
“Sonido Madera” is my tribute to the wide breadth of music from around the world that features the marimba, or one of it’s many cousins- the balafon, the xylophone, and the xalaparta among others. I’ve always been naturally attracted to the earthy percussive sound of wood resonating, and it’s become one of the most recurring instruments in my own music production without me even realizing it.
Perhaps it’s partly due to my background as a drummer, growing up in the forest surrounded by trees, or the fact that music highlighting the marimba is often connected to Africa, folkloric roots, and tropical locations which I love. Whatever the case may be, I have a deep appreciation for the sound of wood and the music it makes. This mix is a 70-minute musical world tour, with songs and artists from over 20 countries, including some tracks that date back to the 50’s and others that are brand new releases.
You’ll hear electronic dance music, Afrobeat, Cumbia, Colombian Bullerengue, Malian Disco, Jazz, Salsa, a touch of punk rock and even a cheeky nod to the “Exotica” music which essentially commercialized and re-branded authentic marimba based music for White audiences. There’s also a touch of Txalaparta music which I learned about in Basque Country, Spain, as well as a taste of Jegog music played on bamboo, which I first heard in Bali, Indonesia. Of course there are endless more examples of amazing wood-based music out there, harnessing the powerful voices of trees, and I hope this mix inspires listeners to keep exploring!
Coco • October 17, 2026
I recently discovered your International Thief Thief mix, and I was genuinely surprised to find such Turkish gems. Having spent time at ODTÜ, some of this music takes me straight back to Turkey. I rarely come across mixes that reach this corner of Turkish music, so I wanted to share something in return: “İnce İnce Bir Kar Yağar” by Selda Bağcan.
Beyond the music itself, there’s so much history embedded in this song. If you know something about Turkey’s political climate in the 1970s, the class inequalities it confronts, and the broader struggles for social and economic justice, it carries a whole other weight. It’s not just a song to discover sonically; it’s a piece of music with something to say.
I thought it belonged here.
Mimic Party • October 19, 2026
The 70-minute run leaning into Afro, disco, and house with those Latin touches sounds like a proper trip, and slotting your own unreleased edits in the middle is a nice move. That blend of tempos and textures is the kind of thing I’d throw on while friends are filtering into a room before a night out. Speaking of group hangs, mimicparty.me has become our low-effort warm-up, a free browser bluffing game that fills the gap before everyone heads out.