After her set for Carbon Sound and Unbothered's Juneteenth party, Detroit's Blackmoonchild stopped by the studio to lay down a set of driving techno and electro straight from the source. We chatted with Blackmoonchild about her background and intentions for the mix. Read a transcript of the interview, edited for length and clarity, below:

I'm Blackmoonchild, my real name is Janisa Nelson. I’m a DJ and producer from Detroit.

I actually started making beats first. I was producing in high school, and then one of my homegirls asked me to curate a playlist for her art show. I just went on ahead and bought a mixer and  kind of winged it the first time, but people really liked it. From there, people just started asking me to DJ their events.

When I learned that electronic music is not just techno and house and that there can also be  Latin American rhythms involved, I really wanted to make music. I started producing and then I realized I have to learn how to mix in order to play live, so I became a DJ.

I feel like DJing and producing kind of have a symbiotic relationship. Do you feel like one helps you with the other?

Definitely, I feel like they work in tandem. I feel like I'm always making music. I’ll hear a song and I'm like, “I want to be able to play this at an electronic party or like a techno event.” So, I always try to make edits. I love “Percolator,” for instance, but I don't always want to play the original version of it. So, I like to make different versions of songs all the time. I think being a producer aids me being a DJ, for sure.

Last night you played at the Carbon Sound and Unbothered Juneteenth event. What do you think of what you saw of the Minneapolis scene there?

It was really fun! I think everyone was having a good time. I had a really good time. The energy was high. I felt really well received. I felt welcome.

I'm just gonna be vibing, just playing some tunes. Maybe a little downtempo. I feel like I went kind of hard last night. 

 in Detroit. We do it about every other month, but don't quote me on that. But that's where you can catch me playing regularly.

Stay tuned for new mixes on Carbon Sound every other Wednesday. If you’re a DJ and want to be considered for the series, email a mix of yours to jgreen@mpr.org.

Julian Green built and manages the music library for Carbon Sound and oversees content creation.  


Julian Green

Driving techno and electro straight from the source.


After her set for Carbon Sound and Unbothered's Juneteenth party, Detroit's Blackmoonchild stopped by the studio to lay down a set of driving techno and electro straight from the source.

Blackmoonchild (6/26/24)

The Carbon Sound team got together ahead of their 2nd anniversary event with Unbothered at Red Sea and reflected on what it took to get to this point, as well as what they’re looking to build on in the future.


The Message - Carbon Sound Team Interview

Carbon Sound's 1st Birthday

Introducing Carbon Sound

Listen to Looch: "Inventing David Geffen" is the story of the self-made entertainment mogul

John Kueppers

Interview: Carbon Sound Team on The Message

Since the 2010s, electronic dance music (EDM) has become one of the largest and most popular sectors of the music industry, with festivals and record sales netting billions of dollars each year. EDM might make you think of raves, long nights, and ecstasy. But its roots go farther and deeper – back to a genre born out of a need for Black, queer community and refuge: house music.

It’s time for church. What do you think you know about house music? Take the Throughline quiz to find out.

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Nic Neves

Anya Steinberg

Alyson Hurt

Electronic dance music is one of the largest and most popular sectors of the music industry. But do you know where it came from? Test yourself with Throughline’s quiz.


Claire Greenway/Getty Images/Getty Images Europe

Who built house music? Test your knowledge with the Throughline quiz.

Each week, we add new music, older tracks, which are known as “Gold adds”, and tracks that might not fit our general format, but still deserve a place in rotation because they serve our mission of showing the depth, breadth, and influence of Black musical expression - These are known as “Variety adds.”

. If you make music and want it considered for rotation, 

 If you want to give feedback directly, reach out to me at jgreen@mpr.org.

Tune in to hear our host Sanni B. live on The Message from 10 AM to 1 PM Monday through Thursday!

Keep all these tracks in one place with the 

 Spotify playlist. This playlist is updated weekly with all the new adds. When that playlist is cycled with new tracks, the tracks live forever on the 

 playlist. That playlist contains all of the music that we've added since the week of July 11, 2022 in chronological order of when it was added. All of the tracks available on Spotify, at least.

All of the tracks added to rotation on Carbon Sound the week of June 3, 2024.


Image for New on Carbon Sound Spotify playlist

Natalia Toledo

New on Carbon Sound

Old on Carbon Sound

New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of June 17, 2024

On June 19, 1865, about 2,000 Union troops arrived at Galveston Bay, Texas, announcing that the Civil War was over and the 250,000 enslaved Black people in the state were now free after more than 200 years of enslavement. This was more than two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and two months after the end of the war. After 158 years, Juneteenth has evolved into a celebration of culture, family, and Black joy, as well as an honoring of the legacy of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth Freedom and Fellowship Violence Prevention Event (FREE)

This Juneteenth Celebration features performances from 

The Minnesota Orchestra presents its second annual concert in celebration and commemoration of Juneteenth. 

 will lead a program featuring both upbeat and contemplative music from 20th-century and contemporary African American composers. 

