Here’s our Best Music Podcast 2012 Part 2, focusing only on the second half of the year. Check out the Best Music Podcasts Part 1 for the first six months of 2012. To define our focus we like to concentrate on podcast series, not just one off mixes. Though as in part 1 we’ve added a new section at the bottom that includes free promotional dj mixes not available on a podcast series. We also ensure these are lasting mixes, ones that not only impress us on the first listen, but every listen throughout the year. We also will admit to possibly not listening to every music podcast from 2012, so if have some suggestions on sets that did not make it on the list, please – leave us a comment. These podcasts are ordered according to release date and podcast series.

MNML SSGS MX FNL – Donato Dozzy

This mix from Donato Dozzy, along with mixes from Svreca, Morphosis, Bill Kouligas and Peter Van Hoesen marked the end of a legacy. These were the final mixes from the MNML SSGS mix series as well as the blog itself, which found it’s way as a respected electronic music blog with a number of loyal readers over the years. Upon starting this mix I was expecting to hear the deep, beautiful, atmospheric techno the Italian producer is known for. What I found was delightfully unexpected and much more than I anticipated. This best music podcast 2012 is a mix of strictly hand drums vocals – and I’m a sucker for well crafted hand drum sets.

RA.324 Untold

Untold is now known as one of the UK’s most vital DJs, producers and label managers. This made it onto the best music podcasts for 2012 because it’s a stellar mix with loads of outstanding recent techno cuts: none shining more than that of his own tracks, most notably ‘Motion The Dance’ and ‘Luminous’ from the Change In A Dynamic Environment series on his own Hemlock Recordings label.

RA.327 Vessel

Sit back and take a journey with this best music podcast of 2012. When you awake confused and disoriented and your recent memories seem like distant dreams you’ll know you’ve entered the mind of Vessel and seen just where this new project is headed musically.

Headphone Commute – wndfrm – Live At Decibel Festival

Before hearing this live set from Decibel Festival 2012 I’d never heard of wndfrm, the experimental/ambient/minimalist sound from Portland’s Tim Wescott, yet I’ve been in awe of it ever since. It’s airy, atmospheric sound blended into dub techno is a perfect fit for Seattle’s annual festival of electronic music, performance, visual art and new media. Also check out the Headphone Commute – Decibel 2012 Showcase for a sample of more brilliant sounds from the festival this year.

CLR Podcast | 183 | Marcel Fengler

Marcel Fengler may be my current top techno Dj. Which is saying quite a lot given he shares a residency at the legendary Berghain club with the likes of Marcel Dettmann and Ben Klock just to name a few. It really just comes down to Fengler’s taste in music. Every set I hear he’s playing the same techno and electronica tracks I just bought and even in this age of digital djing, syncing, auto beatmatching and midi controllers, it still is really just about the basics –  what makes a good Dj is his passion, track selection and connect with the listener.

Blank Code Podcast 071 – Ian Lehman

This mix from Ian Lehman on the podcast series from my good friends at Blank Code is a dangerous and diverse blend while staying true to techno purists. It made it to the best music podcast 2012 list simply because I connected with it more than any other on Blank Code’s dedicated weekly podcast. Speaking of dangerous and pure check out Blank Code’s latest release BCR003 Mutate – Circle 2 EP, probably their most soulful release as of yet.

Electric Deluxe Podcast : 083 : Adam X

I don’t need to say much about Adam X or the Electric Deluxe Podcast as I’ve written plenty about both throughout this blog and his Electric Deluxe Podcast from last year as ADMX-71 landed on our Best Music Podcasts 2011. I just love his taste and roots in industrial music as they mirror mine so closely.

EPM Podcast #35 – The Fear Ratio

As EPM perfectly stated “The Fear Ratio (AKA James Ruskin & Mark Broom) deliver a mix of twisted electronic genius.” This mix made it on the Best Music Podcasts 2012 because simply put, it’s a history lesson in electronic music  - containing not only present day heavyweights such as Shed, Rob Hood and The Fear Ratio themselves but lots of gems from the Warp and Ninja Tune labels such as Aphex Twin, Autechre and Squarepusher. Mixing a generation of electronica and techno as well as hip hop from Gang Starr might prove to be a nightmare for a lesser experienced duo, but they pull it off beautifully making this an extremely memorable set.

