Headphone Commute

I’ve got something slightly different for you today than the usual fair. How are you feeling about atmospheric drum & bass this morning? To be fair, this is not the first time that I’ve showcased this genre on these pages (see Clima‘s Headphone Commute Mix or the super fun Chill & Bass Mix by Orangewarrior). Except for this time, it’s also a label showcase, featuring very special selections from James Clements‘ newly launched Spatial imprint (a sub-label for his Auxiliary), with an ethos to “recapture the essence of the mid 90’s scene” featuring classic breaks and heavy sub-bass. So far, the roster includes James’ own celebrated ASC project, as well as Simon Huxtable’s Aural Imbalance, but I suspect it may grow further, beyond the two. Meanwhile, because of the tight curation, each release is a beautiful and cohesive 12″ (yes, FINALLY available on vinyl) as well as a digital offering via the usual channels. In any case, this is an absolutely wonderful and very welcome journey for my sunny morning, and

I honestly wish that I could stop promoting this benefit compilation, titled For Ukraine, which is now on its second volume (see links below). I’d stop promoting because we wouldn’t need the funds which would all be donated to International Rescue Committee (rescue.org) to support displaced children and families with vital supplies. Albeit somehow it has all receded in the background, and yet the war goes on. This time, I’ve enlisted the help of Peter van Cooten of ambientblog.net to compile and curate a mix, featuring 28 pieces selected from two volumes, all of them painstakingly edited to create a continuous journey and to entice you to purchase both volumes (with a third one on the way soon!) to experience the tracks in full. So you can treat this mix as a sampler, or a bonus if you’ve already contributed to our cause. “There are many changing instrumentations, moods and atmospheres,” says Peter about his selection, “I like to think of it as travelling in a fast-moving train, looking out the window at diff

About a week ago, in collaboration with Hollie Kenniff who curated the roster of artists, Headphone Commute released the first volume of the benefit compilation For Ukraine with 100% of all proceeds being donated to the International Rescue Committee (rescue.org). This is one of those things, folks, that does not need to be written about, promoted, or sold. Nevertheless, with the help of Brian Housman of Stationary Travels, I am happy to share with you an hour-long compilation teaser, featuring some of Brian’s favourite pieces. It’s only about half of the entire content, which you can now stream as part of our mix series and podcast, but we still ask you to share and help in any way that you can to support our message. Thanks in advance, and stay tuned for Volume Two!!! For Ukraine : https://hcdi.gs/ForUkraine

How would you like to hear 50 tracks from 50 releases from last year? Well, in this 14th instalment, Mathias Van Eecloo, of [previously] Eilean Rec. and [currently] LAAPS [for which he also made a very special mix], returns for his annual tradition of masterful selection of musical journeys from many of my favourite labels. Plenty for you here to unpeel and explore throughout the numerous genres and musical diversions. And although I usually feature this mix sometime in January, I think it’s safe to admit that there is no better time like now. And, as usual, please enjoy responsibly and support the featured artists! We hope that you enjoy!

By now it’s no secret that I’m a fan of Brian Housman‘s labour and his Stationary Travels site. Two years ago I even unveiled a brand new Best of the Year list, dedicated to his very own selections, appropriately titled “Music For Your Stationary Travels“. I suspect that the respect here is mutual since he recently revealed his highlights from music spotted on HC’s Best of the Year feature. Yes, in this little corner of this strange and often ruthless “music business” it’s less about competition and more about the support. And both of us support the music, at least through mixes or through words. And so, without any further ado, I present to you a reflection on the last year, as put together by Brian for this very special mix. There are lots of beautiful pieces on here, but as usual with this particular feature – less words and more music, yes? And please, be sure to support the featured artists and labels on this mix!

