Épisodes

  • Stigmatique – Raw Hypnotic and Pure | True Techno Podcast 112

    Stigmatique – Raw Hypnotic and Pure | True Techno Podcast 112
    Sep 24 2026
    © 2026 True Underground. All rights reserved. True Techno 112 Stigmatique: Analogue Hardware and Personal Turning Points Germany’s techno underground retains its rawest impulse through dedicated local operators who resist commercial trends. Operating out of Leipzig, Stigmatique has spent the past decade shaping an uncompromising sonic identity defined by sub-bass weight, raw analogue hardware, and intense emotional narrative arcs. His entry into professional music production followed a period of intense personal difficulty. A crucial encounter with a peer pursuing music provided the catalyst required to commit fully to studio composition. He once told me that it was time for a turning point in my life and that, if I truly wanted to achieve my dream, I had to make a decision. So I did—and here I am. The moniker itself roots directly in sociological theory regarding social judgment and isolation. Derived from experiences as an outsider, the name represents an intentional choice to channel personal marginalisation into raw warehouse audio. The definition is as follows: Stigmatization is the social process in which individuals or groups are negatively judged, excluded, or discriminated against because of certain characteristics that are perceived as deviating from the norm. The affected person is reduced to that single characteristic, often resulting in prejudice and social disadvantage. I used to be a loner because of my past, which is why I identified so strongly with that definition. Stigmatique Techno Podcast Feature: Independent Label Ethos and Studio Mechanics In 2018, that outsider perspective led directly to the establishment of SEELEN. Records alongside co-founder JANEIN. The label introduced a sharp punk edge to the German techno environment, delivering raw pressings well ahead of the broader shift toward higher tempo styles. Back then—and still today—we simply captured the sound of the moment. Long before other styles of techno or faster music became mainstream, we had the opportunity to shake up the musical landscape with our punk attitude and raw charm, questioning the status quo. Our sound has remained consistent over the years, and I’m convinced it still will be twenty years from now. The early years of SEELEN. Records depended entirely on physical direct sales without external commercial networks or digital platforms. Managing pressing logistics, packaging, and fulfillment directly established a grounded operational ethos built to withstand market volatility. That period wasn’t easy, but it taught us from the ground up what it really means to run a record label and move it forward. Without a distributor, digital releases, or any other external sales channels, we managed to create something with lasting value—something that will continue to stand for quality in the years to come. Many successful artists never really learn what it means to be consistent, what it means to start from absolutely nothing, to take every single step on your own, or to stay true to yourself and your roots. Those are all qualities that are essential if you still want to approach your passion with the same energy and dedication twenty years later as you did in the beginning. To maintain physical digging culture, SEELEN. Records enforces strict limited vinyl pressings. This commitment ensures each physical record holds tangible value for vinyl collectors navigating a saturated digital marketplace. We want digging for vinyl to remain something special. Holding a physical record in your hands should still feel meaningful, and owning one should feel like owning something truly unique. In today’s fast-moving world, that’s incredibly important. Dancefloor Dynamics and Live Set Architecture Recent production outputs highlight this evolving emotional charge. The December 2025 release Am Ende War Die Nacht EP translates personal upheaval, enthusiasm, and melancholy into driving warehouse rhythms. For me, my artistic identity has always been inseparable from emotions and feelings. Every release reflects the emotional state I was in at that particular moment. To answer that question properly, you’d first have to know how I was feeling emotionally during that time. For me, it was a period of major change, new beginnings, and enthusiasm, all existing alongside melancholy. Ironic, isn’t it? The vinyl release SEELEN 013 featured remixes from Phase Fatale and Denise Rabe, selecting close artistic allies to recontextualise the core tracks. Behind the decks, Stigmatique avoids continuous high-intensity pounding, preferring to build dynamic sets that alternate between raw power and melancholic atmosphere. It’s simple: emotions. It’s important not to play one high intensity after another. Instead, you should reflect yourself and your emotional state. I see my sets as a way of expressing things I might not have the courage to say directly. Someone who only wants to play dj sets isn’t a real musician. Only ...
