Instead of 7, a Detroit native, is taking the hard techno scene by storm with his versatile production style and finely curated mixes. With releases on many international record labels including OBSCUUR, DUR, Teewave, and many more, he is a rising force within the hard techno landscape.

Drawing inspiration from the essence of the human voice and the emotions that it provokes, his compositions blend melancholic melodies with relentless and often distorted drums. With a masterful command of raw percussion and blistering synths, he crafts sonic landscapes that are both brutal and beautiful, inviting listeners on a hypnotic journey through the realms of darkness and luminosity.

Today he tunes in with 6AM to talk sound evolution, crowd connection, and future releases.

Hi Instead of 7! Thanks for talking to 6AM how are you?

Hey! Thank you for having me. I’m excited to be here. I’ve been doing really well - producing new tracks all the time and pushing my sound, mixing, and mastering skills. I’m always in the studio looking for new methods of achieving a more refined and advanced sound. I’ve also had the pleasure of DJing in Michigan in recent months for some great events.

 

For those who are just getting to know you, you’re a hard techno artists with notable releases on labels like OBSCUUR and DUR. What drew you to hard techno as a genre to produce? What was that “Aha!” moment when you knew DJing and producing Hard techno were your thing?

I actually first started producing deep house, and then more mainstream techno until I quickly realized that those soundscapes weren’t intense enough for me. I’ve always loved the heavier genres of music such as heavy metal and I think this taste drew me towards the harder sounds of techno. The moment I knew that hard techno was my genre of choice was when I heard ‘Born to be Slytherin’ by Viper Diva, ‘Weltschmerz’ by Klangkuenstler and ‘Rigid’ by Kobosil. These three tracks are really, to this day, my favorite hard techno anthems.

Like we mentioned, you’ve been behind the decks and releasing tracks on labels like OBSCUUR and DUR. How do you approach selecting the perfect track for a set? Are you more of a vibe-driven selector, or do you like to keep your audience guessing with unexpected choices?

I really think selecting the proper track at the proper moment comes down to be empathetic toward those in the crowd. On a psychological level, and as a DJ, if you’re able to connect with the ravers in the audience then you can feel the proper direction for the set and as a result select  the right track at the right moment. Though this kind of hints at your next question that I would call myself a vibe-driven selector, I think it’s also important to keep the audience guessing at moments. I don’t believe you can just know what a person likes from looking at them so the unexpected choices are needed, especially early on, to get glimpses of what each individual prefers and then you’re able to cater to that taste within the realm of your own sound.

 

You’re from Detroit, a city with such a rich music history. How does that influence your style and your sets? Are there any particular local spots or events that shaped your sound or the way you connect with the crowd?

The sound of Detroit and my early days of raving will always influence my style and sets in a positive way. I used to rave at this spot in Ferndale, Michigan that has unfortunately since closed called The Grasshopper. I think the underground sound and the intimacy of the club really shaped my love for raving and my perception of the unity that raving can bring between individuals. 

Hard techno can get pretty intense, and your mixes reflect that energy. What’s your favorite part about DJing the genre? Is it reading the crowd, the adrenaline of mixing, or something else entirely?

My favorite part about DJing hard techno is definitely the contrast that can be achieved with proper track selection. With proper track selection you can completely change the pace and mood of the set and the dancefloor. I like to showcase that it’s possible for the genre to be diverse and not unidirectional. I think the reason I like to introduce contrast in my sets is because as a result the crowd moves differently. You can touch different people in different ways if you incorporate variation and I think that’s what makes my sets different and enjoyable.

Looking ahead, are there any iconic venues or festivals you dream of playing at? Or, even better, what’s been your most memorable crowd experience so far?

Looking to the future, I would love to play for Movement festival in Detroit. It would be amazing to add to the rich culture that this festival has brought to the local techno scene. As for crowd experience, I think my favorite has been when I played my track, “Better Off Alone” the most recent time. That track means so much to me as it was written from a place of great emotion and it really is something special for me to see ravers in the audience resonate and reflect that emotion back to me.

Thanks so much for talking to our audience, is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having me. It is always a pleasure talking with you and your supporters. I would like to add that in 2025 supporters should expect to see even more solid releases with advanced production, mixing, and mastering as well as new creative ideas. On the DJing side of things, if you would like to see me play in your city then hit up your local promoters and mention me. Again, thank you so much for having me.

 

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