The current Best of the Year feature is well underway, and besides dragging you through all of the amazing albums that you’ve missed, I also think that you should be able to hear some, or, in this case, specifically the best vinyl of the last year, as selected by Mike Jedlicka. It’s a beautiful journey that has introduced me to some new music as well, and I’m forever grateful for this special friendship that we’ve maintained over more than a decade. This is our 11th year in sharing this music, and if you like the choices, be sure to check out our past archive of Optic Echo Presents mixes. As usual with our podcasts – less words and more music, and please, be sure to support the featured artists and labels!

So only a few more days left to this year, but, more importantly, a few more days before I announce my Best of 2021 lists [which, just like you, I have been looking forward to], but before we wave another year farewell, I’ve got something exceptional to share with you. In fact, this is a celebration of two years, to be more precise – two years of releases from the amazing LAAPS imprint [which, if my memory serves me correctly, I’ve introduced on here back in the summer of 2020]. The label was created by Mathias Van Eecloo as a permanent sonic and visual continuity, with each release starting with the end of the previous one. And now, two years, four seasons, and 16 releases later, we’ve got this gorgeous 60-minute mix (curated by the label boss himself) showcasing each one… turning into what I may bluntly proclaim to be an exclusive compilation just for Headphone Commute! And this is just the beginning! A little birdie told me that the series will extend to exactly 100 releases, running for 12 years straight!

Some words about the mix from Night Gestalt: "My album "Thousand Year Waves" is all about waves - and the end of the world. Sailors have long known about ’rogue waves’ in the ocean but it’s only recently researchers have been able to record these rare monsters. In 1995 the Draupner oil platform was hit by a 25,6 meterhigh wave. The waves just before and after were around 12 meters. The platform was designed to withstand waves of 20 meters, which had been calculated to happen one time in 10 000 years. I think the end of the world will come in waves: climate change, economic crashes, viruses. And then - out of nowhere - a wave so big we couldn’t even imagine it." See more details, a rambling intro, and full track listing here: http://hcdi.gs/Waves   https://hcdi.gs/Waves

After listening to a lot of music in the very same genre, sometimes you just need a headcleaner. You know? Today is a perfect day for that. Oh, and do you remember Sirat‘s Noir mixes? Those dark and beautiful concoctions, paying tribute to the film-noir genre “with its characteristic anti-heroes, femmes fatales, gangsters and dirty dealings.” Well, it just happens to be that Ernesto Gerez along with his partner in crime, Javier Campos, also dabble in some dub-infused delicious drum’n’bass under the project named Clima. So I’ve asked him to put together a very special Headphone Commute Mix, peppered, of course, with the tracks from this Spanish duo, to showcase their very special style. And so, folks, here we are – sharing with you about 45-minutes of some spacious, engaging, and inspiring music, in the genre which is often geared towards the dancefloor. I hope you enjoy as much as I have – this has been playing on repeat all day long here.   Read more info plus the entire tracklist here: http://hcdi.gs/Clim

I’ve recently covered some newly released soundtracks and mentioned a brand new film score by the New York-based cellist and composer, Clarice Jensen for an independent Mexican feature film, titled Identifying Features. This was released as an EP on October 29th by the ever-amazing 130701 imprint which continues to hold up a very high bar for the current drifts in present classical music. For this very special podcast, Dave Howell and I asked Clarice to put together an OST-themed mix, and if you only glance at the tracklisting, you will agree that the selection here is top-notch. And then the perfectly curated sonic journey is a whole other story. As usual, for mixes, I will reserve my words, and give Clarice some space to say a few things about this hour-long cinematic voyage. And as usual, please enjoy responsibly, support the featured artist, and subscribe to our podcast for more!   For full track listing and more details on the mix, go here: http://hcdi.gs/clarice

