Balance Selections Podcast

Chris Fortier delivered one of the more interesting Balance compilations when he dropped compilation number 7 in the series. It was 3 CDs deep and filled with the sort of moody, tech-filled music which on first listen was bewildering, yet strangely alluring. It featured many artists at the early stage of their careers (Mathew Jonson and Alex Smoke come to mind), and showed that there was more to the progressive house sound which was so prevalent back then: It even received a strong 4.5/5 on Resident Advisor. Indeed, the Fade Recordings owner's keen ear for a great underground track, and his eagerness to do some decent crate digging were on full display. Then again, Chris Fortier is a true professional who have traveled the world playing at the best venues and events. He has tasted success in the club and and in the studio: Fortier’s remix of Delerium's "Silence", was the first and original remix and sold in excess of one million copies worldwide, and he has one full length album to his name, "As Long As The Moment Exists”. In 2005 Chris Fortier compiled his acclaimed Balance compilation - and 11 years later we welcome back the American selector for a very smooth Balance Selections podcast... Interview and tracklist here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-027-chris-fortier/

An artist who has been going from strength to strength over the last year has been Newcastle’s Cristoph. With productions that are always epic-filled tech workouts (with a healthy nod to the past), it’s no surprise that his music is getting rinsed from a wide selection of DJs which include Hot Since 82, Leftwing & Kody and everyone in between. The considerable amount of time spent sharpening his mixing and production skills has definitely started to reap rewards, and DJ bookings have been coming in thick and fast in across the globe. 2016 has already been a massive year for the Geordie with key signings in the form of his immense ‘Genesis’ EP for Adam Beyer’s Truesoul imprint, and ‘Divvina’ with VIVa MUSiC. There really is no doubting Cristoph’s talent and technical skill, and his Balance Selection mix is filled with the sort of moments that will demand repeated plays. Interview + tracklisting: https://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-026-cristoph/ Cristoph FB: facebook.com/CristophMusic Cristoph soundcloud: soundcloud.com/cristophmusic

Nico Stojan calls himself a global citizen, which is a very apt description for this Berlin-native who is known for his residency at the city’s infamous Bar 25. He has a lust and curiosity for life which translates into his music and DJ sets, making it hard for any punter to not engage in his performances or music. He is part of a very unique group of DJs who can be booked for the bigger festivals alongside the smaller outdoor events too, his sound very much suited for any occasion. His recent album ‘Twisted Manners’ showed his diversity with a selection of tracks that was organic and warm sounding, and really showcased his studio prowess. For his Balance Selections podcast Stojan has delivered one of the series’ more deeper excursions to date – and we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate podcast number 25. Interview and tracklist here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-nico-stojan/

For podcast number 24 we bring it down a notch to bring you the slo-mo groove of the underground. 40 Thieves is a San Francisco based dance music collective consisting of Corey Black, Layne Fox and Jay WIlliams (aka Jaswho?) who has been creating their magic since 2005. You might know know their remake of the obscure 70's disco classic by Hot Chocolate, 'Don't Turn It Off (feat. Qzen), which was named #2 in 2009's track of the year by DJHistory.com, and also landed at the top of Beatport's best of the decade in 2010. Their musical output can range from psychedelic disco and blues to proto-house, acid and beyond, but regardless of the genre, a 40 Thieves track is always embedded with enough funk, groove and sex appeal to keep the most stubborn dancefloor moving along. We were lucky enough to secure a rare mix from Layne Fox who, under his new moniker Musik Nonstop, will represent the Thieves' on his debut Mexican tour (and if you're Down Under, don't forget to catch Corey Black on his debut Australian tour later this month). Don’t play too loud: This mix will induce involuntary dancing to anyone within a mile radius of it... Tracklist and interview: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-24-musik-nonstop/

There isn’t much music on the musical spectrum which Englishman Chris Barratt aka Eagles & Butterflies doesn’t draw inspiration from, and it shows in his productions which can range from downtempo to techno. This diversity has lead to the Englishman releasing on some of the world’s most celebrated labels including Get Physical, Innervisions, Noir Music and Southern Fried. Earlier this year he also signed a couple of productions to Bedrock records which included his re-work of DK8’s classic techno banger ‘Murder was the Bass’. There is no doubt that Eagles & Butterflies are starting to confirm that he is an artist with some serious longevity, and his Balance Selections podcast is one that will sit with the listener for while, emotive without ever being too obvious. Strap yourselves in… Interview and tracklist here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/podcast/balance-selections-023-eagles-butterflies/

You could say Chymera is a veteran of the underground electronic music scene; after all, he has been producing and releasing since the early 00’s. Known for pushing a more melodic and introspective sound which always float on top of warm and inviting techno beats, it is no surprise that the Irishman have had productions featured on past Balance compilations (2008’s epic 3 disc effort from SOS, and Funk D’Void’s 2012 release), alongside other mix series’ like Global Underground and Renaissance. The producer have a knack for earworm melodies which have found him favour with some of the more discerning techno labels including Delsin, Ovum, Figure, Outpost, and even Papa Sven’s Cocoon Recordings. A regular on the European circuit, the Berlin-based producer has this year alone featured in clubs like Tresor and Watergate alongside festival appearances. We are very excited to finally release his Balance selections podcast: A 60 minute deep techno excursion which is hypnotic and full of depth... Interview and tracklisting here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/balance-news/balance-selections-022-chymera/

