Thank you so much for having me! And thank you to @char_dubzzz for mastering my mix!

These are mixes made by the current members of Research & Development, Makeen and JS Alvarez

Mixes by R&D members

"Soundscapes reveal a lot about how people think and behave." The field recordist and musician talks about listening culture, repatriating African sounds and his new album with The Bug.

Today's conversation moves away from the dance floor, focusing instead on the soft, ambient soundscapes of the Berlin-based musician Joseph Kamaru—AKA KMRU—whose work has been featured at festivals like CTM, Mutek, Atonal, Horst Music and Arts, Dekmantel, and Unsound; concert halls like The Barbican; and major galleries and site-specific installations around the world. 

Kamaru moved to Europe from Nairobi, where he first became interested in music production, and field recordings specifically. As a graduate student in the sonic arts, he learned that the majority of the discourse around sound art practices is specific to Western Eurocentric or occidental ways of thinking. He's since embarked on a mission to use field recording as a means of repatriating African identities that are often left out of institutional archives and grapple with the legacy of colonialism. 

In this RA Exchange, Kamaru reflects on the sociopolitical angle of his work, and his observation that listening, by its very nature, is never neutral. He also talks about how civilisation and technology has changed our collective listening habits; how sound sources beyond the human hearing range make their way into his work with the use of electromagnetic microphones; and his new album, Disconnect, made with the musician Kevin Richard Martin (AKA The Bug). Listen to the episode in full.

EX.723 KMRU

Prepare for a sonic journey as we introduce one of valencia's hidden gems and submerge ourselves into the captivating world of Pépe (@ae_pepe). An amazing producer and dj that has established himself through putting a lot of work, and played all around Europe.

An hour long mix, full of electronic mercurial sounds, bpms up and down, hiphop, dubstep, ragga and much more.

Tune in!

TOMBOLOMIXX 127 - Pépe

Shanti is a Chicago-based DJ, a Research & Development resident, and artist who curates eerie, otherworldly, and longing sounds. While she is a philosopher and writer, Shanti has felt limited by words and has recognized the transcendent ability of music to express concepts, states of consciousness, and conflicting emotions. Philosophical themes of existential angst and ambiguity are explored in her sets through ethereal, foreboding techno, angsty EBM/dark wave, and squishy acid soundscapes. 

Music has always been a way for her to cope with the darker realities of existence. Shanti’s sets weave a story of the simultaneous despair and yearning that are intertwined with the human condition and illustrate an intentional trajectory.

This mix was recorded from Shanti's set at Smartbar for Entropic. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantiism/

WHPK Spotlight | Shanti

After meeting in front of a soundsystem, a match was found in mutual love for low frequencies. Karim and Camille go on a blind date at Kiosk for one hour of spontaneous radio making - all things dub related.

Karim Semin & Camille Maria @ Kiosk Radio 10.11.2024

Rinse France Podcast

carin kelly invite Elle Andrews - 14 Novembre 2024

We're back to the DMV for number 10 :) side II side @sideiiside_x comes thru with some twisted techno and bass. 

Braden is a DC based DJ and 1/3 of the party Tender. 
find him on ig at https://www.instagram.com/side_ii_side/

we've been blessed with a tracklist, and there's some real bangers in there

Igaxx - Liquid Too Far
LWS - Faster, Dryer
Will Azada - Flutterbutt
Piezo - OiOiOi
Solpara - Short Circuit
Closet Yi - Basalt
Naco - Returntoto
E Wata - Wave Drop
Uffe - Last Call
EM + STAV - Orbit Groove
Sons of Slough - Snares and Temptations
Soul Oddity - DJ Tokyo
Big Ever - Minted
Mulholland - trip3
Ltd. Colours - ProjectSerjjj
Fingers Of God - Modal Resonator
Pearson Sound - Slingshot
Dolo Percussion - Dolo 22
Kreggo - Rubbery Smack
Lifted - Total Cure

cc.mix.10 - side II side

https://lebanonlists.notion.site/Lebanon-Relief-Funds-List-2024-10cd14de85a9803097b5df2ce189167e


