I had waited for so long to return to paradise! Little did I know how intense this ride would be... Both in the weeks prior to it as during the festival itself. My summer has been really chaotic, unstable and disoriented... I often didn't know where to go.

Yet, amongst my personal chaos, playing on the Mystic Ground on Saturday at 16:00 before @elias-dore felt like a journey into a profound and warm feeling of Belonging. A feeling I have continuously found in Music, which I, and maybe all of us, deeply long for. My intention with this set was to create a musical landscape which connects us back to the human essence we all share and which makes us feel like we belong - regardless of our ancestry, cultural background, trauma, gender, sexuality, belief, appearance, preferences and so on. 

I felt so happy and touched to be received so well by the crowd in that energy. Definitely one of my very best gigs so far, if not the best! Around 1h into the set, @la_hula_lady asked me if she could jump on stage with her hula hoop. Big thanks for your spontaneous performance! Very fortunately, everything was filmed and registered by the talented @ania-goral-28324139 (: Thank you so so much for your art! Deep gratitude goes to the organizers and everyone who put so much love into making this festival possible. And last but not least, thank you to all the dancers who filled the Mystic Ground under the 30 °C sun - you were wild!!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ezioaguiar.music/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ezioaguiar.music/

Photo by @ania-goral-28324139

Follow me on Instagram

The Return To Paradise: Mystic Creatures Festival 2024 - Mystic Ground

This wasn’t just a set. It was a confession in 125 BPM. A dream I've carried for years, finally cracked open under the stars.

Wednesday night at Camp Why Not, something clicked. The dust, the wind, the music, the madness - but mostly you. That crowd. That energy. That feeling of being held while taking a risk.

I played this set like it was a story of transformation, with its beauty, fears, and successes and cries of rage. From fear to fire, doubt to desire. And you danced it into something far bigger than me.

To Camp Why Not: thank you for making space for that magic. For making it possible. For making a dusty dream come true.

Play it loud. Play it barefoot. Play it when you need to remember that you don’t have to be ready - you just have to say: why not. 

With all my heart,
NotMax

NotMax | Why Not @ Afrika Burn 2025 | Wednesday

Happy sunday Sunnygirls & Sunnyboys,
passend zu den aktuellen Temperaturen ☀️ geht es in unserer heutigen Folge heiß her 🔥. Der gute Luca aka @gewagtundmassgeschneidert aus Magdeburg 🏙️ liefert genau das, was sein Name verspricht – fein abgestimmte Sounds mit Mut zur Kante 🎯. Mit konstanten 119 BPM 🕺 führt er uns heute durch sein Set und setzt dabei auf einen knarzigen 🔊, treibenden 💥 Style, verfeinert mit melodischen Einflüssen 🎶 und Vocals 🎤, die jedem Track das gewisse Etwas verleihen. 

✂️ Hi Luca, danke für Deinen Besuch bei uns. Wie kommt Dein Alias zustande?
Das Projekt hat gemeinsam mit einem Freund gestartet. Sein Nachname ist Schneider, meiner Wagner. Dadurch kam dieser kleine Wortwitz bei der Namensfindung zu Stande :)

✂️ Was fasziniert Dich an elektronischer Musik?
Das sie so unendlich viele Emotionen transportiert und man sich absolut in ihr verlieren kann, sodass man in einen tranceartigen Zustand verfällt und vollkommen im Moment ist.

✂️ Wofür soll Deine Musik stehen?
Gemeinsame erlebte Euphorie, Freude und Glück

✂️ Wenn Dein Set ein Menü oder Gericht wäre, was würde auf dem Teller landen?
Stampfkartoffeln ;)

✂️ Welche 3 Tracks rettest Du, wenn Dein USB Stick Feuer fängt?
Nuah - Smalltalk
I Promised Mom - it’s like this
Pambouk & Hrag Mikkel - Hamayak Jan

✂️ Gibt es etwas was Du den Hörenden mitteilen möchtest?
Stay CoSy :)

Danke für Dein Engagement und viel Erfolg weiterhin 🍀

Laissez-Fairecast #41 - Gewagt & Maßgeschneidert

Deep in the heart of the Eifel region, nestled in a rocky gorge, a very special gathering takes place once a year — a meeting of an especially gentle and loving species of fox. Among experts, it's affectionately known as the "Party Fox." This unique species is known for forming large, loving packs that come together to celebrate a beautiful happening in this very gorge.