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    1 h et 18 min
  • Pan-Pot Live From Greenfields | True Techno Podcast 111

    Pan-Pot Live From Greenfields | True Techno Podcast 111
    Sep 3 2026
    © 2026 True Underground. All rights reserved. Pan-Pot discuss sub-bass physics, Minimoog Voyager sound design, and their dual-label evolution across SECOND STATE and HUMAN. Pan-Pot, the Berlin-based techno duo of Tassilo Ippenberger and Thomas Benedix, have detailed their production acoustics, sidechain mechanics, and label philosophy in an extensive exploration of modern club dynamics. The discussion accompanies their live recording for episode 111 of the True Techno mix series on SoundCloud and the dual-label release of Everytime. In the humid intensity of a Munich night, the dancefloor at Greenfields pulsed with a raw, collective force that Pan-Pot know intimately. Tassilo Ippenberger, one half of the duo and a native of the surrounding area, describes it as something close to a home game. Their recent live set for the True Techno mix series captured that energy from the first track, the crowd’s enthusiasm translating into an unrelenting momentum that leaps off the recording. “It was intense from the very beginning. The Munich crowd is always incredibly enthusiastic, and you can really hear that energy in the recording. It gave the set a strong momentum right from the opening track… That connection made the atmosphere even more special, and we think it translated very naturally into the recording.” That same drive for physical connection and hypnotic immersion runs through their latest single, Everytime. Released jointly across SECOND STATE and HUMAN, the track is built around a hyperdriving vocal sample that functions less like a traditional arrangement anchor and more like a mechanical centrifuge, spinning the listener deeper into the groove with each repetition. The spark came from a shared love of loopy, hypnotic house records. “We wanted to capture that same kind of energy, where a simple element repeats and gradually pulls you deeper into the groove. When we found this vocal phrase, it immediately did exactly that for us. It has this addictive quality and creates a relentless forward momentum without needing to say too much.” Processing the sample demanded careful restraint. The vocal itself remains direct and unadorned, while the space around it shifts through subtle filtering, effects and placement. Other elements drift in and out, ensuring the loop never settles into stasis. “The key was to keep the loop simple while constantly changing the space around it… That balance was important: it had to remain hypnotic and relentless, like the classic house loops that inspired us, without becoming static or exhausting.” Pan-Pot on Minimoog Synthesis and Low-End Control Beneath the vocal chaos sits a low end of precise weight and punch. Both the sub-bass and mid-bass layers were crafted entirely on a Minimoog Voyager, heavily sidechained to the kick, with frequencies below 30 Hz cut for control. The bass remains strictly mono, refined with EQ and iZotope Ozone’s Impact and Clarity modules, guided by a trusted co-producer whose critical ears proved essential. The result is a track that feels both heavy and agile, rooted in house yet unmistakably Pan-Pot. While the release bridges both of their platforms, the duo are clear about its true home. “Everytime is very clearly a HUMAN release. This track represents the direction in which we want to take HUMAN moving forward. It is direct and powerful, but also loopy, playful and strongly rooted in house music. That balance feels very true to where we are creatively right now.” Fans can stream and download it now on Beatport. HUMAN emerged as a deliberate response to the fragmentation of modern club culture. Sets have grown shorter, genres narrower, and attention often drifts from the collective experience on the floor. “Clubbing has become faster and more fragmented. With HUMAN, we wanted to create a space that brings attention back to the essential experience: people connecting through sound, losing themselves physically and trusting the full journey of a set. It is our response to modern club culture, but also a reminder of what made us fall in love with it in the first place.” Where SECOND STATE was forged as a focused, peak-time techno vehicle – powerful, direct and engineered for maximum impact – HUMAN opens the frame. It still delivers intensity, yet makes room for groove, repetition, house influences and playful detours. The difference is one of scope: SECOND STATE hits the peak; HUMAN maps the entire journey around it. Berlin Techno Duo Tassilo Ippenberger and Thomas Benedix on Dual-Label Curation That philosophy took to the streets on 15 August 2026 when Pan-Pot rolled out a custom truck for Rave The Planet in Berlin. Hosting their own vehicle at the parade had long been an ambition. Deeply tied to the city and its electronic-music heritage, they saw the mobile stage as a natural extension of HUMAN’s ethos. “A moving truck also reflects what the concept is about: bringing people together through music without the ...
