Electronic producer/DJ Ok Sure is a prominent name in Melbourne's music scene, renowned for her dark, moody, and melodic sound that has made her a fixture at festivals like Rainbow Serpent and Let Them Eat Cake. Sheâs a regular on Australian radio and hosts a show on Reform Radio in the UK, which was nominated for a Mixcloud Online Radio Award. Her extensive discography spans nearly 15 years, featuring collaborations with artists such as Deadmau5, Sophie Lowe, Charles Oliver, and Lupa J. However...
Sep 06, 2024â˘1 hr 59 min
Katrin Souza's journey is a remarkable example of turning adversity into creativity. Despite growing up in an orphanage and lacking formal musical education, Katrin Souza overcame significant obstacles to pursue her dreams. After discovering the joys of electronic music, she dedicated her nights to studying music production while balancing a full-time job and raising two young children as a single parent. Her first demos received support from Paul Oakenfold and Roger Shah. This was an unexpected...
Aug 23, 2024â˘1 hr 59 min
In Melbourne the names of Jacob Malmo and Tom Evans are well known as solo artists. Together, they have carved a niche for themselves as The Journey, a name synonymous with sturdy progressive. It's a sound that's been forged with their combined 20 years plus of dance music experience - and one thatâs gaining traction internationally. Alongside multiple European tours, they have graced stages at iconic festivals like Rainbow Serpent, Pitch Music & Arts, Subsonic, and Strawberry Fields. Labels...
Aug 16, 2024â˘1 hr 45 min
We head to Western Europe to spotlight Rokazer, a French producer and DJ who has been quietly crafting main room dance floor music for well over half a decade. Itâs synchronous how the word "rock" is embedded in his Rokazer alias: he has a knack for creating rocking propulsive progressive aimed at making people dance. And mentioning main room masters like Eric Prydz and Deadmau5 as creative inspirations make his knack for driving basslines, sparkling percussion, and immersive melodic breakdowns ...
Aug 09, 2024â˘1 hr 1 min
In 2011, Lithuanian producers Donatello, Arnas D and Kastis Torrau entered a competition to remix Sashaâs âCut Me Down.â Their entry won and was released on Last Night On Earth. Currently, a YouTube upload of their wistful remix has amassed 17 million plays and 3,991 comments singing its praise. Thatâs impressive numbers for any dance music genre. Since then, with a string of releases on notable labels like Get Physical and Renaissance, Donatello has become one of his countryâs most prolific pro...
Aug 02, 2024â˘1 hr 3 min
Recently, we released a highly accomplished 4-track EP featuring Kamilo Sanclemente in collaboration with fellow Colombian producers. One of these collaborators is producer/DJ Juan Pablo Torrez, a well-known name in his native Colombia. He is a radio host, producer, and label owner (Clubsonica, which was named "Best Record Label" in 2023 at the Colombian Dance Awards), and with over a decadeâs worth of production experience, his hard work is starting to pay off globally. In 2021, his track âLeda...
Jul 26, 2024â˘1 hr 21 min
Anyone with a passing interest in early and mid-2000s progressive breaks will know the name Fretwell. The Sheffield producer's lush take on the sound was signed to renowned labels including Global Underground, Bedrock, and Electrofly, the breaks offshoot of Baroque Records. Most notably, he contributed the exquisite "Faceless" to Anthony Pappaâs Balance 006. Nowadays, he occasionally returns to production, with recent works including remixes for Pole Folderâs Reworck imprint and Aussie label Zer...
Jul 19, 2024â˘1 hr 21 min
Sistersweet is a DJ/producer from Moscow, Russia, and a resident of the local Digital Emotions crew. She is an active member of her community, spreading the progressive sound through her LUCHiSVETA radio show on www.megapolisnight.ru and support slots for DJs such as Kasper Koman and DJ Ruby. Production-wise, she is slowly building a portfolio with releases on labels like Balkan Connection, SkyTop, and AH-Digital, and upcoming signings for The Soundgarden and Higher States. A Sistersweet mix ski...
Jul 12, 2024â˘58 min
Noel Sanger is a Florida native with a career spanning nearly three decades in progressive house and trance. Starting on classic imprints like Limbo and Release Recordings, he went on to work with artists like Erasure, Nadia Ali, John Taylor of Duran Duran, and Markus Schulz. Today, he runs Dissident Records, a label boasting tracks from artists like Kamilo Sanclemente, Jamie Stevens, Gai Barone, and more. On this Balance Selections mix, the veteran shows his pedigree with a tight mix of contemp...
Jul 05, 2024â˘1 hr 22 min
đ¨ To commemorate 20 years of Balance 006, Anthony Pappa compiled a special 2 hour mix, a 2024 rendition if you like of his revered Balance entry: one hour of lush prog breaks and one hour of hypnotic 4/4. đ¨ ================================================ Few DJs capture the imagination of prog punters like Australiaâs Anthony Pappa. Known for his technical proficiency and ability to mix tracks with surgical precision, he is a generational talent who rightfully became a pivotal scene figure. W...