This pack formation, known by seasoned wildlife observers as the “Tumult in the Fox Den,” took place once again this year in a small, carefully selected circle. I was fortunate enough to contribute a small musical set this year, in addition to helping out with the kitchen crew and the organizing team.

Although my performance didn’t go ahead as planned due to a thunderstorm, I had the honor of reopening the main stage on Sunday after the official closing — guiding us into a magical closing night with this very set.

So here’s a heartfelt thank you to everyone for all the love, warmth, solidarity, and passion that made this festival what it was: simply wonderful! I’m already looking forward to the next pack gathering. Until then — high paw! 🐾

Feedback is aprecciated like always😉

Further infos about me and my music:
www.instagram.com/markus_wesen/

Tumult im Fuchsbau Festival // Reopening Felsenschlucht 15/06/25

That sunny morning in July, Hekske (the little witch) woke up in her home forest, which was exceptionally lush and green after some good rains. Since one week, the rain had stopped and the forest was really sunny and pleasant. While she was still stretching her body before getting up, her friend Bob The Owl flew by in a hurry, warning her that there was an intruder in the forest. That was really strange, as humans are strictly barred from entering these woods by guard animals. The girl quickly slipped into her immaculately white dress and followed the owl. Within minutes, she saw the ‘intruder’. It appeared to be a little blond girl, around 9 years of age (which was by actually the witch’s own age when she arrived in the forest 10 years ago). Judging from her clothes, the girl was obviously human, yet she seemed to feel herself very much at ease in the woods, and she was playing and giggling with a family of squirrels.
The little witch approached the girl, who didn’t get scared when she saw her. For a few seconds they looked at each other and it struck the witch that this child had all the typical traits of a witch : sparkling eyes, a shiny soft skin and a character nose. Her pale blue eyes were beyond mesmerizing and seemed to be the gate to a vast inner universe. The little girl felt immediately comfortable with the witch and they engaged in a long tender hug. Despite the fact that they were unable to talk to each other, they immediately felt a strong bond between them … which strangely seemed to have started centuries ago. When walking through the forest, all animals got very curious and wanted to say hello to the new little blond girl. The witch requested the weaver birds to sew a tiny white dress for the girl. One hour later the dress was ready and the child was very eager to try it on. She looked incredibly cute in the immaculately white dress and all the forest animals uttered a collective ‘awwwwww’. She also had to shed her sneakers as witches always go barefoot. The first steps were a bit hesitant but once she felt the soft clover of the central meadow, the girl started to dance spontaneously, and she played with the butterflies. Soon the place was filled with laughter and giggles. The child had never been so happy in her whole life. Her human life had been a true ordeal with both her parents falling prey to drug abuse … and she was really determined to live a pure life far away from substances and all other vices of mankind, devoting her life to mother earth.
Next, the girl got introduced to the nymph (who is protecting the little oak tree which is destined to become the future mother tree of the forest) and they all took a dive in the nymph’s pond, where the little girl played with the dragonflies. For the rest, she simply enjoyed floating on the still water surface and looking at the little white clouds flying high in the blue sky. Despite being very playful, the girl also had the ability to be very peaceful and serene, just like a real witch.
The day quickly passed and soon nighttime fell. A family of dunnocks had made a soft bed of moss for the blond girl, but she preferred to snuggle with the little witch and got ready for her first night in the open air. The child was wondering why it was so dark, but she forgot about all that when she looked up in awe at the stars and the train of the milky way, which were clearly visible from the enchanted forest. And that’s how she slowly drifted away into a blissful sleep … her very first night in the open air … her very first night as a witch …

Connect with the artist : 
https://soundcloud.com/nikolas-gagarin

Story written by Hekske (originally published on the 13th of June 2021 for Witchtape #96)

Photo credits : Ironika (Irina Alexandrovna)

