“It’s this intersection between the machine and the human being,” says Casper Mejlholm, co-founder of Mechatronica, on the atmosphere and ethos behind the label. “It’s...
Features
With its grimy cyberpunk aesthetic, Berlin label Mechatronica's innovative electro releases have found fans in the likes of DJ Stingray 313 and Helena Hauff. Alongside a mix from its catalogue, co-founder Casper Mejlholm tells Ben Murphy how experimentation and rule-breaking are at the heart of its success
Soaring ascents, the kind that can take an artist from obscurity to stardom in what seems to be the blink of an eye, don’t occur often, in dance music or elsewhere – those who are lucky enough to have that experience often disappear just as quickly. But there’s little chance of a quick fade for South Africa’s Palesa Desiree Shilabje, the DJ and producer known to the world as DESIREE, who in just a few short years has proved to be one of the international festival circuit’s most exciting new stars. Here, Bruce Tantum hears her story, and about how her evolution through music has been as organic as they come
In early 2009, Eamon Harkin and Justin Carter launched Mister Saturday Night. The party formed the roots of what would eventually become the beloved nightspot Nowadays, a “by us, for us” club that’s become a community hub for NYC’s nightlifers. Following the release of a sprawling box-set to mark the party’s 15th anniversary, and alongside a mix recorded live from the club, Harkin, Carter and a few of the compilation’s featured artists fill us in on what makes Mister Saturday Night so special
In this series, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their collections. This week, NEXCYIA spotlights adventurous ambient music filled with “exceptional sound design and captivating textures”
Acid duo Paranoid London new album boasts a beefier sound than ever, and a host of new collaborators. Here, Joe Roberts meets them and learns how a chance meeting, faster tempos and the politics of the moment have shaped their new approach
Dominican-American DJ, producer and multi-instrumentalist Toribio records a freewheeling mix of jazzy house, soulful edits and percussive heaters from New York’s Public Records for the Fresh Kicks series, and speaks to Nisa Khan about illuminating Latin music’s legacy, and channelling his church upbringing's communal energy in his sets
Utrecht's CARISTA is on a quest to bring club crowds together with her irresistible, energising DJ sets. Ria Hylton meets her to find out how her United Identities label is elevating new talent in the Netherlands, and how she’s branching into new areas of music.
The latest and greatest DJs and producers rising to the top this month. From quaking dubstep and tripped-out rap, to healing house, R&B and beyond, here’s February 2024’s list of upcoming talent you should be keeping track of
In this series, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their collections. This week, They Hate Change spotlight deep Florida breaks and bass, Gulf Coast gold, jam bands, indie, dub and more
Founded by Bristol DJ/producer Yushh in 2019, Pressure Dome’s focus on emerging talent and varied compilations has made it a key force in pushing UK club music to new heights. Here, alongside a mix from its catalogue, Oli Warwick learns more
Released on 30th January 1989, New Order’s fifth album is a sun-flushed pinnacle of dance rock, directly inspired by the hedonistic energy of Ibiza’s burgeoning club scene of the time. 35 years on, with the help of the album’s engineer Michael Johnson, Ben Cardew reflects on its legacy, and its influence on the acid house era
In this series, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their collections. This week, Nene H spotlights percussive genre fusions, Anatolian progressive trance, full-throttle techno, and cuts at the intersection of “body music and mind music”
Youngsta is one of dubstep’s foundational figures, an integral force in shaping the genre from its earliest days at iconic club night FWD>>. A specialist through and through, he’s stayed true to the sound throughout its evolution, pushing the original minimalist style that’s now seeing a resurgence in interest. Delivering an On Cue mix of stripped-back dubstep ammunition, he also speaks to Rob McCallum about how the sound came to be, the vital impact of his sister, Sarah, overcoming addiction, and his hopes for the future
Released on 24th January 1994, Underworld’s third album (and first with DJ Darren Emerson) blended outlandish art-rock ideas with singular takes on house, techno and ambient music. Here, Ben Murphy reflects on its genre-fusing legacy
In this excerpt from the first chapter of her book, Welcome To the Club: The Life and Lessons of a Black Woman DJ, out now, DJ Paulette reflects on her singular style, championing queer culture as a TV presenter in the early ‘90s, and becoming a full-time DJ
Horse Meat Disco held their first party at what would become known as The Eagle pub in Vauxhall, London on New Year’s Day 2004. As their weekly Sunday night queer party grew, so did their international reputation, and they haven't stopped since. Here, Andy Thomas charts the soaraway success of the disco house collective over the last two decades
In this series, we invite DJs, producers and label heads to dig into their digital crates and share the contents of their collections. This week, Giulia Tess spotlights 10 club bangers tailor-made for dancefloor euphoria
Released on 1st January 1994, Robert Hood’s ‘Minimal Nation’ saw the pioneering Detroit producer distil techno’s futuristic intent, creating a stripped back, raw and percussive record that became a defining work of the minimal techno sound. 30 years later, and with minimal more prominent than ever, Ben Cardew speaks to Hood about the album’s enduring influence
Sydney’s Mincy records a high-voltage mix of garage, techno, breaks and footwork for the Fresh Kicks series, and chats to Niamh O'Connor about her make-it-up-as-you-go-along approach to production
Dance music and video game soundtracks have had a symbiotic relationship since the '90s, with many electronic artists today still citing the influence of music they first heard on consoles.. With two classic soundtracks just reissued by dance labels, Selim Bulut looks at how club tracks first made their way into games — and how these worlds are more interwoven than ever before