Starting off X&Ys upcoming mix series...
Shev, whose passion lies with House music, also branches out to explore different types of subgenres such as Bush Techno and Melodic Techno. Born out of the echoing walls of Chapel Street, he has managed to create a mixing style that adds a distinctive tone to his sets.
https://soundcloud.com/sheveen-devinda

X&YS001 | SHEV

Next up on X&Y’s mix series… Fred Hall
https://soundcloud.com/fredhalldj

Tell us about your Mix?
It's a late-night melodic techno journey, the kind of set I would play for a late closing or sunrise set at a festival. I have always had an affinity for the early hours of the morning, when the party just wants to keep on rolling. This is my take on that time/moment in the night.

What would you call you style of music you play?
It depends on the time or place really. I sit firmly in the Melodic Techno/Progressive House realm somewhere, but depending on my mood, the time and place or the vibe I tend to just take it where I think it needs to go.

When did you start DJing? 
In 2009 while I was living on campus at La Trobe University. I had an interview for a promotions job with RedBull and I told them in the interview I could DJ. I couldn’t, so after I got the job, I taught myself using an early version of Traktor and a really primitive controller.

What were your early influences?
I played lot of Electro and House in my early days, but at heart I was always bit of a Trance/Progressive kid. I come from a classical and rock band background so my taste and influences have always been pretty wide.

What do you think makes a good set?
When the dj takes you on a journey or somewhere unexpected. Music is an emotional art form and I think a good set is when the dj uses it to take the listener somewhere.

X&YS001

X&YS002 | FRED HALL

X&Ys 4th Podcast is bought to us by CHASE,

"My passion for Techno began after exploring the underground music scene here in Melbourne after moving from Sri-Lanka.
Time passed by and I found my self enjoying and mastering the art of mixing and blending techno and its more associative genres. Techno has a massive influence in my life and it drives me and my energy levels to where I want them to be.
My distinct sound or genre is something based on a mix between melodic and minimal Techno." Enjoy!

X&YS004 | CHASE

Today X&Y brings you a soulful hard-hitting techno mix by the very talented @xnightgodx

Tell us about your mix, how would you describe it? 

When choosing tracks for my mixes I always try to find something that sounds unique and stands out in the crowd. And when I am putting a mix together, I always imagine a character and I am trying to express what that character feels through the tracks that I play. This mix should take you through a spectre of emotions which makes it really fun to listen to in my opinion. When I pick my tracks I want hard hitting kicks, dark atmosphere, but not too freaky, and emotional synths as  the cherry on top of .

I’ve read that you’re originally from Russia, but have lived in different countries, how’d you make your way to Melbourne, and what did you think of the Music scene here compared to other places you’ve lived?

I have travelled and lived in parts of Asia , New Zealand and other states in Australia but I must say nowhere has been as exciting , fun and fluid as Melbourne. I just love the culture here so much. You hear about Berlin , UK , France being the Mecca for the electronic music scene, particularly Techno, however we have everything it takes right here in Melbourne to become the number one scene in the world! We just have to keep grinding. There is a lot of talent in Melbourne that still needs to be discovered.

You’ve also been running your own fashion brand Ecstatic, selling streetwear jewellery, how does techno music and the culture feed into your other creative work? 

This is a great question! Ecstatic was originally inspired by the techno music and club culture in Melbourne. That’s another thing I love so much about the Melbourne club scene, is the way people dress. It inspired my own style which later on evolved into a desire to create jewellery. 


Which Track or Artist currently inspires you?
Frank Ocean is the artist that really inspired me to create music. 
I don’t really know which track inspires me, but lately I’ve been listening to Venom by Ghostemane a lot. 

You also recently produced and released a killer track called “Love”, more in the Lo-Fi House genre, are you looking to release more material later in the year?

It’s cool that you asked, because I have two lo-fi tracks that I Am planning to release later this week. I am glad you enjoyed Love, thank you! I feel like lo-fi house is the genre where I am able to fully express my emotions and show a deeper side of my personality. Whenever I am producing a techno track, I always get carried away and end up making it sound too emotional and it becomes a totally different genre.

X&YS005 | NIGHT.GOD

X&Y is excited to share with you our first and very talented Female guest @leopard_l_a_d_y

About this Mix: I began working on this mix during the latest lockdown. Music has always been a powerful tool of transmutation for me, so working on this piece really gave me the space to really feel whatever was coming up for me during this time. With punchy basslines followed by ethereal breaks the intention behind this curation of sound was to really ground you into your body in order to get you out of the mind.

As a Melbourne based fresh on the scene DJ, Leopard Lady takes the dancer on a journey of empowerment with an eclectic, intentional curation of different styles and genres including Organic, Melodic and Healing soundscapes. A sacred space is created for both the musician and the dancer to embody their most authentic expression through a transmission of music medicine. Leopard Lady embodies the wildness that exists within all of us, anchoring in light codes to elevate a dancefloors frequency.

