Building an experimental mix that really works is no walk in the park. Though there can be no set formula, they ought to tell a story, to somehow progress coherently while remaining unpredictable, and provoke deep, visceral feelings in their listeners. Earlier this year, E/Tape put together 90 minutes of music for us that exhibits just how far out the boundaries can be pushed; we are now delighted to follow that up with a similarly diverse mix from Berlin-based DJ-producer Margaret Dygas.

Born in Poland, Dygas relocated to New York to study fashion (the birthplace of her house fixation), before landing in London where she would spend her days working at the now-inoperative Eukatech record store. She relocated to her current base in the German capital back in 2007, with the aim of allowing herself the opportunity to really pursue a life in music. Things snowballed quickly, and she had soon earned herself a residency at Panorama Bar.

Berlin would also be the setting for her first crossing of paths with minimal house mainstay Perlon, picked out by label head Zip. Their relationship continues to grow stronger today, with regular performances at their label showcases, as well as an ever-expanding back-catalog of records: earlier this year, she dropped her fourth release on the imprint, Even 11, a two-tracker that melds the leftfield end of her productions with her more dancefloor-ready side. She’s also a familiar face on a number of other highly-respected labels, such as Tobias Freund’s Non Standard Productions and 50Weapons. Yet, aside from that musical output and her prolific international gig schedule, Dygas remains a fairly elusive character, shying away from media involvement on the whole; naturally, we are all the more curious for it.

This week’s podcast exposes the playful side of her personality—a clever, non-confomist mix that deploys all variety of textures and genres. It’s trippy at times, melodic at others, and constantly changing shape and style. You’ll hear Billie Holiday’s jazz classic “There Is No Greater Love” alongside breakbeat cuts, piano solos, trumpet action, and so much more. Ahead of the mix, we took the opportunity to catch up with Dygas, with a few questions about the mix and what’s coming up for her for the rest of the year.

When and where was the mix recorded?
Last week on an island called Bamboo Dream.

What equipment did you record the mix on?
With a mic on a tape, surrounded by musicians and their instruments.

Did you have a specific idea/mood that you wanted to express?
It was most beautiful island ever.

How did you select the specific tracks that you wanted to include?
Like a tribesman would, dancing around the fire in a trance like state.

How did you approach this mix in comparison to a regular DJ set?
Barefoot.

You recently just released a new EP on Perlon. What else can we expect from you production-wise over the coming months?
Couldn’t say even if I knew.

What else have you got coming up this year?
”Life is like a box of chocolates…”

XLR8R Podcast 445 – Margaret Dygas