Witchtape #194 | Guest Wizz : Nikolas Gagarin

That cool morning in July, Hekske (the little witch) and Falke (the witch apprentice) woke up in their home forest in Flanders. As it was raining, they were not in a hurry to get up and lazily huddled together under their moss blanket until the sky cleared. After preparing some herbal tea, the girls suddenly got into a flying mood. This was quite strange, as witches normally only fly out on full moon days to participate in a witch coven. Anyway, Hekske and Falke decided to surrender to their deeper instincts and took off from a clearing in the forest. As always, the witches knew they would reach their destination by simply following their inner compass.
This time, they were heading eastwards and soon they were flying over the rolling hills of the Eifel mountains. Soon afterwards, the girls felt they had reached their destination and gently touched down near the edge of a forest, where they were welcomed by a skulk of red foxes. Hekske and Falke hugged and kissed all the playful foxes.
The vixens and their female cubs led the witches to a forested hill named ‘Kesselchen’ where they found an old cauldron. Sara, the eldest vixen, explained that this kettle had belonged to Antonia, a witch who had protected the foxes during the Middle Ages. This cauldron is being used once a year during the annual vixens ceremony, which was due today. The witches took the kettle with them, while the foxes showed them the way through the dark and misty forest. They stopped near a pond with a mirror-like quiet surface.  The vixens all jumped into the water without hesitation, while Hekske and Falke slipped out of their immaculately white dresses and waded into the cool water. Foxes rarely take a bath, but when they do, they show their most playful side. Sara explained that this is a holy pond in which the vixens take a bath only once a year, on this holy day.
After getting out of the water and patiently drying their fur until it was shiny and fluffy, Sara filled the cauldron with crystal-clear water from a nearby well (Brünnchen).
The vixens continued trotting to the venue of the ceremony. The route was like a pilgrimage and followed exactly the same path for centuries, passing many holy places, like a row of 8 tall oak trees named ‘Hocheichen’, and a hill named ‘Flugplatz’ where they were welcomed by a kettle of sparrow hawks. On each of these stages, more foxes joined the procession until the group had grown to over 100 vixens.
They went down to a valley where they reached their destination : a dark forest named ‘Fuchsröhre’ (fox hole). This is the holiest of holy places for the vixens. The forest is dominated by ‘Antoniabuche’, a giant 500 year-old beech tree. The foxes led Hekske and Falke to the tree, and when the girls touched its bark, they could feel the loving and caring energy of Antonia. And they also got visions of the recipe of a magic potion. Like in a trance, Falke told the vixens to find all ingredients, which included raspberries and black berries. The foxes found all berries, mushrooms and spices. The vixens looked in awe while the witches patiently prepared the magic potion. And after the brew had cooled down, all the female cubs were allowed to lap up a few drops while the elder witches sang some age-old songs. This was their coming-of-age ceremony and now the cubs duly belonged to the sisterhood of vixens. 
After this solemn ceremony, all foxes showed their most exuberant side and started to cheer and dance until late into the night. The witches felt the playful and ebullient energy of the vixens and joined the ecstatic dance. 
This truly was the most magical night of the year …

Connect with the artist : 
https://soundcloud.com/tobi-alain

Photo credits : grusgrus444

Story written by Hekske on the 27th of July 2025

Witchtape #195 | Guest Wizz : Down from another Town

☀️ Habikat [ at ] Kompaz Festival [ Live-Special ] ☀️

A new member has arrived at the charming Afterhour and is treating us today with his deep and hypnotic downtempo sound of the very highest quality. Immerse yourself and enjoy a top-class warm-up from the Kompaz Festival.

<<>>

✔️ What is your musical background?

My first important contact with electronic music came with my dear friend Dennis (Ganji) who carried niche Downtempo genres into my Munich suburban bourgeoisie environment when I was a teenager.

However, the main influence for my DJ project were - believe it or not - intense sonic confrontations with Full-On Psytrance in 2022. Luckily, once I had my first controller Downtempo and Tech genres took over my library published by labels like down., Talpa Rec. and Crépite and produced/mixed by artists such as Riyoon, Frida Darko, Reyneke, Temple Tears, Antaares, Matildoutz, LENI and - of course - Ganji.

 

✔️ In your opinion, what makes a good afterhour?

Self-confident but mellow and conscious people. No phones, a deep gripping yet suave sound. Eye contact that gets replied with a smile, a caring question or a friendly chat.

 

✔️ How did you feel about the gig?

When Benja from Kompáz asked me to open the event, I did not know what to expect and started planning from creative scratch. Though not many people arrived this early at the Salon floor and  personally I was very troubled beforehand, the time behind the decks was my perfect start for a deeply touching and wholesome weekend.

