№ 136 - Zoë Mc Pherson

Described as a "vanguard" by Mixmag, Mc Pherson's practice encompasses producing, DJing, and curating, often exploring the intersection of club culture and experimental art.

Their 2018 debut album, “String Figures”, was a collaborative audiovisual project with visual artist Alessandra Leone, earning accolades such as Best Experimental Video for the clip “Inouï (And Free)“ at the Berlin Music Video Awards. Their partnership with Alessandra Leone led to the founding of SFX, an interdisciplinary label and platform focused on developing and releasing multimedia experiences.

Their subsequent releases, including the albums “States of Fugue” in 2020 and “Pitch Blender” in 2023, showcase their evolution in crafting immersive soundscapes that bridge the rave and art spaces. Their work has been featured in prominent venues and festivals globally, such as Berlin's CTM Festival, MUTEK Mexico, London's ICA, the PHI Foundation for Contemporary Art in Montréal and the Den Hague-based festival Rewire. In addition, they are known for collaborations with artists like Jessica Ekomane and Ciarra Black. One of her recent collaborative projects is 3OK. Conceptualized in Uganda, it merges sci-fi sonics with the dynamic rhythms of Singeli pioneer Jay Mitta and Malian DJ Diaki.

Acknowledged for their contributions to electronic music, Mc Pherson received the 'Les Octaves de la Musique' award for Best Electronic Artist in 2019 and was a SHAPE platform artist in 2021.

Shortly after releasing their fourth full-length album Upside Down in Spring 2025 and performing for the second time at Rewire Festival, Zoë recorded a mix for the EDWIN Music Channel. Blending their love for “soothing melodies, warm subs, some Rap, some grooves, as well as sound design and rhythmical tricks for the ear,” the mix also channels another side of their artistic identity—what they call “a total raver” drawn to the fast and the furious.

As always, we sat down with our host to talk about their work, their take on music culture, and everything in between. Read the spell below—and prepare for a mix that begins in calm waters before diving headfirst into the rave.

Q. Hey, Zoë can you introduce yourself a bit to our readers and talk to us through your background? 

A. Hey there! Yes, I’m a musician, French-Northern Irish, with a base in Berlin when not travelling. I have a background linked to cultural and creative management. Music and arts have always been with me since my family is involved with music, painting, and building.

Q. Do you still remember your first musical memory? What music were you exposed to? 

A. I don’t remember. But I was certainly exposed to lots of folk and blues music as my mother kept playing concerts when she was pregnant with me. My father even recalls bringing us to her rock band’s rehearsals and being on the sofa with baby headphone protections (thanks!) watching it all happening. My French grandmother who lived in the Bronx and then Harlem in the 80s and 90s was a big fan of Afro-American music, Jazz, and Soul, so I was also influenced by that when she’d come back to Europe. Growing up, I’d listen to lots of things.

In the area where I grew up, there was lots of Reggae, Dub but I loved listening to the radio and recording mixes on my tape player, mostly Trip Hop, and quite a big collection of Jazz CDs stolen from the nearest electronic supermarket back the pension where I stayed in high school haha. (Everyone did that, sometimes the police would come by and take back some DVD or CD collections.) I wish we could steal it all back from the owners of Spotify, to be honest :) It would make the balance right and give income to artists instead of already multi-millionaires, you know. Same thing.
 
Q. How and why did you start to DJ and produce?

A. I started producing while I was managing a Jazz ensemble in Brussels around 2012 and started playing shows very soon after that. I knew I needed to put myself out there as fast as possible to gain experience. Was not easy because I learned it all myself, so my setup kept changing whilst learning. I only started DJing when I came to Berlin to be honest, like six years ago.

Q. What was the largest crowd you've ever played in front of?

A. Mmmh I think MUTEK Mexico City. Not sure what’s the capacity but a couple of thousand people for sure. And maybe this weekend at Rewire’s main stage? Not sure what’s the cap? But I can tell you that Mutek Mexico was one of our best gigs ever, was an incredible vibe! And I hope this weekend will be too :)

Q. And what is the longest set you've ever performed?

Zoë Mc Pherson: At Ohm, I think at Kookoo, was the day I released my last record Pitch Blender, I was so tired. I started and somehow, they let me continue for like five or six hours. I played most of my collection with very different styles. It was fully therapeutic, truly. I think there I was like: ‘OK DJing can be that powerful’. The people dancing and I were together during all this time, going through all these states. Damn!

