The Liquid Dude For The Liquid Dude, electronic music has never been about staying within the boundaries of a single genre. Across decades of musical exploration, his sound has moved between electro, acid, house, breaks, machine funk and beyond, always retaining a playful and unpredictable character. That approach sits at the heart of ‘Artificial Ignorance’, his latest six-track EP on his own Liquid Freaks imprint. Following his debut album in 2025, the new release brings old-school funk aesthetics into conversation with futuristic electronic experimentation, moving through analogue textures, elastic basslines, machine rhythms, ambient passages and disco-infused moments. For this edition of Influences, The Liquid Dude digs into five formative records that demonstrate how experimentation, personality and groove have shaped his musical outlook. Bernard Fevre – Dali (1981) “I discovered Bernard Fevre through my obsession with electronic music that existed before genres had names. What I love about this record is that it doesn't feel like it belongs to a specific era. It feels like someone imagining the future with the technology they had at the time. The atmosphere is everything. The synthesisers are not just instruments, they create a world. I always come back to records like this when I need inspiration because they remind me that electronic music is not only about rhythm, it's about creating a feeling and transporting people somewhere else.” Chaz Jankel – 3,000,000 Synths (1981) “This record showed me that electronic music could have humour and personality. A lot of people think about synthesisers as something cold or mechanical, but Chaz Jankel made machines feel funky and alive. I love the balance between the groove of a live band and the possibilities of electronic production. It has this strange energy where everything sounds playful but incredibly precise at the same time. That idea of making machines dance is something that has always stayed with me.” Telex – Moskow Diskow (1979) “Telex were completely different from everyone else. They took disco, electronic music and humour and created something that felt almost like a joke from the future. What inspires me is their attitude. They weren't trying to sound serious or follow a formula. They created their own universe. The robotic vocals, minimal groove and strange melodies show that electronic music can be experimental while still making people move.” Steve Monite – Things Fall Apart (1984) “I found this record while digging deeper into the relationship between funk and electronic music. What immediately caught me was the bassline, it has this incredible physical energy. For me, this track represents the moment where human groove and machines started becoming one. It also reminds me that some of the most futuristic electronic music was coming from places outside the usual history we hear about. Nigeria had its own electronic revolution.” Loose Joints – Is It All Over My Face (1980) “This record represents the freedom of the dancefloor. It doesn't feel polished or designed to be perfect, it feels alive. Arthur Russell understood something very important: sometimes the imperfections are what make a record special. The groove feels organic, unpredictable and emotional. This is the spirit I love in club music, when a track creates a moment that exists only in that exact place and time.” Looking back at these records, the connection between them is not really a genre. It's a feeling. They all come from moments when artists were experimenting, breaking rules and using technology in unexpected ways. Whether it's funk, disco, electronic music or club culture, the thing that inspires me is always the same: records that feel like they have their own personality. Music that sounds like it could only have been made by that person, at that exact moment. The Liquid Dude Instagram - Soundcloud - Spotify Liquid Freaks Instagram - Website - Soundcloud Explore more Influences: Influences archive · Hot Picks · All features

Federico Epis Federico Epis’ relationship with progressive house stretches back more than two decades. Part of South America’s first generation of progressive producers, the Uruguayan artist built his early career with releases on Audio Therapy and Global Underground, support from Sasha, Hernan Cattaneo, Dave Seaman and Pete Tong, and a residency on the Renaissance South American Tour. Following a 12-year hiatus, his return has opened a second chapter. Releases on Balance Music, The Soundgarden, Manual Music and Mango Alley have reintroduced Epis to the progressive landscape, while his latest move brings things full circle with his debut on Sasha’s Last Night On Earth. The two-track ‘Floyd’ EP deliberately connects those different eras. Electric guitar textures reference the music that shaped Epis before electronic music, while its basslines reach back towards the progressive house records that first pulled him into the scene. For this edition of Influences, he revisits five tracks intrinsically linked to that journey, with memories stretching from Space in Punta del Este to Pacha and Cream in Buenos Aires. Sasha – Xpander “The one that changed everything — and by far. I first heard it at Space in Punta del Este, played by Sasha himself in the summer of 2000, and it was pure magic: that intro building in the dark, the whole club suspended, and then that bassline. I walked out of that room a different person. Twenty-six years later, the bassline in the break of my own track ‘Tribute’ still carries echoes of that night — and somehow the EP it belongs to found its home on Sasha's own label, Last Night On