‘Rumour has it that while Clarian was institutionalized at a human testing facility in the North Coast, he began song-writing as an occupational therapy to reconstruct visions of unknown origin.’ When an artist’s bio starts like that you know you are dealing with someone who is not operating on the same frequency as the rest of the pack. And in Clarian North’s case, he is so far left from centre he is pretty much off the chart. The Canadian has been moving and shaking at his own pace over the last 3 years or so, producing the sort of music that is uniquely his own but fresh at the same time. He first came to the attention through his Footprintz moniker (alongside Addy Weitzman) which resulted in multiple singles and one full length release on Visionquest Records. Since then Clarian has gone on to carve out a career as a solo producer with releases on labels like Life and Death, My Favorite Robot, Supplement Facts, Turbo, Natura Sonoris and many more. Last year’s ‘Mission To Bars’ release on Kompakt showcased his flair for aural drama, especially the epic ‘Space Noir’, and we can only imagine what else he will bring to the table in the future. His Balance Selections podcast is a suitably smooth leftfield/chill out/whatever mix which should soundtrack many an after party.... This one is pretty special. Interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-021-clarian/

We are going to Switzerland (by way of Argentina) for our next podcast to welcome techno artist Barem into the Balance Selections family. Best known for his releases on Richie Hawtin’s M_nus label, the producer has really made a name for himself with his warm, stripped back techno and house productions, a style which he feels encapsulates a feeling more so than an actual genre: “Minimal is not really a sound… it’s just a way of making music. It represents good taste, stylish sounds, the underground, after hours… Whatever native roots you have, whatever music you like or liked in the past, it all fits in there and it’s not dying in my opinion. It’s just arrived at the point where we’ve rediscovered how free and amazing the concept and the reasons behind it are.’’ But as with all good artists, career growth and change is essential to the soul, and last year the producer announced his departure from the M_nus crew to pursue new projects. And he did just that with the announcement of FUN Recordings, a new label co-founded by Barem which is already 2 releases deep with tracks from Barem, and fellow Argentinean producer and label co-founder, Alex Cabrera. Having played at some of the biggest global events cites including Detroit Music Festival, Timewarp, Miami, Ibiza and ADE, there really is no doubt that Barem is considered a major player in the global scene – and the Argentinean has delivered a suitably quality mix which should keep listeners coming back for more. Interview and tracklisting here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/barem-balance-selections/

If you ask any house/techno promoter in Australia worth their salt to put together a lineup of the country’s best credible and underground DJ’s, you can bet on it that Melbourne’s Mike Callander will top that list. He is the man for any occasion, be it warming up for an international, taking the event home with a closing set, or even headlining the event, Callander is always technically proficient, never missing a beat. Cutting his teeth as a resident at the world famous, but now defunct, Honkytonks, he now resides at Australia’s most infamous haunt Revolver, alongside regular guest bookings all over Melbourne, Sydney and beyond. But it’s not just Australia where Callander has made a career; he is regularly invited internationally to play at global clubs such Rex Club in Paris and Berlin’s Watergate. (Get Physical’s DJ T personally invited him to play in Berlin for DJ T’s 20 years of DJing anniversary event.) On the production front Mike is known in Australia as an well-respected producer who has had solo releases signed to compilations mixed by David Seaman and Phil K, one full length album under his belt (‘Antarctica’), and he also co-runs and founded the highly esteemed Haul Music label. Recently he released the first remix under his new Zero Percent banner (a project alongside The Presets’ Kim Moyes) for indie act The Jezebels (the remix can also be found on this podcast). And to top it all off he also co-runs the School of Synthesis production school alongside international production veteran and legend, Davide Carbone. We can go on and on as Mike Callander really is that decorated, but in the end it’s all about the music so sit back and press play. We can’t be more excited to have one of Australia’s best (if not the best in our opinion) as our next guest… Interview and tracklist here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/podcast/balance-selections-019-mike-callander/

