September’s Mix of the Month goes to PWNDA, and it’s a proper result. We’re five winners deep into 2025 now and the standard across all entries has been impressive, but this one stood out for all the right reasons.
PWNDA‘s been immersed in UK dance music for three decades, tracking its evolution from the drum & bass explosion through the hard house years and beyond. Cut his teeth on vinyl in the 90s playing house, hard house and techno with proper energy, but like anyone who’s stayed relevant, he’s let his sound evolve. These days it’s all about organic progressive grooves, electronica and melodic breakbeat. He can still deliver mainstage breaks when the room demands it, but he’s equally at home crafting those downtempo, chill-out sets that actually go somewhere.
Every week he’s on Underground Kollektiv Radio putting together mixes built around texture, harmony and vocals. There’s substance there, which matters.
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In Conversation and Mix with Dimitri AndreasBen Clifford, our MOTM Judge had this to say about the decision:
“With such a large number of high quality submissions to narrow down each time, a big part of the decision process comes down to what makes a mix stand out from the crowd… Pwnda’s mix really caught my attention this month in terms of its originality and creativity, it’s kind of difficult to even describe it! It takes in elements of deep house, downtempo, jazz, acid, prog, breaks, world music, broken beat and more… all stitched together flawlessly into a fascinating journey where you never quite know what to expect next, but it somehow all makes perfect sense. You have to listen to understand, but rest assured, it’s a superb piece of work.”
He’s right. This is the sound of someone who knows the scene inside out, bringing together influences that shouldn’t necessarily work but somehow do. It’s engaging stuff that rewards proper listening whilst still keeping things moving.
Well deserved win for PWNDA, and proper respect to everyone who entered.
Now let’s hear from the man himself…
How did you approach your mix from a creative and technical standpoint – what story were you aiming to tell, and how did that influence your selection, sequencing, and transitions?
The idea actually started on holiday. I’d put together a set of chilled breaks for the flight, and while listening I thought, what if I built a whole journey out of this vibe? From there, I worked backwards—shaping it into a story that starts laid-back and gradually grows into something more energetic and driving.
I wanted it to feel like an “afters” set—the kind of mix you can put on after a heavy night, when you want the energy to lift you gently but not overwhelm. That meant sequencing tracks carefully so the pace builds naturally while keeping it smooth and immersive.
Some tracks needed a little extra spark, so I used acapellas and layers to keep things engaging. Every track in the mix has already been part of my radio show, so they all mean something to me personally—it felt like weaving together highlights from my own journey with the sound.
The story is one of growth—energy building step by step, with blends designed to be seamless. If you’re not sure exactly when one track ends and another begins, then I’ve done my job right.
Were there any particular production or mixing techniques you used to maintain cohesion or enhance dynamics across the mix? For instance, did you favour long blends, harmonic mixing, or any custom edits to help the narrative flow?
I’ve always treated my setup like an instrument—I’m a big fan of loops, cues, and moving around tracks to suit the moment. I love layering sounds and building something I’d want to hear myself, rather than just playing tracks back-to-back.
For me, it’s all about pacing and feel. The music needs space to breathe, but it should never lose energy—so I like quick, busy mixing that keeps things alive without rushing the narrative. Cohesion comes from riding that balance: letting tracks shine, but making sure they flow together as part of a bigger journey.
There are a few standouts in this session that really shaped the story:
- “Have You Ever” – Martin Roth nailed the lift and emotion in this one.
- “Rise With You” – Sublime atmosphere and a stunning vocal.
- “Lost in the Sun” (Country Cockney Edit) – The original was great, but this edit is perfect, especially against Huerta’s gritty breaks.
- “Fire in Da Hole” – Rennie Pilgrem – Pure funk genius, impossible not to move to.
I wanted this mix to tell a story that’s memorable but also keeps moving forward. On a second listen, you’ll probably catch the subtle overlays, tweaks, and blends that give it a unique edge compared to the originals.
How have your musical experiences and influences shaped your sound?
I’ve been obsessed with electronic music since the mid-90s, a time when genres were exploding and the rules were being written at the same time as the tracks. I’ve always been a bit of a geek for the craft—fascinated not just by the sound, but by how producers overcame limitations to make magic happen.
Growing up then meant everything: raves in fields, free parties in the woods, clubs of every size. Back then I didn’t care what was “Techno” or “House”—I cared about the feeling. The euphoria of big vocals, the sense of belonging, the buzz of walking into a space where I didn’t know a soul but felt completely at home.
My heart still beats for the cheesy anthems—On a Ragga Tip, Phorever People, Rhythm Is a Dancer—but I also chased the harder edges. I followed happy hardcore, the rise of drum & bass, and travelled the country to hear Tony de Vit work his magic. He embodied what I aspired to: total creativity and absolute command of a dancefloor.
Music has always been in my blood—my twin sister is an incredible musician, and though I could never write like she does, it taught me to hear harmony and respect the work behind the production.
These days, I’m captivated by breakbeats in all their forms. There’s something hypnotic about those syncopated rhythms and melodic textures—they just pull you in. My weekly radio show has become a playground for this sound: a space to showcase breaks, beats and electronica, and to shine a light on underground talent who deserve to be heard.
October entries are now open…. Find out more here. The mix will be aired on Golden Wings Radio, giving listeners the chance to experience the set that caught the judges’ attention.
Tracklisting
- Alex Albrecht pres. Melquíades – Morning Piazza (Original Mix)
- ACCA – HOMETOWN
- Martin Roth – Have You Ever (Extended Mix)
- Florea – Orizzonte (Extended Mix)
- ACCA – CONNECTIVITY
- Lazy Hammock – Rise with You (Lazy Hammock Chillstep Remix)
- Jus Cpour – Shredder (Original Mix)
- Third Attempt – Designer Breaks
- Nutritious – Moonset
- Myagi – The Block (Original Mix)
- NEATKID – I’ll Follow You (Original Mix)
- Nathalie Capello – Into You (Original Mix)
- Because of Art (Featuring Ruth Royal) – Lost In The Sun (Country Cockney’s Unofficial Remix)
- Huerta – Leather Whatever
- London Acid – Siren Eyes (Original Mix)
- NEKO (JP), Sandy Rivera, Kazer, Kazma – Spiritual (Sandy Rivera, Kazer & Kazma Remix Accapella)
- CURLY (CH) – Rundfunk (Original Mix)
- Azire – Starz (Original Mix)
- Henry Wu – Substance (IG Culture & Alex Phountzi Remix)
- Huerta – It’s Science
- Rennie Pilgrem Presents FunkNose – Fire In Da Hole
- Alex Phountzi, IG Culture, Henry Wu – 2nd Intention (feat. IG Culture & Henry Wu) (Original Mix)
- BOM Nation – Funk, Jive and Break (Original Mix)
- Bass Scientist – Jungle Dreams (Original Mix)
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