Jul 04, 2024â˘1 hr 59 min
Hailing from a lineage of creatives, RocĂo Portillo is part of a new generation of South American producers making serious waves. Staunchly Argentinean, the influence of Hernan Cattaneo were always going to loom large on her musical development. And so it happened that she attended one of his Moonpark events which would seal her fate: "It was then that I fell deeply in love with electronic music." That love has led to total immersion. Today, she is one of the country's rising talents, with relea...
Jun 28, 2024â˘1 hr 45 min
Itâs not surprising to hear Richie Blacker share his appreciation for fellow Irishmen and old-school revivalists Bicep. Just as they draw from scene originators like Orbital, Richie imbues his productions with the spirit of mid-90s open-field raves and Ibiza-flavored piano house. This sound resonates with notable DJs like Sasha and Skream, who have both signed him to their labels, Last Night On Earth and Of Unsound Mind. With his Mess Express label and regular radio plays on Radio 1 and other st...
Jun 24, 2024â˘2 hr 12 min
Itâs been four years since Swedenâs EMPHI announced himself with a release on Yottoâs Odd One Out imprint. Since then, he has filled his portfolio with a list of releases that read like a whoâs who of progressive labels and artists. What makes it even more impressive is that he hails from a city where that sound is borderline non-existent: âYou often don't get booked for progressive sound here as the genre has no real scene in Stockholm.â But fortunately, the global community listened and embrac...
Jun 01, 2024â˘1 hr 27 min
Burning Man, Lightning in a Bottle, Rainbow Serpent, Berlinâs Sisyphos, and LAâs Pattern Barâthese global festivals and clubs have all hosted AmhĂĄin in their DJ booths at some stage. And for good reason: the high-flying Irishman delivers a sound thatâs sleek and classy without ever being too esoteric. Check out his recent Balance Music release, the Hallen EP. A collaboration with EMPHI, itâs a double dose of progressive gold thatâs elegant and engaging - all adjectives you can ascribe to this Ba...
May 24, 2024â˘1 hr 33 min
The name Steven Weston is gaining more prominence, which is well overdue given his impressive career in music. His CV includes an engineering background working with artists ranging from drum and bass act Rudimental to reggae artist Chronixx, while heâs toured the world playing keyboards for the likes of Ladyhawke, Charli XCX, and Mikky Ekko. Weston also counts James Lavelle as a fan, having regularly collaborated with the veteran for 10 years now. But his passion lies in deep, progressive music...
May 17, 2024â˘1 hr 4 min
Nowadays, finding a good full-length album is challenging, which is a real shame. For decades, the LP was a beacon of artistic intention, but streaming platforms like Spotify have reshaped the way music listeners engage with music. To hold attention, it needs to stand out. It needs dynamics. Thankfully, 'Nostalgia,' the new Alex O'Rion full-length, does just that. We had an illuminating conversation with the producer about what makes this album such an essential listen. To celebrate the release,...
May 10, 2024â˘1 hr 52 min
Pockets of electronic music characterized by deep, blissful breakbeats, are once again permeating the scene. Dabbling in this new wave is British DJ and producer Braxton. After joining Anjunadeep in 2019, he quickly gained recognition for a sound that blends blissful atmospheres with warm house and fractured beats. Check his latest Bedrock release alongside Steve Weston: 'Lanes' features bold drums, soaring melodies, and an epic scale that evoke the glory days of prog breaks. Here, Braxton conti...
May 10, 2024â˘1 hr 2 min
UK-based artist and DJ Four Candles, whose real name is Kris Brown, is recognized for his innovative approach to dance music that avoids fleeting trends. After working with industry legend Nick Muir, his artistic break came on Bedrock Records. Follow up productions found their way onto some of the most respected imprints, from Selador to Afterglow and Tenampa. His recent Balance release, âOn the Fence' (featured below in Q+A), is one of the standout moments on the recent Balance presents Dave Se...
May 03, 2024â˘1 hr 27 min
Considering his more than 30 years of experience in electronic music, itâs safe to say that Pablo De Mattei AKA PAUL (AR), knows a thing or two about dance music. It's evident in his bookings: From Lollapalooza to Creamfields to Moonpark, there arenât many Argentinean music festivals that havenât featured Paul (AR) on their stages. He defines his style as a mixture of Progressive and Tech House, a style that has taken him across the globe from Spain to Peru. Labels from Sudbeat to Perfecto has f...
Apr 29, 2024â˘1 hr 30 min
The old adage "they don't make them like they used to" might seem trite; however, it certainly applies to Belgian producer Pole Folder. During the 2000s, his knack for delivering epic and soaring productions that immersed you into a world of narrative was unparalleled. Listen to the amazing "Apollo Vibes" (alongside CP); it is intricate yet feels huge, unfolding its themes with the confidence of a master magician. All that craft ensured his music being featured on prominent US TV shows (Nip/Tuck...
