Das SPEZIAL is difficult to define. More so a collective than a project, the brainchild of UK producer Shahab Notghi & Lloyd Miles is breaking down the convention of ‘the artist.’ Their work is grounded in powerful, brooding electronica, but is designed to encompass a range of creative expressions.
DJ / exclusive mix / Interview / mix / Producer
From the current vanguard of producers working within the realms of melodic techno, few are as meticulous as Recondite. As an artist, the German producer is invested in the design of music itself, looking to explore its potential emotional architecture by honouring his instincts. The rural landscape of his
Chris Liebing is synonymous with the techno genre, and his impact on it has been enduring. His creative journey is marked by constant evolution. Whether he’s leading a label, curating podcasts, DJing, or producing, Liebing consistently challenges both himself and his audience to explore novel territories within electronic music.
For electronic music trio Diode Eins, the creative process is akin to a spiritual practice, and music becomes the art of connecting people through feelings. Be it in the studio or on the dance floor, it’s all about triggering something in the listener and creating that indescribable energy that
It’s perhaps unsurprising that German house duo Arndt Rörig and Marko Vidovic, AKA Tube & Berger, began their journey in music as part of a punk rock band. As pioneering producers initially exploring the inherent obnoxious and anarchic attitude of tech-house, their origins have always informed their approach. You can
Deep House / Djs / exclusive mixes / House / Melodic Techno / mixes / Tech House
You can tell that DJ and producer Malandra is a romantic. He has that sort of red, hot blooded Italian passion coursing through his veins. He speaks in sonnets, and looks back fondly on memories of growing up surrounded by an eclectic mix of musical influences. It’s these influences
DJ / exclusive interview / House / Italo / Melodic Techno / mix / Producer / Tech House
Despite him being touted as an emerging force in the melodic techno scene just a few years ago, Dutch producer Rob Hes’ experience spans much further. Arriving at his current style of energetic yet melodically driven techno has been an evolution three decades in the making, an evolution that Hes
DJ / exclusive interview / exclusive mix / Melodic House / Melodic Techno / mix / Producer
On his latest EP Bakone, prolific South African producer Da Capo pushes his artistry in a new, exciting direction. A pioneer in the Afrohouse movement, the Limpopo born artist has achieved global recognition for his unique and enthralling rhythms, captivating harmonies, and skill in revitalising songs with his remarkable remixes.
For Florida producer Tommy Leas, AKA PLS&TY, the past is an opportunity to imagine the future. His beginnings in bombastic, ecstatic future bass are rooted in the sounds of classic R&B and hip-hop, grounding his forward thinking sound in a distinct tradition of taste. This approach has seen undeniable success.
Bass / DJ / exclusive mix / Future Bass / House / Interview / mixes / Producer
Tech-house orientated musician and imprint owner Juliet Sikora shares an exclusive mix with The Playground today. Embarking on her solo career with the release of her debut via Opaque Music would lead to a long-term collaboration with musicians Tube & Berger. More than a decade later and many collaborations later,
