20 artists to know who are rising from the underground
Keep an eye on these talented DJs and producers
Whether playing to empty rooms or shopping a stack of productions with the hope of a proper release, all DJs and producers start at the bottom of the totem pole just looking for their chance to move up. Some choose to throw their own parties or link with a local promoter as a resident DJ so as to get their name out. Perseverance is key for many and dwelling in the underground, hustling to gigs along with endless hours in the studio is a common thread, but the pay off is well worth it.
Mixmag pays close attention to the passionate individuals supplying the scene with quality music, whether they have a massive following or not. As long as an artist is progressing and continuing to build a reputation, their time will come. With this in mind, we've highlighted a collection of artists who have been earning increased attention over the past few years.
Below are the artists rising from the underground, some may be more known than others, but all should be on your radar moving forward.
Aurora Halal
Brooklyn-based artist Aurora Halal has been making waves for a few years now due to her uncompromising approach to techno and house. Her material has graced labels like Lovers Rock and Mutual Dreaming, plus she's supplied quality mixes for outlets like The Bunker NY, RINSE, Beats In Space and more. She was recently tapped by Dekmantel to supply a set for their podcast series, listen below.
LUZ1E
In the realm of lo-fi house and techno, the community is populated by mostly male producers, that is until LUZ1E stepped out and showcased her dusty blend of melodic and jacking house. Based in Germany, she sites Detroit and New York City as her influences. Still little is known of this fresh talent, but her music is buzzing around at the moment and there's obviously much more to look forward to from her.
Morgan
Based in Australia, Morgan is a fresh talent who's been popping up on labels like Budare, Sunday Money Music and most recently Loco Dice's Desolat imprint. Her collaborations with Guti are expertly crafted tunes that vary from dancefloor focused tracks to more soulful and downtempo productions. From the material she's supplied thus far, it's clear she has plenty of versatility to share.
Julia Govor
Julia Govor has been a favorite at Mixmag for quite some time, plus she has the support from tastemakers like Richie Hawtin and Ricardo Villalobos on her side, which is always a good thing. She supplied Mixmag with an Impact Mix, took part in the first Mixmag Live in the US in New York and is also part of the Smirnoff Sound Collective, showcasing her unique blend of minimal and energetic techno and house. Find out more on Julia here.
Cinthie
As the leader of the Beste Modus imprint, Cinthie has played a key role in releasing some of the most sought after underground tracks in the past few years. She showcases a mixture of raw, techy, minimal, jacking house aimed at the dancefloor and her label's vinyl releases are coveted by many. She's already been playing around the world for some time now, mainly in Europe, and she's always one to keep an eye on as the quality of music she shares is unparalleled.
Peggy Gou
Peggy Gou needs little introduction these days. She seemingly came out of nowhere last year with releases on REKIDS, Phonica White and Technicolor, and her music and DJ sets span an eclectic range of styles, landing her an Impact mix with us at Mixmag. Simply put, Peggy is already a superstar in the making. Watch her closely.
Avalon Emerson
With her release on Whities making it into numerous best of the year lists in 2016, there's no doubt Avalon Emerson will likely build off that momentum. Her style is all her own, blending textures and tones to develop her distinct style of techno. You can find her music on labels like Spectral Sound, Eskimo Recordings, Spring Theory and more.
DJ Moxie
With an avid fanbase tuning into her radio shows regularly, DJ Moxie plays a key role in letting the world know what music is heating up dancefloors around the world. She has also helped establish the reputation of NTS radio since she joined in 2011 and her Moxie Presents compilation series showcases top tune from a variety of genres.
Antenes
Antenes' analog techno is relentless, hypnotic and versatile, showcasing both ambient noise and rhythm variations seemingly with ease. With just one EP on LIES and a forthcoming release on The Bunker NY, her release have not come as often as some might hope, but both her live and DJ sets are a marvel to witness. Listen to a recent mix of hers below.
Volvox
As part of the Discwoman collective, Volvox has been an active member of the NYC techno community since 2011 and has shared the booth with artists like The Black Madonna, Marcel Dettmann, DVS1, The Hacker, Legowelt and Mike Servito, among others. She's been subtly breaking through on the international circuit recently and her DJ sets take listeners on a journey through her top techno selects, listen below.
Yulia Niko
Yulia Niko recently released the first 12" on her own label TochnoTechno, delivering a snapshot of her techy, warehouse style house and techno. She's been an active gigging DJ for some time now, but her recently released original material is earning much deserved attention.
Jayda G
Fresh off a feature for Mixmag's Gold series, Jayda G is a clear breakthrough artist to look out for in 2017. Hailing from the Canadian Riviera, her music has been released by labels like 1080p, Geography Records, Freakout Cult and Butter Sessions, while she's also supplied mixes for Discwoman and Beats In Space. She delivers diverse selection, from soul and funk to jazz, house and more tribal genres.
Lauren Ritter
All Day I Dream affiliate Lauren Ritter released a standout EP on the label in 2016, which helped put her in even more demand as a DJ than she already is. With her home in NYC, she's been a resident at Resolute and has toured the states extensively while also taking her talents overseas to Kater Blau and Chalet in Berlin, as well as gigging in Dubai. Her recent mix for a radio station in Seattle showcases her captivating blend of deep house, listen below.
J. Worra
Los Angeles-based and Chicago-born J. Worra is rapidly ascending as a sharp house and bass-tipped producer that has seen releases out on Perfect Driver, Sweat It Out!, Insomniac Records and more. She hits the mark between wobbly, bobbing house and thundering bass kicks.
Ada
German talent Ada found her beginnings humbly after picking up and tinkering with a forgotten groovebox. It eventually launched her forward into her debut album 'Blondie' in 2004 and her journey ahead as one of electronic music's most intruiging off-beat acts to watch.
Lee K
From the outside looking in, Lee K is a silent but serious talent that has singlehandedly DJed her way from her native San Diego to the stages at ENTER. in Ibiza alongside Richie Hawtin, out at The BPM Festival in Mexico and at CRSSD Fest, her hometown bi-annual festival.
Marite
Based in Brooklyn by way of Venezuela, Marite is quickly becoming one of the local communities brightest DJs. As a fresh addition to the Resolute family, she possesses the expert skill and knowledge to work a dancefloor and her blend of techy, minimal house is ideal for the late nights and early mornings of the cities warehouse raves. She also co-founded the Off The Record party series and has supplied mixes for Sheik 'N' Beik, RA+RE Records, Smelly Feet Records, Groove and Flavor and more.
Black Girl / White Girl
Amsterdam duo Black Girl / White Girl have seen releases out on Toolroom, Nervous and Flashmob and have received support from big names like Paco Osuna, John Digweed and more. If that's not enough to convince you to take a listen to the tech house-tipped duo, we're not sure what will.
UMFANG
You might know UMFANG as one of the co-founders of the publicized and powerful Discwoman collective. The Kansas native now resides in Brooklyn where she holds residencies at Technofeminism at Bossa Nova Civic Club, a party that embraces vinyl and worthy emerging talent.
Molly
Though Molly's affinity for electronic music began in London, the Parisian native couldn't help but to bring her artist career back to France after finishing a Masters degree. She's a resident at the city's iconic Rex Club and has seen releases out on Rekids, All Inn and Karlovak.
Michelle Sparks
Phoenix, Arizona might not seem like an obvious hotspot for a thriving techno scene, but if anyone is out to change that, it's Michelle Sparks. First a DJ and later a producer, Michelle has released on Suicide Robot and Raise Recordings while also hosting Circuit, an event that introduces the Southwest of the US to rising talents in the techno realm.