Best Promotional DJ Mixes 2012

Xhin @ The Vault, Singapore

I suspect Xhin let it all hang out whist playing for this hometown crowd in Singapore. This live Dj Mix can only be described as a new-age, digital speed garage as he blends segments of Depeche Mode and even Whitney Houston over a slew of electronic music genre’s while also tossing in the signature style of techno he has become known for. This mix is quite different from any I’ve heard from Xhin before and is eerily reminiscent of an early Dj Dan mix tape – with, of course, new sounds and flavors.

Best Music Podcast 2012

We’ve again compiled a short list for the Best Music Podcasts 2012. This being the first edition for 2012, focusing only on the best music podcasts in the first half of 2012. As with last year’s best music podcasts 2011, there are lots a great music podcast to choose. To define our focus we like to concentrate on podcast series, not just one off mixes. Though for 2012 we’ve added a new section at the bottom that includes free promotional dj mixes not available on a podcast series. We also ensure these are lasting mixes, ones that not only impress us on the first listen, but every listen throughout the year. That being said there are probably some great, bangin’ mixes out there from djs with loads of turntable skills. Sets that would sound amazing if we were seeing them live. But that’s not always what we’re going for here. These are dj mixes that we enjoy listening to, time and time again, at the office, on road trips and hanging out with friends. Hopefully this will give you a chance to discover you own hidden gems you may have missed in the first half of 2012. We also will not admit to listening to every music podcast from 2012, so if have some suggestions on sets that did not make it on the list, please – leave us a comment. These podcasts are ordered according to release date. Check out our Best Music Podcast 2012 Part 2.

Electric Deluxe Podcast : 062 : Sawf

Sawf is a local on the Perc Trax label and known for his stripped-down techno with punchy kicks and pounding bass. Check out his remix of Forward Strategy Group ‘Mandate‘ off the Labour Division EP2. You can see where he gets his aggressive style by listening to this podcast. I’m completely drawn to this mix and placed it on the Best Music Podcasts 2012 list because it takes me back to my electronic music roots. Sawf serves up dark industrial and EBM with the likes of Ministry and Nitzer Ebb. Plus he tosses in one of my favorite tracks of all time the Aphex Twin – Nine Inch Nails remix/rework ‘At The Heart Of It All’ – a beautiful fucking track. This is also one of my favorite podcast series because you never know what to expect. You hardly ever hear a set the dj would play live and the tracks always seem to mirror their early influences.

RA.302 Developer

This Resident Advisor Podcast was the first I’d heard of Developer, a techno producer from L.A. and owner of the Modularz label, although he’s been a dj for 20 years. Yes he has been rocking the L.A. techno scene on and off for 2 decades but it wasn’t until last year when he created his own label and productions that he started receiving international attention. This mix is deeper techno, something that wouldn’t be uncommon from fellow L.A. techno icon and Sandwell District cohort Silent Servant, which is probably what caught my ear and landed this on the Best Music Podcats 2012 list. Developer does admit this is an unusual set for him and though he’d like to “do something different than my usual pounding 40 tracks per hour aggressive techno style.” Though the style does reflect that of his own productions and I believe he tossed in some of his unreleased material at the time.

RA.304 Airhead

This Resident Advisor Podcast also happened to be the first I’d heard of this artist. Airhead is a new talent from the UK, good friend and collaborator of James Blake and signed to the R&S label. This mix landed on the Best Podcasts 2012 list simply for it’s variety and freshness. It’s a fun mix to listen to. Airhead describes, “It’s a collection of some of my favorite music as well as some of my own work, roughly divided into three sections. I spent a fair amount of time trying to strike a balance between the more dance floor-oriented tracks and quieter moments.” I agree and you’ve done a nice job with that.