_______________________________

🖼 by Jim aka J.WOCKENFUSS (@jwockenfuss)
✍️ by arkadiusz. aka arkadiusz.the.dariusz (@arkadiusz-dmytrow)

__LINKS___________
✘ Habikat (Afterhour Sounds / Leipzig)
https://soundcloud.com/habikat
https://www.instagram.com/habikat_/

┋InfoBox Afterhour Sounds┋
@afterhour-sounds
www.instagram.com/afterhoursounds/
linktr.ee/afterhoursounds



Habikat [ at ] Kompaz Festival [ Live-Special ]

A musical journey, delivered to happy, trippy, dancing people, on a magical beach at Boom-land!

Boom Festival @ Funky Beach '25

Chat:eau Festival 2025

So… usually I don’t comment on my sets and prefer to let the music speak for itself, not wanting to influence - but this one felt special for me, and I think it deserves some context. 
We were celebrating a friend’s birthday over the weekend, surrounded by beautiful nature. I played a five hour set on Friday and already burned off quite a few tracks. Not knowing if I’d get to play again on Saturday, we enjoyed the party and two amazing sets. 
A scheduled vinyl set couldn’t happen, so I spontaneously took over in the early hours of the night. From that point on, I felt a real connection and it just kept flowing not thinking on what to play best just trusting my gut. The energy and reactions of you guys gave me so much fuel that the hours simply flew by, and this turned out to be my longest set so far. Tbh, I forgot to hit record at the very beginning, so I had to replay a bit - but I think it does the trick. 
I enjoyed playing with vibes and genres sometimes contrasting each other - so expect a rollercoaster: lots of classics, long-time personal favorites, trippy deep stuff and plenty of cheese after sunrise -which apparently attracted a few sheep that stood nearby, silently watching and observing what was happening.
Big thanks to Dennis for bringing so many beautiful souls together at this amazing place. 
So... Just turn it up!

Timeride in der Osterburg

Here is my set from Wayward on November 21, 2019. I was also joined on the decks that night by DJ Fried, Hellacat, and DJames. Recorded live at Wish Lounge, San Francisco.

Track list:

01. Steve Lawler - Feet (De La Swing Remix)
02. Niko Schwind - Acid (Martin Landsky Remix)
03. Grasso & Maxim, Apogea - Damages (Original Mix)
04. Kellerkind - Take Me Down (Original Mix)
05. Haus On Fire - Eliminate (David Morales Red Zone Remix)
06. Gorge - Cataleya (Original Mix)
07. Terr - Tale of Devotion (Dub)
08. Rex The Dog - Vortex (Original Mix)
09. Kasper Bjorke - Pazienza (Original Mix)
10. The Organism - Gypsy (Tim Engelhardt Remix)
11. Sharam - Dubbi (Khainz Remix)
12. Curses - Puttanesca

Wayward // 2019.11.21

Live at Wayward // 2019.11.21

Yaz is a San Francisco-based DJ who enjoys playing tech house, deep tech, minimal, and techno. He is an active member of the Burning Man community and underground house/techno community in San Francisco.

Yaz has played all over San Francisco at all the major venues, including Public Works, Mighty / The Great Northern, Monarch, Midway, and Halcyon. He was a resident DJ at the venerated Wish Lounge for 5+ years, running his monthly Wayward party right up until the pandemic caused Wish to close. Once it was safe to do so, he has taken Wayward to its new home F8 Nightclub, and has been a resident there since August 2021. 

Yaz has collaborated with many different promoters and labels, and has opened and closed for (or shared billing with) well-known artists including John Digweed, Bob Moses, The Scumfrog, Tommy Four Seven, John Monkman, Technasia, and Marques Wyatt, to name a few.

His love for Burning Man is only rivaled by his love for music. His styles go from deep tech, minimal and techno to indie dance. You can find him on the playa playing for his camp DeMentha, and everywhere else for The Janky Barge, Airpusher, and Icarus. Yaz has also participated in many fundraisers in San Francisco for the aforementioned camps, as well as DISTRIKT, Mayan Warrior, the Salty Jacks, and others.

Check out my Mixcloud link for sets prior to April 2018!