Back in 2006 one of the more popular Balance editions hit your local music store: Balance 009 mixed by Paolo Mojo. Spread over 2CDs, the release went on to receive critical acclaim and went on to become a fan favorite. In the time after his Balance release, Paolo Mojo has achieved many accolades, including 2 Essential mixes for BBC1, and travelling the world playing at pretty much every popular club the global scene has to offer. He is a former recipient of Pete Tong’s ‘Top Tunes of the Summer’ (twice), and he has been signed to a ‘who’s who’ of electronic music labels: Bedrock, Saved, NRK, Cr2, Toolroom, Renaissance, Great Stuff, Positiva, EQ Recordings, Factomania, Little Mountain, Curfew Nervous, Ego Records… the list REALLY goes on. It has been a decade since the release date of his Balance, so the time seems right to re-visit Paolo Mojo and see where he is at, not only musically, but also physically: “For lots of reasons I decided to take the plunge and move to South America, a part of the world I love and know well. I’m currently located in Bogota although I continue to tour around - particularly the Americas at the moment, but I’ll be heading back to Europe in June to see family and do some gigs. I’m lucky enough to have a residency at one of the best clubs in the world as well, Baum in Bogota, which allows me to stretch my DJ legs 2 to 3 times a month in all sorts of styles. This move was exactly what he needed to inspire him too, and it is looking like we are on the verge of receiving a whole batch of new Paolo Mojo music: “In the last two years I got a bit jaded. Things were the same, and I was doing more and more things in the studio that I wasn’t necessarily in love with. I needed to do something new and get back to what I’m all about. I finally have the space to write the new body of work I’ve been promising to do for the last 3 years, and that’s what I’m busy doing right now. And that is exactly the appeal of Paolo Mojo - never stagnating, always transforming and taking it day by day: “I don’t know where the future will take me, but I’m happy to live in the moment again.” We are very pleased to have Paolo back with a stunning podcast (which may or may not have been inspired by David Bowie), and should keep all the familiar fans happy whilst introducing him to a whole generation of Balance listeners. What a treat. Interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-018-paolo-mojo/

In his home country of Brazil they don't come much bigger than Gabe. Just one look at his social media stats will confirm an artist at the top of his game (160K FB Likes and 92K Soundcloud followers) , and his latest project, Gabe Live, has been a long anticipated shift in his career. Acquiring an enviable booty of hardware -samplers, a collection of keyboard and a small audio laboratory designed specifically for touring- Gabe has upped the ante when it comes to the live arena. In his home country of Brasil, Gabe has played at festivals like Dream Valley, XXXperience, Tribe, and clubs like Field, Warung, D-Edge, and have guested at the likes of Eclipse, Rainbow Serpent and Ageha amongst many more. His renowned Wrecked Machine project saw him experiment with his passion for psy-trance, releasing two albums under that moniker. Receiving support from the upper echelon of tastemakers including Sasha, Solomun, H.O.S.H. and John Digweed, Gabe delivers music that appeals to fans globally. Recently announced as one of the acts at Tomorrowland Brazil in April, Gabe will also be making his way to Australia for a whirlwind tour which includes a slot at the CHI WOW WAH TOWN festival near Melbourne. In the meantime, we have been lucky enough to secure a mix from Gabe for Balance Selections podcast which should ensure his reputation as one of the world's best stay in tact. Interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/gabe/

Known as one of the Netherlands's most technically proficient producers, Secret Cinema is preparing to celebrate his 25th year in the music industry this year. Responsible for classics like 'Sonar System' (as Meng Syndicate), 'Mary Go Wild' and 'Watch me Now' (as Grooveyard), 'Timeless Attitude', 'Gung Ho' and 'Shake Ur Tek-Ass' (as Secret Cinema), Jeroen Verheij is still as relevant in techno as he was in the 90s. As an integral part of the global dance community, he has dominated main stages around the world, as well as all of the other global haunts such as Womb, Pacha, Air and Sankeys. To add to this, his label Gem Records has been garnering more international recognition with every release. Today Secret Cinema is regarded as one of the mainstay's of the scene, and he will be bringing his highly respectable reputation and extensive catalogue to Australia to kick off his worldwide Silver Tour, which will include performances at Rainbow Serpent Festival and Piknic Elektronik. To coincide with his 25 year anniversary, he has released a luxury box entitled SILVER, which includes his entire discography, DVD documentary and all new remixes from the likes of Christian Smith, Heiko Laux and Joris Voorn to name a few. Celebrate one of the scene pioneers with this Balance Selections podcast which ticks all the right boxes... Interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-16-secret-cinema/

Paco Osuna is one of the most renowned artists in the industry with a career spanning over 20 years. Blazing a trail for his fellow Spanish techno artists to become a vital cog oin the Spanish electronic dance music scene, Osuna has been recognised with several of the most important local music awards: Best Artist, Best Techno DJ and Dj of the year (Vicious Music Awards, from 2011 to 2014); Best Producer and Best Remix: Plastikman-Ethnics (DJ Mag Sp 2011). Production-wise Osuna has released techno on some of the global scene’s most legendary labels including Plus 8 and Minus (check the 2014 album release ‘Long Play’ on Minus), and he is also one of the most in-demand remixers going around. We can’t be more excited to have a legend like Paco Osuna on board for our final Balance Selections podcast of 2015. Enjoy! Interview and tracklisting here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/balance-news/balance-selections-015-paco-osuna