Earth; if you'd told me that at Space that night, I wouldn't have believed a word.” Alanis Morissette – Uninvited (Brothers In Rhythm Remix) “Hernan Cattaneo introduced me to this one at Space Club Punta del Este — an unofficial remix that was never properly released, which made it even more mythical. Brothers In Rhythm (Dave Seaman and Steve Anderson) took a dark, haunting rock ballad and turned it into nine minutes of pure progressive drama. It taught me that our genre could carry real emotional weight — that a dancefloor record could make you feel something far beyond the groove. Hearing Hernan drop tracks like this, records almost nobody could own, was a masterclass in what a DJ could be: a curator of secrets.” Tomaz vs. Filterheadz – Sunshine “Space in Punta del Este again — that room keeps appearing in my story — but this time it was Dave Seaman behind the decks. When ‘Sunshine’ came on, the place simply erupted. It's the perfect example of how a track built on one relentless idea — that tribal groove, that riff — can completely own a dance floor. No tricks, no filler: pure functional energy executed to perfection. It taught me a lesson I still apply when I'm building a climax today: sometimes the strongest thing you can do is commit fully to a single element and let it breathe.” Evolution feat. Jayn Hanna – Walking On Fire (Bedrock Vocal Mix) “Pacha Buenos Aires, Hernan Cattaneo at the peak of his powers, and this record detonating the room — I can still see it. The Bedrock Vocal Mix is everything I love about that era of progressive house: elegant, patient, emotional, with Jayn Hanna's voice floating over a production that never stops moving forward. Buenos Aires crowds have a special relationship with melody, and that night proved it. It shaped my conviction that a proper progressive record should reward both the dancefloor and the headphones — a standard I still chase in the studio.” Sasha vs. Junkie XL – Beauty Never Fades “Sasha again — this time live at Cream in Buenos Aires, and it was tremendous. This track represents the other side of Sasha for me: not just the world's greatest selector, but a producer pushing the sound somewhere new, that Airdrawndagger-era blend of electronics and emotion that nobody else could quite touch. Hearing it live confirmed something I carried through my whole career, including the twelve years I spent away from music: that this sound wasn't a phase — it was home. My list should start and end with Sasha. Some influences you never outgrow.” Federico Epis’ selections tell the story of a relationship with progressive house that never really disappeared. Space in Punta del Este, Pacha and Cream in Buenos Aires provided the formative moments, while Sasha, Hernan Cattaneo and Dave Seaman helped reveal how much depth, emotion and tension the genre could carry. More than two decades later, those lessons remain embedded in his productions. With ‘Floyd’ now finding a home on Last Night On Earth, the connection between Epis’ two eras feels fittingly complete. Federico Epis Instagram - SoundCloud - Spotify Last Night On Earth Instagram - SoundCloud - Website Explore more Influences: Influences archive · Hot Picks · All features

Nautica (UK) Nautica return to 8bit with the release of their ‘Do Anything’ EP, a groove-led four tracker built around control, movement and long-form dancefloor flow. Landing at a moment where the UK duo continue to sharpen their identity through releases on labels like PIV, Solid Grooves and 8bit itself, the project reflects nearly a decade spent refining a sound rooted in subtle evolution rather than quick impact. For this edition of Influences, Josh Lewis and Caolan Savage dig into five records that helped shape both their production approach and their understanding of the dancefloor. From timeless emotional electronica and classic piano house through to rolling tech house weapons that still dominate their sets today, the selections offer a clear insight into the records that continue to guide their musical direction. Moby – ‘Porcelain’ Impossible to look past Moby when talking about inspiration. Taken from his seminal album Play, one of our favourite albums of all time, this record has it all. From the emotional strings to the lead vocal from Moby himself, it is hard not to feel something listening to this one. The sampling is genius and the songwriting feels completely timeless. It is not exactly a club record, but undeniably one of the greatest electronic tracks ever made. There is a real sense of emotion and atmosphere in it that has definitely stayed with us when thinking about how music connects with people beyond just functionality. Johnny D – ‘Walkman’ This one holds a special place for us. Proper underground tech house from 2007 and a record that has never really left our bag since we started playing together nearly ten years ago. Loopy drums, a hooky vocal and a lead stab that cuts through on any dancefloor. It works in warm-up sets and peak-time moments equally well. Almost twenty years on from its release on the legendary 8bit Records, it is still the standout release from the label for us and one of the records that genuinely made us fall in love with the imprint. To now be releasing our second EP on 8bit all these years later feels surreal. Back at university we became obsessed with this track and it completely changed the game for us in terms of understanding groove and repetition. Modjo – ‘Lady (Harry Romero Remix)’ Harry Choo Choo Romero is house music royalty. This remix keeps everything that made the original Modjo version timeless, but adds these chunky, rolling drums that absolutely