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Pleasurekraft Atroxx

Pleasurekraft and Atroxx Join Forces on New Track, “Clarity”

Canadian powerhouse Atroxx is at the forefront of a new generation of techno artists enriching the genre with fresh energy and ideas. Equipped with deep musical knowledge, an obsessive approach to production and an innately progressive mindset he has earned himself a formidable reputation as a producer. With releases on an array of respected underground labels, including his own Starskream, Atroxx is respected and admired across the techno world, courting favor with both his peers and more established heads.

Atroxx’s newest EP, which just recently premiered on 6AM, includes a collaboration with Kraftek label boss, Pleasurekraft. Pleasurekraft’s signature “cosmic techno” sound, attempts to encapsulate the power & beauty of the cosmos within the confines of techno music, while thematically yearning toward a greater understanding of the universe and our humble place within it.

Both artist’s sit down and talk to 6AM about their collaboration project and their respective artist journey and future plans.

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female djs

SOHMI’s Infinite Drive With Finding and Creating Music

SOHMI has quickly gained a reputation for her nuanced and emotive brand of DJing, which has pushed her into becoming the first Korean woman to be named a resident at LA’s premier underground house and techno club, Sound. All her years of musical training have prepared SOHMI to be the electronic force that she is today. Musically, SOHMI draws inspiration from R&B and UK pop/garage cuts of the ’90s and early 2000s by artists like Aaliyah, Cassie, and Craig David.

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DJ interview

Amotik’s Calling to Techno and His Drive for Sharing It

Amotik has steadily developed a signature sound of techno that is atmospheric, hypnotic, and raw. As a DJ and producer, his music has earned him the privilege of performing at many clubs and festivals around the world and making guest appearances on labels such as Tommy Four Seven’s 47, Len Faki’s label Figure, and Ellen Allien’s label BPitch (also known as BPitch Control). All the while, he has maintained his residency at the renowned venue Goethebunker in Essen, Germany.

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Burko

Burko’s Journey Weaving Through the SoCal house Scene

Burko has been making a name for himself in the southern California house music scene since 2020 when he began releasing tracks featuring his “medieval house” sound that’s unique for its dark, heavy beats.

The up-and-coming artist has been gaining strong momentum since 2020 with the release of his debut EP Put Me In A Trance. Since then, Burko has been collaborating with other electronic artists and releasing his own music as he continues to establish his style as an a

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Cosmic Boys DJ

The Cosmic Boys on Creating Music as Best Friends

Considered the new French DJing duo in the techno-scene, the Cosmic Boys are emerging as more than just a  duo, but as two friends that have a true passion for creating and expressing techno music. For the two, producing techno music with their DJ sets is a central component to their lives — and their drive of sharing their passion under the label management Scander is what also pushes them to showcase their craft with others.

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Claptone

There’s No Masking the Love Claptone Shares with His Worldwide Audience

Claptone is an enigmatic presence. His Venetian guise, black attire, golden-beaked mask, and white gloved hands complete the mystique that continues to draw sophisticated crowds from all over the world. The artist celebrated his sold out ‘The Masquerade’ events at AFAS LIVE at ADE, Zamna, Tulum and SLS Hotel during Miami Music Week, along with what Miami New Times called a massive set at Ultra Music Festival in Miami. 

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Mercia

UK Artist Mercia Makes City of Villains Sound Delightful

Mercia’s latest EP is more wholesome than the title would lead you to believe. The Coventry-based artist’s City of Villains is a five track EP exploring and reflecting his hometown within the setting of Breakbeat and UK Bass. “6am” starts off the exploration with ethereal atmospheres and lush piano before exploding into a full bodied breaks journey. 95 Bones’ remix follows this with a club ready acetate driven flip of the original which continues the story. The title track “City Of Villains” and Kiddah remix adds further spark to the package with a searing sub bass which is riddled with deep energy. The EP is rounded off by the bubbling and energetic “Hill Cross Flyover” which closes out this journey channeling how we’ve all been feeling this past year waiting for the return of the dance; it carries Strictly Rhythm influence and a prescient vocal motif. 

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Hey Mercia! Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into music, and how long have you been producing music? 