And there you have it, folks – the 300th episode of Headphone Commute Podcast! The very first mix was published exactly twelve years ago (about a year after the site was officially launched), and I simply used the platform to share some of my favourite recent finds, before the all-digital era of playlists (in fact, many of the features mixes were made from vinyl). The format quickly picked up, with many of my favourite artists showcasing their very own selections. The top mixes, to this day, still remain :papercutz’ Dream Scores, Orangewarrior‘s Chilled Dubstep, and my very own selection of the Best of Modern Classical (of 2010). Somewhere throughout the last decade, I toyed with the idea of creating a record label and releasing compilations (like the monumental … and darkness came), but in the end, I always turned to mixes – they capture all there is to say. So without any further reminiscence, I present to you a mix by Franck Zaragoza, who releases on n5MD as Ocoeur – in fact, he’s got a brand new album on

On July 13th, 2021, one of my all-time favourite labels, named after its inception date, 130701 celebrated its 20th birthday. What can I say about its output, its delicate curation, and its monumental impact on our lives? Just look at the roster of its artists, many of which are showcased in this exclusive mix put together by Dave Howell, and you will immediately be swept away in the beautiful torrent of music that has been so extraordinary comforting in the last two decades. I would even proclaim that because of this imprint, on which many of today’s biggest names made their debut, the world is a different place, a richer place, and definitely better. Just look at HC’s coverage of its releases – I think I wrote about every single one! There is so much more praise which I would like to publish, but Dave has also written a little bit about this special mix, and so I’d like to give him the stage for a moment. Meanwhile, enjoy the mix and please support the label! See the entire tracklisting and read more from

About, oh, eight years ago now (jeez!) I featured a Noir mix by Sirat, a DJ from Spain who hand-picked his favourite downtempo and trip-hop tracks to create a tribute to film-noir, “with its characteristic anti-heroes, femmes fatales, gangsters and dirty dealings”. It was a fantastic stroll down the rain-refreshed alley, which received a lot of praise among the followers of the genre (including yours truly). It seems that the mix has also left a wonderful impression on its creator – enough to create a long-awaited follow-up, “returning to those smoky sounds, and black and white environments…” Once again, the intention here is for you to create your very own movie of your mind, and transport yourself “to the universe of film noir.” Enjoy the many familiar bits on here (like that lovely Portishead track!) and discover new artists along the way! Oh, and while you’re in the mood for further listening, check out Sirat’s Soundcloud, where you will find more mixes, as well as his productions as part Clima project.

James Heather is a pianist, composer, and publicist for Ninja Tune that has appeared on these pages on numerous occasions – most recently with a track premiere for his upcoming release Modulations: EP2. James and I have a mutual passion for sharing the music that we discover. A few years ago, he made an ambient focused Headphone Commute Mix for this very same podcast. Today I’m syndicating his selection originally appearing on his very own Moving Sounds program that he runs on London’s Soho Radio. This monthly show “was born out of the long-running playlist of the same name created by James that explores spaces between classical, electronic, ambient, soul, jazz, drone, film soundtrack, folk, field recordings & other transporting sounds from the past but mostly from now.” This particular mix is featuring many of my favourite composers whom I am honoured to call friends, and I was even happy to contribute a track of my own. In the case of mixes, I always follow the “less words – more music” formula, so here

I always welcome new music, new connections, new friendships that then come along. In this example, a track premiere by Joachim Spieth at the end of last year made me relisten to his works on Wolfgang Voigt’s  Pop Ambient series, taking me to releases on his very own Affin imprint and finally asking him for a mix. In this process, this seemingly random stranger quickly became a musical friend, as we exchanged grand ideas and connected with music. I really appreciated the spectrum of electronic music genres covered on Spieth’s German label and requested that he showcased the output through a traversal of styles. The result is a beautiful 90-minute journey that will take you from soothing to upbeat, through highs and through lows. I’m very happy with how it turned out and honoured to host this showcase on Headphone Commute.

