Up next on Upon You Rec. is Hartford, Connecticut-based producer Eddie Merced, a name that’s been making waves since his debut - “From Within” - came out in 2016, earning himself instant praise from seminal figures like Laurent Garnier. Stepping up with a trio of his signature oneiric, mind-expanding wares, Eddie takes us on an odyssey-like voyage into the deeper end of techno’s atmospheric spectrum, making the rounds from alien-engineered architectonics towards velveteen, near-lounge-y abstraction.

The journey begins with “Towards A Dream” - a self-revealing roller beaming us up to far-flung Saturnian lands as it unfolds a slo-hatching meshwork of sun-washed pads, raucous bass work and boggy 303 talk. Rising the pressure a notch further, “High Virgo” is a laser-guided weapon aimed at subjugating dance-floors through steadfast onslaughts of delayed drums, gut-churning kicks and Eddie's typical hi-intensity synth hoodoo from outer-space. Last but not least, UY co-founder Marco Resmann adds his havoc-wreaking, dynamic spin to “Towards A Dream”, turning the dreamy original into a full-fledged club destroyer, primed for ruff n'tuff peak time action. Equally at ease in an open-air setting or busting kneecaps in the darkness of a jam-packed basement.

Eddie Merced - Towards A Dream

Towards A Dream

Eddie Merced - Towards A Dream (Marco Resmann Success Retouch)

Eddie Merced - High Virgo

Eddie Merced is one of those artists whose sound speaks on a universal level. The Connecticut DJ and producer has honed a strain of techno and house that matches driving rhythms with richly melodic machine soul. As legendary French techno pioneer Laurent Garnier testified, “Eddie is one of the (too) rare producers these days that are keeping deep, soulful techno music alive.”

The key to the authenticity in Merced’s whole approach lies in the roots of the sound, tracking everything back to its source to understand where house and techno have come from in order to better take it forward. Merced’s life has been immersed in music since soaking up his dad’s love of freestyle and early 80s electro and heading off on his own voyage of exploration. From an affinity for soul, funk and disco through to the full spectrum of electronic music new and old, Merced’s appetite for sincere expression has been fuel for his own sharply-focused music. 

He established R4808n as a platform for his creative vision, framing the epic scope of his synth-rich production with the alluring intrigue of clandestine mysteries both of this earth and beyond. Elsewhere, Merced’s productions have been recognised and carried by scene-leading labels like Upon.You Records and Marco Bailey’s MB Elektronics, Yousef’s Circus Recordings and Brothers’ Vibe’s iconic New Jersey house imprint Mixx Records. His breakthrough release From Within, which also gives his istreem radio show its name, was carried by Gabcat back in 2016. 

As a DJ, Merced has played across the US, in the UK and mainland Europe, bringing a hi-octane energy to dancefloor settings, while his radio shows and studio mixes make space for slower, more introspective sounds that round out his musical identity. At all times, he keeps a handle on that vital deep techno, Detroit-inspired soul element that marks out his music. It’s a cohesive approach which has rightly drawn support from such respect luminaries as Colin Dale, Karotte, Ken Ishii and Claude Young Jr, while Carl Cox famously worked stems from Merced’s track ‘Tri-State Hustle’ during a hybrid live set at Ultra Music Festival 2022. 

True to techno’s origins as a fusion of technology and soul, Eddie Merced’s mission lies in the depth of his expression and the places he can take you - his is deeply rooted music heading into the future, reaching skywards as it hits you deep within.

Testimonials:
"Eddie is one of the (too) rare producers these days that are keeping deep soulful melodic Techno music alive. Been a big fan of his productions since day one!" - Laurent Garnier

“Eddie is a super talented DJ - producer who I noticed works really hard at his craft and at the moment is on an upward trajectory with some amazing production and captivating DJ sets under his belt. Definitely one to watch!” - Colin Dale