-
big thanks to Juliet and Zenat and everyone who contributed to this beautiful event

flyer by Lovie

DJ mix 4 Safe and Sound NYC's fundraiser for Lebanon @ Playground

This mix is from a very special at night November 09 2024 at Smartbar with my dear friends Nikki Nair, Madeline and Pen Pals. I was tasked with closing out the evening and was an honor to do so. Thanks to everyone who came out and stayed till the lights came on.  Hope yall enjoy!

Live mix at Smartbar Nov 09 2024 - Dan B Hood

NYC label Palto Flats focuses on a carefully selected program of reissues and new material, bringing attention to the intersection of pop, electronic, experimental and world music. The label’s intent is to work with artists on music that is both accessible and idiomatic, bringing these constructive contrasts to light. This show is an exploration of those forms, and will periodically feature guest selectors from diverse musical backgrounds.

https://www.instagram.com/paltoflats

Palto Flats @ The Lot Radio 01-08-2025

We are so lucky to release this mix for our 37th entry, recorded live at SmartBar (Chicago) by our friend and excellent DJ Shanti!

From the artist:
I am so grateful to be able to share this mix with you all through PPRZ! This is a mix that was recorded at Smartbar in Chicago when I opened for Lady Starlight as part of Justin Aulis Long's series, Flowers of Romance. It was a 3-hour long set from 10pm-1am on a Pioneer V10 Mixer with 3-4 CDJ 3000s. 

What I love about opening sets is having the ability to set the tone for the night as people are arriving and making the transition from wherever they came from to the communal embodiment of dancing. The other fascinating element about an opening set is the dramatic contrast between the beginning and end as one first experiences an empty dance floor and sees the gradual process of it growing with energy and feeling even though I can really only see beautiful silhouettes moving in the darkness. I take an opening set to be about the gradual cultivation of energy but also an opportunity for creative tension and exercising restraint for the headliner and rest of the night.

Bio:
Shanti is a Chicago-based DJ who explores philosophical themes of existential angst and ambiguity through surreal, foreboding, and atmospheric soundscapes. Her sets weave a story of the simultaneous despair and yearning that are intertwined with the human condition. 

While she is thoughtful about curating multifaceted energy and emotion within her sets, she also co-curates events such as Otherworldly Ambiguity as Evanti, a conceptual experience centered around the phenomenon of hybridity, occupying the spaces in between and outside of pre-existing concepts and rigid categories. She is also a part of Chicago-based DJ collective and label, Research & Development which is a mix series and curator of multifaceted music-centered experiences. 

Mix mastered by: Umair Chachar

Tracklist:
Part 1:
Lemna - Memories
Lemna - Hallucination 
Voices from the Lake - Mika 
Donato Dozzy - Aquatica
SHXCXCHCXSH - A Sunny Day in Ostrogothia 
Dan B. Hood - Ode to Drome
BMG & Derek Plaslaiko - Ghost Ship 
Rrose - Signs 
Alexskyspirit - The Travelers (Polygonia remix)
Etapp Kyle - Source 
Mike Parker - Heat Inducer 
Love Letters - Morse (BMG mix) 
Club Drippy - Crashed
Ryogo Yamamori- Zw
Marcel Dettman - Rush (Deep Release mix)
Pause - Crater  
SHXCXCHCXSH  - HHHHHHHGGKS 
Part 2:
Rrose - Solaris 
Lonefront - Stera
Modes - M52 
NØRBAK - Luyr 
Allana Letm - Tempos Multiplos (Centrific Remix)
Nubbles - Reflect 2 
Maedon-X - Caged Animal 
Perc - Milk Snatchers Return
Ritaffein - Laiva
Regis - Body Unknown 
Jamaica Suk - Tes Levrés
British Murder Boys - We Will Show You 
Uun - Junkspace 
Kanding Ray - Dark Barker 
Peter Van Hoesen - Vola Flash 
Surgeon - The Golden Sea 
Alexskyspirit- SNCTR2 
Decoder - Falling Flat 
Part 3:
Quelza - Plastic Waves 
Neel - A Thought without Time 
Oscar Mulero - Tormenta 
Regis - The Theme from Street Walker
DASH3D - Neuropulmonar
CRØG - Fire 
Oblivion & Uranya - Bassa Marea 
Sorcery - Dark Scan
GiGi FM - Amadamushies
Neel- Riflesso 
Quelza - We’ll Never Be Friends Again 
J. Blofeld - Uranus 
Cej- Itchy 
Char - Free 
Psyk & Orbe - Tunnel Diode
Surgeon - Convenience Trap Pt.2

