Max HeyraudACKERMAN is our Mix Of The Week, delivering a deep and proggy journey through his vast and sweeping music library. The Dublin native’s hour-long mix for Area 3000 Radio ranges from elegant ambient sounds to deep and driving techno.
James Ackerman, otherwise known as ACKERMAN, has become a cornerstone of Dublin’s underground club culture, promoting forward-thinking artists and establishing progressive standards for club safety, well-being, and etiquette. He has immersed himself in the scene, from running sold-out after-hours parties to organising DIY club events, and perhaps most notably, he serves as the backbone of Dublin club institution, Tengu.
In his latest rare guest mix, ACKERMAN takes listeners on a journey through deep, immersive waters, seamlessly transitioning into shimmering, dreamlike rhythms. James’ cinematic approach runs through every track, imbuing the mix with a refined, chamber-like quality that feels both vast and intimate.
The Area 3000 Radio mix showcases ACKERMAN’s broad range and his skill in building tension and release. Rejecting the idea that everything needs to hit immediately, James masterfully paces the hour, bringing it down before unexpectedly dropping in pounding 808s that hit like a jab to the jaw, amid the ambient-tinged prog surrounding it. His musical selection and approach mirror his progressive stance on nightlife, embodying prog in every sense of the word.