What does it mean to "Be More Weatherall"? This question looms deep in my conversation with Jagz Kooner, one-third of the pioneering electronic trio Sabres of Paradise, as we explore the reissue of their groundbreaking first two albums and reflect on the enduring legacy of the late Andrew Weatherall.Thirty years after their original release, Sabersonic and Haunted Dancehall have been given the reissue treatment by Warp Records, coinciding with a reformation of the band for performances at Sydney Opera House and Primavera Sound, amongst places. Jagz gets into how a serendipitous chain of events – beginning with a Q&A at the Golden Lion in Todmorden and the discovery of a forgotten live recording – led to this unexpected new chapter for a project that helped move rave culture beyond the confines of nightclubs.Throughout our conversation, Weatherall's spirit looms large. His philosophy of "don't look back, every day is year zero" initially made Jagz hesitant to revisit past work, until Weatherall's partner Lizzie offered a poignant perspective: "There is no looking forward now he's gone. All we've got is what he gave us." I get the impression of a real lack of the usual get-the-band-back-together cynicism for this project.The interview also traces Jagz' evolution from bedroom DJ to acclaimed producer, known for his signature fusion of electronic precision with rock and roll grit. From his work with Primal Scream on "Swastika Eyes" to his game-changing remix for The Charlatans (which inspired Eddie Temple Morris to start his influential radio show), Jagz has consistently embodied Weatherall's ethos of experimentation and boundary-pushing.Here’s the weekly links section for the Jagz Kooner episode, in your fixed Lost and Sound template style, with the artist-specific links swapped in:Listen to The Sabres of Paradise via Warp’s BandcampFollow Jagz Kooner: Website InstagramIf you enjoy Lost and Sound and want to help keep it thriving, the best way to support is simple: subscribe, leave a rating, and write a quick review on your favourite podcast platform. It really helps others find the show. You can do that here on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen.Huge thanks to Audio-Technica – makers of beautifully engineered audio gear and sponsors of Lost and Sound. Check them out here: Audio-TechnicaWant to go deeper? Grab a copy of my book Coming To Berlin, a journey through the city’s creative underground, via Velocity Press.And if you’re curious about Cold War-era subversion, check out my BBC documentary The Man Who Smuggled Punk Rock Across The Berlin Wall on the BBC World Service.You can also follow me on Instagram at @paulhanford for behind-the-scenes bits, guest updates, and whatever else is bubbling up.
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Damian Lazarus
Damian Lazarus joins me for a wide-ranging conversation tracing his path from the early 2000s electroclash scene to his position today as one of dance music’s most consistently influential figures.We talk about how it all began — from getting his first DJ residency at 16, to working as music editor at Dazed and Confused, to his A&R role at City Rockers, where he helped shape the early sound of electroclash alongside labels like Gigolo and Turbo. He shares stories from that era: warehouse parties in Shoreditch, impromptu gigs in disused toilets, and encounters with everyone from The Strokes to Jarvis Cocker.We also get into what came next: founding Crosstown Rebels, building immersive events like Day Zero and Get Lost, and working with artists like Jamie Jones, Francesca Lombardo, and Maceo Plex.Damian also talks candidly about sobriety, how it affected his creative process during the making of his Magickal album, and what changed for him on a personal level. He describes the early signs — creative blocks, burnout — and the shifts that followed once he made the decision to stop.We cover a lot: longevity in music, what it means to stay curious, and how looking back at music’s past helps him think about where things might go next.Listen to Damian Lazarus’ music:🎧 Bandcamp | Crosstown Rebels BandcampVisit Damian Lazarus’ website:🌐 damianlazarus.comFollow Damian Lazarus on Instagram:📸 @damianlazarusIf you enjoy Lost and Sound and want to help keep it thriving, the best way to support is simple: subscribe, leave a rating, and write a quick review on your favourite podcast platform. It really helps others find the show. You can do that here on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen.Thanks also Audio-Technica – makers of beautifully engineered audio gear. Not only that, but sponsors of this very podcast. Check them out here: Audio-TechnicaBored on the beach this August? Grab a copy of my book Coming To Berlin, a journey through the city’s creative underground, via Velocity Press.And if you’re curious about Cold War-era subversion, check out my BBC documentary The Man Who Smuggled Punk Rock Across The Berlin Wall on the BBC World Service.You can also follow me on Instagram at @paulhanford for behind-the-scenes bits, guest updates, and whatever else is bubbling up.
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Emerald
Emerald has built a name as a leading voice representing UK underground club culture, we spoke as she steps into a new chapter as label owner and producer. From growing up as "the laptop DJ" on the outskirts of London to becoming a champion of underground sounds on Rinse FM and beyond.Standing six feet tall, mixed-race, and bisexual, she describes feeling like "a clumsy giraffe on roller skates" yet transforms this feeling of otherness into her greatest strength. The origins of her new label Precious Stones—named after herself and sisters Sapphire and Ruby—reflect both personal heritage and her vision for music that transcends conventional boundaries.Throughout our conversation, Emerald dismantles industry myths with a refreshing and down to earth honesty. She questions the often contradictory definitions of "underground" culture, challenges networking norms that feel forced, and advocates for spaces where revolutionism and anti-establishmentarianism can flourish. Listen to Emerald’s music on BandcampIf you enjoy Lost and Sound and want to help keep it thriving, the best way to support is simple: subscribe, leave a rating, and write a quick review on your favourite podcast platform. It really helps others find the show. You can do that here on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen.Huge thanks to Lost and Sound’s sponsor Audio-Technica – makers of beautifully engineered audio gear. Check them out here: Audio-TechnicaWant to go deeper? Grab a copy of my book Coming To Berlin, a journey through the city’s creative underground, via Velocity Press.And if you’re curious about Cold War-era subversion, check out my BBC documentary The Man Who Smuggled Punk Rock Across The Berlin Wall on the BBC World Service.You can also follow me on Instagram at @paulhanford for behind-the-scenes bits, guest updates, and whatever else is bubbling up.
