Melbourne Deepcast

• MDC.309 Baby Leo

  A much loved figure within the American underground scene, California's Baby Leo has been consciously connecting body and mind from coast to coast, finding space for the unpredictable and the awe inspiring, hypnotising dancefloors with wildly eclectic DJ sets filled with energising twists and turns. An innovator and sonic boundary pusher at his core, the Dripping festival Leo runs alongside Relaxer is a deep underground oasis in the woods of Sparta, New Jersey, and returns for it's third mind excursion this June, with Leo and DJ Plead combining this year for a hotly anticipated back to back. @djbabyleo Q. The mix is truly a wild ride! What sounds or feelings did you draw upon when gathering inspiration for this, and what listening environments could you imagine it being enjoyed in? A. This is the deepcast right? For this one, we’re going deeper than what I might usually do in a club. Some of these tracks came to me while laying blindfolded on the floor during guided high-dose mushroom journeys. Because this is a space of complete emotional surrender, many of these tracks became permanently embedded in my heart. Awe, fear, reverence, gratitude are all part of the recipe. The ideal listening environment is similar to how you might want to watch a movie - cozy, undistracted, and fully immersed in sound. Perhaps by yourself and hopefully something to return to and discover something new. 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. I think Untitled (How Does it Feel) by D’Angelo is my favorite song of all time. It feels amazing every time. The way energy builds and boils over is unmatched. I played it backwards. Q. Your festival Dripping returns to the majestic woods of Sparta, NJ for its third year running in June, and I see you’ve got a special extended b2b set with DJ Plead planned which should be quite the mind-bend! How have you been preparing for that one, and what things might you guys be doing differently this year that you’re excited about? A. Preparation hasn’t really begun in any serious way, but we are both anticipating and very excited to play together. Especially at Dripping, I’m typically trying to push the energy forward for a fully explosive impact. I will usually do a lot of preparation for a set like this and plan certain sequences. In contrast, I’ve seen Plead play sets with incredible restraint, patiently working a crowd into complete hypnosis. I guess the thing about a back to back set is that it will take on a life of its own and just go where it needs to go. There will be less planning for this and more intuition, but mind-bending and heart-opening is certainly the goal and we haven’t discussed anything other than that. Tracklist: Avartuva nake - Esa Kotilainen La Symphonie - Cute Heels Marka - Carmen Villain Portamento - Stine Janvin Flusso I - Donato Dozzy Winded - 7038634357 O Berimbao - Nana Vasconcelos Polar Sun - Feral Temples - Anunaku Doubles - Untold Drop it On The One - Untold Wormhole Chant - Vector Trancer Through The Cobalt Desert - Marco Shuttle A Touch Of - Piezo Andnowawordfromoursponsors - Kabeaushe Shimming - Yor Kultura Untitled (How Does it Feel) - D’Angelo Hamburger Lady (Carter Tutti remix) - Throbbing Gristle Guboo - Lights in a Fat City

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• MDC.308 Pjenné

  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.

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  1:15:23
• MDC.307 Lucy Cook

  Settled back in the UK after a long stint in Berlin, London chill-out devotee Lucy Cook treats us to one of her notoriously nostalgic blends, with meditative vocal swept soundscapes and smoky jazz lounge space dub fused with trip-hop cuts resurrected from obscure CDs from the 90s and 00s. Deeep mood exploration at its finest! @lucyscook Q. What inspiration did you draw upon when planning this mix, and what type of listening environment could you imagine it being enjoyed in? A. I put the mix together after a bright and productive start to the year. It’s somewhat reflective of my mood I guess, maybe not through the vibe of the tracks, but in the space around them. I’ve explored some deeper sounds in this one.. so maybe one for some introspective listening. I recently visited Japan too and was super inspired by how intentional everything is, with a focus on simplicity and quality. Stripping things back and consistency are new-ish themes in my personal life too, which feels really good. 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. I really can’t choose, but there’s a couple of edits and things I made which feel special. I had fun layering some interesting vocal samples and weird sounds I’ve been collecting over the years, and created some bits with these which are peppered throughout. Quite a few of the tracks are CD rips from the 90’s and 2000’s, which is a method of digging I love. For me without it, so much amazing music wouldn’t be shared. There’s also one or two from friends’ labels Truffle101 and Sonido Chido which are really cool ones. It’s important to me to support those around me and get good music heard :) Q. I know you recently made the move back to London after some years living in Berlin, how's the transition been and what are a couple of your favourite UK parties or festivals that you're looking forward to reconnecting with this summer? A. It took a little while to “arrive” here actually. I’m a pretty calm person and the energy is very different, but I’m feeling happy and at home here now. Electronic music wise, I went to Houghton for the first time last year and was blown away by the quality of the music, so I’m looking forward to being there again. Otherwise, I’m enjoying seeing more live musicians. There’s always a lot of great psychedelia, jazz, soul, and hip hop to see here, especially outdoors in the summer. Oh and number 1, Glastonbury!

