Guide: Deniro

Mixmag's Guide series invites our favourite new producers to create a mix of their own productions. This month it's the turn of трип and Tape signing Deniro

Nina Kraviz is an exceptional DJ and producer and the boss of one of techno's most exciting labels, трип (pronounced 'trip'). Despite only being active for just over 12 months, the music showcased has been nothing short of fantastic, earning трип the top spot in our labels of 2015 feature.

What's most exciting about the imprint is the batch of new artists being brought forward and the likes of Bjarki, K-Hand and Exos have all seriously impressed. One artist, however, has really stood out from the pack: Deniro, a Dutchman who delivers an intergalactic combination of high-tempo kicks and beautifully-warped melodies.

Reynier Hooft has been releasing music as Deniro since 2012 and Amsterdam label Tape Records has been home to his cosmic techno. The 'Grey' EP was his first official techno venture and two more incredible EPs for Tape followed, one in 2014 and one in '15.

But it's the music Deniro produced via Nina's label that made us fall in love with him properly. The 'De Niro Is Concerned' double-pack dropped on трип last May and the title of the record spawned from a late-night chat between Deniro and Kraviz.

"I was talking to Reynier about when the body is set for a good night sleep but the head rebels against that boring plan and all these strange scenarios start popping up in a quick cycle of images, phrases and sounds," she explained. "This time it was about one of those moments when you suddenly realise that you can't continue as you did before and there is no way back. We both thought Robert De Niro might have had a moment like that."

The EP is perhaps the best release on the label yet. One track by Deniro really got us, though, and from the second we heard it, it remained on repeat for the remainder of the year.

'Organezized' has all of the elements of a perfect, transcendent techno track. There's a thick, bellowing bassline that rolls from the off, other-worldly melodies and, most importantly, synth pads that sound like they've been imported from the clouds. Beautiful doesn't begin to cut it.

Another track on a split EP alongside Tom Trago on Dekmantel followed a similar vein and now Deniro's sights are set on 2016 (it's safe to say that things are looking good).

Release-wise he's bringing out another four-track EP via Tape Records and although details are sparse, we're suitably excited. The majority of his upcoming gigs will happen in Amsterdam and March promises to be a big one, with a notable appearance at the newly-opened De School, the club spawned from the ashes of Trouw.

He's back in with the Dekmantel crew as well, with a performance at the brand new Selectors festival in Croatia and a set at Dekmantel After-Dark in the summer after the main event.

Now, though, we bring you Deniro's Guide and it's been a staple of the Mixmag office for the last month. Reynier has carefully crafted a mix containing 100 per cent his own productions – those dreamy, interstellar beats – and the result is an hour of power. The majority of the music contained is unreleased and untitled but that adds to the beauty of it, you're going to have to be patient or listen to the mix on repeat like we have.

Take a trip with Deniro and buckle up.

Funster is Mixmag's Digital Music Editor, follow him on Twitter