Never one to be pigeon-holed, Jay Tripwire is an artist that effortlessly straddles the line between being a crowd-pleaser and an underground favourite. For over 2 decades now the Canadian producer/DJ has entertained and educated global crowds with his ‘signature fusion of deep Detroit textures and intricate rhythms’. He is an always an in-demand remixer with an average of 10-15 remixes per year, and in 2010 the producer was honoured by Future Music by being named alongside Frankie Knuckles, Larry Heard, Charles Webster, Atjazz, and Tom Middleton as being one of the most influential innovators in-house music. On the verge of releasing a new album, we are extremely pleased to have an underground mainstay like Jay Tripwire deliver us a 2 hour Balance Selections journey … Interview and tracklisting: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-014-jay-tripwire/

One of the more ear-catching producers to come out of Spain of late has been the Barcelona-based Dj/producer Miguel Bastida. His sound is one crafted for the underground: Deep, rolling techno that is as moody as it is groove-based. Check out his productions on labels like Sci+Tec, Toolroom, Bedrock, Trapez and Deeperfect to understand why some of the scene’s biggest hitters all approve of Bastida’s heavy dancefloor gems (Paco Osuna, Dubfire, Riche Hawtin and Umek are just some of those on the Bastida-train). He also runs the techno label Be One Records which has silently churned out some of the more interesting techno to date since its inception in 2011. For his Balance Selections podcast the Spaniard has turned in possibly our most driving podcast of the series, a selection of techno and tech-house cuts that is meant for the big rooms, all crafted together in a one-take live recording which showcases his talented CDJ skills with fx and smooth transitions... Interview and tracklist here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-013-miguel-bastida/

Over the last 5 years German Brigante has risen through the underground techno and house fraternity to become a genuine headline booking. The Spaniard (he is only German by name) is known for a impressive back catalogue of tough and moody productions which always display an air of suspense about them. Proof of Brigante's rising popularity was most evident in 2103 with a series of releases leading him into RA’s most charted artists list that year through a very respectable placing at #57 (and support form a host of big name selectors). Recent releases have seen Brigante signed to a who’s who of labels including Get Physical, Saved, Form, 100%Pure, MBF and many more, and of course, many more charting positions from the world’s biggest names. Currently in the studio working on his new album to be released on Get Physical, the talented producer has taken the time to mix our next Balance Selections podcast. And what a ride it is: Deep and engaging, but never losing sight of the dance floor. With tracks from labels like Kompakt, Noir, Visionquest and more, there will be something for everyone here. Tracklisting and interveiw here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/balance-series/balance-selections-012-german-brigante-2/

One of the more enduring house labels over the years have been Tsuba Recordings, a label incubated in the UK and celebrated world-wide. Known for pushing and releasing the more underground side of house, Tsuba has developed into a label that is pretty much played by everyone who loves a good groove, with producers like Detroit Swindle, Spencer Parker, Sebo K, Galcher Lustwerk and more, all boasting a Tsuba guernsey. Just have a listen to ‘Kung Fu Cantona’, arguably the labels biggest track (it did spend 2 months at number 2 on Beatport’s Deep House chart), to get an idea of the what Tsuba is all about - it’s smoky and hypnotic groove is hard to resist. The man behind that track, as well as the Tsuba label, Kevin Griffiths, is also next in line to deliver the next Balance Selections podcast. Over the past 8 years Kevin Griffiths have toured around the globe, and has graced the decks at the world’s most prestigious venues ranging from London’s fabric to Berlin’s Watergate. Now based in Adelaide, Australia, the Tsuba main man is showing no signs of slowing down with his productions and label, announcing projects like the vinyl-only pseudonym Midnight Special, a collaboration with ex-Peace Division main man Justin Drake, and also various Tuba releases (singles, EPs and compilations). Kevin Griffiths is truly a house disciple, and his podcast is a fine representation of all different degrees of house, from deep to tech to acid. It’s time for a session of some proper underground, head-down and hazy house vibes. Tracklisting and interview: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-011-kevin-griffiths-tsuba/

If you walked into any club worth its salt back in 2009, chances were pretty high you would encounter one of the most outrageous tracks to be released that year. Patrice Bäumel’s ‘Roar’ (on Get Physical records) was a perfect slice of techno/house/electronica madness, a track so woundly tied up that you could physically feel the anxiety rise up in your body in anticipation for what was about to happen. That release heralded a new force on the scene and can rightly be considered as Bäumel’s breakout track. Fast forward 6 years later, and the ex-Trouw resident has attained a level of maturity with his sound that few artists reach, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by major players like K7, Systematic, Diynamic, Trouw and Turbo, all of whom has released his music at some point. Part of the Kompakt stable now, Baumel has been spreading his house/techno gospel all around the world, delivering the sort of epic, yet somehow restraint sets, that will make you seek all of his online mixes afterwards. He really has been going about his business in a way that is admirable and non-fussy, describing what he does as ‘techno music for grown-ups’ – a very apt description indeed. One read of his excellent interview below really paints a picture of an artist who just LOVES music, and it really shows in the tracklisting which features a host of obscure, yet excellent selections. And we are pleased to say that his Balance podcast might just go down as a stone cold classic. Interview and tracklisting here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-patrice-baumel/

