Balrog - The Foundry [DSRD628]

STRAV
Dublin-based DJ/Producer, Founder of UNLIT, Groove-Driven Techno 

Hailing from the wild west of Ireland, Westport, Co. Mayo, STRAV is a 24-year-old DJ and producer carving a fierce path through Ireland’s underground. Deeply rooted in the raw, stripped-back energy of early 2000s techno and driven by a passion for groove-infused, percussive rhythms, his sets are built to ignite dancefloors and tunnel deep into the pulse of the night.

Cutting his teeth in the Sligo scene, he quickly became a key player, not just as a selector, but as an organiser and creative force behind some of the region’s most impactful events. From packed-out backrooms and makeshift venues to high-intensity club sessions, his reputation for tight mixing and hypnotic, rolling energy spread fast.

Now based in Dublin, STRAV is the founder and driving force behind UNLIT, an underground collective and event series pushing forward-thinking techno with no compromise. UNLIT isn’t just a brand, it’s a statement of intent, raw, unfiltered, and fiercely independent. Through it, STRAV is spotlighting emerging talent, curating heavy-hitting line-ups, and keeping Ireland’s underground alive and thriving.

Whether behind the decks or in the studio, every move is fuelled by a deep respect for the culture, an ear for groove, and a relentless desire to evolve.

Early 2000s techno energy, tribal grooves, pure underground intent.

BOOKINGS —> Jimmymcstravick@gmail.com

Upcoming Dates (2025):
08/02 - Hi-Tech @ Beaverworks, Leeds
28/02 - Siah @ Bunker Club - Turin, Italy
11/04 - Northern Groove Association @ Mintwarehouse, Leeds
03/05 - Mint Festival, Leeds (Disco & House Set)
09/05 - Interuption, Dublin
10/05 - Twistd @ Lavery's, Belfast
30/05 - Poznan, Poland
20-23/06 - Collide Festival, Bristol
26/07 - TBC, Poland 
08/08 - Noctivus, Cardiff
09/08 - Techno Gathering @ Freedom Mills, Leeds
22/08 - Void Disco, London
05/09 - Northern Groove Association @ Eastern Bloc., Manchester
04/10 - Hi-Tech @ Beaverworks, Leeds
13/10 - Manchester, TBC

The Industrial Groove Association…

Hailing from Leeds in the north of the UK, Balrog (Alex) is an artist whose style focuses on heavy rolling drums, driving bass lines, and distorted vocals. His tracks take influence from classic funky and groove focussed techno but with a fresh injection of modern industrial power. Focussing on this signature sound of industrial groove techno has seen him release on labels including Soma, Ear To Ground, Hydraulix, Crisis Of Man, Player, NAKT, Instruments Of Discipline, Moments In Time and Green Fetish.

The industrial groove sound also characterises Balrog’s high-energy DJ sets which have seen him headline events in cities such as New York, Berlin, London, Leeds, Manchester, Budapest, Glasgow, and more.

Balrog also runs his own record label, Khazad Records, which releases music from the very best industrial groove and hard techno talent around.

In addition to his Balrog alias, Alex also also plays and produces under, The Groovemeister General, focussing exclusively on moulding together deep, funky and grooving house and techno records. 

UK & International Bookings: ali@siahmusic.com

Dark Techno, Hard Techno, Industrial Techno Producer & DJ

Balrog - The Foundry [DSRD628]

Balrog (AKA. The Groovemeister General)