Hi there. Hope you’re well guys! I’m a DJ/Producer from Coventry. Music has always been part of my life. My family forced me to do piano lessons from the age of ten (which now I’m thankful for) and then my brother was heavily involved in the London music scene when I was growing up which influenced my sound. I’ve probably been producing now for about eight years but never got around to actually finishing a project until Motoring Records started pushing music and promoting artists from Coventry.

What motivates your work as an artist? 

Listening to other artists and seeing people dance to your music.

What’s the sound of your city, Coventry? 

There is a lot of influences in Coventry as it is a melting pot of culture and heritage and I try to capture this into my music. Obviously the famous band The Specials began in the city but now artists like Pa Salieu are setting a precedent for new music coming out the City and I want to bring those influences together in electronic music.

Are there any artists who are currently inspiring your work?

Marc Brauner, David August, Barry Can’t Swim, and Ejeca.

Listen: Mercia City of Villains – Motoring Records

Walk us through the inspiration behind your latest EP, City of Villains

It really came out from lockdown and weirdly enough watching Breaking Bad sparked my inspiration to write. The project spanned over a twelve month period and I wanted it to explore and reflect on my home town and try to capture the mix of emotions about the City of Villains. 

If you could name one thing, what’s something you’re particularly proud of since starting this journey?

Being able to finish ideas off into a EP I’m proud of!

Anything else you’d like to share?

I run an event called Mono along with the Motoring label head. We have a Terrace party on April 30 in Birmingham at the Mill 5:00 PM to 3:00 AM.

Connect with Mercia: Facebook

Connect with Motoring Records: Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp

Dense & Pika

What’s In Your Toolbox: Dense & Pika’s 6 House & Techno Gems

Artists will never come unprepared to a party. They always bring a toolbox packed with tracks that are truly dance floor destroyers. What’s in Your Toolbox features artists’ secret weapons, aka, the tracks they don’t leave out of their USB.

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Dense & Pika are a British electronic duo compromising Hypercolour label co-founder Alex Jones and Chris Spero, aka Glimpse. Heading up the Kneaded Pains imprint, which has played host to Eats EverythingJames Welsh, and Will Clarke alongside their own productions, the duo have been at the forefront of hard-hitting House and Techno since the project’s inception in 2011.

Arriving on Patrick Topping’s Trick for the first time, the pair bring their big, booming techno to the label with two chunky tracks. Title track “U, My” sees airy vocal chops floating over big kicks, knocking percussion and a hypnotic, looping low-end, combining to form a heavy club cut, while “Sun Sesh” sees the duo reach for a combination of shuffling drums, tweaked-out FX, and rolling chords for a dynamic, chugging track.

Dense & Pika U, My EP drops on 15th April via Trick

Dubfire “Sound Bath” (Luciid remix) – Kneaded Pains

What can we say about Luke, a staple of our Kneaded Pains label. Unbelievable producer, his productions have so much dark energy in them, level any dance floor. Always feature in every set of ours. This remixes an ABSOLUTE STONKER.

Tambien “Drogato” – ESP Institute

Incredible sludgy, slo-mo modular techno on ESP Institute from 2013. Amazing groove under shimmering modular textures. Almost no hats at all.  

Makaton “Rise and Kill” – Voitax

Have always been a huge fan of Makaton. Really like his vision of techno. From abstract polyrhythm to distorted crunchy grooves, this is one of his more playable offerings.

Casa “VHS” – Hayes

This guy’s incredible. Really pace-y deep techno. Perfect for breaking up a techno set.

Cari Lekebusch “Mad Poet” – H-Productions

Not many records have been in the ‘box’ longer than this. For some weird reason people still always ask what it is. Cari has been churning out incredible quality techno for nearly 30 years. This is our fave from his vast back catalogue, absolute wonkathon from 1997.

Dense & Pika “U, MY” – Trick

Would be daft not to put our new record on trick here, this genuinely flattens gaffs. Try it if you don’t believe us ;-)

Connect with Dense & Pika: SoundCloud | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

Trovarsi

WORK 2022 Resident Trovarsi Is Shifting the Paradigm

WORK is a premiere event collaboration between 6AM group and Synthetik minds, driven by the work-to-play mentality. Making its debut in 2022, WORK has launched its first-ever WORK Residency Program which will grow and feature talent within the local techno community. Newly inducted WORK resident Trovarsi has joined the talented roster of local artists that have put in their hours in the studio, behind the decks, and their presence in the community. She is known for her analog and modular style and will be able to give more to the Los Angeles warehouse scene with her residency at WORK.