Dadub Electronique Podcast 163

Dadub is a live techno act and sole mixing engineers for Lucy’s Stroboscopic Artifacts label. One of my absolute top labels currently. I love Dadub’s dubby, inventive and atmospheric approach to techno production and their unique signature found on all Stroboscopic Artifacts releases. Check out the Way to Moksha release for some of the most brilliant and thought provoking techno of 2012. This particular mix is not one of their live sets but it is definitely dubby and atmospheric and much more soothing and airy. I spent many sunny summer afternoon’s kicking it with his mix in the backyard which is why I think it is one of the best music podcasts of 2012.

D-Node 156: ASC Live in NYC

ASC has been known as a drum n bass producer from the UK but in the last few years he has been pushing out perfected IDM styled techno. I think every ASC mix I hear is outstanding and this one is no exception. I listened to his RA.233 podcast from the end of 2010 for all of 2011. Every track in this set is an original except just one. This mix definitely pushes into much darker and harder territory then I’ve heard from ASC in the past.

D-Node 158: Project 313 Live in Minneapolis

This podcast came out just before Movement 2012, giving listeners an insightful preview to their scheduled performance at the Detroit electronic music festival. Project 313 is a duo of Detroit natives who have been putting in work djing and promoting across the Motor City for years and their production team has taken shape nicely. I’ve heard a few other Project 313 sets prior, but this one set me back and got me real excited for their set on Memorial Day. This mix starts out deep and atmospheric and builds to an energetic experience with several waves in between, just as any good set should. I felt their inspiration pouring out of this podcast and it spilled right over into their set at Movement which is how it landed on our Best Music Podcasts 2012. The duo behind this live production team also founded the Blank Code record label and run some of the best events currently in the mid-west. Their Scene parties have been bringing in some phenomenal international talent into Detroit and the Scene-Interface afterparty was one of the highlights of this years Movement festival.

Modifyer – Amir Alexander – Process Part 312

Modifyer is great concept – an experimental collection that serves as a platform for artists. I like podcasts series that surprise me and that’s exactly why I love this one. This mix from Amir Alexander could have been chosen at random and given me the same satisfaction as toiling through each and every process part. This mix made the Best Music Podcasts 2012 because I can hardly stand hip hop these days. In fact I avoid it like overweight chicks in a gym class kickball team. This mix however is not that hip hop. This shit is classic. Plenty of old Outkast, Wu Tang, East Coast, West Coast, R&B and turntable skills.

Best Promotional DJ Mixes 2012

O/V/R aka James Ruskin & Regis Live @ Blueprint Records – Berghain

I’ve not going to say much about this one. No need. Just listen and be prepared. O/V/R Live in one of the most infamous clubs in Berlin. If you don’t know, now you know.

Redshape Live Tel Aviv, Israel

This is a great live performance from Redshape and it exemplifies his music and style perfectly.

Best Music Podcasts 2012

I’ve compiled a short list for the Best Music Podcasts 2011. There are lots a great music podcast out there to choose from and I subscribe to a handful of favorites plus scan others for gems and of course get recommendations from fellow techno music enthusiasts on some of their favorite music podcast as well. Choosing the best music podcasts for the year is quite a task. The following don’t just contain great music from the best djs and electronic music producers, but these were podcasts that really made an impression on my music tastes throughout 2011 and have either stayed in the best music podcasts playlist for quite some time or I envision will continue to stay in the playlist for sometime to come.

RA Podcast 286 Xhin

Xhin – RA.286 [2011-11-21]

This is a brilliant podcast from Xhin on arguably the most influential and diverse electronic music podcast series out, the Resident Advisor (RA) Podcast. The Sigapore producer not only captured his current style in this mix but the current style of techno; an artfully crafted blend of thumping, idm and broken-beat techno music. Xhin showcased a few of his tracks from his recent album, some “past influential ones” and what really makes this one of the best music podcasts 2011 are the out-of-left-field track selections that blend so well with the beefy techno that compiles a majority of the set. Although Xhin has been in the electronic music game for quite some time the past few years may have been game changing. He was featured in Resident Advisor’s breaking through series late last year and 2011 saw a full length album entitled Sword on Stroboscopic Artefacts which has beautifully crafted sound design featuring: ambient, idm, downtempo and floor stompin techno all wrapped into a cohesive package.