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  1:36:30
• MDC.306 Merchant

  London’s friendliest DJ duo Merchant summon their deepest club crates for two hours of summery prog and rhythm heavy house heaters! Oozing their signature feel good sensibilities, this one’s a bumping ride with classy 90s groovers and contemporary UK dance music mixed up with love as the main ingredient.. @merchantrecordslondon Q. What inspiration did you guys draw upon when planning out and making this mix together, and what kind of listening environments might you see it being easily enjoyed in? A. We’ve always loved a variety of different music and it feels really nice to be able to put out a dance mix that shows that side of our sound. We often spin dance music with our mates at home before a night out, so this could be quite good for the pre-game or as you’re gearing up for the dance in the festival campsite. 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. Two of the three tunes we’ll be releasing in our first EP this summer are in the mix so look out for tracks Viva and Twenty46. We worked with our very talented producer friend Strath on those and we are excited for playing them more this summer. Another standout is Rockin The Boat by Reflex Blue. It’s got the perfect amount of groove to it with that sax coming over that acid line and it’s a great track for moving sets in different directions. We are also really fond of the last two tracks. Life Formation by Epsylon 9 is a 90s trance track that has got a lot of positive energy. We paired that with the closing track Please Come To My Show by Kolter which carries that atmosphere but with a more contemporary sound. Q. Harry I know you’re heading back to the UK to reunite with Al after spending the summer down here in Aus. What are you guys looking forward to upon your return, any new projects or parties in the works? A. Mainly excited to give each other a big hug, crack a bottle of wine and chuck a few records on. DJing never feels the same when we aren’t together so we are really looking forward to some nice European gigs soon. Obviously the EP is also exciting. We are also starting a run of parties later this year so keep an eye out for that on our insta if you’re listening from London.

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  2:02:18
• MDC.305 Danny Bodega

  A longtime conductor of contagious positive vibrations, Danny Bodega is a much loved name among balearic dance music enjoyers round the globe! Co-founding Gazebo Records last year, his killer ear for breezy coastal cruisers and deep crossover club jams make Bodega's effervescent energies the perfect tone setter for those long 'n' balmy summer nights. Step back in time for 3 hours of extended hangs and zesty hedonistic pleasures with Danny Bodega as your good time guarantor! @beaton-4 Q. What inspiration did you draw upon when planning this mix, and what kind of listening environments might you see it being easily enjoyed in? A. Last year I went to my neighbour Lenny’s night at a tiny basement club in Hackney with Dan Beaumont and Wes Baggaley playing records together. Had not felt that feeling in the club since the early days going out in Naarm with locals playing records all night at Lounge, Liberty Social and Roxanne Parlour. This mix is a nod to that vibe and best suited to before, or after the club hangs…or triathlon training. Q. Are there any records in the mix that are particularly close to your heart? A. There are quite a few records in here that I’ve had for more than 10 years and have only ever played to myself at personal kick-ons, so it’s a delight to share them more widely. The Usual Suspects remix of Mr. C and Robert Owens’ ‘A Thing Called Love’ is one. While I’ve never been a fan of Robert Owens’ vocal stylings, this remix is an overlooked $2 Layo & Bushwacka! banger. Will put it up on the Gazebo YouTube channel soon. Q. You and Nick managed to gather a tonne of support for your inaugural Gazebo Records release last year, releasing Fuemana’s 1994 cult classic New Urban Polynesian on vinyl for the first time. What was your favourite part about that whole process? A. The response to the Fuemana family’s story and musical talents from a whole new generation of fans really blew us away. Having Tony and Mamma Fuemana fly over from Auckland for the launch party was the perfect culmination of family, friends and community spirit around the release that was also the perfect send off for me moving to London the following day. News on Gazebo 002 incoming shortly… Q. Where can people catch you spinning next? A. All night at Frequence in Paris this Friday, Feb 21 at Bodega Nights, April 12 with Daisy Records and Evie at the Jago. Nick and I are putting on a Gazebo party over here on May 3 with some special guests that we are excited about!

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