The co-founder of the Southern California Synth Society, Trovarsi is a Los Angeles-based music composer and producer, live electronic artist, educator, and streaming YouTube host. With a hybrid blend of modular and analogue synthesizers, drum machines and Ableton, Trovarsi embraces Afrofuturistic electronic expression while remaining firmly planted by her musical roots.

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Hi Trovarsi! How did you become interested in the world of electronic music, particularly analog and modular synthesizers?

I started getting involved in music at a very young age, so it has always been always a major part of my life. My first instrument was the violin and then my focus shifted to playing the piano. I first heard dance music in the early 90’s and I was hooked! I grew up in the midwest, and Chicago was a short drive away, so I would drive down to pick up records and go out to the clubs and raves. I also worked at a record shop near the UW Madison campus. I was always following what was being released in all genres and I explored all types of music. Skipping ahead to when I got older, I started producing house and techno.  I love being able to play and perform with instruments. That raw sound, tactile feel, and connection with the machines and instruments and music made it an easy transition to hardware synths, drum machines and eurorack modular.

Our motto is: “Shifting the paradigm in electronic music from what is expected, to being accepted!”

Trovarsi, founder of the So Cal Synth Society, speaks about shifting the paradigm in electronic music to be more inclusive of women and non-binary folks


We love your initiative, Frequency Shift. Can you share more about your streaming festival?

I am immensely proud to be a founder of the So Cal Synth Society and the Frequency Shift Festival. It began with the goal of shifting the paradigm in electronic music away from a male dominated industry, to be more inclusive of women and non-binary people. We have connected with hundreds of female/non-binary musicians around the world. Through SoCal Synth Society’s platform, we are able to curate shows and events which feature these amazing artists. Through this community they have connected and built new relationships, supporting each other, and creating new projects. Our motto is: “Shifting the paradigm in electronic music from what is expected, to being accepted!”


You’re part of the newly launched WORK Residency Program and as part of it, you’ll be playing at selected events throughout the year. What does it mean to you to be invited to be a part of it and recognized as a standout talent?
 
I think it’s an honor and great opportunity to play in a scene I really connect with and love. It takes a lot of hard work and continuous dedication. I value all opportunities to share my music and I appreciate that people want to hear it and dance! Nothing beats connecting with others through the love of sound and working it out on the dancefloor. 

It’s nice to see a local promoter focus on local talent because it gives us an opportunity to support and build up our community in Los Angeles. Sometimes, all someone needs is a chance to showcase their talent.

Trovarsi on why WORK Residency program is important for Los Angeles’s community


 Why do you think the WORK Residency program is an important initiative?

I think it’s important because this is fun as hell BUT it is not easy! There are a lot of people out there putting everything they’ve got into their music and often they go unheard. There is so much amazing talent out there. Most clubs and events focus on the big names, the ones that sell tickets, but everyone has to start somewhere. It’s nice to see a local promoter focus on local talent because it gives us an opportunity to support and build up our community in Los Angeles. Sometimes, all someone needs is a chance to showcase their talent.


Are there any new projects or events on the horizon for you?

I am going on a five day journey through California deserts with three other producers in a solar powered RV! #modularcaliforniavibes We will be producing, mixing and mastering a joint EP during the trip. This event will be captured by a camera crew and released as a short documentary. I’m really looking forward to the collaboration and working in a studio on wheels! My other project, Transduction Signal Collective, is growing and we have some great shows coming up this year, The next one will be at the Analog Astronaut Conference at Biosphere 2, in Arizona. Check out our website for more details on upcoming performances.

Connect with Trovarsi: Website | SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Twitch

Angelala

Angelala Produces House Music With the Feeling of the Moment

Angelala is an American singer/songwriter originally from Flint, MI but now is based in NYC. After going to a Detroit rave years ago, she started to find a connection to techno. She also found more musical connections at the widely known Miami Music Week, where she started listening to house music. Angelala talks to 6AM  about creating a new music video, working with DJ Dove, and upcoming collabs.

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