Q. Do you have any role models, inspirations, or benchmarks for the creative work you do?

Zoë Mc Pherson: I am inspired by Oklou in what she says about collaboration. I am very much at this stage where I must take a break from doing everything alone, it’s too much. I am inspired by some people I met on the road; some are Icelandic, and others are Japanese. And by those who live in the countryside in general I think (not to be too generalist) but just because you can be even more weird, and there’s more “time” (maybe?) and space for digging, for deep listening. I wish for more of that, personally.

Q. When you are in the studio, to what extent are the soul and brain involved in producing the perfect tune?

A. Wah don’t ask me, the perfect tune is what you need at a specific moment. I think it’s not involved with only the soul and brain; I think it’s a question of time. Think about that sentence of two lovers meeting at the right or wrong time, isn’t it so true though? Everything changes, with time it matches, or it doesn't, which makes it perfect, or not. The brain is the devil of the perfect tune because it’s the perfectionist one. I'm convinced, that to an extent it pushes to more. To dig more, to work more, can be helpful, or not, you'll never know. The soul is what transmits the real energy of a song, the emotion. To me, it’s what makes good and bad music. The feeling. It doesn't mean perfect, but it is a power, and it is either used properly or not. Some witchy stuff basically :)

Q. How do you define your music?

A. Mmmh, I am exploring sound you know, I am exploring rhythms and melodies and lyrics, movements, narrations, science-fiction, it calls for real action. I am known as a weird beat maker and I love that, but my new record explores something else, it’s more melodic, with my voice more present with clear messages for the listener and this sick society. I am faster than what you name my music to be. I make very fast music actually. Very much inspired by Singeli's music which I adore, but… who knows for how long?! You know? To be honest I’m the worst at naming genres, I always tell my friends oh I made a pop song, and they’re like: ‘Uhhhh? is that what you call pop?’ 
 
Q. What was the reason for launching your label SFX?

A. Oh yeah, it was January 2020, you remember right? All the plans for that year?! :) Then I was and still am collaborating on various AV projects with my visual sister Alessandra Leone. I asked her if she would join me in launching a label and we did it. I released “States of Fugue” my second album, as the first release. We had plans to make a new AV show. Then the pandemic hit, all my shows got cancelled, lost lots of money and instead, jumped on many fundraiser projects and we did something I find still very special called XquisiteForce.AV, a collaborative project which involved 43 visual and sound makers into a collaborative yes anonymous piece, which Ale and I did the mediation for. It’s based on surrealist Cadavre Exquis, each person would make one minute sound or visual and extract the last five seconds to pass on to the next. Anyways, since then we have focused on experimental club music or just interesting music and arts. I am now running the label, with collaborators jumping in here and there. We still have many ideas of projects we want to do with Ale, always! We just need time and money, you know.

Q. What have you been up to recently? Are there any new releases in the pipeline?

A. Maybe one day I will say no I don’t have any. But until now, I always have many! I just released my fourth Full Length called “Upside Down” on SFX. The beautiful vinyl is coming out in May!!!! A few months ago I released an EP “Chaos Live 3.0”, a tryptic of tracks I played live last year. I have some remixes and other collaborative projects I’ll name one because it’s in the mix, it’s a project by the percussion ensemble HIIIT based in Den Haag. They gave a few producers a sample bank and we produced a track out of it.

The EP is coming out in June on Maloca Records! But yeah I’ll stop there for the sake of reducing the number of things to listen to for now :) GO LISTEN, and GO SUPPORT! We need it!

Also CLICK HERE if you want to leave Insta and Spotify.

Q. Is there a contemporary artist you would like to collaborate with?

A. Ohh… Probably like thousands of them. Let me think further who… I’m still thinking. Probably a huge jam would be ideal. But I’d love to produce for singers, for fashion labels, make a soundtrack for movies or a series, and collaborate with artists from everywhere, from different backgrounds. It’s a beautiful thing.
 
Q. How do you stay up to date with all the new releases for your sets? 

A. Oh Jesus, I don’t. That’s what I mean when I say I’m a producer, I play live shows, and AV shows, I run a label, and make solely a living out of touring, which is extremely hard and getting more athletic these days. But when I DJ I make selections before I play, then I see how it flows when I’m playing, and sometimes I change it completely on the spot.

