Iceland, 2017
The Architect of Sound / Founder of Secret Thirteen
Justinas Mikulskis (b. 1986), performing as S13, is a sound artist, curator, DJ, and the founder of the seminal experimental music journal and archive Secret Thirteen. Operating at the intersection of audio archaeology, journalism, and visual arts, Mikulskis has spent over a decade documenting the obscure and the avant-garde.
Origins & Atmosphere
The sonic identity of S13 was forged in the bleak, post-industrial landscape of Panevėžys, Lithuania. Growing up surrounded by the brutalist architecture of disused factories and the quiet decay of a post-Soviet town, Mikulskis developed a sensitivity to texture, atmosphere, and the darker spectrum of sound. His musical education began early—at age ten, his engineer grandfather helped him construct his first DJ mixer, sparking a lifelong obsession with sound architecture. This early exposure to his uncle’s vinyl collection—ranging from black metal and punk to 70s rock—laid the groundwork for a rebellious artistic path that rejected social norms in favor of deep immersion into anarchism, philosophy, and science fiction.
The Evolution of Sound
While his roots lie in the raw energy of jungle and drum’n’bass (with early productions released on labels like Liquid V and Vampire), his trajectory quickly expanded into the abstract. Today, S13 is known for weaving complex, interdisciplinary sound narratives. His sets are exercises in eclecticism—sculpting coherent journeys from industrial rhythms, ethnographic field recordings, new wave, and academic composition. Strict rhythmic patterns are often dismantled to make way for drone voyages or disengaged improvisations, challenging the listener’s perception of time and structure.
Performance & Curation
As a DJ, S13 has performed at some of Europe’s most forward-thinking festivals and venues, including Berlin Atonal, Arma17 (Moscow), Norbergfestival (Sweden), and Unsound events. He has shared the stage with luminaries such as Mika Vainio, Esplendor Geométrico, Demdike Stare, The Soft Moon, and Fennesz. His curatorial vision extends beyond the club, manifested in his widely acclaimed mix series for platforms like Electronic Explorations, Headphone Commute, and SeekSickSound. Notably, S13 approaches each performance as a unique research project, never repeating the same material twice.
Interdisciplinary Work
Mikulskis views sound as a physical and visual entity. His practice extends into visual arts, creating abstract industrial assemblages from metal waste—an intimate reflection on societal decay and material memory. He also lectures on musical narratives and industry context (including talks at the Contemporary Art Centre, Lithuania) and has exhibited sonic installations, such as “The Energy System of the Užutrakis Manor Orangery as a Sonic Negative.”
Justinas Mikulskis is included in the MICL (Music Information Centre Lithuania) catalog. He currently lives and works in Lithuania, continuing to expand the Secret Thirteen archive as a timeless resource for future generations.
2021
90s Techno DJ set @ Mėnulio Smūgis 2021 | Digital Tsunami [LT]
Guest at Secret Communications Show | Cashmere-Radio [DE]
2020
URBEX Podcast [LT]
2019
Phormix Podcast 160 [GR]
New Brvtalism No. 197 [DE/USA]
2017
Digital Tsunami 130 (ENG/LT)
Electronic Beats Podcast (DE)
2016
Boxcast Podcast 001 (LT)
2015
SSS (Seek Sick Sound) Podcast 167 (FR)
2014
Burning The Existence
Arma Podcast 144 (RU)
2013
Electronic Explorations Podcast 281 (UK)
Experimedia Podcast (USA)
A Strangely Isolated Place Podcast 036 (USA)
Do/Nothing Podcast (RU)
Supynes Festival Podcast (LT)
Planeta Modular Podcast 035 (ES)
2012
Headphone Commute Podcast (USA)
Sound Alchemy Podcast 001 (LT)
Modyfier Process Podcast 305 (USA)
Fluid Radio Podcast (UK)
International Tapes Podcast (USA)
Pusha Ace - Sunday Bug Podcast (LT)
Icasea Podcast (UK)
2011
13 Memorable 2011 Records
Bangos Podcast (LT)
Redubtor Podcast 13 (LT)
Trilogy - WARP REPHLEX RN (3 in 1)
2010
Trilogy - Now Voyager (3 in 1)
Redubtor Podcast 05 (LT)
2009
Sensor
Elektrolankos Radio (LT)
Rotator
IM:LTd Podcast 01
2008
Duofilm