july 2026
live events
where i've been
July 4: Stevie Whisper b2b Dothemath, NVST, Karmakoma, Belgrade
Hold my hand when I say this: Waking Life should've booked Stevie Whisper for the Praia stage by now. If I need to name a DJ who blows my mind every time he steps into the DJ booth, it's him.
NVST also pleasantly surprised me: even though she played more straighforward/minimal sound, it was the right sound to bounce on the dance floor – something I rarely do.
Hold my hand when I say this: Waking Life should've booked Stevie Whisper for the Praia stage by now. If I need to name a DJ who blows my mind every time he steps into the DJ booth, it's him.
NVST also pleasantly surprised me: even though she played more straighforward/minimal sound, it was the right sound to bounce on the dance floor – something I rarely do.
July 19: Wata Igarashi, MRAK & МАГЛА, Para Klub, Belgrade
Once again, kudos to Para club for having daytime Sunday parties. Stepped into the dark, hazy venue for a couple of hours, lost myself in the sound, and went back home without ruining my sleeping schedule.
Once again, kudos to Para club for having daytime Sunday parties. Stepped into the dark, hazy venue for a couple of hours, lost myself in the sound, and went back home without ruining my sleeping schedule.
gigs
sets I've played outside of my house
July 10: Bachelor's party, Yerevan
So, the death of the bachelor has happened.
The main theme of the party was "cringe" (non-degoratory), which is why I mostly played the stuff I wouldn't even consider putting on my list at any other event. It was a strange, but liberating feeling: I had fun with effects, crunchy transitions, and just vibing with the guests over our guilty pleasure tracks.
So, the death of the bachelor has happened.
The main theme of the party was "cringe" (non-degoratory), which is why I mostly played the stuff I wouldn't even consider putting on my list at any other event. It was a strange, but liberating feeling: I had fun with effects, crunchy transitions, and just vibing with the guests over our guilty pleasure tracks.
July 12: Wedding day, Sevan
During any DJ set – no matter if it's recorded in the comfort of my home or played in public – I always tend to overthink it: what will people think about my selection, is it going to hit the crowd right, am I actually qualified to occupy this space and showcase my skills.
But, at the end of the day, what should matter the most is if I am enjoying the ride – which I did during this set. As a cherry on top, I even received some compliments from the guests, so I think I can state that the mission was accomplished well enough.
During any DJ set – no matter if it's recorded in the comfort of my home or played in public – I always tend to overthink it: what will people think about my selection, is it going to hit the crowd right, am I actually qualified to occupy this space and showcase my skills.
But, at the end of the day, what should matter the most is if I am enjoying the ride – which I did during this set. As a cherry on top, I even received some compliments from the guests, so I think I can state that the mission was accomplished well enough.
sets
what’s been catching my ear lately
Before we move forward, fun fact: during this month, I've listened to 14 sets, which is probably my personal record. Below you can find my top picks.
Rhadoo at Waking Life 2025
I've heard him live this year, also at Waking Life, and, oh boy, does he know how to put you in a trance. This set is no exception.
I've heard him live this year, also at Waking Life, and, oh boy, does he know how to put you in a trance. This set is no exception.
Joseph Tagliabue at Karmakoma
Unfortunately, I was out of town when he played this set, but luckily for me – and all of us – Karmakoma recorded it, which is a rare event. If you listen till the end, you'll hear Aphex Twin's track that was on my heavy rotation for quite some time.
Unfortunately, I was out of town when he played this set, but luckily for me – and all of us – Karmakoma recorded it, which is a rare event. If you listen till the end, you'll hear Aphex Twin's track that was on my heavy rotation for quite some time.
Nina Kraviz @ Dommune Tokyo 2013
I believe the genre Nina excels in is probably minimal techno – each time I hear her old sets, I silence my doubts about her spot in the electronic music scene.
I believe the genre Nina excels in is probably minimal techno – each time I hear her old sets, I silence my doubts about her spot in the electronic music scene.
albums and EPs
what made it onto my radar this month
SUN SERIES | AE\SS_02 by 7053M4R14
Favourite track: H0P3
Favourite track: H0P3
Cosmic G – Dreamstate
I was looking for a record label that might have the same spirit and sound as Kalahari Oyster Club, and 39 Records is one the closest ones I've managed to discover. Always a pleasure to follow Cosmic G's work as well.
