At the start of 2015 Innervisions released a new EP from Rancido, a relatively unknown producer who, up to that stage, only had a handful of releases to his name. 'The Journey' EP featured 4 beautifully crafted tracks, showcasing Rancido's penchant for longing melodies and soft beats. It's these soft rhythms that demand the most attention; listen closely, tucked away between the grooves you'll notice the gentle pulse of Africa-influenced percussive flair. Taking inspiration not just from the mother continent, the Rotterdam-based producer's first release was a track called 'Salsa Sundae', more evidence that the producer favours interesting rhythms over the more standard house structures. His predilection for loose percussion were always going to attract interest from a certain sect within the industry, and, true to form, he has worked with acts and brands who favours a bit of swing in their music: Black Coffee, Louie Vega, Boddhi Satva and DJ Gregory are just some of the names he has collaborated or worked with. With such a wide ranging interest in different rhythms, and his ability to craft a 10/10 melody, it's easy to see why Rancido would be picked up by one of the most important labels going around. But don't expect this podcast to be a throwback to early African House, his mix is as contemporary as any of our past mixes: Rancido has put together a masterful journey which features as much brood as it does interesting drum patterns....

Interview and tracklist: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-029-rancido/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/rancidomusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rancidomusic/?fref=ts

In 2013 Daniel Bortz released his debut album 'Patchwork Memories', an 11-track selection of deep cuts bleeding with melancholy, black keys and nostalgia. Bortz's laser-precision production skills were in full flight here, and his ability to use very little elements to fill out each track is the work of a serious professional. The album was filled with the sort of low-slung house which could easily double up as a downtempo soundtrack to a lazy Sunday afternoon. Look into his back catalogue you will find that his debut album was no anomaly: his discography is loaded with brooding melodies and infectious rhythms. As you can expect, he follows the same route in the club where Bortz tend to favour the cuts which make you feel as much as dance. Of late, the German has been injecting a darker sound into his DJ sets which might come as a surprise to those who know him for his 'deep house', but Perlon is one of his favourite labels, and that influence is definitely starting to become more relevant in his productions. (This should come as no surprise, the back catalogue of his Pastamusik imprint is loaded with his appreciation for the microhouse/minimal techno label) On the verge of an Australian tour (dates at bottom of article), Bortz has delivered the next Balance Selections podcast. It's safe to say that you are in good hands...

Interview here: http://www.balancemusic.com.au/news/balance-selections-028-daniel-bortz/

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/