An invocation of the wild, welcome to the temple.

X&YS006 | LEOPARD LADY

We are back! And excited to share with you this thumping techno guest mix from the very talented @night_blooming_jasmine

X&Y: Tell us about this mix:

I feel like this is one of my favourite mixes that I’ve done so far.
It tells a story, it has peaks and valleys and lots of feelings, which much describes my mood lately with the recent world events. It’s an exploration of feelings so we can process the things we need to and come back stronger.

X&Y: You're originally from NZ, how does it compare to Melbourne, and what made you settle here?

Yes I’m a proud kiwi!
Ultimately it was a lifestyle decision for me to settle in Melbourne.
In my opinion, New Zealand is just at the beginning of appreciating techno.
I’m not sure that they were ready for it before haha! New Zealanders are so chill.
There are some incredible artists from Aotearoa such as Dale Fairbairn, and there have been more techno events held there recently, so it’s quite encouraging to see! I look forward to the future of techno there.

X&Y: Which track or artist currently inspires you?
Such a tough question as I’m inspired by many, but currently I’m incredibly into music by Benno Bengalo from Germany.

X&Y: Favourite moment on a dancefloor?

This was probably when I was playing at a festival in the bush, and these 2 awesome lads continually kept coming up to me during my set and fist bumping me and shaking their heads, haha it was great.

X&YS007 | NIGHT BLOOM

HNY Everyone! Our first wicked techno guest mix of 2022 is brought to you by @dj-dave-tomkins

X&Y: Hey Dave! This is a really great mix from start to finish, how would you describe this mix, and how do you like to lay it out?

it is a high energy set that builds in tempo throughout the hour. It consists of great techno sub genres such as peak time/mainroom as well as minimal techno. There are some legendary tracks from great artists such as Oliver huntemann and Carl Cox, as well as tracks from talented Australian artists such as handsdown leighboy, Elliot creed and William kiss: As stated above I like to lay out my sets and mixes by bpm because it allows me to build the energy and tension as the set progresses. This has been a key learning throughout my djing career.

X&Y: What do you think makes a good set?

What makes a good set for me are obvious things such as smooth mixing and track selection. I also enjoy sets that are unpredictable. For example, techno djs playing break beats throughout their sets to break the rhythm.

X&Y: You've released a killer track "Contemporary Issues", should we be expecting more releases anytime soon?

I have produced many tracks this past year after releasing contemporary issues. I have selected few that will be released sometime this year.

X&YS008 | DAVE TOMKINS

Happy Friday everyone! Our next guest mix is an intricately colourful and thumping Techno journey by @adam-collinson-846086966

X&Y: When did you start DJing - and what or who were your early passions and influences? What what is about music and/or sound that drew you to it?

I began DJing about two years ago now, after being shown the basics by my good friends Daniel Campbell (DC Universe) and Marsh Long. It was definitely Township Rebellion that first inspired me and I initially modelled my own sound after them. Their dark yet melodic sound got me addicted, and I began to develop my own taste after that.

X&Y: Who is your biggest inspiration? / Who do you have a lot of respect for?

My biggest inspiration is without a doubt Marsh Long. I have the upmost respect for the way she goes about her craft by letting her music do all the talking. 

X&Y: Favourite Doof / festival?
My favourite festival was definitely Elements 2021. I was blown away by the diversity and quality of the music being played. If people get the chance, I would highly recommend listening to Handsdown and Leighboy and Boy With Kuch’s sets from that festival on Soundcloud. After mine of course.

X&Y: Who or what motivates you the most?

My girlfriend Angela certainly motivates me the most. She’s my biggest supporter yet my harshest critic, which makes me work hard to get her approval. It’s also been fun watching her learn to DJ, which has motivated me even more.

X&YS009 | ADAM ARTA

The second track "Onset Madness" by LEKTRK is a track that packs a punch with its addictive beat and just the right amount of bush prog influence. The track is a perfect balance between two worlds, providing a fresh twist on the traditional techno sound. Perfect for those who love the thrill of a doof, "Onset Madness" resembles the pure state of ecstasy.

Onset Madness is available to stream on all streaming platforms, you can also buy the track on Beatport.

#LEKTRK #OnSetMadness #MinimalTechno #BushProg #Doof #MindlessEP #X&Y

LEKTRK - Onset Madness (Original Mix)

Released on Vinyl and Digital on Seth Troxlers "Pay it Say It " Label

OUT NOW ON BEATPORT - https://www.beatport.com/release/the-magic-room/1884147

Dino Lenny & Doorly - The Magic Room Main (Dino Lenny & Seth Troxler Edit)

X&Y—Find yourself.

Melbourne-based Electronic Music Record Label & Collective promoting artists and events.

Contact: operations@xandymelbourne.com

https://linktr.ee/xandymelbourne

LEKTRK - Onset Madness (Original Mix)

X&Y

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Yulia KASA Techno | Hardgroove | House

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