Apr 19, 2024â˘2 hr 16 min
A Just Her set blends electronica, house, and deep techno, imbued with an emotional touch designed to capture both the feet and heart of her audience. This skill was honed through a journey from buying vinyl with paper route earnings to becoming a distinguished DJ, producer, songwriter, and label owner (Constant Circles). It's an aspring story, one that's led Just Her to a notable discography on labels including Anjunadeep, Crosstown Rebels, Global Underground and, lest we forget, Balance Music....
Apr 12, 2024â˘1 hr 31 min
From the opening track of this mix, you know you're in for a ride. âDance Danceâ is an edit of an old Bollywood classic SAQIB made with Haider Uppal. Its the lush groove sets the tone for a 90-minute dance of deep-fried disco that flirts with main room prog in the most analogue way. Hailing from Pakistan, the now Brooklyn-based DJ is an ardent student of music, an arc that includes playing heavy metal bands in Lahore on the way to studying electronic music production in New York (Rutgers Univers...
Apr 05, 2024â˘1 hr 29 min
Around the turn of the millennium, Danny Bonnici, as part of Nubreed, was at the forefront of an emerging sound known as progressive breaksâa golden era in electronic music. Celebrating that, he has curated a 2-hour mix featuring tracks from Luke Chable, Nubreed, Sasha, Andy Page, and more. Click link above for tracklist and our Top 5 Essential Progressive Breaks interview with Danny. @dannybonnici
Apr 03, 2024â˘1 hr 50 min
Hailing from Hungary, Peter Makto has been involved with dance music for over twenty years. His self-described rebellious spirit deeply resonates with the creative freedom that electronic music offers. It serves as a conduit for his self-expression, and as hinted in his Balance Q+A, itâs an approach he ties to a deeply spiritual foundation: âI believe in fate and in the laws of the universe always prevailing.â This is the energy he injects into Truesounds Music and Zenebona Records, two record l...
Mar 29, 2024â˘1 hr 35 min
Elliot Moriarty has been enamored with dance music from a very young age, gradually transitioning from DJing at local parties to global events like ADE. Undoubtedly, much of his rise can be attributed to his breezy productions on labels like The Soundgarden. Consider the 2023 release "By My Sideâ (Songuara), which reached number 1 on the Beatport Organic House chart. It's a light and effervescent tune, brimming with optimism. That energy is also bristling in âBalanceâ, a track he produced exclus...
Mar 15, 2024â˘1 hr 20 min
From his base in Berlin, Soul Button has made a notable impact on the global scene. As the mastermind behind labels like Steyoyoke, Steyoyoke Black, and Inner Symphony, he is on the forefront of delivering high-end and thoughtful dance music. Adding an emotive quality to his work he calls Ethereal Techno, his production skills are well-regarded too. Moreover, when you take into account his online presence, which ranges from Steyoyoke TV to his Steyoyoke podcast, both mediums showing the best con...
Mar 01, 2024â˘1 hr 2 min
In 1998 the first of a highly renowned series of colour-coded vinyl singles appeared in record stores: Orange. Green. Blue. A new production duo were born, Circulation, and they delivered a sound uniquely theirs. Check the past releases on labels from Hooj Choons to End Recordings; an amalgamation of deep tech and moody hypnotic house, itâs a sound that doesn't fit into any neat categorisation. They continued their chromatically named ways until 2005 when the duo parted. Now, Paul Davis fly the ...
Feb 23, 2024â˘1 hr 32 min
For more info: balancemusic.com.au @hyunji-a Hyunji-A, or Hyunji Lee, is a Korean-Canadian music producer, DJ, and actress based in Montreal. Classically trained on the piano since the age of 4, she has developed an innate desire and passion for creating music. She gravitates towards crafting emotional and cinematic journeys aimed at evoking a profound experience and personal reflection. Since her first release in 2020, sheâs been featured on labels such as Mango Alley, onedotsixtwo, Tales of Ro...
Feb 02, 2024â˘1 hr 1 min
For more info: balancemusic.com.au @DifferentRay Different Ray, an enigmatic artist with a mission to spread joy and euphoria through his music, made his debut in early 2018 and quickly ascended to prominence within the Deep House genre. In just a few short years, Different Ray released on some of the world's most renowned labels such as Hoomidaas, The Soundgarden, Art Vibes Music, Nie Wieder Schlafen, Dream Culture, Everything Will Be Ok, Loot Recordings, Mirrors and Sound Avenue and a lot more...
Jan 19, 2024â˘1 hr 6 min
For more info: https://balancemusic.com.au @mitch_oliver Montreal's Mitch Oliver, a trailblazer in the East Coast melodic wave, isn't just a DJ/Producer and Sound Engineer, he's a musical missionary, spreading positive vibes and uniting people through his art. Signed to prestigious labels like Kindisch, TrybesOf, Hoomidas, and XYZ, Mitch's deep, emotive rhythms have earned him acclaim and support from icons like Lee Burridge, and Hernan Cattaneo.
Jan 07, 2024â˘1 hr 34 min