Australian DJ /producer Uone is the next guest to step up for a Balance Selections podcast. Known for his fun and energetic DJ sets, Uone has become a regular on lineups for some of the more upfront global festivals and events. With a sound that initially drew on elements from all genres of the electronic sphere, he has now found his niche in producing and playing deep, chunky and twisted tech house - and it is with this resolve that he has managed to carve out a name for himself on the international circuit. Raised in Melbourne’s Peninsula Coast, demand for Uone's sets has truly transgressed the borders of Australia with invites to play at Burning Man (Nevada), Fusion (Berlin), Glade (UK), Universo Paraleo (BR), Boom (Portugal), Ozora (HU), Eclipse (AUS), and more recently, the Rainbow Serpent Festival in Australia. He will be returning to Europe and the United States for a string of events over the Northern Hemisphere summer which includes Burning Man in the United States, the Secret Garden Party in the United Kingdom, and the Heinz Label Night in Berlin. Production-wise, Uone has released a steady stream of dance floor weapons which has led to him being signed with Beef Records and Chameleon Recordings, and his array of deep house and techno tracks has found a home on labels like Katermukke, Heinz, Light My Fire and Tonkind Records. As Uone celebrates his 15th year of Dj-ing, he delivers a mix that is filled with audible nostalgia as he opts for orchestral melodies and percussive blends that signal to the old and new. Watch out for tracks and remixes from a diverse group of artists like Tube & Berger, Loco Dice, Maya Jane Coles, and of course Uone himself – all bookended by a special Balance Intro and Outro which Uone has produced exclusively for this podcast. Tracklisting and interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/compilations/balance-selections-009-uone/

Armed with unwavering persistence, the idiosyncratic and self-critical Alex Niggemann has had a remarkable career so far, with the future still as bright as ever. Not many artists can attest to suddenly finding themselves sitting on Resident Advisor's 'Top 20 Charted Artists' after a friend submitted some of their work to labels without their approval. But this is exactly what happened to Alex, leading him to release on various labels from Audiofly’s Supernature imprint to Nick Curly‘s 8bit Records, and even establishing his own label, Soulfooled (followed by his second label, AEON, in 2013). Alex's heavy-duty Materium EP, released on Steve Bug's prolific Poker Flat, dominated the charts last year and sat in RA's Top 50 for weeks after it's initial release. Other notable releases of late include the excellent Earth Symphony EP on Sasha's Last Night on Earth, and also the hypnotic single 'Sorrow' on Watergate Recordings. For Alex's Balance Selections podcast you can look forward to some beautiful tracks from labels like Kompakt, Objektivity and Alex's own Soulfooled label en route to more darker cuts from acts like Rødhad and Barnt. It is very clear that what has been a sprawling journey for Alex to date is far from coming to an end. Tracklisting and interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/alex-niggemann-balance-podcast/

A child of the London acid-house explosion, British-born DJ and producer Dave Angel has been responsible for an astonishing amount of music over the years. Dave's journey, since his first foray in production with his 'Nightmare Remix' of Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams', has been an enviable one. The son of a jazz musician, Angel's roots are in bebop and modern jazz as much as in the Detroit-styled techno he has famously helped to pioneer. His back catalogue is littered with singles, EPs and remixes on some of music’s most esteemed record labels that include Polydor/Love, OuterRythm, Fnac, React Records, Island, R+S and Outrage imprints, and now he finds himself launching a new chapter in his career, releasing tracks on Bedrock and Crosstown Rebels.Responsible for the formation of one of the scene's most important imprints, Rotation Records, not only served as a platform for Dave's own exquisite work but was paramount to the beginnings of many careers: Adam Beyer, Christian Smith, Deetron, Vince Watson, Laidback Luke, The Advent, Jamie Anderson, Bryan Zentz, Steve Rachmad and Misstress Barbara amongst many, all cut their earliest grooves on the label and each helped to define Rotation as both a purveyor for new sounds and new talent. Now, his sights are set on the future, busily crafting a slew of cuts that are set to take this year by storm. And in a very special treat, Dave Angel has mixed the very first Balance Selections podcast for 2015. Tracklisting and interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/dave-angel-podcast/