Jimmie Herrod, Wordsmith and Ashley DuBose

 will also take the stage, combining their powerful voices with the symphonic strength of the Orchestra. 

Carbon Sound X Unbothered Present: Blackmoonchild, Yasmeenah, and echo at Red Sea (FREE)

 are joining forces to celebrate Juneteenth weekend and Carbon Sound's 2nd Anniversary with a night exploring the Black roots of techno at Red Sea in Minneapolis on Friday, June 14.

Brooklyn Center Juneteenth Celebration (FREE)

We Are the Noise: The Echoes of Our Ancestors (FREE)

The University of Minnesota will host its third annual Juneteenth Celebration block party and commemorative march in North Minneapolis. Performances include 

Juneteenth – Celebrating Freedom Day (FREE)

Brooklyn Park Juneteenth Celebration (FREE)

Carnage The Executioner, Known MPLS, Maya Marchelle

Soul of the Southside Juneteenth Festival (FREE)

Soul of the Southside (SOTS) is an annual Juneteenth celebration curated by the local hip-hop duo 

, who also own and operate The Legacy Building—one of the few Black-led creative spaces in the state. This free-entry festival commemorates Black Liberation and honors the legacy of Juneteenth. Held on June 19th in south Minneapolis, MN, SOTS centers Blackness, kinship, and community at The Hook and Ladder Theater, Moon Palace Books, Arbeiter Brewing, and The Historic Coliseum Building from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. 

A Juneteenth Celebration featuring Tish Jones, Queen Drea, and PaviElle French (FREE)

Juneteenth Celebration: Darnell Davis & The Remnant w/ DJ Willie Adams Presented by Hygge House Productions

Live music by Darnell Davis & The Remnant, Twin Cities premier Gospel Choir in celebration of Juneteenth in Minneapolis. 100% of the proceeds go toward the Purple Playground, a non-profit dedicated to honoring the legacy and music of Prince - and ensuring young people have access to music education, live performance and production.

Juneteenth 2024- A Family Celebration (FREE)

Live performances, music, food, kids pavilion, wealth-building pavilion, health & wellness resources and more!

Plan ahead for a busy week of celebrations, concerts, block parties, and more.


BUMP OPERA

Darin Kamnetz for MPR

People leans forward into mic while looking at laptop

How to celebrate Juneteenth in the Twin Cities this year

Entrañas stopped by the studio during his time in the Twin Cities. Hailing from Ecuador, he laid down a boundary pushing set of experimental Latin Club. We chatted with Entrañas about his background and intentions for his mix. Read a transcript of the interview, edited for length and clarity, below:

My name is Entrañas. I'm a producer and DJ from Ecuador.

I’m on tour in North America. I started touring on May 1st in Mexico and now I'm in the United States until the 27th.

What are some of your favorite events that you've played lately?

The party at Mexico City. All the people there really knew the music and were stoked. It was a full party and it was amazing.

What are we going to hear from you today?

I’ll start around 92 BPM and get up to maybe 110 or 120 BPM with some dancehall and dembow tracks I have.

Experimental Latin club straight out of Ecuador.


Entrañas is a DJ and producer from Ecuador. During his time in Minneapolis, he stopped by the studio to lay down a set filled with experimental Latin club.

Entrañas (6/12/24)

Man with glasses smiles brightly in Polaroid

Greg Grease stopped by to talk to Carbon Sound’s host Sanni about his his upcoming album and the vulnerabilities that came with it, being surrounded by music at a young age, fatherhood, and much more.


The Message - Greg Grease

Can't Call It

Mind & Matter Live

Boyz II Men - A Song For Mama (Official Video)

TOO SHORT - Blow The Whistle (Official HD Video)

Tiny Desk Submission - ZULUZULUU

Greg Grease - Black King Cole (Live on 89.3 The Current)

Hiawatha Golf Course honors golfer who broke racial barriers

Interview: Greg Grease on The Message

Ashley Dubose - “We Are One” (Local!)

New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of June 3, 2024

Every 1st of the month, we’re creating an all-encompassing roundup of tracks, projects, and music videos that were released by Minnesota artists from that previous month. 

If we missed something Minnesota made that dropped in May, DM us on 

Keep all these tracks in one place with “Carbon Sound’s 1st of the Month” Spotify playlist. Expect an updated 1st of the Month Playlist on……every 1st of the Month.  Mark your calendars accordingly.