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    Moins d'une minute
  • Praecox – Raw Hypnotic and Pure | True Techno Podcast 110

    Praecox – Raw Hypnotic and Pure | True Techno Podcast 110
    Aug 6 2026
    © 2026 True Underground. All rights reserved. True Techno 110: Introducing Praecox. Jerzy Przeździecki’s Thirty-Year Journey Through Industrial Electronics and Buchla Sound True Techno 110 arrives as both a mix and a map. Warsaw producer Jerzy Przeździecki, working across the names Praecox, Epi Centrum and his own, steps into the True Underground series with a recording that traces more than three decades of electronic music. Released in August 2026, the set gathers material from his principal projects and draws a clear line from the radical energy of 1990s Polish underground culture to the hardware-focused experimentation that defines his work today. Key Takeaways True Techno 110 was assembled by Jerzy Przeździecki as a purposeful passage through three production identities, successive eras of his career, and the shifting styles that formed his approach over thirty-plus years. Buchla modular instruments, the Triple Morphing Filter and carefully controlled acoustic feedback networks provided the core tools for the dense, unsettled textures heard on his Epi Centrum releases for Trapez and Affin. A new album under the name Jerzy Przeździecki, drawing on Detroit techno influences, is prepared for release on Poland’s IDO Records in autumn 2026. Picture Warsaw in the 1990s: the National Stadium market thick with residual tension, heroin a visible presence on the streets, organised crime simply part of the city’s fabric. At the same time, strobe lights cut through LSD fog in clubs, illegal parties flared in surrounding forests, and the Academy of Fine Arts operated as a permanent engine of rebellious ideas. Cassette players ran constantly in the studios. Students staged events that regularly escaped official oversight. From that charged atmosphere stepped Jerzy Przeździecki, a producer who has spent his career refusing simple labels, moving between the identities of Praecox, Epi Centrum and his given name. True Techno 110 captures that restless movement. The mix is not a standard selection of tracks but a carefully plotted route across thirty years of changing sound. I have to admit I spent quite a bit of time thinking about its concept, especially in the context of my work as a producer. In the end, I decided to create a musical journey through my three artistic identities, different periods of my career, and the styles that have shaped my sound over the years. In the mix you’ll hear tracks by Epi Centrum, Praecox, and Jurek Przeździecki. I hope this journey through more than 30 years of my musical evolution will be enjoyable both for you and for the listeners, while also giving them a chance to discover the different dimensions of my work. Post-communist Warsaw still carried the weight of the previous decades. Forest raves, specialist record shops and the Academy of Fine Arts together created an environment where radical thinking was everyday practice. Music filled every studio space. Inside that setting Przeździecki’s own direction took shape. Early listening had centred on punk and hardcore; those influences slowly opened onto Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, Nitzer Ebb and Cabaret Voltaire. The shift proved decisive. For the first time he felt compelled to produce original work and establish a personal voice. An Atari computer and a modest collection of machines became the tools for his first experiments. The Academy also housed Blue Velvet, a network of basement rooms that absorbed him for days at a stretch. Events ran throughout the week and drew overlapping communities. There he encountered Tromesa, already respected on the international psy-trance circuit. The partnership that followed produced Bigwigs and launched years of worldwide travel. Viewed from the present, the progression feels continuous rather than accidental. Punk, industrial, psy-trance and today’s experimental techno each added another stratum to a single ongoing narrative. He has never sought membership of any one scene. The search has always been for an individual vocabulary. The reason was very simple. Through Praecox, I had become strongly associated with psy-trance and psy-techno. That project was deeply rooted in the fluorescent aesthetics and culture of the psychedelic scene, which made it difficult for people to approach my newer music on its own terms. The music I was creating had very little to do with psy-trance anymore. So I decided to release my minimal techno work under my own name, Jerzy Przeździecki, while reserving Epi Centrum for the darker, heavier, and more experimental material. It was a way of bringing clarity to my artistic portfolio rather than separating my work into rigid genres. For me, these projects have always been different facets of the same artistic identity, not boxes defined by stylistic boundaries. Industrial music supplied a foundational attitude rather than a set of surface sounds. Its refusal to compromise, its roughness and its readiness to confront the listener shaped his ...
