Los Angeles-based producer episcool is a pillar of the underground community. For nearly a decade, she’s been setting the scene ablaze with banging trap and bass anthems, killer DJ sets, and putting on new artists and sounds through SUS Collective. 2026 has been a stellar year for episcool with releases like ‘Cream,’ ‘BEEZ’ and ‘Check This’ proving that she continues to get better with time. She’s been responsible for some of my favourite tracks of the year, so I felt it was only right to get her back for another Guest Mix + Interview.
The mix is 45 minutes of heaters from episcool and her exceptionally talented producer homies. The interview touches on her writing process, favourite sound at the moment, what’s on the horizon, and much more. Dive in below.
Tell us about the mix. Where are we headed when we press play?
This mix is full of flips, rap edits, new music from me & my friends, and releases from my label, SUS Collective.
How’s life? What’s new with you?
Life is going pretty great right now! I just got back from St. Louis for Steppa Sound Fest which was a lot of fun. I’m playing at the Avalon in LA this Friday with AHEE. I’m also playing a really cool show in Portland for Halloween weekend that I can’t announce yet. Then I’m going to be releasing my next mixtape this fall with a bunch of new flips and edits I’ve been working on, so I’m really excited to get all of this new music out and play it out at these shows.
The pockets and bounce wave has always been my favorite sound, and it feels like it’s coming back crazier than ever right now. It’s really exciting and inspiring to be a part of.
Are there any specific sounds or styles that have you excited at the moment?
The pockets and bounce wave have always been my favorite sound, and it feels like it’s coming back crazier than ever right now. It’s really exciting and inspiring to be a part of. Everyone always talks about that nostalgic 2014–2016 SoundCloud era, so it’s cool to see people still pushing that sound forward.
What does your writing process usually look like?
I usually start a song with a lead or melody and build out the intro first, then move into the drums and then add the bass. Sometimes I’ll start with the drums, but I usually save the drop for last. Depending on the mood of the track, I’ll also look for an acapella or vocal sample that I can chop up and work into the song.
You’ve been producing for quite some time; have there been any specific “aha” moments along the way that really changed the way that you produce or think about music?
I’m always learning new things that help improve my mixes, which I think is really important. One thing that made a huge difference for me was starting to mix all of my tracks to 0 and EQ each track individually. Once I started figuring out how to get a really clean mixdown, it improved not only my mixes but my overall workflow.
Go outside, take a walk in nature, listen to different types of music or something that inspires you, and just give yourself a change of scenery.
Do you have any tips or tricks for when you get stuck on a track?
Go outside, take a walk in nature, listen to different types of music or something that inspires you, and just give yourself a change of scenery. I get so many ideas while I’m driving and listening to music. Even listening to my own tracks somewhere different, like in headphones instead of on my studio monitors, can completely change how I hear them.
What’s the trick to making music that’s clean and bouncy without it feeling too sparse?
I always say the best trick is to keep it simple and minimal at first. You can always add more later if you need to. When you’re going for that clean, bouncy sound, you want to use the empty space to your advantage.
What’s coming out right now feels so refreshing, and it keeps me inspired even after all these years. It really feels like we’re only scratching the surface of where the sound we’re pushing can go.
Running an independent collective/record label can be very challenging. What keeps you going after all these years with SUS COLLECTIVE?
One thing that keeps me going is that the music just keeps getting better and better. What’s coming out right now feels so refreshing, and it keeps me inspired even after all these years. There are 15-year-old kids in Brazil making insane shit that I couldn’t even imagine making at that age. It really feels like we’re only scratching the surface of where the sound we’re pushing can go.
What do you look for when signing releases for SUS COLLECTIVE?
Normally, I’m looking for something I would actually play out in a live set, or just something unique that inspires me. Honestly, there aren’t really any rules. As long as it slaps, it’s usually a go for me lol.
What are you most proud of in your career?
I think I’m most proud of the community I’ve built through my music and SUS Collective, and being able to create a platform that supports other artists and gives music I believe in a place to live. Seeing people connect with the music we put out and watching artists we’ve supported grow and get the recognition they deserve has been really rewarding. SUS also just celebrated its 10-year anniversary and hit 10K followers, which makes it even more special to look back at how far we’ve come over the past decade.
What’s the last piece of art that really impacted you? What made it special?
Pocket Science Vol. 1 is a new compilation series that is being released through SUS Collective x Aunt Molly Records. It’s a curated compilation featuring some of the best producers from around the world who are still pushing the pocket, bounce, and swing-era sound. We’ve been working hard over the past few months to get this music out and spread the sound within our community, and the reception so far has been amazing.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of the year?
I’m currently planning the SUS 10-year anniversary party in NYC this October, so I’m really excited for that. We might also be announcing a new SUS tape around the same time. I’ll also be releasing my third sample pack, Cool Kit Vol. 3, along with a new mixtape later this year. Lots of cool stuff coming very soon :-)
Any final words?
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me and SUS Collective over the past decade!! I appreciate all of you more than you know. This is only the beginning!
episcool FUXWITHIT Guest Mix Tracklist
episcool – pineapple
2tall – toolie
pop tha trunk – trunk baby
noer the boy – stress test
yojas – rated r
episcool x herzeloyde – beez
julo – spines
gallego – ID
zotti – w0w!!
pryzms x sportmode – phantom
ri wahey – sad face (gallium x buzz junior flip)
1sec – desire flip
stooki sound – let go
1sec – (sticky flip)
velvet – pressure
golden child – ID
episcool – cream
episcool x gehena – smoking thinking (feat. rollie dezel)
latto – brokey (super future remix)
m?stic & know good – lowkey [ep edit]
erbes – dance with me
julo & censored the a – blunt flex
tsuruda – more quarantine edits
julo – senter
copycatt & zane schaffer – ham fist
l*o*j – no friends in the industry flip
episcool x luhv x golden child – ID
kaito. x madonijah – wicked!
k garden – gstp
lowshade – give em all
episcool – ID
episcool x pando! – ID
episcool x aedfx – donjulio
ID – ID
episcool x .net run – check this
episcool x mo vibez – 50:50
episcool x coolwip – ID