Donations if you enjoyed this mix from Shanti's recommended organization: https://www.newrootsinstitute.org/ - creating a just and sustainable food system for all through education.

PPRZ Podcast 37 - Shanti live at SmartBar Chicago

ZONA CINCO - MICTLAN - VOL 4

We are thrilled to present this mix by Chicago based JS Alvarez for our 39th entry in the series. Both Adam and I admire what Jeremy contributes to the music scene with their podcast and event series Research & Development.

JS Alvarez is a shape shifting lizard that has learned human behavior from living in cities such as Chicago and Miami. He succumbs to no one genre and can be found exploring the depths of mutant techno and unruly bass music alike.

He is the founding member of Research & Development which ignited in the iconic Chicago mainstay of Smartbar. The event series has moved on to host community focused events centered on a wide variety of often cutting edge electronic sounds at venues like Podlasie Club, The Whistler and various DIY spaces. R&D also hosts a biweekly podcast 100+ episodes deep ranging from rising talents, hometown heroes and well established DJs and producers from North America and around the world.

He's shared the booth with artists such as DVS1, Veronika Vasicka, D.Dan, Hodge and others. His mixes have been featured on NTS Radio, Mutant Radio and SutroFM among others. Catch him at The Great Beyond this July! 

I was trying to find a very textured sound within the first quarter of the mix. My attempt at some sort of atmospheric sci-fi horror score followed by something a bit more hypnotic. By the end of the mix I wanted those vibes to explode into something highly rhythmic. Something to shatter what came before and get the sweat dripping off the walls. 

If you enjoyed this mix, please consider donating to JS Alvarez' organization of choice:
https://www.organizedcommunities.org/ 
https://www.organizedcommunities.org/donate

PPRZ Podcast 39 - JS Alvarez

Special guest mix from Chicago based dj SHANTI  - cohost of Otherworldly Ambiguity with Scum.ee, member of techno collective Research & Development, and host of “Liminal Radio” on WIIT 88.9 FM. Shanti kindly shared a 3 hour opening set she did for Aurora Halal in Chicago on May 9th 2025 at Smoke & Mirrors - toon in! 🚀🚀🚀
https://soundcloud.com/shantievanti
https://soundcloud.com/researchndevelopment

See video of Shanti’s set at https://youtu.be/QqfMYAyS8bM?si=FPZJDhNdZqlf63YS

BL Radio EP 130: SHANTI [Research & Development]

Connection

NADPH+H+TRANSMITTER

_2025-09-28_TRIVA

Based in Chicago, R&D is a music event/mix series focused on nurturing new sounds, experiences and atmospheres while exploring the music and culture it was born or mutated from. Techno, electro, EBM, bass, breaks, club and beyond.
Current personnel
Jeremy Alvarez - JS Alvarez
Eric Fernandez - Makeen
Shanti Chu - Shanti
Dan Hood - Dan B Hood
Kona Mazariegos - Zona Cinco

Radio / Events / Community - The pride of the South Side since 1968.

WHPK Spotlight | Shanti

WHPK 88.5 FM

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