EXIT PLANET EARTH x PEN vs SWORD – S1 E8
ralph lawson x EXIT PLANET EARTH S1 E8
Episode 8 of Exit Planet Earth is here! Ralph Lawson releases his EXIT PLANET EARTH radio show back into the spotlight exclusively for readers of Pen vs Sword, offering fans a fresh way to experience these celebrated mixes. Each week, the show is presented in a streamlined format – stripped of dialogue and focused purely on the music.
This approach allows listeners to immerse themselves fully in the futuristic, genre-defying soundscapes Lawson has crafted, making it perfect for uninterrupted listening and rediscovering the cutting-edge grooves and interstellar vibes that made the original series so captivating.
Accompanying the relaunch of Ralph’s EXIT PLANET EARTH music mixes, Pen vs Sword is proud to present new artwork by Promises Project, adding a striking visual dimension to the series. Each weekly mix is accompanied with unique designs, blending futuristic aesthetics with the interstellar themes of the music.
Our Partner in Sound OpenLab.fm is an Ibiza-based radio station known for its innovative programming and commitment to underground and experimental electronic music, providing the perfect platform for Ralph Lawson’s immersive mixes. The show allowed Lawson to further explore the cutting-edge soundscapes that defined the Exit Planet Earth series, offering listeners a journey through breakbeat, techno, electro, and beyond. Welcome to Ralph Lawson and Exit Planet Earth revisited here on Pen vs Sword re-OpenLab.

Table of Contents

Concept and Format of the Show
During the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, the Exit Planet Earth series was conceptualized as a response to the rapidly changing landscape of electronic music and the world in general. With themes of escapism and exploration, the Exit Planet Earth radio show was designed as a continuation of the interstellar, science-fiction-inspired concept Lawson developed for the mix series. Each episode created an auditory escape, a soundtrack for “leaving Earth” and venturing into uncharted sonic territory. With futuristic themes and the idea of exploring distant realms, Lawson crafted each mix as an immersive experience, blending deep and atmospheric cuts with high-energy tracks to guide listeners on a progressive journey.
Each episode of the radio show maintained the seamless, flowing style that characterizes Lawson’s DJing and the original mix series. The show was structured as a continuous mix, allowing him to play a combination of exclusive tracks from his label 20/20 Vision Recordings, unreleased material, and selections from a carefully curated roster of contemporary producers. Lawson’s taste for soulful, groove-heavy tracks was present throughout, but he also experimented with diverse electronic subgenres, making the show a showcase of versatility and innovation.

Musical Direction and Track Selection
The Exit Planet Earth show brought Lawson’s penchant for genre fusion to radio listeners, where he created soundscapes that mixed minimal techno, electro, breakbeat, and ambient elements. Like the mix series, the radio show featured contributions from both established names and emerging talents. Lawson’s track selection leaned toward artists who embodied his forward-thinking approach, emphasizing deep grooves, intricate rhythms, and atmospheric textures.
By featuring a mix of rare tracks, vinyl-only releases, and even some exclusive recordings, Lawson used the show as a way to share underground gems with listeners. He also incorporated some of the latest releases from 20/20 Vision, connecting his label’s output to the broader sound of Exit Planet Earth. This approach highlighted Lawson’s skill as a curator, with each episode offering a mix of familiar and surprising sounds that kept listeners engaged and intrigued.

Thematic and Visual Aesthetic
A key aspect of the Exit Planet Earth show was its thematic consistency and attention to detail, which extended from the music to the visual branding of each episode. Lawson used sci-fi-inspired graphics and futuristic visuals for the show’s promotional materials, reinforcing the feeling of an otherworldly journey through sound. The synergy between the music and the visual aesthetic made the show a cohesive experience, echoing the intergalactic theme of the original mix series.
Promises Project and Partisan Faction have also created a further 30 original and exclusive additional artworks to accompany mixes seven – twelve of the Exit Planet Earth radio shows / mixes.
The show’s format also allowed Lawson to explore themes of escapism, introspection, and exploration in a broader context. These themes resonated with listeners, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the idea of “escaping” to new realms was particularly meaningful. Lawson’s Exit Planet Earth series became a form of audio transport, inviting listeners to imagine and experience something beyond the everyday.

Listen to ralph lawson x EXIT PLANET EARTH S1 E8
Are you ready to Exit Planet Earth? Ralph Lawson’s Exit Planet Earth radio show on OpenLab.fm is an extension of his acclaimed “Exit Planet Earth” mix series, bringing his futuristic, genre-bending vision of electronic music to a wider audience through a regular broadcast. The SoundCloud Player with the next exclusive episode of Exit Planet Earth is coming soon! Check out the Playlist below to get you in the mood…
Playlist
AUX 88 – Voice Modulation (Puzzlebox Records)
Hiltipop – The Pattern (Stilleben Records)
The Hacker – Night Flight (UMF Records)
Sync 24 – Chosen Module (Cultivated Electronics)
Orphus – Cyborg (Hypercolour)
The Exaltics & Henrich Mueller – Time Aperture (Solar One Music)
Reedale Rise – Translucent (Frustrated Funk)
E.R.P – ZRX (Frustrated Funk)
Sansibar – Technology (Darknet)
214 – Growing Old Together (Frustrated Funk)
Versalife – Cyclical Pathway (20/20 Vision)
MOY – Wisdom Track (Ritual Poison)
Pearson Sound – Everything Is Inside Out (Hessle Audio)
Keith Tucker – Detroit Saved Me (It’s a mood) (Seventh Sign)
Impact and Reception
The Exit Planet Earth radio show was well-received by fans and critics alike, particularly those who appreciated Lawson’s dedication to crafting a high-quality, immersive experience. The show resonated with OpenLab.fm’s audience, known for its openness to experimental and underground sounds. Lawson’s ability to create a cohesive, futuristic narrative within each mix was a testament to his skill and experience as a DJ and curator.
The Exit Planet Earth radio show on OpenLab.fm has now added another layer to Ralph Lawson’s legacy as an innovator in electronic music. It’s reinforced his reputation as a tastemaker who could merge influences from various subgenres while maintaining a cohesive, visionary sound. For fans of the original Exit Planet Earth mix series, the radio show offered a new way to engage with Lawson’s music, bringing his exploration of futuristic sounds into a recurring format that allowed for ongoing discovery.
Today, Exit Planet Earth stands as an iconic part of Ralph Lawson’s body of work, influencing listeners and fellow DJs with its blend of deep musical knowledge, curation, and innovative presentation. It remains a prime example of how radio can be used to transcend traditional DJing, offering a space for storytelling and creative expression that resonates with fans around the world.
Ralph Lawson Online
Ralph Lawson on Instagram
20/20 Vision Recordings Online
20/20 Vision Recordings on Instagram

About OpenLab:
Founded in 2013 by electronic music pioneer, composer and DJ Robert Miles and inspired by the creative spirit of Ibiza. OpenLab was conceived specifically to showcase the best in innovative yet accessible music and visual art.
Broadcasting worldwide via www.openlab.fm and on 106.4 FM in Ibiza and Formentera, OpenLab champions the worlds most exciting producers, artists, DJ’s and visual artists, offering their community a glimpse of ‘Tomorrows World.. Today’.
You can listen to their Live Radio broadcasts here https://openlab.fm/radio/on-air or download their App:
IOS: bit.ly/OLappApple
Android: bit.ly/OlAppAndroid
*All Book Images Open a New tab to our Bookshop
**If you buy books linked to our site, we get 10% commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.
Leave a Comment