer sound, amazing weird people - come for the love, stay for the bass.

Joe O is a DJ and visual designer hailing from London, now firmly rooted in Tokyo.

With a profound love for house music in all its forms (especially the deep and off-kilter stuff) Joe O has become a key figure in Tokyo’s underground scene. 
Known for his energetic and unpredictable vinyl-only sets, he regularly plays at venues like Red Bar, Tunnel, and Womb, while also making waves internationally with gigs in Bali, Bangkok, and beyond.

Joe O holds a coveted residency at Shibuya’s legendary Oath, where he co-hosts the popular monthly party ‘Yes Chef!’. He and ‘Yes Chef!’ have worked tirelessly to elevate Tokyo’s club culture, bringing fresh energy to the city and hosting unforgettable nights with international DJs and top local talent at Vent, with more ambitious events on the horizon.

He has had the privilege of sharing the stage with renowned artists like Ian Pooley, Mathew Jonson, Jennifer Loveless, Carista, and Sally C, earning recognition for his versatility and carefully curated sound. 

Beyond the dancefloor, he extends his influence as a curator on ‘Rat Tracks,’ a vinyl-only weekly show on Shinjuku’s Room303 Radio, where he showcases his signature style alongside some of Tokyo’s finest selectors.

Promoters and bookers can expect a DJ who brings not only masterful track selection but also a deep understanding of how to craft unforgettable, vibe-driven nights tailored to any crowd.

Ransom Note is an online music, arts and culture magazine. We provide a home for readers and writers with boundless enthusiasm, esoteric knowledge, fierce opinions and impeccable taste.

With our core team immersed in all aspects of dance music, we publish news, articles, and interviews covering the greatest in innovative, underground culture from across the globe. We offer regular, exclusive music and mixtapes from our favourite artists, and publish features shining a light on everything from the freshest new artists to the untold tales from rave history.

Alongside this we offer musings on film, books, life, and art, generating some context and controversy as an antidote to the reheated PR that clogs up the internet. Our office is fuelled by Tunnock’s Bars, cat memes, hangovers and a ridiculous, never ending love for our culture.

We're always interested in getting new writers on board – feel free to get in touch if you’ve got a story to tell.

With love until the grave.