explode on a big soundsystem. It is the perfect closing record. When the lights come on at the end of the night, this track never fails. One memory that always sticks with us was playing it at the end of our Liverpool residency after Chris Stussy. Around 1,500 people singing every word back during the breakdown. Proper emotion in the room. It is one of those records that reminds you how powerful house music can be when a crowd is fully connected. FPI Project – ‘Risky’ I will always remember my Dad showing me this track for the first time. He used to tell me stories about the 90s rave scene around Liverpool and Manchester and how crazy the reaction would be when the piano kicked in. That instantly stuck with me. The vocal samples throughout the track are so clever and the synth hooks are unforgettable. More than anything, this was one of the records that introduced me to the wider history of dance music and showed me how powerful sampling could be. You can still hear traces of that influence today in how we think about hooks and arrangement. Mark Knight & Prok & Fitch – ‘Into My Life’ This record was everywhere around the time we first started going clubbing at university. All of our friends would be sat having pre-drinks with this blasting in the background before heading out. The female vocal, the rolling drums and that synth melody just grabbed us straight away. The call and response between the bassline and synth elements is something we have always loved and definitely influenced our own productions over the years. It is one of those timeless club records that instantly transports you back to a specific period of your life and still sounds huge every time you hear it. Nautica https://www.instagram.com/nauticauk https://open.spotify.com/artist/1jjc5DIwBYlsToYhng9Cu2 https://soundcloud.com/nauticauk Explore more Influences: Influences archive · Hot Picks · All features

pdqb With ‘DER TRANSIENTE ZEUGE’, pdqb expands its already singular universe into something even more ambitious and psychologically immersive. Landing via Synaptic Cliffs on 26th June, the 17-track double vinyl project unfolds less like a conventional electronic album and more like a fragmented transmission recovered from some collapsed parallel timeline, balancing futuristic Electro, machine funk and warped rhythmic experimentation through what the artist describes as an ‘Electro-Cognition’ lens. The conceptual depth running through the project is mirrored in the influences behind it. Rather than obvious dancefloor reference points, the records and ideas shaping pdqb’s work often come from unexpected places: cinematic sound design, ambient fragility, video game soundtracks, emotionally charged pop songwriting and futuristic Detroit techno. For this edition of Influences, pdqb traces five key works that continue to shape the emotional, conceptual and sonic architecture behind its world. Dr. James A. Moorer – THX Deep Note "What appears to be a simple cinematic sound logo is, in fact, a masterclass in tension and release. Beginning as a cloud of seemingly unrelated pitches, its many voices gradually converge through carefully controlled voice leading until they resolve into an overwhelming harmonic destination. For Dornhöfer, this moment remains one of the purest examples of emotional release in music. A comparable feeling can be found in certain Ennio Morricone-scored scenes, where an intensely personal moment suddenly opens into a vast cinematic panorama. The THX audio logo carries that same sense of revelation: a transition from uncertainty to clarity, from confinement to scale. The pursuit of this liberating ‘wide shot’ continues to shape pdqb's soundscapes, particularly in its most emotional drops and moments of resolution." Nine Inch Nails – A Warm Place "Almost no other track has come closer to translating pure comfort into sound. Through its slow harmonic movement, fragile melodies and weightless atmosphere, the track evokes a state of emotional warmth that feels almost chemical in nature. What makes the piece extraordinary is that this comfort is never secure. Beneath its beauty lies an unmistakable sense of vulnerability. The moment could collapse at any second. The warmth exists only because it is temporary. This tension between refuge and loss has become a defining characteristic of pdqb's music. Moments of beauty, resolution and emotional relief are often introduced only to be interrupted, distorted or withdrawn shortly afterwards." Masakatsu Maekawa – Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu, Stage 1-2 "Some influences appear unexpectedly and simply refuse to leave. ‘Stage 1-2’ from Maekawa's soundtrack for the Japanese PC Engine game Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu has remained lodged somewhere in Dornhöfer's mind ever since he first encountered it. Its melody carries an almost restless optimism, always pushing forward, always suggesting that something exciting lies just out of reach. It captures a feeling that many other forms of electronic music rarely achieve: the joy of exploration. That influence can still be heard throughout pdqb's work. The fascination with movement, discovery and unexpected detours owes as much to video games as it does to music itself. Many tracks are less concerned with reaching a destination than with making the journey feel worthwhile." New Order – Crystal "Every element sits in exactly the right place: the propulsion, the melody, the melancholy, the sense of scale, and above all the combination of instant emotional impact and lasting fascination. It is a song that reveals itself within seconds, yet remains rewarding