Tales from the Echobox 018
Tales from the Echobox 018
Interview by Joe Leonard-Walters | Edited by Passion DzengaLaunching in 2021, Echobox has been forging a path for community radio by showcasing the diverse characters and concepts that surround them. In this feature, we will be looking into a few of the broadcasts that you can tune into so get locked in and don’t touch that dial.From one-half of Black Cadmium to the mastermind behind GLXY Records, Joginda is a force to be reckoned with in the electronic music scene. Known for his no-filter, everything-goes approach, his creative energy flows through every project he touches — from label releases and radio shows to curating unforgettable club nights."It's just an illusion, nothing is real," he says, channeling his instinctive, gut-driven vision into GLXY, a label dedicated to championing fresh talent while pushing sonic boundaries. With his Fam. event series set to debut during the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Joginda is creating a space where emerging artists stand shoulder-to-shoulder with seasoned pros, reigniting the essence of the underground club scene.We caught up with him to talk about the philosophy driving GLXY, what makes a great club night, his dream radio guest, and what’s next for the label. You can catch up with this show now on Echobox Radio.GLXY is going from strength to strength with new releases, radio shows and now your FAM events. What's the vision that ties it all together?GLXY is still a young label, so I’m definitely still finding my footing. But right now, my vision for GLXY Recs is to strike a balance between showcasing fresh, emerging talent and more seasoned artists who have a unique sound — or simply a vibe I love playing in my sets. Eventually, I want to push the boundaries and release more experimental music on the label too. I tend to be pretty impulsive with these decisions, letting my gut guide me.The GLXY radio show, on the other hand, is where I get to spotlight what’s coming up on the label while also sharing tracks from new artists who send me demos. If I vibe with their sound and it fits with who I am as a DJ, I make it a point to give them a platform.Fam. is a concept I’ve been wanting to launch for a while now — even back in my Black Cadmium days. But with everything I’m already doing — DJing, running the label, hosting the radio show — I had to find the right moment and collaborators to make it happen. Now, I’ve teamed up with GIRLS, a young artist and DJ collective from Rotterdam, and on January 31st, during the International Film Festival Rotterdam, we’re finally bringing Fam. to life.The idea behind Fam. is about creating a space for emerging talent to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with established artists from GLXY Recs. For this first edition, we’ve got Panda Lassow and Prince Pasensi headlining the GLXY stage, alongside a lineup that blends fresh faces with seasoned performers. It’s a night where the energy of the next generation meets the experience of the pros.What do you think makes a good club night?Good, affordable club nights are rare these days. But for me, what really makes a club night great is when there’s a balance in the lineup — fresh talent mixed with more established names — and if that’s paired with an enthusiastic crowd, that’s the perfect combo.I come from the club scene myself, and I’d love to see a stronger focus on that again, rather than these massive festivals that are almost impossible to afford for the new and upcoming generation of ravers. With this club night, we’re trying to do our part to bring that energy back. If you could invite anyone (alive or dead) as a guest on your show, who would it be?These questions are always tricky for me because you end up naming someone who probably doesn’t need any extra attention. That’s usually how it goes, right? But if I were to invite someone from the more established names, it would definitely be Skee Mask. I’m a huge fan of him as both a DJ and producer, and I find myself appreciating his work more and more, especially his productions. I’d love to have him play a show sometime, who knows :)How do you use your show to showcase GLXY records?With the GLXY radio show, I really try to create a space where the sound and vision of the label come to life. It’s where I showcase upcoming releases from GLXY Records and give listeners a taste of what’s to come. But it’s not just about what’s already on the label — I also use the show to highlight fresh talent and new music from artists who send me demos. If their sound fits the vibe of the label and my sets, I’ll make sure to feature them. For me, the show is about building a connection between the label, the music, and the wider scene — it’s like a sonic diary of where GLXY is heading. What's next for the label?I’ve just finished my own EP, so logically, that could be the next release on the label. But I’ve also got some amazing producers lined up for the coming year. Like I mentioned before, I’m pretty impulsive in how I work, so the exact release order isn’t set in stone yet. Ultimately, though, I want the freedom to put my own music out there whenever it feels right, while continuing to push the sounds and artists that inspire me.From adventurous electronic music label topo2: label head, music enthusiast, avid vinyl & mp3 collector/tracklist fundamentalist, Bert de Rooij (previously hosting under his bertbert cloak), will juxtapose music from every corner of the 'experimental' electronic music spectrum. With more than 20 years behind the decks, this seasoned DJ and curator has built a career on pushing the boundaries of experimental electronic music. From his early bertbert radio show to the creation of topo2, his new label and creative platform, his ethos has always been about championing fresh sounds and breaking free from genre constraints. In this interview, we delve into his passion for radio as an art form, the obsessive attention to detail that defines his craft (spoiler: tracklists are non-negotiable), and how his love of electronic music informs the vision for topo2. As a label, blog, and newsletter, topo2 is more than just a platform for releases — it’s a space to celebrate everything that makes up the beautifully niche corners of the electronic music ecosystem. We also discuss his proudest achievements, including the debut release from upsammy, and what’s next as he prepares to drop even more boundary-pushing sounds. You can catch up with this show now on Echobox Radio.Your show has a very clear ethos - why is it so important to push the freshest experimental electronic music?I actually think it’s not always as clear to the world as it is in my own head. topo2, and previously my bertbert radio show, are basically outlets for me to share music that I’m enthusiastic about in a mix format. Being a DJ for more than 20 years now, I still think mixtapes or radio shows are the best format to appreciate electronic music outside of an event. An hour of radio or a dedicated mixtape creates a new piece of art in itself and brings a different context to all the different tracks in the set. My ethos has always been trying not to be scared by genres when DJ’ing. I would describe my taste as quite broad within the spectrum of niche electronic music, but I tend to spend most of my time listening to “electronica”, ““experimental”” (that one just deserves two pairs of air quotes), and “ambient”. Do expect some dancefloor-oriented house, techno, and bass music too.What's the nerdiest thing on your USB?Waving the nerd-flag myself feels a bit uncomfortable, but there are interesting things on my USB for sure. I have a few playlists with dedicated loops or vocals, drum patterns, and sometimes just a 1/4 hi-hat that I really like that I can use as layers over other tracks as they’re going.What’s not on my USB but addresses the spirit of the question is my obsession with tracklists. I have debated this with a lot of people, but I think they are mandatory for every mix out there except for when you’re solely playing your own music. I think you should take every chance to platform art that you’re wild about, and more importantly, as a DJ, you are building your art from the fruits of others.You've just started a new label; how much does this ethos inform your vision for topo2?It’s basically the same! The topo2 world gives me the chance to do a bit more than only playing music, though. Navigating a label within the music industry usually is done from a kinda strict point of view, only communicating on the label’s output. With topo2, I like to broaden the scope to the wider ecosystem and be enthusiastic about everything that forms this silly corner of the music spectrum.I’m releasing music on a myriad of formats, and I can blog about music I like on my website. I also started a monthly newsletter where I recommend music that caught my ear. I hope to both engage with fellow music heads that already recognize most of the music and curious minds that are not in the know about what’s in some random niche pocket of the electronic music spectrum.You say that your label is about exciting music, whether you've released it or not - what's most exciting to you at the moment?The volume of good and interesting music being released! Just a few examples here below. Other than that, I’m still super proud of the first release by upsammy on the label I did last November! I can’t wait to drop the next three releases I’ve worked on for the last year and a half. More news on that soon!Tune in to Echobox - broadcasting from below sea level every week, Thursday until Sunday.