Monster: The 'Wednesday Alternative' Mix

Music

Whether it's techno, experimental, house or juke, Poland's underground electronic music scene is thriving in every aspect, sprawling much further than its core musical cities of Krakow and Warsaw.

In the west of the country sits Poznan, the home of Projekt LAB club resident Monster, a DJ fuelled by two passions: the melodic sounds of the '80s and '90s and political activism.

Her work as an advocate of the scene, particularly as a member of Oramics – a collective and platform that support women, non-binary and LGBTQ+ people in the Polish and Eastern European electronic music scene – has become an important means of raising awareness of marginalised groups in her home country.

We invited her to take control of this week's Alternative Mix and she's treated us to a euphoric blend of those melodic '80s and '90s sounds she loves: trance, acid, techno and rave, with celestial piano lines to boot…

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you

I am Monster, I live in Poznan, Poland. I’m a resident DJ at Projekt LAB club in Poznan and I am a member of Oramics, a collective promoting women, non-binary and LGBTQ+ people in the Polish and Eastern European electronic music scene.

What does your music sound like?

Like a trip back to the ‘80s and ‘90s nostalgia sprayed with a very modern energy drink.

Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

Where was the mix recorded?

In my apartment in Poznan.

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

A late night bike/car ride.

What should we be wearing?

Whatever makes you feel good and sexy.

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

'Radar' by AJAE, I actually mixed two tracks from his EP in this mix and to be honest, I would have played all four of them if I could, this is my favorite recently discovered producer, keep an eye on him!

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

Mama Snake b2b Solid Blake at Dekmantel 2018, mostly because I was there and I was losing my shit.

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

CJ Bolland, for me his sound is the perfect representation of why the '90s was the best time in club music. Beautiful melodies, a ton of acid and fast tempo, but without the now ubiquitous darkness and seriousness.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

Pioneer 100s CDJs and Pioneer DJM-300 mixer was my first setup. Now it’s two Pioneer 350 CDJs, two Reloop turntables and a Xone 23 mixer.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

The track you end on. If it is the right one, everyone will remember it.

What were the first and last records you bought?

First record was probably JD’s Acid Power, I remember buying it on the Polish equivalent of Ebay (Allegro) and getting it only because it had the word acid in the title, but there was no preview. It turned out to be one of the best acid records I have ever heard. The last records I got was a test press surprise bundle from Lobster Theremin, in which I was very delighted to receive a test press of Trance Wax 6, an amazing record by Ronan – “Radical Acceptance”, a really cool “Modern Civilisation Collapse” VA EP, a Roza Terenzi record and more, it was indeed a great surprise!

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

Monster Energy Mango Loco.

If it was an animal what would it be?

A French bulldog.

Upcoming in the world of Monster…

A big unknown. I am one of the lucky people who still has a day job and I’m actually working a lot during quarantine, don’t have much time to even listen to music to be honest. But I have a lot of mixes lined up, so I will be catching up with new releases. Who knows when we are going to be back in the clubs, but I think it’s important for everyone to prioritize our health and well-being and look out for each other as this is probably the most difficult time for humanity in our lifetime.

Anything else we need to discuss?

We don’t need to discuss this, but show your support for the nurses and doctors, other workers’ struggles and rent strikes and stay safe!

Tracklist
1. Mystic Force – Sunset At Dawn
2. Rico Casazza – Purplewave (No Moon Remix)
3. Third Eye – New Life (Playstation’s Heaven Mix)
4. Jacques Greene – Night Service
5. VOIRON – Voironia
6. Earth Trax – Copies of Copies
7. AJAE – Coast
8. AJAE – Radar
9. CASINA – Toxicc
10. Octavian – Bet (Celestial Being ‘i just grabbed a reload’ mix)
11. Krypton 81 – Lunar Landing (LAU Remix)
12. Jodey Kendrick – Sister Ruth III
13. Voiski – TearSystem
14. Current Obsession – Reverse It
15. Panoramaman – Celestial Mechanics
16. Neon Chambers – What It Takes
17. Kreggo – New Age