AIR Podcast Emma Robertson

This month’s episode welcomes Reykjavik based Australian producer, composer, and sound artist @BenFrost. Early albums like Theory of Machines, By The Throat, and Solaris established Ben Frost as a frontrunner in conceptual, boundary-pushing, and sometimes aggressive electronic music — echoed in his earth shaking live performances, which themselves are celebrations of spine tingling bass frequencies and volume.

Not for the faint of heart, his music is inspired by punk rock guitar, minimalism, and in the case of his most recent album, heavy metal, often eschewing storytelling altogether in favour of a visceral, physical musical experience. And yet, his work in film and TV scoring, dance, and even opera suggests he’s still interested in narrative artwork.


In this conversation, Ben and I explore the different facets of storytelling, or lack thereof, as a musician, his new album Scope Neglect, and his approach to composition across these decidedly different fields.


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Music:

"Unreal in the Eyes of the Dead" - Ben Frost (2024)
"Chimera" - Ben Frost (2024)
"Ich Dachte, Ich Haette Mehr Zeit" - Ben Frost, from the Netflix series Dark (2019)
"The Burning World" - Ben Frost (2022)

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This month, my guest is a true icon in the UK dance music scene, and that is Manchester’s own DJ Paulette.

A club kid from her earliest days, Paulette cut her teeth at Manchester’s number one club, before earning her first residency at Flesh, the beloved queer party at the infamous nightclub Hacienda. She helped forge the electronic music scene in the UK as one of country’s first and best-loved black female DJs, celebrated for her expert selection and her inimitable charisma behind the decks. She continues to carry the torch for the next generation of young artists — a journey explored at length in her new memoir.

In this conversation, Paulette and I discuss her book Welcome to the Club, her vital and pioneering role in music, and what it means to be trailblazer.

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Music:
"Sheroes" - Massey & DJ Paulette (2018)
"And I’m Telling You" - Donna Giles (Stonebridge Poppers Full Delight Remix) (1994)
"Violins & Things" - Massey & DJ Paulette (2018)


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Best known for albums like Radio Amor, Ravedeath 1972, Harmony in Ultraviolet, and his most recent project, No Highs, @TimHecker has always been interested in going beyond the superficialities of ambient — preferring to craft music that challenges, confuses, enthralls, and excites.

His creative process reflects this, often including bleeding channels, feedbacking pieces, pitch shifting, noise, and distortion. His live shows, meanwhile, can be flooded with darkness or cloaked in fog.

In this conversation, Tim and I discuss his musical philosophy and love of creative and artistic dissonance, and the inherent challenges in making music that isn’t always easy.


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Music:

"Monotony" - Tim Hecker (2023)
"In The Fog" - Tim Hecker (2011)
"Chimeras" - Tim Hecker (2006)


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This is also the last episode of 2023, and I’m so grateful for what’s been an incredible year of episodes. I’m happy to say that AIR has grown since last year, but on top of that, I feel more and more like I’m making something of value. Thank you all for your ongoing support, can’t wait to show you what I’ve got in store for next year.

This month’s episode welcomes Russian producer, composer, live performer, and sound artist @Dasha-Rush. Dasha has become known for pushing the boundaries of music and art, exploring the visual realm through AV projects, performance, and art installations, including use of spatial sound, generative imagery, light, and even dance performance. The constant seeker, Dasha’s fascination about everything from science to black holes to the human brain have opened up her productions beyond the realm of every day techno. In this conversation we explore her every intricate curiosity and how they intertwine with her music, her art, and her life.


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Music:
"Summer Photons" - Dasha Rush (2023)
"Light and Dust" - Dasha Rush (2023)
"Dance With Edgar Poe" - Dasha Rush (2015)
"Outer Space" - Dasha Rush (2015)


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@John-Carroll-Kirby has steadily made a name for himself as a session musician, collaborating with and contributing to artists like Solange, Frank Ocean, and Blood Orange.

That collaborative nature has seeped into his excellent catalogue of solo records, which revolve around his piano compositions, but also draw from the jam session mentality and the controlled chaos of jazz as he invites other musicians and artists into his colorful world. Never one to take himself too seriously, John thrives off the energy of play and breaking the rules of composition.

For episode 61, we explore all the different ways that music can be fun, playful, and even uncomfortable, and how to find the magic in letting go.


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Music:
"Oropendola" - John Carroll Kirby (2023)
"Blueberry Beads" - John Carroll Kirby (2020)
"Dawn of New Day" - John Carroll Kirby ft. Laraaji (2022)
"Sensing Not Seeing" - John Carroll Kirby (2021)


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Welcome back to another episode of AIR, an interview podcast series with a different theme each episode! This month's guest is Austrian DJ, producer, and @kwench-records label boss, @cassy-official

A veteran of electronic music, Cassy’s career as a DJ started in the 1990s, bringing her from her native Austria around the world, first settling in Berlin for a residency at Panorama bar in its earliest days. Since then, she’s gone through countless big changes as an artist: growing her voice as a DJ, experimenting with production and singing, starting a label, becoming a parent, mentoring, touring, teaching, and everything in between.

In this conversation, we explore the evolutions, transitions, and changes in the life of an artist, and how each phase has helped bring Cassy to where she is today.


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Music:

"The Get On Down" - Cassy (2023)
"Feel" - Cassy (2017)
"Where Are We Now" - Cassy (2023)
"Strange Relationship" - Cassy (2017)

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