In November of 2020, Amsterdam-based label Ambientologist released a compilation titled Sustain Series, Vol. 1. It’s an impressive gathering of ambient artists and their music, showcasing some of the most delicate sides of the genre. The proceeds from the release have been donated to Conservation International, promoting sustainability across the world. I reached out to the label in hopes to broadcast this selection to a wider audience on my platform, and I am happy that they obliged to share this 90-minute continuous mix by Lauge with followers of my podcast. Take a look at the tracklisting and you will know why I’m excited to spend today in the company of my favourite ambient artists, as well as a few newly introduced names to my ears. As of this writing, the label is preparing a follow-up volume, with artists such as Halftribe, The Green Kingdom, Pepo Galán, awakened souls, Dylan Henner and Sven Laux, confirmed for the roster. I’m keeping my eye on the Ambientologist’s Bandcamp for the available pre-order,

In anticipation of Matt Emery‘s upcoming six-track EP on Injazero Records, titled Spotlight Series : Cello, I have asked him to put together a thematic mix prominently featuring the instrument. As many of you may already know – I’m a big fan of this low-end stringed beast [side note: In high school, I’ve played the double bass in the orchestra, but I wasn’t very good and was jealous of the cello]. I have especially enjoyed the darker, moodier, and sullen pieces by the likes of Julia Kent, Resina, Anne Müller, Peter Gregson, Sebastian Plano, Clarice Jensen, and of course, Hildur Guðnadóttir, all of whom I have reviewed and interviewed on Headphone Commute before [I have linked up each name for HC content for you above], and who, once again, appear on this gorgeous mix selected by Matt Emery. His very own two pieces, one from the upcoming EP, and the other from his previously released album Empire, also appear on this podcast, which I hope you will thoroughly enjoy!

In December of 2020, one of my favourite imprints released a gorgeous label compilation! Ryan Griffin has been lovingly curating every single release on A Strangely Isolated Place since 2012. He’s also compiled sublime Reflection mixes, which I have happily syndicated on Headphone Commute. Following the first label showcase launched in 2019, Ryan puts together ten tracks, including a few previously unavailable as individual pieces, that make up this 2020 Label Compilation. As a bonus, this release includes an hour-long continuous mix (available as part of a digital-only purchase), which I have arranged with Ryan to share with you today. “I hope the (continuous) year-end mix will become a regular occurrence going forward,” says Griffin about the release. “Many of you will know a big part of my inspiration and passion lies in DJ’ing and classic mix CDs. If the label momentum continues and releases keep coming as planned, then each year I’d like to invite a DJ to select and mix tracks from the label – make an an

What’s this? Somehow, last year, both Mathias Van Eecloo and I completely forgot our annual tradition to publish another eisOtones instalment, in which this prolific French musician and label(s) owner collects 50 tracks from 50 releases of the prior year. How did that happen? I suppose, Mathias was extremely busy wrapping up his monumental Eilean Rec. project, in which he released 100 records based on an imaginary map of 100 points. The final catalogue entry in this imprint [as you can imagine] was number 100 and collected unreleased pieces in an 82-track compilation. Van Eecloo wasted no time there and immediately set off on another venture, titled LAAPS, releasing vinyl records in a permanent continuity of sounds and visual bridges between each one. Another puzzle for you to complete! So I suppose it was a very busy time of endings and new beginnings… but this year we’re back! So, without more words and reflected distractions, here’s a 72-minute journey, which I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

More than a couple of weeks late, but here we are, with the long-awaited vinyl mix, still marking down, bookmarking, and closing off a year we won't surely miss... but at least there was a lot of awesome music, and as such, thanks to Mike Jedlicka once again, we are celebrating the best it had to give. A fascinating playlist here, with more than a few new artists even to my ears. So yes, I am enjoying it as well! And if you like this beautiful selection, be sure to check out our past archive of Optic Echo Presents mixes, as well as the ongoing Best of 2020 lists, which I intend to finish up this week. Also, I want to quickly point out that this is Mike's 10th vinyl mix for Headphone Commute which we publish at the end of each year - so yeah, we've been at it for a decade now, kids!