after hundreds of listens. For Dornhöfer, it remains one of the clearest examples of the perfect pop song. This influence may seem surprising given the often unconventional nature of pdqb's music. But beneath the experiments, detours and conceptual layers lies a similar ambition: a repeated attempt to reach the emotional directness of great pop music while resisting its conventions at the same time. In that sense, pdqb is constantly searching for the perfect pop song, only to sabotage the search whenever it gets too close." Underground Resistance – The Final Frontier "This track by Mike Banks is one of the rare pieces of music that demonstrates how profoundly emotion can be triggered through sound alone. Without lyrics, narrative or explanation, the track creates a sense of wonder, transcendence and limitless possibility. More than thirty years after its release, it does not merely sound futuristic. It sounds as if it came from the future itself. Few records have captured the feeling of drifting through space, suspended between technology, imagination and the unknown, with such conviction. This vision of the future feels so complete that it remains more futuristic than any Kraftwerk record ever released. As an extraterrestrial entity with the ability to travel through time, pdqb requires little imagination when it comes to the future. However, The Final Frontier resonates throughout its work." Much like ‘DER TRANSIENTE ZEUGE’ itself, pdqb’s influences refuse to sit neatly inside one musical world. Cinematic sound design, industrial fragility, classic synth pop, video game composition and Detroit futurism all collide into something that feels strangely unified. What connects them is not genre, but atmosphere and emotional architecture. Each piece creates a sense of movement through unknown space, whether personal, psychological or entirely imagined. That same feeling now sits at the centre of pdqb’s most ambitious project to date pdqb https://www.instagram.com/infamouslucifer https://open.spotify.com/artist/5XklOrb66BkFupm2tblCVw https://soundcloud.com/pdqb-himself Explore more Influences: Influences archive · Hot Picks · All features

Berlin artist Joplyn has gained serious traction of late, as a result of her dramatic live and hybrid shows. At the end of last year, she was invited to speak at the Berlin Dance Music Event and spoke at an Ableton masterclass soon after, followed by Pete Tong listing her in his ‘Future Stars of 2022’. Fresh from the success of Joplyn’s recent Crosstown Rebels debut in the form of We Will Forgive Ourselves, prolific producer MK and label-head Damian Lazarus will be re-inventing the original this May. Serving up two remixes in the form of MK’s Dub and Damian Lazarus’ Re-Shape, it acts as another milestone release for the near twenty-year-old imprint. To celebrate the release of the revamped remix package of Joplyn's 'We Will Forgive Ourselves', we asked her to join our Hot Picks series. I'm sure you'll agree she shows a deepened level of musical understanding and impeccable taste from these selections alone: 1) Nicolas Jaar - Colomb I remember first stumbling upon this track when I was super young. Roaming the internet on a hunt for special sounds I hadn’t heard before. To me there was something so otherworldly and rare about it that I couldn’t stop listening. Nowadays it grounds me, and calms me down on busy days. 2) Ornette - Crazy (Nôze Remix) This is the one track I always listen to when I feel like I’ve lost myself musically. Making songs, there’s so many roads to go down on, that sometimes you take a wrong turn and end up getting lost. In those times, this song acts like a guide sign bringing me back to the main road. 3) Björk - Venus As A Boy A classic. Björk is such a huge inspiration. The music video is a forever mood and influence too. 4) The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition (Undercatt Remix) I sometimes find it extremely hard putting full songs with vocals into a club context. It often feels overloaded or just in the wrong place. This song is a reminder that it is possible to make it work and even elevate club music through vocals. 5) Jane - It’s A Fine Day There’s this eerie nostalgia to this acapella. It seems so innocent but heavy at the same time - with this maternal, reassuring feeling, that in the end it’s all going to be fine. And the fact that it went from this to becoming the club anthem we know it as today, makes it that more beautiful. 6) Robag Wruhme - Wortkabular (Luciano Remix) Such an OG track that convinced me that the German language can be beautiful. 7) Kraftwerk - Mensch Maschine I mean? Obviously. Kraftwerk has become part of German identity. They started it all. Who knows where we’d be today if they hadn’t picked up that synth (or whatever it was) all those years ago. 8) Marie Davidson - Work It (Soulwax Remix) This is so different to anything else out there. A breath of fresh air. There’s something so absurd and fun about it. A real mood-lifter. Didn’t think I would become this addicted to it when I first put it on… But here we are. 9) Fred again…, Romy, HAAi - Lights Out Fred again… has become a huge inspiration this last year. The energy of this track is unbeatable. It’s my self-proclaimed goal to experience it live one day. Then I can die happily. 10) Sade - Cherish The Day This song is special. It’s the song I grew up listening to (my Dad’s favorite song) and brings me back to my childhood. There’s something so effortless, timeless about it. Like it’s free flowing. I always feel so lightweight when I listen to it. Joplyn's 'We Will Forgive Ourselves (Remixes)' is out on Crosstown Rebels on 20th May. Explore more Hot Picks: Hot Picks archive · Influences · All features