It’s very rare in today's digital age to find an artist that has built a profile for themselves without the backing of any productions. However, for the last 4 years Atish Mehta has been forging a career for himself through only DJing, and a small gig in San Francisco has turned into a musical journey that his seen him play live across the globe. Anyone that has seen Atish live can attest to his natural enthusiasm for music which is only matched by his ability to entertain a dancefloor. His mixes on soundcloud has seen him amass quite a following and the quality of his monthly podcasts has led to his play counters increase from 2000 to around 20 000 plays in no time. Atish’s natural talent and passion for music haven’t gone unnoticed: Lee Burridge asked Atish to play on the legendary Robot Heart bus sound system at Burning Man in 2011, and Atish has been invited back every year since. He’s also been honored to open for and tag with some of the most respected names in dance music including John Digweed, Danny Howells, Guy Gerber, M.A.N.D.Y., and Tyrant. Currently, Atish is on Listed Bookings’ roster, and he is a resident at Listed’s monthly party, Play, at San Francisco’s world-renowned club, The Endup. He‘s also the resident at the long-running quirky monthly event, Tutu Tuesday.. We are very excited to have Atish mix the latest Balance Selections podcast, and with this mix (as Atish acknowledges) he has shown his appreciation for various shades house: “With this Balance mix, I touched on some pretty sounds, some deep ones, lushness, a touch of techiness, and a proggy-influenced finish with a hint of epicness (but hopefully not cheesiness).” It took Atish 2 months to put this podcast together and you can definitely hear his attentive approach towards track selection, and how each track compliments the next. (“Sometimes I’ll spend up to 45 minutes just on a single transition…”). It’s this attention to the finer attributes of the mix that has made Atish a regular visitor to clubs around the world…. Atish soundcloud: soundcloud.com/atish Atish Facebook: facebook.com/atishmusic Tracklisting here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-005-atish/

As the founding member of Infusion, Jamie Stevens has quite the pedigree. In the early to late 2000's he traveled with the band all around the globe playing the world’s most prestigious clubs and festivals (and we are talking Glastonbury, Coachella and Roskilde among many others) which has given him the opportunity to hone his live performance skills and learn the intricate art of dancefloor mechanics - traits which he meticulously apply to his DJ sets which can range from driving peak time tek to stoned-out warm up slots (check his recent warm up set for Danny Howells in Melbourne). On the production tip Jamie has really propelled himself forward with a characteristic cinematic, percussive and bass-heavy sound that has seen his tracks find a home on labels like Bedrock, Dieb Audio, Chameleon and microCastle (if you’ve not heard Jamie’s recent microCastle track ‘The Wonder of You’ yet, do yourself a favour and listen to it now. Just don’t blame us when you melt away after hearing it). His instantly recognizable remixes created for the likes of Hernan Cattaneo, Booka Shade, D.Ramirez, Cid Inc and Antix amongst a host of others have been no stranger to praise and support from the biggest names in the industry: Sasha, Laurent Garnier, D-Nox, Adam Beyer, Danny Howells and Secret Cinema. We can’t be more excited to have Jamie on board for a Balance Selections podcast and man, did he deliver. One look at the tracklisting below will tell you that he has bought himself the biggest musical spade he could find for some proper crate digging. As Jamie puts it: “I just chose tracks that told a story all together rather than just new tunes or one particular feel: electronica, 50s computer music, berlin techno, Krautrock, progginess... Haha!” That might sound like hyperbole but he is spot on with that description as there is no specific sound happening here (that said, there is an underlying theme connecting all of the tracks). Rather, what you will find here is a collection of interesting tracks that is far more than the sum of its parts - and isn't that the hallmark of all great mixes? Enough already. Familiarise yourself with Jamie though the Q+A below, then switch of the lights, power down your phone, put on the headphones and press play. As the famous line by British actor Geoffrey Sumner goes: "This is a journey into sound!" Tracklisting and interview here: www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selection-004-jamie-stevens/

For the next edition of Balance Selections we head down to Spain for some techno action from Marc Dosem aka Dosem. For over 5 years now Dosem has been dropping big room techno bombs on labels such as Sino, Carl Cox's Intec Recordings, Tronic, Break New Soil, Chameleon and more. To be fair, simply stating that Dosem produces big room techno is doing the producer bit of an injustice - he applies a futuristic “Soul Techno & Hi-Tech Funk” approach to his productions which definitely gives his productions a unique sheen that he can call his own. Releases such as his Bedrock single ‘Trust’ and his Tronic EP ‘From The Edge’ demonstrate this characteristic further and have garnered him wide support across the electronic spectrum from DJs such as Sasha, Carl Cox, John Digweed, Joris Voorn and Laurent Garnier. Tracklisting and interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-003-dosem/

The winner of the inaugural Balance Community Series is Joe Miller from Adelaide in South-Australia. Looking at his tracklisting might make you exhausted as it features a whopping 40 tracks that takes in a lot of different artists and styles. He has created something that is akin to a piece of musical art, and you can hear the thought, effort and time that he has put into this mix to get it right. These type of mixes are usually hard to gel together without sounding like there is no narrative to the mix; Joe happily achieves both as this mix is cohesive and engaging. "It’s more of an audio collage than a sequential mix, with many of the tracks edited beyond recognition and cheekily poppng up long after their rightful place" Joe explains. "I’ve taken a lot of time and pleasure in hiding secret treasures along the way for the most anorak-donning of trainspotters, including additional synth lines and thorough reworkings of existing chord-structures (listen out for Caribou’s “Irene” as it glides over “Vehemence of Silence”, “Kodomatchi”, and “Deer and Fox”, while the tiniest hints of “Over” and “Blume der Nacht” cut in an out like the needle of an old grandmother’s sewing machine). The attention to detail in this mix really shines through, and trying to figure out where tracks begin and end is fruitless exercise - just sit back, turn off the lights and enjoy the journey. With Joe taking his first tentative steps into the production world, its only a matter of time before his skills will see him travel outside of Adelaide and Australia. Regardless of profile, this might just be one of the best mixes that we've heard all year. Period. Tracklisting and interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/features/balance-community-001-joe-miller/

