Berlin Mixtapes 070 - Huxley
- Markus Saarländer
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
As we reach another numerical milestone as we hit episode number 70, we welcome one of House music's veterans. Hugely respected, not only in Blighty but also globally, we are super excited to feature the amazing Huxley.
Over an impressive timescale, Huxley has excelled at many different styles, often ahead of the curve. He does well swung drums as well as bass, main room house and deeper, musically accomplished offerings that stir real emotion. The proof of that lies in his varied and vital discography.
As a DJ, Huxley is someone as comfortable headlining a vast festival stage as he is holding down a small and sweaty basement. He does so from Africa to Australia and is the sort of selector who always delivers a slick, high impact dose of the good stuff. Such is his definitive sense of taste that he continues to lead from the front.
We caught up with Huxley to find out more about future releases, current projects and what makes him tick.
Hi Huxley, how are you and what have you been up to this week? It’s been a busy one! Obviously I’ve been making a bit of music, but aside from that I (along with Ramin Rezaie and BAKKIS) run an online community called R TRYBE. We are a safe space for artists around the world to share their music and ideas, so we’ve been busy on that.
We had Will Clarke on our in-house podcast this week, so that was very fun. Also I’ve been doing some 1:1 coaching, getting ready for the release with Steve (Bug) on Poker Flat. Lots more fun stuff I can’t remember!
You have been producing for quite some time now with an impressive catalogue of releases. Are there any standout tracks that hold special memories for you?
Aside from the obvious ones (Let It Go, Callin, Box Clever), I’d say Shower Scene, as it saved me from getting a ‘real job’, as I was super close during this period and the small amount of heat this got lead me on to making my break out records.
Also I would say recently 'Monie'. This tune proved again to me that my own senses were right. I only ever sent it to Raph (Heattraxx), and he signed it straight away! It’s gone really well and has lead on to many things that are coming up, but to be honest I was worried it wouldn’t work.
How did you first get into electronic music?
My friend hung around with older boys when we were about 11 and he discovered the ‘DREAMSCAPE’ CD series. He showed me and I was HOOKED. Ever since that moment I spent my youth obsessed with DnB, Hardcore, Old Skool and then House & Garage.
Your music has made a huge impact across the House music scene. However, I read that you started with breaks and garage. Do you still dabble with producing some UKG?
Sometimes. I mean I think you can still hear it a bit in my music with the stabs and swing. I started making UKG again a few years ago but I never did anything with the tunes. Maybe I will again, who knows. It’s very trendy right now and I love the new stuff, but lets see what happens.
Where was your first gig and how did it go?
The first gigs I did were our own for my school year my friends and I used to run. My first “real” gig in London was a disaster. Club was empty and I’m pretty sure my friend got robbed. Cheers.
You had a new release out recently on 25 April alongside Steve Bug. Tell us more about that?
Steve and I met while we were coaching music production a few years ago. Over the last couple of years we have gotten to hang out and got tighter and that culminated in our single together last year. It felt natural to get “back in the studio” and work on some new music. Steve sent me an idea over and I loved it, so I did my thing and the rest is history. It’s great to have CASSIMM onboard too as he’s someone who’s music I play a lot.
There was a post from you during the Lockdown stating you were thinking about stepping back somewhat and evaluating what you would do next. How do you feel a couple of years on, did that timeout help with your creativity and focus?
Lockdown was great for me, I loved being home, no planes, no stress (apart from the obvious). I thought I was happy being more at home and not travelling. Truth is when I started to go down that path I realised how much I missed everything. The thing it did do though, was to stop chasing what I thought would work and be me again, like I use to be. I’m fully focused now and think my music is better than ever.
What advice or core principles to follow would you give anyone today who wants to start producing in the House music scene to get noticed and signed?
Think about who you are as a producer/artist. It’s easy to look at whoever is hot right now and think the best path is to copy their style/aura. All these people have carved their own lane and taken their time to do it, it might feel like it happened over night, but they’ve taken the time to hone their craft. Do the same.
What else can you tell us about your future releases, anything exciting in the pipeline?
Loads of stuff. EP on REKIDS, EP on he.she.they, single with Jess Bays & Alex Mills, new music on Club Sweat, Southern Fried, Moxy, Jackie’s.
You’re going to be sick of me by the end of the year….if you’re not already ;).
Oh.. also we have a repress of Box Clever coming with a remix by Cinthie & Meat.
What DJ's or producers are you enjoying right now?
Daniel Steinberg, Mees Mattern, Chloe Caillet, Kapote, Carlita.
What are some of your go-to labels?
REKIDS, Heattraxx, Poker Flat, ARMS & LEGS, MOXY, Wiggle, TOY TONICS
You have compiled our latest Berlin Mixtapes Series Episode 070 - Tell us more about your mix.
I had loads of fun putting this together. Played loads of the music I’ve been feeling lately and threw in a few unreleased bits too. I recorded this during the sunny spell a few weeks ago and I was feeling a UKG tinged/bumpy vibe. Lots of cool grooves and wicked vocals.
Where can people see you next?
May 10th I’m at Wien Land Bas Festival in Germany playing with Steve (Bug). Then a festival in Wales later in the month. Back in Dublin in June.
Quick-fire round:
Genre: House and Soul
Favourite colour: Black or green
What do you put on your chips: Mayo or BBQ sauce
First record ever bought: Double 99 - Rip Groove (1997)
Apple or Android: Apple
Can you juggle: My whole life feels like I'm juggling
Weirdest/Coolest Item of clothing: Original Boots from the Mad Max movie (the new one)
If you could have a superpower, what would you choose? Immortality
What was the last thing you looked up online: Hot sluts in my area
Do you collect anything: Only records
Favourite place to hang out: Pub
Favourite club: Output in Brooklyn when it was open
Favourite beer: Beak Parade
Favourite place to eat: A great Turkish restaurant, mezze is my jam
Weirdest thing you have eaten: Chicken sashimi
How do you like your eggs: Poached
Coffee or tea: Coffee
Favourite footy team: Tottenham (I know...)
Favourite track right now: MJ Cole - Knock Knock or LOFTSOUL - Deep Poem
Favourite word: Abdicate
3 words to describe your mix: Groovy, Bumpy, Swagger.
Tracklist
Toronto Hustle x Sean Roman ft Gavotte - When You Look At Me (Late Night Dub) [Ascension On Wax]
Cassara - On Fire [Peppermint Jam]
ianni - I Still Think About Bella [No Context]
Kiko Navarro x Pere Navarro - Keep On Loving Me [REKIDS]
Ghoulish - Let Me Tell You [Disorder]
Genesis Shaw - Need Mo’ Time [tote]
Dr Shemp - Flute Track [The Groove Stage]
GARY01 - I’ve Taken (Too Many Gary’s) [GARY01]
MAXJAX - Cuerda (Strings) [Jovonn Edit] [Large]
Dompe - Dynamic Move [HEAT TRAXX]
Huxley x Bakkis - Gotta Be Strong [white]
Steve Bug x Huxley - Come On [Poker Flat]
Ell Murphy x Bumpi Biznizz - Needin’ U [JUCEY TUNES]
Huxley - BUMP [Moxy]
Loopity Goofs - Stagefright [Evasive]
Huxley x Londen Summers - Cajun Moon [white]
Greta Levska - Cash Lab (Huxley Remix) [Get Physical]
Audiojack - Wannabe [Club Sweat]
Steve Robinson - Better Than Sorry [Low Trax]
Vinyl Speed Adjust - Retro [Visionquest]
Huxley - Terraform [Electronic Nature]