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ArtistMap Coordinates feat. Liz Somes
Every artists' journey has a starting point. Check out Liz Somes's top 5 influential tracks!
Every artists' journey has a starting point. Get ready to unlock the musical GPS of your favorite Artistmap members with Artistmap Coordinates. Each artists charts the top 5 tracks that sparked their creativity, fueled their passion, and guided their artistic journey. Buckle up and dive into the playlist that shapes their genius and hopefully gets you inspired as well! This installment of Artistmap Coordinates features Liz Somes.
The moment Liz Somes mixed her first two tracks, her mind switched off and the music took control. But the Seattle artist’s next chapter is far more deliberate. She intends for her fearless approach as an artist to carry on techno’s historic legacy as an inclusive safe space where groundbreaking ideas can take form.
Liz selects all of her music by ear, seldom paying any mind to the names on a given record. She produces thought-provoking tracks of her own — such as the corrosive “Mental Chaos” or hair-raising “The Unknown” — without trying to cater to popular labels. Her refusal to conform has paid off. A 2023 winner of the Pete Tong DJ Academy Future Talent and Sama Abdulhadi’s Personal Award, Liz Somes is now a familiar face behind the decks on several continents.
It is at this crucial impasse that too many artists falter and start playing it safe, afraid to risk their mounting momentum. Not Liz Somes. She’s only just begun to explore the shrouded depths of her sound signature, calling back from the abyss at every purposeful step. Her commitment harks back to a time when techno broke the rules and contemplated a distant future. As far as she’s concerned, it always should.
These concepts are second nature to Liz, as revolutionary as they may seem. She follows the sound, honest and unyielding, faithful that all the rest will fall into place.
Here are Liz Somes' top 5 inspirational tracks.
Rene Wise – Pleasure Note
When I first heard this track, its simplicity really caught my attention. But the more I listened, the more I started to appreciate the intricate interplay of the percussion. As someone who's always been drawn to percussion but has struggled with melodies, this track opened a whole new perspective on production for me. It showed me how powerful rhythm can be on its own, without needing to rely heavily on melody.
I'm naturally drawn to the darker side of techno, and this track delivers exactly what I crave—those enigmatic, heady vibes that seem to pull you into another world. The way the dark tones weave through the percussion creates a narrative that feels almost primal, building an energy that’s raw and intense. It’s the kind of track that invites you to lose yourself in the sound, to let go and just be carried by the rhythm. Every time I listen, I find myself sinking deeper into its layers, discovering new subtleties that make the experience even more immersive. It’s not just a track—it’s a journey, and it’s one I’m always eager to take.
Luigi Tozzi– Eos
Anything from the NON label is an instant favorite for me, but Luigi Tozzi's tracks are on a whole other level. I'm obsessed with layering hypnotic techno, and Tozzi’s work is like a goldmine for that. His tracks are meticulously crafted, almost otherworldly, and they draw me in every time. The way he blends percussive elements with those subtle, droning atmospheric sounds is pure genius. It's as if every beat and texture is carefully placed to capture your attention and pull you deeper into the soundscape. Tozzi's tracks create the perfect backdrop for losing yourself in intricate layers of sound, whether I’m mixing in a set or just listening alone. They have this ability to transform a night, turning it into an immersive journey where the music takes over and everything else fades away. It's that deep, hypnotic experience that keeps me coming back to his work, and it’s why I hold his tracks in such high regard.
Planetary Assault System - Give it Up
This track takes me back to the primal roots of techno, and it’s easily one of my all-time favorites. I’m drawn to it not just for its production brilliance, but also for how effortlessly it can be mixed, making it a staple in any set I put together. It taps into that nostalgic essence of techno, the kind that transports me to a place where the boundaries of sound and emotion blur. Every time I listen, I’m completely immersed—it’s a cerebral experience that guides me to elevated, almost meditative states. The energy is profound, driving, and relentless, and I find myself getting lost in the rhythm every single time. It’s the kind of track that reminds me why I fell in love with techno in the first place, reigniting that deep connection to the music that feels almost spiritual.
Oscar Mulero - Horses
What can I say about this man? To me, he’s a true genius when it comes to techno. Even though this track was released 13 years ago, it still feels as cutting-edge as anything out today. That timeless quality is part of what makes his sound so exceptional. He inspires me like no other artist. His tracks are so intricate; every sound is deliberate and perfectly placed, crafting a soundscape that often leaves me in awe as I try to dissect it. And that’s just the beginning. His mixing technique is equally impressive, with each transition flawlessly executed to create a vibe that’s truly unique. His skill in blending complexity with fluidity creates an immersive experience that’s both intellectually stimulating and deeply emotional. As a DJ, I strive to match his intentionality, carefully selecting tracks that take listeners on a journey and convey my own passion for the deeper, more hypnotic side of the genre.
Victor Calderone - The Difference
Victor Calderone’s track, The Difference, is brilliant in its simplicity. It’s his classic signature, dark, heavy, moody vibes. Combine that with those haunting vocals, it never fails to inspire me—not just as a producer but also as a DJ. This is one of those tracks you drop early in a set to grab everyone’s attention or at an afters. It’s the kind of track that sets the tone, creating an atmosphere that’s both mysterious and electrifying.
What really resonates with me, though, is Victor’s journey. He has been in the scene for over 30 years, and his journey has taken many twists and turns. His story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to reconnect with what fuels your soul. Whenever I play The Difference, I think about that, and it pushes me to dig deeper into my own creative process. Victor’s resilience and artistry are incredibly motivating—they remind me that the music is always there, waiting for you to return to it, no matter how much time has passed.