Not many artists can say that they have done official mix compilations for the likes of Yoshitoshi, Bedrock and Balance... Luke Fair please stand up. Luke Fair is a name that's been on the scene for over 10 years now plying his trade all over the world, and he first came to our attention with the massive 2002 Kritical/Let U Know 12" on Black Recordings (Let U Know was famously featured on the Satoshi Tomiie Nubreed compilation). Luke went on to establish himself as one of the world's premier selectors to call upon for warming up dancefloors, and he was even asked to be the official warm-up DJ for Sasha on his North American Involver tour. Since then Luke has become an headliner in his own right, playing a deep, almost Balaeric-sounding variant of house that will get the most rigid of bodies grooving. Back in 2007 Luke Fair delivered one of the more housier outings with his Balance 011 effort, and he continues that exploration of house in the second of our Balance Selections series. Tracklisting and interview with Luke Fair here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/home-page-feature/balance-selections-002-luke-fair/

We are proud to present you with the very first edition of the Balance Selections podcast series with which we'll aim to bring you some of the very best in up and coming, established and outright interesting artists working in the scene today. For the first edition of Balance Selections podcast we head to the Netherlands to feature one of the most promising underground producers to emerge from Europe: Navar. When we recently spoke to Guy J (http://www.balancemusic.com.au/features/guy-j-interview-balance-presents/) -who remixed Navar's 'Phases of Grief' track for his Balance Presents- we asked him who he would select to do a Balance Selections podcast: "I would choose Navar as i find his productions have its very own style and something unique to it. He can do dancefloor friendly tracks or deeper tracks and it will always have his sound on it. He is very talented producer and I have plans for him on my Lost & Found label." Coming from one of the scene's most loved producers that is indeed a glowing endorsement - and we have to say that we agree with him. Navar's production style can fluctuate between grooves that pack a heavy punch ('Verbeeldingskracht') to more restrained and deeper melodic sounds ('Atemzüge'), and for his podcast Navar has delivered a deep and techy workout that sits somewhere in between those tracks. This podcast definitely showcases that there is more to Navar's musical range than what you might think.... Tracklisting can be found here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/features/balance-selections-001-navar/

In 2006, when the borders of progressive house were starting to blur and music started melting into the digital sphere, Balance 010 arrived with almost monastic ambition. A three-disc journey mixed by Jimmy Van M, the release cut against the pace of its moment: patient, structured, emotionally articulate, and stubbornly uninterested in chasing trends. It didn’t shout for attention. It didn’t try to out-shine the giants of the series. Instead, it built something more durable, a slow-burn statement that critics recognised as one of the era’s most meticulous experiments in long-form storytelling. CD1: Downtempo Mix 01. E. Shibabaw & Bill Laswell – Ethiopia 02. Bill Laswell – Babylon Ghost 03. Future Sound Of London – Study Of Six Guitars 04. Laika – Coming Down Glass 05. Coldcut – Autumn Leaves 06. Union Jack – Water Drums 07. Casino Versus Japan – Slo Bid Bellwave 08. Nathan Fake – Falmer 09. Boards Of Canada – Dayvan Cowboy 10. Anoushka Shankar – Beloved (Thievery Corporation Remix) 11. Wax Poetic Feat. Norah Jones – Angels (Thievery Corporation Remix) 12. Autechre – Nine 13. Boards Of Canada – Everything You Do Is A Balloon 14. Brian Eno & J. Peter Schwalm – Rising Dust 15. Depeche Mode – Halo (Goldfrapp Remix) 16. The Egg – Walking Away 17. Bonobo – Everything You Do Read full feature: https://balancemusic.com.au/the-buried-brilliance-of-balance-10 Follow us: IG: https://www.instagram.com/balance_series FB: facebook.com/balanceseriesmusic