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Gyrofield
Kiana Li, the electronic producer and sound artist known as Gyrofield, creates music that steadfastly refuses simple categorization. Growing up in Hong Kong before relocating to Bristol and eventually Utrecht, she began making music in isolation – alone in her bedroom and sharing tracks online. When their parody track “Out Of My Mind” unexpectedly caught fire in 2019, it marked the beginning of a fascinating artistic evolution that continues to unfold in surprising ways.Our conversation reveals how deeply intertwined Kiana's artistic and personal identities have become. As a self-described "cat-spirited interdisciplinary artist," she discusses how exploring gender fluidity has influenced her approach to creating music that exists beyond conventional boundaries. "What happens when we make identity fluid?" she asks, suggesting that both transness and artistic expression allow people to "possess otherness and turn it into something beautiful."What emerges most powerfully from our discussion is how music has functioned as both survival mechanism and connection point for Gyrofield. Growing up neurodivergent and socially isolated, creating electronic music offered an essential lifeline. Now, as a respected artist with releases on labels like Metalheadz and XL, she's using her platform to explore complex emotions while still creating moments of joy.Follow Gyrofield on Instagram: @gyrofieldListen to Gyrofield’s music: Suspension of Belief – Bandcamp Akin / Mother – BandcampIf you enjoy Lost and Sound and want to help keep it thriving, the best way to support is simple: subscribe, leave a rating, and write a quick review on your favourite podcast platform. It really helps others find the show. You can do that here on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you like to listen.Huge thanks to Lost and Sound’s sponsor – Audio-Technica – makers of beautifully engineered audio gear. Check them out here: Audio-TechnicaBored on the beach? Grab a copy of my book Coming To Berlin, a journey through the city’s creative underground, via Velocity Press.And if you’re curious about Cold War-era subversion, check out my BBC documentary The Man Who Smuggled Punk Rock Across The Berlin Wall on the BBC World Service.You can also follow me on Instagram at @paulhanford for behind-the-scenes bits, guest updates, and whatever else is bubbling up.
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Eli Keszler
Eli Keszler joins me this week to talk about rethinking sound, space, and what it means to create music in an uncertain world. A lifelong percussionist, Eli’s work has often explored the edges of rhythm and texture—dismantling traditional approaches and rebuilding them into something uniquely his own. Eli isn’t just a percussionist who produces great albums though. A visual arist and a creative mentor who has collaborated with everyone from Oneohtrix Point Never to Laurel Halo to Skrillex. We talk about how his relationship with the studio has shifted over time, how working in film has expanded his compositional approach, and how speed and density in performance can create a strange kind of stillness. His new self-titled album on LuckyMe marks his eleventh solo release and reflects years of process, reflection, and experimentation.The conversation also opens out into something I‘m currently really interested in asking artists‘ opinions on: how the function of music itself is changing. As digital culture reshapes how we interact, consume, and listen, Eli reflects on the possibility that music might be returning to something more spiritual, more tactile—more connected to personal and communal practice than product. We talk about the idea of a “humanist retreat” from the frictionlessness of tech, and how creative work might serve as a space to resist or reimagine that drift.Listen to Eli Keszler’s music:BandcampListen to Eli Keszler (2024):BandcampFollow Eli Keszler on Instagram: @eli_keszlerIf you enjoy Lost and Sound and want to help keep it thriving, the best way to support is simple: subscribe, leave a rating, and write a quick review on your favourite podcast platform. It really helps others find the show. You can do that here on Apple Podcasts or wherever you like to listen.Lost and Sound is sponsored by Audio-Technica – makers of beautifully engineered audio gear. Check them out here: Audio-TechnicaWant to go deeper? Grab a copy of my book Coming To Berlin, a journey through the city’s creative underground, via Velocity Press.And if you’re curious about Cold War-era subversion, check out my BBC documentary The Man Who Smuggled Punk Rock Across The Berlin Wall on the BBC World Service.You can also follow me on Instagram at @paulhanford for behind-the-scenes bits, guest updates, and whatever else is bubbling up.
Lost and Sound is a podcast exploring the most exciting and innovative voices in underground, electronic, and leftfield music worldwide. Hosted by Berlin-based writer Paul Hanford, each episode features in-depth, free-flowing conversations with artists, producers, and pioneers who push music forward in their own unique way.From legendary innovators to emerging mavericks, Paul dives into the intersection of music, creativity, and life, uncovering deep insights into the artistic process. His relaxed, open-ended approach allows guests to express themselves fully, offering an intimate perspective on the minds shaping contemporary sound.Originally launched with support from Arts Council England, Lost and Sound has featured groundbreaking artists including Suzanne Ciani, Peaches, Laurent Garnier, Chilly Gonzales, Sleaford Mods, Nightmares On Wax, Graham Coxon, Saint Etienne, Ellen Allien, A Guy Called Gerald, Jean Michel Jarre, Liars, Blixa Bargeld, Hania Rani, Roman Flügel, Róisín Murphy, Jim O’Rourke, Yann Tiersen, Thurston Moore, Lias Saoudi (Fat White Family), Caterina Barbieri, Rudy Tambala (A.R. Kane), more eaze, Tesfa Williams, Slikback, NikNak, and Alva Noto.Paul Hanford is a writer, broadcaster, and storyteller whose work bridges music, culture, and human connection. His debut book, Coming to Berlin, is available in all good bookshops. Lost and Sound is for listeners passionate about electronic music, experimental sound, and the people redefining what music can be.
UK