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    1 h et 11 min
  • PETRU KSS – Raw Hypnotic and Pure | True Techno Podcast 109

    PETRU KSS – Raw Hypnotic and Pure | True Techno Podcast 109
    Jun 24 2026
    © 2026 True Underground. All rights reserved. Petru KSS: Raw, Hypnotic and Pure on True Techno Podcast 109 Corsican electronic music producer PETRU KSS delivers an expertly curated 33-track set for True Techno Podcast 109, released on 24 June 2026. The broadcast integrates his performance philosophy with material from his debut album, Kolibri Live LP, recorded during a continuous live take at sunrise on a remote Corsican hilltop. His long play anchors his hardware-centric framework developed under the mentorship of Richie Hawtin at the University of Huddersfield. Key Takeaways PETRU KSS developed the THRiPPS performance system while holding the Richie Hawtin PhD Scholarship in Electronic Music at the University of Huddersfield. The debut album Kolibri Live LP acts as the central proof of concept for this ongoing live performance research. True Techno Podcast 109 performance compresses a multi-hour club timeline into a focused 60-minute intense progression. His core aesthetic framework WYHWYT completely removes digital screens and mouse interaction from the live workflow. The album’s raw multi-track recordings were engineered by Hannes Bieger and mastered by the Calyx engineering team to preserve performance volatility. PETRU KSS anchors True Techno Podcast 109 with a performance that highlights his hardware-focused sonic philosophy. This broadcast represents his deep technical expertise into standard club environments. By prioritizing narrative flow over standard club trends, his curated selection creates a direct link between his live energy and club dynamics. The performance directly expands upon his debut long-player, Kolibri Live LP, which was recorded under extreme environmental constraints. For the album, PETRU KSS carried his production setup up a remote Corsican hillside in total darkness to capture a continuous sunrise take. Managing heavy equipment in shifting temperatures and high humidity introduced random variables that actively shaped the recorded material. “The whole set is alive because I felt alive. Past the preparation, physical effort, low error margin related to time and setup, when the set starts, it would just be ‘finally, it’s time to enjoy!'” The structural backbone of this project relies entirely on THRiPPS. This structural methodology stands for Techno Hardware-centric, Real-time, Improvisation, Production and Performance Study. PETRU KSS refines this practical framework at the University of Huddersfield as the inaugural recipient of the Richie Hawtin PhD Scholarship. PETRU KSS: Raw, Hypnotic and Pure on True Techno Podcast 109 The academic endorsement provides a structured platform to examine how professional touring acts interact with hardware instrumentation. His workflow prioritizes real-time decision-making, which intentionally opens the performance to technical risk. Rather than correcting unstable analogue oscillators or unexpected resonance spikes, these elements remain embedded within the arrangements. This rejection of digital optimization defines his primary performance motto, WYHWYT. The acronym translates directly to What You Hear Is What You Touch, establishing a firm boundary against screen-heavy workflows. His physical configuration relies on machines like the Analog Rytm, Moog Minitaur, and Dreadbox Typhon to construct a comprehensive club environment without a computer mouse. “Those perfectly imperfect moments, slightly drifting oscillators and unexpected resonances, these are part of a live performance DNA, and represent a human risk that AI-driven music simply cannot replicate.” Following the initial live tracking phase, PETRU KSS delivered the multi-track files directly to Hannes Bieger for mixing. The tracking stems then went to Calyx for final audio mastering to guarantee competitive club translation. The finished material stands as a clear alternative to the polished studio outputs and automated arrangements defining the 2026 techno landscape. His neurodivergent traits serve as a critical functional asset during high-stakes hardware improvisation. The physical layout of separate control surfaces triggers a state of deep hyperfocus during complex sequences. Removing deep software submenus limits external distraction, satisfying the neurological requirement for physical motion and direct acoustic feedback. “Adrenaline triggers a state of hyperfocus for me and my neurodivergence allows me to forget everything else when I have a specific goal in mind, translating into laser-sharp focus and resilience. The physicality of a hardware setup reduces the friction and distraction I’d get from a mouse and a screen.” PETRU KSS balances these raw hardware improvisations with standard club curation, drawing on over two decades of traditional DJ experience. His contribution to True Techno Podcast 109 condenses an extended electronic narrative into a precise sixty-minute club window. The podcast documents an authentic human take, preserving real ...