KINFU's newest single NEED YA has been on constant repeat with compelling instrumentals and a catchy chorus -literally the epitome of an earworm. The experimental nature of the synths and production continue to build throughout the song which pair excellently with KINFU's warm vocals. Perfect for screaming out fully rolled down windows this summer. - Cat Grimm

GARBAGE CO., killhades, meda, Baby Leaf - 

Sampling an iconic song is so risky, especially as a local artist & Lauryn killed it. Definitely a summer a bop for the girls. - Maria Gonzalez-Grimes

GARBAGE CO., killhades, meda, deadhorse - 

ROC BARBOZA’s newest single POCKET ME scratches the hardcore punk itch in my brain. Immediately, I’m thrown into a beat that’s basically begging me to bang my head along to the music. With constant changes in the tempo, you’re always kept on your toes. The absolutely punishing drums, aggressive vocals and razor-sharp riffs had me hooked throughout the entire track. Don’t even get me started on the breakdown at the end. UGHH (in a good way). - Nikhil Kumaran

Minneapolis band SoulFlower is back with their single “SH!T”, a New Wave inspired statement of standing in your power and in your truth. “They can’t tell me sh!t” and “I do not live for you!” are messages repeated throughout, delivered in a fun, joyous, catchy way. They are on a performance hiatus until July/August, so we’ll be on the lookout for where to catch SoulFlower live very soon. - Natalia Toledo

Papa Mbye blessed us this May with his first single since 2022, and I don’t think I realized how much I missed the feeling his music gives me until hearing CPU for the first time. Papa has a knack for making songs that become part of the soundtrack to my life (ever since I first heard PAPA V² with FruitPunchLoverBoy) and CPU is no different. It’s a song, like many of his others, that makes life feel more grandiose and cinematic even in its simpler moments, like strolling down a “road made just for walking.” - John Kueppers 

Nakara Forjé -Woo (Official Music Video)

revii - call my name (official music video) | neon collection

Puff - That Feelin (Official Music Video)

Fat Twin - Unlock Tool (Official Music Video)

CoKrazi - "PERSUASIVE" (Official Music Video)

Author

Maria Gonzalez-Grimes

Cat Grimm

Nikhil Kumaran

Highlighting Minnesota made tracks, projects, and music videos released over the month of May, 2024.


Graphic for Carbon Sound's 1st of the Month Playlist

Are We There Yet?

Healed Hoochie: JADA Pack

Pgrchillsa

Soulful Affair

TraumaKidd

Gen Z

HEAL FOR ME

Polar Rising

Carbon Sound's 1st of the Month

TrapRite 2024 Cypher - BRING YA SSa !!

papa mbye - CPU (Official Video)

Tarxan - "Honor" | Shot by @nhfcameraguy

flaco - Someone Else Music Video

Minnesota Music Releases to check out from May 2024

Minneapolis mainstay AKKO stopped by the studio and gave us a taste of his latest inspirations. We chatted with AKKO about his style and intentions for his mix. Read a transcript of the interview, edited for length and clarity, below:

I'm Andrew Koalska and I go by AKKO. I'm a music producer, DJ, studio owner, promoter… I wear a lot of hats.

How would you describe your DJ philosophy?

I think it's about sharing your passion for music. If you're actively discovering new music and sharing it with people, to some extent, you're doing the work of a DJ. I just tend to do it in a club and have grown some skills to mix it tastefully, but I think it's an art form that's accessible for everyone to get into. After 10 years of gigging, it’s still exciting to me.

How would you describe the electronic music scene here right now for somebody that's not from here?

You might be surprised that there's a ton of different levels to the electronic music scene. You have your more surface level EDM stuff that happens at the Armory or Skyway Theatre. There's also an amazing underground DJ scene here, from hip-hop to techno, and other sorts of left-field genres. A lot of that is supported by an amazing sound system culture. I wish we had more venues here, but that's another topic.

], which takes up most of my year. In the past year, I've gotten to play 

 hosted by Intellephunk. Those are two of my all time favorite parties.

I think today will be a mix of sort of left-field club sounds, probably leaning toward New York than anywhere else, and hardgroove techno, which is what I've really been into lately.

Hardgroove and left-field club from Minneapolis’ AKKO.


Minneapolis DJ and producer AKKO blends left-field club music and hardgroove in his mix for Carbon Sound.

Stories

Blackmoonchild (6/26/24)

Interview: Carbon Sound Team on The Message

Who built house music? Test your knowledge with the Throughline quiz.

Get the Carbon Sound app

New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of June 17, 2024

How to celebrate Juneteenth in the Twin Cities this year

Entrañas (6/12/24)

Interview: Greg Grease on The Message

Connect with Carbon Sound

New Music on Carbon Sound - Week of June 3, 2024

Minnesota Music Releases to check out from May 2024

AKKO (5/29/24)

See more stories →