STM 210 - Ascion

Ascion is the alias of Pasquale Ascione, an Italian-born, Berlin-based producer known for his innovative contributions to techno’s cutting edge. Alongside his industrial-leaning alter ego CSA, Ascion co-curates the boundary-pushing labels Repitch Recordings, 3TH Records, and Cosmo Rhythmatic with longtime collaborators Shapednoise and D. Carbone. Ascion’s productions weave together various elements of techno, from fast-paced, almost hardcore rhythms, to drifting melodies reminiscent of early IDM pioneers, with the groove of acid techno running through it all. His Channel #9 EP balances deep, immersive soundscapes with intense, weighty rhythms, creating atmospheres that evoke the sprawling vastness of Frank Herbert’s worlds. His 2016 LP, Joy Dexon Club, is a playful dive into the raw energy of rave’s golden era, brimming with high BPMs and dense textures. Whether working solo or with his collaborators, Pasquale’s fearless approach and underground ethos have made him a key figure in modern electronic music. As he described in an interview with Self-Titled magazine: “My music is characterized by a certain energetic atmosphere and distortion, regardless of genre. I like power for the right mind-body journey.”

Secret Thirteen Mix 210 is an intimate exploration of Pasquale’s influences, revealing the atmospheric foundations that inform his own sound. The mix takes tracks slightly out of their original contexts and reimagines them within a personal narrative that flows seamlessly across genres and decades. What makes this mix particularly compelling is its unpredictability—Pasquale selects tracks that might seem surprising for someone known for their techno work, creating a rich, eclectic tapestry of sounds. His background in multimedia design and experience with Pure Data software adds an extra layer of intentionality to the mix’s structure, which feels carefully composed and spatially aware.

The mix begins with the analogue drones of Cluster, setting a reflective, spacious tone. The influence of German krautrock is felt throughout, with ethereal pieces such as Tangerine Dream’s Zeit and Cluster’s Mit Simaen, blending seamlessly into the mix alongside tracks from Brian Eno. These atmospheric gems are complemented by a selection of ambient treasures from electronic pioneers like Biosphere’s spacey Startoucher, LFO’s melancholic Goodnight Vienna, and the eerie psychedelia of Meat Beat Manifesto’s Pot Sounds. These choices invite the listener to explore not just external sonic landscapes, but internal ones as well—spaces where imagination and memory intertwine. Although the mix leans into darker, moodier tones, there are moments of brightness and release, as with the shimmering, dreamlike soundscapes of Biosphere or the graceful sequencing of Reload.

Ascion’s mix is reminiscent of Friedrich Vordemberge-Gildewart’s abstract painting Composition No. 212, where form and color are arranged with a deliberate non-referential quality. Just as Vordemberge-Gildewart’s artwork avoids direct allusions to the natural world, Ascion’s mix creates atmospheres that feel untethered from reality, leaving space for the listener to project their own interpretations. The fluid, evolving nature of the mix evokes dreamlike states, where sound and emotion blur together. It’s a mix that doesn’t demand passive listening—it asks for attention, patience, and a willingness to engage deeply with its layers.

In the end, Secret Thirteen Mix 210 is a thoughtfully curated journey that spans eras and genres, while maintaining a cohesive, introspective flow. Pasquale Ascione’s ability to craft complex, multi-dimensional soundscapes comes through clearly here, revealing the broad range of influences that inform his own production. For those willing to dive into its intricacies, this mix is a rewarding exploration of sound, space, and emotion.