Hailing from London, Niteplan is one of the standout producers to emerge from the UK underground music scene and has rapidly gained support worldwide for his sound. After having multiple releases on Detlef's label Issues, he has received consistent backing from some of the most influential artists in the scene; Jamie Jones, Detlef, The Martinez Brothers, Michael Bibi, Marco Carola, Lee Foss and Skream, to name a few alongside early support at Radio 1 and BBC Introducing from Jaguar. Niteplan's latest release, 'Hypnotic', has just dropped on his new sub-label Nitecutz and is currently making its way up the Beatport charts and receiving widespread support from the DJ community. To mark his latest release, Niteplan joins our 'Hot Picks' series with an eclectic selection of tracks: 1) Peace Division - What is this Sound? The groove and energy on this is unmatched for me. The rolling hypnotic vocals, percussion and bassline hit different. 2) Jamie Fielding - Sea World A track from a close friend of mine, on an important label to me - This track has that stripped back tech sound that I represent in most of my sets. 3) Rub A Dub, Joey Daniel - End Of Discussion The flavours on this one are incredible, the lowkey vocals, textures and percussion keep me completely hooked from start to finish. It's such a versatile track which can be used at any time. 4) Detlef - Vibing A super cool track with a real solid groove. The jazz sound incorporated into this beat delivers a whole different feeling to me which is sick. 5) Niteplan - Hypnotic Last is the new cut on my label Nitecutz. A skippy and percussive beat with many subtle elements - hopefully making it perfect to set the tone on any floor. Niteplan's 'Hypnotic' is out now on Nitecutz! Explore more Hot Picks: Hot Picks archive · Influences · All features

Ask any producer the influence behind their track and, nine times out of ten, the answer will be, ‘the dancefloor’. So, although already hell bent on signing it based on the calibre of the music alone, imagine the surprise at Renaissance HQ when Grigoré said his latest EP, Deepest Thoughts, “Is a tribute to my childhood.” “It was really important that the 4 tracks remained together,” he continues, “it’s about the moments and feelings of growing-up, deepest thoughts in the dark of freezing nights, which I now look back on with nostalgia. I can’t express how delighted I was when Renaissance said they wanted to keep them all together as an entire EP.” Off the back of his one of his latest releases, we asked Grigoré to provide a choice of his favourite records, he answered the call with an extremely impressive collection of deepened flavours: Grigoré - Deepest Thoughts As you may know, ‘Deepest Thoughts’ is the title track of my debut EP on Renaissance. This track is special for me. I love how all the elements work together: organic drums, groovy bass guitar & the main lead, which is full of crazy modulation stuff. Sasha vs Adam Parker - Highlife (Sasha Invol2ver Remix) After almost 14 years, this is still sounding fresh. Groove, overall mood and the vocals are perfect to me. My favourite night vibe here. I’d play this one forever. Marco Lys - Keep Looking Around (Joris Voorn Remix) Something from outer space... Unstoppable groove and melodic elements that will take you to another place. Rhy - Black Rain (Âme Remix) From extraordinary bass to unexpected chords, then extraordinary bass to unexpected chords accompanied by beautiful vocals by Rhy. Grigoré - Freezing I can describe ‘Freezing’ as a dancefloor track that tells its own story. It was the first track where I experimented with this kind of beat – it’s still a straight beat, but it just skips every 2nd kick. It gave me a fresh feeling in my production. SØNIN – Circles ‘Circles’ for me is about hope. The hope for a bright future. The uplifting trance chords with the breakbeat support give me so much positivity. This one is perfect to listen to in the morning, but not just then... ‘Circles’ works very very well on the dancefloor too! Stephan Bodzin & Marc Romboy - Phobos (Echonomist Remix) A big atmosphere on this one. I feel so uplifted after listening to Echonomist’s remix of ‘Phobos’. This remix gives me a lot of energy. Illusory - The Endless Fall (Sam Shure Remix) Would you like to drift through the Universe?... If so, you need to listen to this remix. Such a beautiful vibe on this one with a punchy beat & trippy synth melodies. Adriatique - Arcade Mode The main melody & bass are so groovy. I can’t sit in one place when I’m listening to ‘Arcade Mode’. Bar.ba & Odagled - Festival (Sasha Carassi Remix) I’m in love with this pumping beat and trippy chords. Sasha Carassi is a master! Grigoré's 'Deepest Thoughts' EP is out now on Renaissance Records. Explore more Hot Picks: Hot Picks archive · Influences · All features

