Dekmantel Podcast 135 - Zozo

The dance scene in Istanbul might not be one of the most talked about in the world, but whenever it is mentioned it’s impossible not to talk about Zozo. She is a left of centre DJ who was previously in charge of the musical direction of Hush, a gallery and bar on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, and nowadays she plays cult clubs like De School and Salon des Amateurs. She has also put out key cassettes like ‘Witchez of Anatolia’ on Sameheads, as well as being part of the famous curveball label Macadam Mambo. Reaching for curious sounds from her homeland as well as new wave, disco, synth pop, house and acid, a Zozo set of "oriental crime" is as magical as it is mysterious. And her mix for us is no different. In her own words, "frogs, communication, Russians, aliens, nature, wizards, friends, psychedelia, technology, joy, fear, love, human beings, publicity, toxic world and internet" are all sources of inspiration here and it shows. Her 75 minute set is wholly intoxicating, with synthetic sounds and real world samples, languid grooves and drunken rhythm all slowly unfolding and pulling you into their midst before tripping you out. It's weird and wonderful, and sounds like little else out there right now.