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    1 h
  • Kadric – Hypnotic & Hardgroove | True Techno Podcast 108

    Kadric – Hypnotic & Hardgroove | True Techno Podcast 108
    Jun 9 2026
    © 2026 True Underground. All rights reserved. Kadric True Techno Podcast Edition Links Bern’s Raw Underground Scene Swiss techno producer and Solid Dark label co-owner Cédric Mokus, performing under his Kadric moniker, has delivered the latest edition of the Kadric True Techno podcast directly from the underground circuit of Bern, Switzerland. This hard-hitting audio presentation showcases his evolution from early minimal rhythms into a heavy, peak-time sonic blueprint. By positioning raw hypnotic power at the centre of the mix, the execution addresses a growing regional demand for immersive, compromise-free dancefloor movements. Music became a core element of the producer’s identity during his school years, spent composing original works and performing in traditional bands. A pivotal club night in Bern redirected that creative focus entirely toward electronic frequencies. His initial venture into production arrived via the minimal tech project Krafteck, capturing international attention with releases on prominent labels including Reload Records, Hungry Koala, DC10, and Doubsquare Records. The early track Madness climbed to number 98 in the Beatport Minimal Techno chart, establishing a technical foundation that would later undergo a radical transformation. In 2019, Mokus closed the minimal chapter to launch his current identity. The transition reflected a calculated shift toward a weightier, more menacing sonic territory, mirroring the hardening preferences of the broader European club scene. “The transition was less about leaving something behind and more about a natural evolution of my artistic vision,” Kadric explains. “Over time, my taste shifted more and more towards darker, hypnotic and high-energy sounds. At the same time, the Swiss underground scene evolved, creating a growing demand for intense, emotional and immersive dancefloor experiences. Kadric gave me the opportunity to fully embrace that direction and express my creativity without limitations.” This pursuit of creative freedom is evident in his role within Solid Dark, an autonomous imprint co-founded by Kevin Stäger (Kevqube) and David Kawka, with further input from Juan Vasquez (Dee Jota). The label has rapidly expanded its footprint, issuing the comprehensive 13-track Hypnosis 1 compilation. Kadric contributed the heavy composition Parallax to the release, a production designed explicitly to push club monitoring systems to their structural absolute limits. “With ‘Parallax’, the dancefloor impact was the main focus from day one,” Kadric says, breaking down his studio architecture. “The foundation of the track is the relationship between the kick and the bassline. The goal was to create a deep, powerful yet controlled low-end that works on any sound system. Every percussion layer, texture and sound was carefully placed to support the hypnotic flow of the track.” Managing such dense frequencies requires strict discipline during the mixdown process, ensuring that sharp synth stabs cut through highly compressed sub-bass lines without causing acoustic fatigue. “The most important aspect is balance,” Kadric notes. “It is not about making elements louder, but about giving each sound its own space within the frequency spectrum. At the same time, it is very important to me that my productions remain recognisable and that listeners immediately know there is a Kadric track behind the sound.” The success of this approach is validated by his chart history and industry backing. His single Pressure reached number 82 on the global Beatport Techno charts, and his studio output routinely receives performance support from high-tier industry mainstays including Adam Beyer, Chris Liebing, Charlotte de Witte, Amelie Lens, Pan-Pot, Spartaque, T78, and The YellowHeads. Preserving Counter-Culture Mechanics on the Physical Floor The curation on the new podcast functions as an extension of the programming principles utilized by the Solid Dark collective. The crew balance intimate basement club showcases, such as their recent residency at Sous Soul Bern, alongside massive public spectacles including an upcoming 36-hour non-stop warehouse rave at the Berner Stadtfest on June 19th. This wide spectrum requires an advanced understanding of energy pacing and crowd communication. “The biggest difference is energy management,” Kadric observes. “In an intimate venue like Sous Soul, you can take more time, build tension slowly and guide the crowd deeper into a musical journey. At a festival, the communication with the audience needs to be more direct.” While maintaining a demanding schedule that includes balancing family life with running an online marketing agency and an e-commerce business, Kadric approaches music through a lens of strict purity. The selection across this podcast avoids passing internet trends, focusing instead on long-term narrative depth, soul, and structural pressure. It serves as a direct reflection of a ...