BIIA Portuguese DJ and producer BIIA enters a new chapter with ‘Die For Youth’, the debut release on her newly launched DYSTONIA imprint. Built around ideas of youth, freedom and nostalgia, the single expands on the high-energy techno sound that has driven her rise while introducing a more reflective emotional dimension. That balance between intensity and feeling sits at the heart of BIIA’s wider evolution. Releases on Teletech, Solamente, Taapion and Tomorrowland Music have established her as a force within contemporary techno, while a growing international touring schedule has taken her to stages including Tomorrowland, Awakenings, Monegros, Neopop, Sziget Festival and Hï Ibiza. For this edition of Influences, BIIA looks back at five records connected to pivotal moments in her relationship with music. From rave classics that embody collective freedom to productions that marked turning points in her own career, each selection reflects a different part of the journey leading towards ‘Die For Youth’ and DYSTONIA. Da Hool – Meet Me At The Love Parade “This track brings me back to the early days of electronic music and the rave scene. There’s something about it that captures the raw sense of togetherness and freedom that first drew me to this culture.” Underworld – Born Slippy “This track has always carried a very particular feeling for me, something restless and youthful, but also fleeting. It reminds me of how intensely we can experience certain moments without knowing how quickly they’ll become memories.” BIIA – Numbered Procreation “This one is important because it was the first track I ever released. It represents the beginning of my journey as a producer and everything that came with taking that first step.” BIIA – Don’t Get Lost In Heaven “I made this track during a particularly sensitive period in my life, so it carries a lot of emotion for me. It was also my first real hit and the track that really positioned me as an artist and producer.” Hans Zimmer – Time “I’ve always had a strong relationship with the idea of time, and this track makes me step back and put life into perspective. It has a way of making everything feel both smaller and more meaningful at the same time.” Across these five selections, BIIA’s influences are less about genre boundaries and more about feeling, memory and the moments that change an artist’s direction. The communal release of early rave culture, the fleeting intensity of youth, the significance of a first release and the emotional weight of personal milestones all feed naturally into the ideas behind ‘Die For Youth’. As DYSTONIA begins its first chapter, the record feels like both a reflection on where BIIA has been and a statement of where she intends to go next. BIIA Instagram - Spotify - SoundCloud - Beatport Explore more Influences: Influences archive · Hot Picks · All features

Massi Rocket Music has shaped every chapter of Massi Rocket's career. Long before becoming one of the key figures in Milan's electronic music scene, he was discovering records with his grandmother, playing guitar in indie bands and working at a local radio station. Those early experiences laid the foundations for the producer, DJ and club curator he would eventually become. Today, alongside running the iconic Rocket Club and his Motel Calypso events and label, Massi Rocket continues to champion groove-led house music rooted in authenticity and feeling. His latest collaboration with Alfrenk, 'Tribal Vibes', reflects that philosophy, combining hypnotic percussion, minimal grooves and instinctive creativity into a record designed to connect people through rhythm. For this edition of Influences, Massi Rocket looks back at five records that helped define both his musical tastes and his creative identity. Michael Jackson – Thriller (1982) "This record means a lot to me because it was the very first vinyl I ever owned. Back then, you could even buy records in supermarkets, and every time I went shopping with my grandmother, I would convince her to buy me one. Looking back, those moments feel incredibly special. Thriller wasn't just the beginning of my record collection, it was the start of a lifelong obsession with music." Duran Duran – Notorious (1986) "When this album came out, I was working at a local radio station. I still remember the excitement when the postman arrived with the record while we were live on air. We couldn't wait, so we broke every rule and played the entire album from start to finish, even though radio stations were supposed to stick to strict rotations because of sponsors. It was one of those unforgettable moments where the passion for music was stronger than anything else." Nirvana – About A Girl (1989) "At the time, I wasn't DJing yet, I was playing guitar in an Italian indie rock band. Hearing Nirvana completely changed the way we thought about music. It felt like everything we had been doing suddenly belonged to the past, and we had to start over from scratch. Their raw energy and songwriting completely reshaped my perspective and influenced the way I approached music from that point on." Modjo – Lady (Hear Me Tonight) (2000) "This track takes me straight back to the moment I started DJing in clubs. My productions came later, but around that time Milan had completely fallen in love with the French Touch movement. Every club was playing it, and it had a huge influence on Italian producers too, including artists like Crookers. Lady perfectly captures that era for me. It represents the soundtrack of my first years behind the decks." Ninetoes – Finder (Carl Cox Remix) (2018) "There's no particular story behind this one. Some tracks simply have a timeless magic, and this is one of them. Every time I hear it in a club, it reminds me why I fell in love with dance music in the first place. For me, this track is the definition of what a club should feel like: pure energy, connection and unforgettable moments on the dancefloor." From childhood record shopping and rule-breaking moments in radio to discovering house music behind the decks, Massi Rocket's influences span decades and genres. Together they paint a picture of an artist whose approach has always been guided by emotion, groove and memorable musical moments. Those same qualities define 'Tribal Vibes', his latest collaboration with Alfrenk, where instinctive creativity and infectious rhythm come together in a warm, groove-driven club record. Massi Rocket Instagram - Soundcloud - Beatport Explore more Influences: Influences archive · Hot Picks · All features