Electric Deluxe Podcast : 059 : Kyle Geiger

Electric Deluxe Podcast 059 Kyle Geiger by electric deluxe

What else can I say about this mix other than… it’s the shit! First off the Electric Deluxe Podcast is my favorite music podcast out. Why? Because it’s so unpredictable and interesting to listen to. You get an outstandingly diverse mix of electronic music, present and past, which I have yet to see matched on any other podcast series. You may think you know a djs style or interests, then you hear their Electric Deluxe Podcast and get totally floored. This particular mix by Kyle Geiger is relatively short as far as the podcast series go, but it truly is one of the best music podcasts 2011 becuase it has everything: electronica, ambient, hip-hop, pop, alternative, and yes even a little techno. Amon Tobin, Afrika Bambaataa, Atmosphere, Boards of Canada, Nine Inch Nails, Underworld, Prince (Yes, Prince) all peppered with cuts from Autechre and much more.

D-Node 122 Podcast: Function + Regis at Interface 26 | Sandwell District

This mix from techno music legends Function and Regis (Sandwell District) was actually recorded in 2009 at Interface in Los Angeles. Droid Behavior resurfaced the mix on the D-Node Podcast in 2011 for those that missed the show and original recording. This is one of the best music podcasts 2011 because it captured the live aspect of Sandwell District so well at what probably will be considered the height of their career performing together.

Electric Deluxe Podcast : 043 : ADMX-71 (Adam X)

Electric Deluxe Podcast 043 ADMX-71 (Adam X) by electric deluxe

The past few years have been great for Adam X (and well deserved I might add). In 2009 he anonymously introduced Traversable Wormhole to the techno music world and they received it with open arms. In 2010 he unveiled his anonymity an re-released the originally vinyl only Traversable Wormhole digitally on CLR along with remixes from some of techno music’s heaviest hitters. He also had two solid releases as Adam X; one with Ancient Methods on his own Sonic Groove label and another on Prologue. In 2011 he has continued releasing vinyl only Traversable Wormhole and hashed out another great podcast as well. For the best music podcasts 2011 Adam resurrects his ADMX-71 moniker and breaks out some extremely dark electronica and industrial grooves that bring me back to my electronic music roots. Hopefully they steer you to a darker side you never knew exsisted.

RA Podcast 257 O/V/R

Regis made his way onto the best music podcasts 2011 twice with two separate collaborations. O/V/R includes Karl O’Conner (Regis) and James Ruskin, two of my long standing techno music idol influences. This set was recorded in Berlin and is a live interpretation of the O/V/R sound. The first few tracks are very atmospheric and minimal – from there it’s the undeniable sound of Ruskin and Regis; including O/V/R original tracks and remixes, solo efforts from the duo and various tracks from both Ruskin’s Blueprint label and Regis’ Sandwell District. Ruskin told Juno Plus earlier this year the live shows “tend to swing between structure and total chaos,” but you could never interpret that from this calculated banger.

CLR Podcast | 128 | Dadub

Dadub, Daniele Antezza and Giovanni Conti, are Berlin-based dub-techno innovators from Italy. They are a completely live act and this best music podcasts 2011 was recorded live at the Melt! festival in Germany. They’ve done several remixes starting in 2010 and a sole original release, Monad VIII, in 2011 all on Stroboscopic Artefacts. Though they are a reletively new act they take their sound very seriously and also run a mastering studio in which all the Stroboscopic Artefacts music is ran through. Look for great, new style dub-techno from Dadub in the near future.

Stroposcopic Artifacts

RA Podcast 255 Lucy

RA Podcast 255 by lucy

Lucy started Stroboscopic Artefacts in 2009 after releasing his music on various labels for a few years and I couldn’t be happier. It is absolutely my favorite label right now and in my opinion hosts some of the most innovative talent in current techno music. Lucy keeps this best music podcast 2011 nice and light to start – tossing in some dubstepish sounds and building into the signature Stroboscopic sound of broken-beat dub-techno: IDM, electronica, drone and dancefloor all in one.

Best Music Podcasts 2011