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    2 h
  • DEAS – Raw, Hypnotic and Pure | True Techno Podcast 107

    DEAS – Raw, Hypnotic and Pure | True Techno Podcast 107
    Jun 5 2026
    © 2026 True Underground. All rights reserved. DEAS on Resisting Industry Commercialisation In an exclusive interview for Change Underground Polish techno producer DEAS (Karol Mozgawa) addressed the commercialisation of modern club culture and discusses his hardware production methodology. In this exclusive feature for true techno podcast 107, broadcasting from his studio base in Krakow, Poland to the global underground community. Greek-born and Poland-based, DEAS has carved an uncompromising path from local residencies at Smolna and Tama to international stages including Awakenings, Extrema, and E1 London. With a sonic footprint spanning CLR, ARTS, and Planet Rhythm, his output remains fiercely rooted in hypnotic grooves, live hardware interaction, and an uncompromised artistic vision. We sat down with DEAS to talk analogue obsession, the evolution of his sound, the expansion and occasional dilution of the global techno scene, and why authenticity still matters more than follower counts. Hardware Journeys and One-of-a-Kind Grooves DEAS has long held a reputation as a dedicated hardware specialist, though his relationship with machinery is more collaborative than dogmatic. While software plays a functional role in his workflow, the driving energy of his music stems from the tactile, unpredictable feedback loops of physical gear. He approaches music production not as a rigid programming exercise, but as an unfolding journey where the final track acts essentially as a natural side effect of the physical process. This hands-on methodology yields tracks and DJ sets with a distinct, lived-in texture; hypnotic, precise, yet continually inventive. It is groove-focused techno built for long-form dancefloor immersion rather than instantaneous algorithmic satisfaction. His recent Drifted Off EP on ARTS showcases this ongoing structural evolution, weaving spoken-word elements and subtle melodic layers into his signature driving atmospheres without altering his core artistic trajectory. Rather than attempting to reinvent the wheel, his studio work focuses entirely on introducing sharp internal surprises while staying true to an idiosyncratic musical vision. The Scene: Growth, Spectacle, and Soul The global expansion of techno has undoubtedly broadened the audience for underground sounds, a reality DEAS acknowledges as a major benefit for emerging artists and independent labels. However, this mainstream saturation brings an inevitable compromise: the transformation of club culture into visual spectacle. Across international circuits, events increasingly prioritise sensory distraction over sonic depth, shifting the focus away from the music itself. This commercial transition forces electronic music figures into a compromise between performance and digital marketing optimization. DEAS rejects the contemporary pressure to treat music as an optimized commodity, drawing a clear line between the responsibilities of a creator and those of a digital marketer. “My approach to art in general is not focused on constantly trying to make it ‘sellable’,” he notes. “I am not a content creator; I see myself as an artist. An artist creates what they feel… they don’t ask the audience what they expect from them.” This strict boundary dictates how he reads crowd energy across different territories. While some international hubs lean heavily into the curated show, others preserve the raw musical connection that initially defined the subculture. Fake Things and Scene Authenticity This tension forms the thematic core of his Vibrations EP on Planet Rhythm, highlighted by the pointedly titled track “Fake Things.” Released in early 2026, the project lands amidst ongoing industry debates regarding inflated social metrics, bought followers, and the rise of the manufactured profile. While DEAS leaves the track open to individual interpretation, the critique of a scene dominated by artificial engagement remains apparent. Despite the distortion of booking ecosystems by digital algorithms, he notes that experienced promoters are increasingly looking past superficial data. Metrics do not guarantee real-world ticket sales or dancefloor command, a reality that offers a baseline of hope for authentic talent. For emerging producers looking to establish themselves within this dense landscape, his perspective remains resolutely anti-formulaic. “It’s not a matter of giving anyone advice,” he states. “I do what I do because I can’t live any other way. So if you feel that kind of inner need, then go for it.” This intrinsic drive remains critical, particularly as studio craftsmanship and stage command demand fundamentally different technical strengths. Looking Forward The future of the genre relies heavily on localized resistance to corporate curation. DEAS finds inspiration not in major festival trends, but in independent collectives establishing intimate events in unconventional spaces, alongside the specialized developers ...