Traversing the winding passages of his own cavernous capabilities, prolific Italian DJ, producer and label owner Frankyeffe – real name Francesco Fava – is well on his way to reaching the peak of his towering potential. Since his career’s 2001 inception, he’s wandered some of the darkest corners of melodic techno, injecting innovation and amplitude and gradually cementing himself as a true master within his own class. Initially rising to prominence behind the decks of Rome’s renowned Rashomon Club, for three consecutive seasons, the venue’s intimate interior provided a vast canvas for Frankyeffe to draw upon. Soon sparking the interests of a wider audience, he’s since reached international recognition playing at various Mutate events in Naples, the Audio Club in Geneva, Germany’s Audiogate festival and a monster slot on the Pryda stage at Tomorrowland in Belgium. Stretching his reach further to high profile gigs in the UK, Holland, Portugal, Spain, Columbia and China his music is fast becoming a global force to be reckoned with. Frankyeffe's latest work comes as a riveting four-track EP with fellow countryman Resonances on Eats Everything & Andres Campo’s EI8HT imprint. 'On Fire' features an array of swinging Techno bangers from end to end, including the blistering 'What You' featured exclusively below. To celebrate his latest release, we asked Frankyeffe to compile a special selection of some of his favourite records: Frankyeffe, Resonances (IT) - What You Was born from an idea of a vocal from a song from the 70s, and we adapted it to this track that comes close to a Chicago and Detroit funk sound. Egbert - Overpressure Psychedelic sounds and rave and electro elements, I love this job! Ugur Project - After Space I'm consuming this track; as soon as he sent me this song, I wanted to publish it on Riot right away! Frankyeffe - We Come One of my fav productions; a delirium happens every time I play it. Lilly Palmer - We Control Obviously a super production; the dance floor always goes crazy. Julian Jeweil - Boreal Julian's beautiful journey, I gladly listen to him even while driving! Onyx - Restlessness Tracey/Hard track - His first EP was fired for my Riot; I'm glad I produced it. Chris Liebing - Mind bender (Planetary Assault System Remix) Two names, two legends of Techno music. This work is superb! Dubfire - Sound Bath (Luciid Remix) True techno! I love this remix; I will play it a lot! Better Lost Than Stupid - Inside (Andres Campo On A Trip Remix) Masterpiece! Frankyeffe & Resonances (IT) 'On Fire' is out on EI8HT on 25th March 2022. Follow EI8HT: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Ei8htRecords Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ei8htrecords Beatport - https://www.beatport.com/label/ei8ht/76262 Soundcloud - https://soundcloud.com/ei8htrecords Explore more Hot Picks: Hot Picks archive · Influences · All features

Mack Loenz Barcelona-based Mack Loenz represents the latest evolution of Larry McCormick, the producer long established within electro as Exzakt. Rather than leaving that history behind, the project opens it up, bringing vocals, melody and pop sensibilities into a sound still grounded in electro, bass and synthesiser-driven electronics. That progression comes into focus on ‘From The Heart’, his new ten-track album on Maceo Plex’s Lone Romantic. Moving between glistening arpeggios, heavy subs, soaring pads and melodic vocals, the record explores melancholy, romance and futuristic tension while retaining the physicality of McCormick’s club-focused roots. For this edition of Influences, Mack Loenz traces that evolution through five records with direct connections to different stages of his life. From Kraftwerk’s approach to arrangement and the electro record that started his collection at 15 to the track that made him want to produce and a later influence on the Mack Loenz project itself, each reveals another part of the story behind ‘From The Heart’. Kraftwerk – Numbers / Computer World 2 “I've always loved the way "Numbers" moves directly into "Computer World 2" and feels like one continuous piece of music. That transition really stuck with me. I loved the idea of combining two different songs into one experience and letting one idea naturally lead into another. Kraftwerk obviously had a huge influence on me and on the Exzakt sound, but this particular record made me think about arrangement and progression in a different way. It showed me that a song can feel like a journey instead of just being one idea repeated from beginning to end.” Kavinsky – Nightcall “"Nightcall" had a huge influence on the direction of Mack Loenz. I loved the way it combined electronic production with vocals and a pop feeling while still sounding authentic. I also loved it in the movie Drive, where the song and the atmosphere of the film worked together perfectly. That combination of electronic music, strong vocals, melody and emotion really connected with me. It helped reinforce the idea that I could bring more of those elements into my own music while still keeping the electro foundation I've developed over the years.” The Egyptian Lover – Egypt, Egypt “This was the first record I ever bought. I was about 15 when I heard it at the skating rink, and I immediately went up to the DJ to find out what it was. I went to the record store and bought it, which started my own record collection. Before that, I had only been listening to my grandmother's old records. I didn't know it at