Q. Which music are you listening to these days?

A. These days I was preparing my live set, so I didn’t listen to anything else, but I’ve been listening to mixes by some DJs I met in Japan, which I’ve enjoyed a lot! Mainsushi’s Museum’s mix, also recommended Matt Evans album 2022 album a NYC drummer and producer which I really enjoyed. I have also been listening to what people sent me on my promo mailer, some beautiful sound design soft tracks.

Q. Who are three upcoming producers that you feel need more attention?

A. Gosh everyone needs attention right? Can we all have a bit less attention maybe?!! Please pay attention to this, talking about the attention economy. Let me brainwash you with leaving toxic platforms hahaha, do it!!! LINK

But I got your question though :) Mmh I think producers, in general, should get more money, if attention is money, that’s what I’d say. Chewlie is a super producer and should get more attention. Klahrk and Isaka should get more attention, they both released on SFX :) And my friend Jay Duncan who’s a prolific banger producer should get more attention big time! It might be that you would think a certain group of people are getting more attention, but it’s in your circle, I might think that another group of people are getting more attention. Depends on where your attention is at. Where your algo is?! Magic word these days, right? Argh boring!
 
Q. What's one club or party that had a major impact on you as an artist?

A. So. I was thinking about this question. Let me say that in Brussels the old Recyclart, Beursschouwburg had a major impact on me, discovering lots of music. In Berlin, mostly going to Room 4 Resistance parties at Trauma Bar und Kino, as well as going to CTM festival events had definitely a major impact on me as an artist. Now I think Ohm is still and always the best place for bass music, RSO is a cool spot though, to be honest, I’m travelling so much that I don’t have a regular spot you know. But when I’m back I go to my friend's fucking amazing spot and underground venue 90mil or Panke, I’m so proud of them, and the program is simply massively beautiful, always. STAY TUNED!

Q. The role of an artist is always subject to change. What is your view on the - e.g. political, social, creative - tasks of artists today and how do you try to meet these goals in your work?

A. It is, isn’t it? Well, I am reconsidering my view in the next month’s so let’s talk again, ok? I think unfortunately there’s a gap between activist people and businesspeople that has grown bigger, whilst in the end we’re in the same political pot and all are responsible for using so much plastic. So, there are definitely some things to review in terms of the sustainability of arts and music. It all goes together. Just in general I think people need to realize a lot more that everything is CONNECTED. And I DON’T GET that the PANDEMIC DIDN’T REACH PEOPLE BRAINS a bit more on this matter. 

Q. What's one social or political cause you want the world to pay more attention to?

A. Fascism isn’t good for anyone. Individualism isn’t good for anyone. Becoming rich and famous isn’t good for you. Social media sucks. Waking up with the motivation to wake up, a group of friends to share things with (and animals), sharing with curiosity, eating delicious food that our earth, the rain, animals and humans helped put on our plate, learning, being a better person and working on our shit, working on our traumas in depth is really what is a win, to me.

Q. What was your dream job when you were a teen?

A. I think being a psychologist but I’m not entirely sure. 

Q. What was your most amusing dinner partner of all time?

A. Haha I think munchie partners are usually amusing. I recommend Vanilla ice cream with date syrup, yum. Or mocchies and like something with foam.

Q. What makes living in Berlin special?

A: You make the city you’re living in really. Not one thing is more special than another. It’s just different. You might raise your eyes to the sky. But you noticed how my answers are always multiple haha. Berlin is special because it simply has so much culture and arts to offer. Which is right now absolutely changing. It used to be one of the places that had lots of support for funding. I mean why do you think musicians living in the USA where there’s less funding are touring in Europe to make their money? Well… for those living in Europe and in Berlin, this place had a lot of resources, spaces, clubs, galleries, mostly alternative spaces (less and less now but still, there’s always something you haven’t heard of, and that’s exciting to be honest). I love that it has many dimensions and SO many people into arts. It’s just quite difficult at the moment, as the government cut 50% of all art funds, supporting theatres, festivals, direct project funds etc, all the structure that employ artists and make it possible to make a living is now reduced. Next year will be another 50% less. This is really bad news and extremely anxious for everyone I know. Let’s see what the future brings us. I want to remain positive. We have to. Alternative places will remain, but we need to survive in this harder and harder world.