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    56 min
  • Juheun – Robotic Soul & Underground Philosophy | True Techno Podcast 106

    Juheun – Robotic Soul & Underground Philosophy | True Techno Podcast 106
    Apr 15 2026
    © 2026 True Underground. All rights reserved. The Psychology of the Reset: Juheun’s Mission for the Underground Juheun’s trajectory is a study in creative survival. After over a decade performing as DJ Tranzit in the American house scene, he faced a choice: continue playing tracks he didn’t like to satisfy a commercial bottle-service culture, or return to the “faceless” roots that originally defined his love for electronic music. His return to techno was a reclamation of mental health and artistic clarity, a move away from the “noise” of social media influencers and toward the raw, mechanical soul of the machine. “With so much noise these days coming at us from social media, influencers, and AI… it’s very easy to get lost and forget why we are here in the first place. It’s always been very important to stay grounded and focus on the music. Sometimes the easy way out is to follow trends, but that doesn’t do anything for you in the long run.” This grounding is maintained through a rigid discipline system. In an industry that demands constant output, Juheun relies on a “dialled-in schedule” to prevent the burnout that comes from constant comparison. He views the studio as a laboratory where he controls electricity—converting vibrations into futuristic frequencies. Yet, he is quick to identify the trap of repetition; for Juheun, innovation isn’t just about adding new sounds, but knowing when to strip everything back to its fundamentals. “Learning to become a good producer is knowing when to stop, and knowing when its time to shift gears or even give up on an idea. One of the best studio tips I’ve gotten is to start deleting parts and pieces when you hit a dead end. Even just muting channels and stripping it all back down to its fundamentals have done wonders.” Juheun’s perspective on the “business layer” of the industry is equally uncompromising. He views the current ecosystem as one that has devalued the art form through over-accessibility. From over-produced events with “a million lasers” to the “AI-generated slop” infiltrating playlists, he sees a desperate need to return value to the music itself. His solution is a structural reset: raising the cost of music to force a more curated, appreciative relationship between the listener and the artist. “We need to bring value back to music. I think its time to raise the prices on music a little. Even doubling the cost of a single song from $0.99 to $2.00 can make a huge difference… if we are not taking care of the musicians and producers who create the music, then we would be left with nothing but generic AI generated slop.” His mix for True Techno 106 is an extension of this mindset—a pursuit of “timeless techno” that stands apart from the peak-time trends. By weaving his own unreleased live IDs, like ‘Lets Dance’, with the deep, hypnotic selections of Phil Berg and Modeselektor, Juheun provides a glimpse into a future where the music—not the brand—is the catalyst for connection. It is a reminder that once the current bubble bursts, the underground will remain, sustained by those who were there for the right reasons all along. “Techno has always been a bit mysterious to me. Back in the day, it was a song title and an obscure name… it was really just about how hot the record was instead of the reverse. This is what makes it so special. Listen to the music first.” Tracklist Civil Servant – Into The Unknown (Juheun Remix)Troy – Ishi No Medama (Original Mix)Regent – Arcane (Original Mix)Toobris – Tomorrow is Gone (Original Mix)Modeselektor – Blockchain (Original Mix)Juheun – Lets Dance (Original Mix)Hertz, Oscar Escapa – Eternal Groove (Original Mix)Khabiar – It Depends ON (Original Mix)Oscar Sanchez – Selective Memory (Original Mix)Phil Berg – Sappho (Original Mix)Frank Biazzi – Open Your Eyes (Juheun Remix)Kulage – Nord (Original Mix)Simone Zino – Momentum (Original Mix)Klint – Calibre (Original Mix) Listen to all editions of True Techno True Techno FAQ Which tracks did Juheun use in his True Techno mix? Juheun’s mix features a blend of high-precision techno including his own remix of Civil Servant’s ‘Into The Unknown’, his unreleased live track ‘Lets Dance’, and his remix of Frank Biazzi’s ‘Open Your Eyes’. The set also incorporates tracks from Modeselektor, Phil Berg, and Oscar Sanchez. What is Juheun’s philosophy on the current state of techno? Juheun advocates for a return to the “faceless” roots of techno, where the music carries more weight than the brand or social media presence. He believes in bringing value back to music by potentially increasing prices for digital singles to support independent artists and curb the influence of generic, AI-generated content. How does Juheun approach studio production and sound design? Juheun employs a rhythm-centric, tactile approach using hardware like the Moog Sub 37. He treats ...