the time, but the deep electro, melodies and vocals stayed with me and became a foundation for the way I hear music. Looking back, I can hear how much of that first experience eventually found its way into my sound as Exzakt and Mack Loenz.” Wicked Wipe – 10:59 P.M. “This was the record that made me want to produce. I heard it years after discovering those early electro records, when I was older and going to clubs. One night, an alternative night turned into a rave, and when this track came on, people started forming a breakdance circle. It immediately brought me back to being a kid. I ran to the DJ booth trying to find out what it was, but I couldn't figure it out until years later. That experience stayed with me because it was the first time I really thought about making electronic music myself.” The Beat Club – Security “"Security" connects directly to my Miami roots and is a great example of the personality I love in electronic music. It has vocals, scratching and a very distinct Miami feel, and all of those elements give the record a character that really stayed with me. It's not just about the electronic production. You can feel the personality of the people making it. That connection to the Miami sound is a big reason it has remained important to me and why I hear a direct relationship between this kind of music and my own sound as Exzakt.” Taken together, Mack Loenz’s selections trace a path through the ideas that have stayed with him across different stages of his career. Kraftwerk’s approach to progression, The Egyptian Lover and The Beat Club’s electro foundations, the formative impact of Wicked Wipe and Kavinsky’s meeting point between electronic music, vocals and emotion each connect with a different element of his work. On ‘From The Heart’, those threads meet within a project that builds on the foundations of Exzakt while giving McCormick room to explore a more melodic and emotionally direct side of his music. Mack Loenz Instagram - Beatport Explore more Influences: Influences archive · Hot Picks · All features

Eli James and Sirrah came together through their passion for House Music, DJing and beatmaking. Their energetic sets, tight productions and eccentric personality has earned them bookings at several festivals and venues including Outlook Croatia, Bassfest, 02 Academy and XOYO. Similarly, they have shared stages with artists such as Bicep, Skream, Low Steppa, Solardo and have already landed releases on labels such as Goodside, Houz, Deepfake and Wyldcard between them. Having experimented with several underground genres, their dance-floor ready track 'Hold On' released on VINYLMATT Music focuses specifically on powerful and uplifting piano chords coupled with a Groovy bassline and mesmerising vocals reminiscent of the early 90s. With their latest creation now out in the open for us all to enjoy, we asked Eli James & Sirrah to turn in their offering for our beloved 'Hot Picks' series: Eli James & Sirrah - Hold On We would be lying if we said that our first track working together isn't at the top of our rotation! Even though through its creation we've listened to it a million times I'm still loving the piano chords which really give it that summer feel-good vibe we were going for. Xxxy - ILTD I think that at the moment any and every disco/soul track is being sampled it's easy to overlook how great some of these tracks are. Sampled from I love to dance - Kleer this is such a well-put-together track, the sample has been used perfectly, and when that kick comes in you certainly know about it. Magic. X-Coast - Mango Bay Pure white isle vibes. Listening to this makes you feel like you've gone into a time machine back to the 90's. I'm a big fan of him and everything he's put out. Sometimes you just need an artist who can take you back to where it all began. I could have easily filled this list with so many of his releases. Loods - Realness Loods is such a special producer. A genius sample from Barry White - I've got so much to give. With Hold on being my (Eli James') first release, I spent hours and hours listening to other producer's choice and use of samples, and this is a prime example of how even 1 bar of a track can be made into something completely unrecognisable whilst still holding that reminiscent vibe of a past time. Bwana - Due West I first heard this when I was back at university studying and it's been on my USB's ever since. I love the use of reverb on the alternate piano stabs. This is one of those tracks which I wish were 10 hours long. Will Easton - 023 Feel like this track has everything. The tempo change for the main build is something else. A tune you NEED to play the whole way through. Maya Jane Coles - What they Say (Dyed Soundorom Remix) When I first came across this before I even listened to it I thought that the original couldn't possibly benefit from a remix but I was SO wrong. Keeping tonnes of original elements but giving it that smoother vibe is such a difficult skill but Dyed Soundorom smashed it. Prozak - Higher This has everything I love; Iconic piano chords, ambient pads, and a perfect break-beat. Even though the vocal has been used through every house and sub electronic genre it feels like it was meant for this track. Kettama - Higher (Steel City Power House) That second drop.... Dense & Pika - Colt I'm still struggling to get to terms with how a track so raw can also feel so perfect. Again it's all about the piano which still gives me goosebumps like it's the first time I listened to it. Eli James & Sirrah's 'Hold On' is out now on VINYLMATT Music! Explore more Hot Picks: Hot Picks archive · Influences · All features