Q. And what are your favourite places to hang out in Berlin?

A. I usually work so I don’t hang out so much nor have time for it so much :) But I did say the above were! Casino for Social Medicine is defo a grassroots-mutual-aid-one-of-a-kind-bar-location to check out. I am also a big fan of Tempelhof Park!

Q. You just performed at Rewire, one of the biggest avant-garde festivals in Europe. What does it mean to you to be invited here?

A. To be honest the program is so good, I wish I was split into 5 people to be able to experience it all! It’s the second time we were invited to play at Rewire, somehow last minute. So, to be honest (as usual) it was quite stressful, especially since I had just come back from three weeks of touring in Asia, the jetlag was intense! But, simultaneously it was truly an honour to be invited this year at Paard 1 which is the bigger stage, since we played the cosy smaller stage two years ago. It was a recognition for our AV project with Ale, and always so great to be there, so thank you very much for that! Also, it’s one of the last times we played this AV show and two years ago was the premiere! Full circle. But again, stay tuned. We got some Audiovisual banging surprises in our bag!!

A. How did you select the music for your EDWIN MUSIC CHANNEl? Is there a special story behind the mix?

Q. Only good stuff and what I like hearing currently :)

Since it’s a recorded mix, it’s not made with the idea to deliver. I made it for myself, to reconnect with an essential part within me that I need at the moment. Currently, there’s a part of me that needs soothing melodies, warm subs dub this or that, some rap, some grooves as well as sound design, some rhythmical tricks for the ear. Yet another part is a total raver and needs these more rough and mad things that sound like they’re in that rave space, organic in a way. Obviously much faster pacing, from the second half. So, you’ll find all of that in there! Actually, for those who read until here, I want to share something else super important to me. It’s about sustainability in music + using decentralized digital and social media tools and, in general, alternatives to capitalist surveillance software for communication :) I made some little bit of research and am active on Mastodon now, as well as other streaming platforms. Get into it now! No time to waste. The more we leave what makes us sick the better it will be, faster! Thanks for reading, bye! 

TRACKLIST:

1 Lénok‍ - Postreal
2 Lola - saposcalle (unreleased)
3 Lénok‍ - Postreal
4 Bjarki - Divine Wash
5 Pebmac - One And A Half Doberman (unreleased)
6 Zoë Mc Pherson - Mirador (unreleased)
7 Slikback - Sea
8 Dan Nicholls - public address [d1] (unreleased)
9 Zoë Mc Pherson - Bang Bang
10 Iguana - TACA (unreleased)
11 Lauren Duffus - N.U.M.T.E. (Clean) 2A 134
12 Gábor Lázár - Effort
13 Shabjdeed & Muqata'a & Al Nather - Bansak (شب جديد و مقاطعة و الناظر - بنساك (انتاج الناظر
14 Ninety - Fear Suppression
15 RS Tangent - 2S HY 1 (unreleased)
16 YUKO ARAKI - ‡Otiron
17 Iguana - AQUI (unreleased)
18 hoyah - 808s n Trance Gates (unreleased)
19 Chewlie - Inevitably We Fell (Rizla Ops Groove Crush Mix)
20 Zoë Mc Pherson - Is this real?
21 Kilbourne - hmmrhd004_07_kilbourne_bald_boys_quiet_mix_hammerhead_records
22 exael - Ice That Melts The Tips
23 Junn - Dolor Fantasma (unreleased)
24 Million - Move01
25 TECH LEVEL 2 - Revise
26 FeroX - Mondo! Mondo!
27 Bapari - Munch (Ice Spice Edit)
28 Junglord - I Can Feel It
29 Zoë Mc Pherson - Together We Ride
30 Takkak Takkak - Mezame
31 Rian Treanor - Hypnic Jerks
32 Zoë Mc Pherson - Confusecore
33 Nihiloxica - Black Kaveera (pq & Ekhe’s Recycle)
34 Swooh - Jerk it
35 .cutspace Xang - sacrifice
36 Voice Actor - Cut (2)
37 Ashanti Selah & Dan-I Locks - Vibes Up (Yaksha Dub 2)
38 Lola - conciertosapos5 (unreleased)