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    1 h
  • Ilona Maras – Peak Time Techno Mix | True Techno 105

    Ilona Maras – Peak Time Techno Mix | True Techno 105
    Mar 25 2026
    © 2026 True Underground. All rights reserved. Ilona Maras – True Techno 105: Discusses Her Hive Residency and Narrative Energy Ilona Maras anchors this edition of True Techno, showcasing the clinical technicality and raw emotional weight that have fuelled her trajectory through the underground. Based in Zürich and maintaining a residency at the influential Hive club, Maras provides an exclusive look into her creative process following her recent EP on MJA the Vision. Her sound – a sophisticated blend of Eastern melodies and raw acid textures – has earned her the backing of industry heavyweights like Richie Hawtin and positions her as a definitive voice in contemporary techno. For Maras, the evolution from a hobbyist to a central figure in the scene was a gradual realisation of purpose. The transition occurred as she noticed her focus shifting towards the minutiae of performance and the psychological impact of the booth. “It wasn’t one big moment, more a quiet realisation that kept getting louder over time,” she reflects. “I noticed how deeply I cared about every detail, every transition, every reaction from the crowd. At some point, it became clear this wasn’t something I did for fun after work; it was how I experience the world.” The Hive Residency: Illona Maras Technical Education The Hive in Zürich serves as both a creative anchor and a testing ground for Maras’ output. Her residency has required her to navigate diverse time slots and floors, a process that demands an acute level of crowd empathy and technical adaptability. This experience has shaped her ability to work a room without relying on cheap tropes or forced energy. “You can’t force energy in that space; you have to read the room and build it slowly, earn trust step by step. It taught me that sometimes less is more, and that people will go with you if you’re honest, not if you’re trying to impress them.” – Ilona Maras This grounded approach extends to her high-pressure performances, including playing a set at Street Parade while seven months pregnant – a moment she describes as a powerful convergence of her personal life and professional commitment. MJA the Vision and the 90s Techno Influence Her latest work on MJA the Vision, released on 06.03.2026, leans into the contrast between tension and release. Inspired by the industrial geometry of the Prague train station, the EP captures a specific 90s techno aesthetic while maintaining the modern clarity required for big-room impact. Maras describes the production as an exercise in intuition over calculation. “The EP is very much about contrast, tension and release, control and letting go. I got inspired while visiting Prague; I was in a room overlooking their beautiful train station, and something about that view gave me a strong 90s feeling. It made me want to recreate a bit of that 90s techno vibe in my own way.” – Ilona Maras Honesty as a Production Standard Since her debut on Get Physical with Existe, Maras has prioritised instinct over perfectionism. This philosophy has seen her tracks championed by Richie Hawtin and released on labels including Volta, We Are The Brave, and Filth On Acid. By refusing to “customise” music for specific labels, she has maintained a cohesive identity that bridges the gap between underground depth and peak-time function. Her focus now shifts towards her own imprint and a commitment to innovation that ignores the saturation of the modern trend cycle. “I’d love to push even more into innovation… and to ignore the noise around me as much as possible,” she says. “Every time I manage to do that, those tracks usually work the best.” As Ilona Maras continues her tour cycle, True Techno 105 serves as a testament to an artist who values real connection over fleeting metrics. Her sound is built for high-intensity immersion, striking the balance between visceral, dancefloor-focused energy and complex melodic progression. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ILona Maras (@ilonamaras) Ilona Maras True Techno 105 Tracklist 1. Ben Sims – Snapshot 99 (ANNE Remix V1) [Hardgroove] 2. Sola Contagio – Mutatio 02 (Original Mix) [Ketra Records] 3. Ktrsx – Apocryphal Orchestra (Original Mix) [SLASH] 4. Vinicius Honorio – Piano Thing (Original Mix) [Mind Medizin Records] 5. Joey Beltram – Energy Flash (Original Mix) [R&S Records] 6. dogheadsurigeri – Lead Astray (Original Mix) [SLASH] 7. Josh Wink, Size 9, Marco Faraone – I’m Ready (Marco Faraone Extended Remix) [Factory 93 Records] 8. Akona – Acid Diva (Extended Mix) [OFF Recordings] 9. Gockel – Push the Pace (Original Mix) [Special Series] 10. Ilona Maras – Midnight Talks (Original Mix) [MJA The Vision] 11. Clif Jack – Konnekting Your Mynd (Original Mix) [MJA The Vision]11. 12. Ilona Maras – Walking the Clouds (Original Mix) [MJA The Vision] 13. KI/KI – Don’t Stop (Emotional Mix) [SLASH] 14. DVS1 – Black Russian (Original Mix) [...
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    1 h et 3 min