Favourite track: The Hollow Circuit
I was looking for a record label that might have the same spirit and sound as Kalahari Oyster Club, and 39 Records is one the closest ones I've managed to discover. Always a pleasure to follow Cosmic G's work as well.
Favourite track: The Hollow Circuit
Geonomic Fusion – Lake Haze
Detroit-inspired techno with some lucid vibes for your consideration.
Favourite track: Nucleosynthesis
Detroit-inspired techno with some lucid vibes for your consideration.
Favourite track: Nucleosynthesis
Suki – Smoke Fuelled Fantasies
Speaking of Kalahari Oyster Club...
Favourite track: Globelite
Speaking of Kalahari Oyster Club...
Favourite track: Globelite
Ariadne's Labyrinth – Endless Corners
Such a unique mix of calm melancholic emotions and raw dense bass.
Favourite track: Threads
Such a unique mix of calm melancholic emotions and raw dense bass.
Favourite track: Threads
tracks
new-to-me sounds
Promising/Youngster – Whales
There is this category of a sound that moves you without saying any words – Whales is exactly this tune.
There is this category of a sound that moves you without saying any words – Whales is exactly this tune.
Amor Satyr – Quer Dançar?
Amor Satyr is coming to this year's Chudo edition, can't wait to catch him live!
Amor Satyr is coming to this year's Chudo edition, can't wait to catch him live!
Decius – Body Office
I've caught the last five minutes of Decius live performance at Waking Life, and since then I was searching for *that* sound. Unfortunately, the search continues to this day, but in the process I discovered this track – flirty and playful.
I've caught the last five minutes of Decius live performance at Waking Life, and since then I was searching for *that* sound. Unfortunately, the search continues to this day, but in the process I discovered this track – flirty and playful.
Origin Unknown – Valley of the Shadows
If you've seen the top comment on YouTube underneath this track, the documentary in question is called "Glimpses of Death"
If you've seen the top comment on YouTube underneath this track, the documentary in question is called "Glimpses of Death"
ear worms
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
fall in love again and again
Doechii – Nosebleeds
Am I super late for the party? Yes.
Did I enjoy the sampling at the start of the track and Doechii's flow? Also yes.
Am I super late for the party? Yes.
Did I enjoy the sampling at the start of the track and Doechii's flow? Also yes.
Maladoy Prince – Фляга
This track was shown to me by one of the guests of the wedding I attended this month. I'll happily admit I've listened to it 50 times, after which it left my brain, where it almost certainly claimed a permanent spot.
This track was shown to me by one of the guests of the wedding I attended this month. I'll happily admit I've listened to it 50 times, after which it left my brain, where it almost certainly claimed a permanent spot.
Кристина Орбакайте и Авраам Руссо – Просто любить тебя
Yeah, as you've probably guessed, I was at the wedding.
Yeah, as you've probably guessed, I was at the wedding.
miscellaneous
honourable mentions that don't fit the topics above
It Happened in Russia: Music of the 2010s from Hookah Rap to Post-Punk (Pop Cult: Musicians Who Conquered the Charts and Hearts) by Arkady Romanov
In July, I finally finished Arkady's book about the Russian music scene of the 2010s. As someone who was a teenager during these times, living in Moscow and spending my time watching Versus battles and attending Motherland festivals, I quite enjoyed both going down memory lane and gaining insights into various artists and genres.
The only downside for me in this book is the amount of Oxxxymiron mentions, but no one's perfect. Besides that, highly recommend reading at least a couple of chapters.
In July, I finally finished Arkady's book about the Russian music scene of the 2010s. As someone who was a teenager during these times, living in Moscow and spending my time watching Versus battles and attending Motherland festivals, I quite enjoyed both going down memory lane and gaining insights into various artists and genres.
The only downside for me in this book is the amount of Oxxxymiron mentions, but no one's perfect. Besides that, highly recommend reading at least a couple of chapters.
back2back
A cool resource where you can see which tracks DJs mixed into/from. A good new tunes discovery tool as well.
A cool resource where you can see which tracks DJs mixed into/from. A good new tunes discovery tool as well.