EQ Recordings have done it once again. This time by releasing their brand new album from the Balance series: Balance 003 - Mixed and compiled by Bill Hamel. After the previous two highly successful Balance compilations mixed by Sean Quinn and Kasey Taylor you can only expect the highest of quality from this one. Bill starts this CD off with the massive track 'Darko' remixed by Blackwatch. This is a very impressive dark track and is a perfect way to kickstart this mix before slowly but skillfully blending in the next killer track, which is Lula's - 'The DJ The Music & Me' (vocal remix) by Peace Division. The CD is definitely a work of art by Mr Hamel and his track selection and mixing is absolutely superb. The highlight of the Disc 1 has to be the massively popular 'Gorecki' track fitting in the best of ways. Disc 2 starts by dropping the huge Evolution mix of 'Close'. It's soothing sounds and effects of pure progressive pleasure is a great way to build the mood for this CD. Track 2, Tilt's 'Headstrong' (Maria Naylers volcal remix) is then masterfully mixed into the first track.Towards the end of CD2 Bill drops in the magic track 'Need' which has been masterfully remixed by Satoshi Tomiie, this gem is guaranteed to get your heart pumping. Following this masterpiece by Satoshi, Bill spins us the tune 'Gentle Rain', which gives you the feeling your standing in a gentle shower of raindrops - the perfect end to an impressive album. Tom Pandzic's EQ Recordings sure has come a long way, producing some of the best albums available for purchase, and this gem is no different. Have a listen, but I definitely recommend you purchase your a copy. Disc: 001 01. Darko - Phased [Blackwatch Spanish Harlem Dub] 02. Lula - The DJ,The Music,and Me [Peace Division Freaky Vocal mix] 03. UDG - Give Me Fierce 04. Way Out West - Mindcircus [Tarrentella & Redanka dub] 05. Joeski - Groundfloor ep [Tribalfusion] 06. Hipp-E presents - Primary Function 07. Chris Lum - Big Tool 08. Paco Bugg & D'Amatoria presents Circus Night - Amazonia [Chus & Cellabos Iberican mix] 09. Swain and Snell - Mean What You Say 10. Guy Gerber & Saha Z - Kenny's Back 11. Lamb - Gorecki [Hamel's Bootleg mix] 12. Barraka - Song To The Siren [Filterheadz Undercurrent vocal mix] Disc: 002 01. Hamel - Close [Evolution mix] 02. Tilt - Headstrong [Relentless Vocal mix] 03. Quivver - Boz Boz 04. Mike G - Bellslut 0 05. Gardner & Thomas - Control 06. Powerplant ft Machineries Of Heaven - With Or With Out You [Blackwatch Orient Point mix] 07. Little Green Men - Need [Satoshi Tomiie rmx] 08. Blackwatch & Greed - Gentle Rain 09. Simon Noble presents Redback - Closing In

EQ Recordings have done it once again. This time by releasing their brand new album from the Balance series: Balance 003 - Mixed and compiled by Bill Hamel. After the previous two highly successful Balance compilations mixed by Sean Quinn and Kasey Taylor you can only expect the highest of quality from this one. Bill starts this CD off with the massive track 'Darko' remixed by Blackwatch. This is a very impressive dark track and is a perfect way to kickstart this mix before slowly but skillfully blending in the next killer track, which is Lula's - 'The DJ The Music & Me' (vocal remix) by Peace Division. The CD is definitely a work of art by Mr Hamel and his track selection and mixing is absolutely superb. The highlight of the Disc 1 has to be the massively popular 'Gorecki' track fitting in the best of ways. Disc 2 starts by dropping the huge Evolution mix of 'Close'. It's soothing sounds and effects of pure progressive pleasure is a great way to build the mood for this CD. Track 2, Tilt's 'Headstrong' (Maria Naylers volcal remix) is then masterfully mixed into the first track.Towards the end of CD2 Bill drops in the magic track 'Need' which has been masterfully remixed by Satoshi Tomiie, this gem is guaranteed to get your heart pumping. Following this masterpiece by Satoshi, Bill spins us the tune 'Gentle Rain', which gives you the feeling your standing in a gentle shower of raindrops - the perfect end to an impressive album. Tom Pandzic's EQ Recordings sure has come a long way, producing some of the best albums available for purchase, and this gem is no different. Have a listen, but I definitely recommend you purchase your a copy. Disc: 001 01. Darko - Phased [Blackwatch Spanish Harlem Dub] 02. Lula - The DJ,The Music,and Me [Peace Division Freaky Vocal mix] 03. UDG - Give Me Fierce 04. Way Out West - Mindcircus [Tarrentella & Redanka dub] 05. Joeski - Groundfloor ep [Tribalfusion] 06. Hipp-E presents - Primary Function 07. Chris Lum - Big Tool 08. Paco Bugg & D'Amatoria presents Circus Night - Amazonia [Chus & Cellabos Iberican mix] 09. Swain and Snell - Mean What You Say 10. Guy Garber & Saha Z - Kenny's Back 11. Lamb - Gorecki [Hamel's Bootleg mix] 12. Barraka - Song To The Siren [Filterheadz Undercurrent vocal mix] Disc: 002 01. Hamel - Close [Evolution mix] 02. Tilt - Headstrong [Relentless Vocal mix] 03. Quivver - Boz Boz 04. Mike G - Bellslut 0 05. Gardner & Thomas - Control 06. Powerplant ft Machineries Of Heaven - With Or With Out You [Blackwatch Orient Point mix] 07. Little Green Men - Need [Satoshi Tomiie rmx] 08. Blackwatch & Greed - Gentle Rain 09. Simon Noble presents Redback - Closing In