How Cassettes Became Underground Treasures I have to admit — even with all my years involved in underground music, I’m surprised to realize just how valuable some of these old rave cassettes have become. In a world dominated by digital streaming, where music is compressed into invisible files and served up by algorithms, it’s quaint to see that some of the most sought-after artifacts from electronic music’s mid period are sitting quietly on magnetic tape. Yet searchable on online stores, there’s a growing market for vintage rave cassettes — and they’re fetching more and more impressive amounts. The Rise of the Rave Tape Pack Back in the 90s, during the explosion of the UK rave scene, tape packs were around. Promoters like Helter Skelter, Dreamscape, Slammin Vinyl, and Fantazia would record their events and sell bundles of cassettes containing the full DJ line-ups from legendary nights. These were souvenirs of the rave — complete with crowd noise, MC shouts, and all the raw en...
Written by Sarah Maison | Produced by Steve Surmely | Released via Capitane Records As I search through the flood of new releases—hundreds upon hundreds of tracks posted online each week—I find myself sifting through a digital haystack of songs that, frankly, often feel lifeless. So many sound rushed, heartless, flat, as though churned out by a conveyor belt rather than composed from a place of emotion or intention. But just when my ears begin to dull, I strike gold. A gem emerges. Sarah Maison’s “Bonsoir” is that gem. This track stopped me in my scroll. Not with noise, but with restraint. With beauty. With a sound that made me wonder: Is this a voice I missed from the 60s or 70s? It carries all the vintage charm of a forgotten French classic, yet breathes with the intimacy and clarity of the present. The production—handled masterfully by Steve Surmely has helped make this into a subtle but genius song. The balance between guitar and voice is perfect . No accident, and not always ...