TonalTheory: Building Undertone, Evolving Their Sound, and Closing Out 2025 With UT020
The globally recognized DJ duo from DC hit new milestones
Based in Washington, DC, TonalTheory is a self-taught producer and DJ duo known for blending hard, percussive techno with melodic elements rooted in their classical training. Their releases on Expel Your Demons, Divine Intervention, Say What? Records, SINDEX, and Ōtomo — including standout EPs like Keep Me Blushin’ and Destined for Great Things — have earned support from artists such as Dax J, Charlotte de Witte, Richie Hawtin, and PERC. In 2021, they launched their label Undertone, which has already provided 21 emerging U.S. producers with their first release. Their high-energy Undertone events have become a fixture in DC’s underground scene. With headline shows across North America, Europe, and Asia and residencies at venues like Echostage, Soundcheck, Flash DC, and The Owl Room, TonalTheory continues to push the boundaries of modern techno.
Hi Tonal Theory (Marissa and Rae)! For those who may be new to Undertone, can you share how the label began and what inspired you both to start it?
Undertone started in 2021 as a passion project that quickly became something much bigger. At the time, we felt there wasn’t enough space in the scene for artists who wanted to experiment without being boxed into one specific sound. We were constantly discovering producers who had incredible ideas but didn’t have a platform that truly supported them.
So we created one. Undertone became a home not just for our music, but for a community of artists who push boundaries. From the beginning, our goal was simple: release music we believe in and build a space that feels honest, raw, and driven by creativity rather than trends.
As label owners, how has your vision for Undertone evolved over the years?
In the beginning, we were just excited to put out music we loved. Over time, the vision grew into something more intentional. We now think about the artists’ vision, how the catalog shapes the identity of the label, and how each release adds to the story we’re building.
We’ve also been focusing on supporting undiscovered artists, and their artistic quality and vision. It’s not just in music, but also in the artwork, the rollout, the support around each release, and the values we stand behind. Undertone has taught us how to be patient, how to listen, and how to build something that lasts.
You’ve released a wide range of artists over the years. What guides your approach when choosing who and what gets released on Undertone?
We look for artists who have a strong identity, people who sound like themselves. We’re not searching for the “perfect” track; we’re looking for personality, confidence, and intention. If the music feels alive and true to the artist, we’re drawn to it immediately.
We also love working with producers who are still shaping their sound. Some of our favorite releases came from artists who took risks or experimented in a way that might not fit on other labels. That’s the magic of Undertone, we’re here for the underdogs, the dreamers, and the people who want to carve out their own lane.
Undertone is now reaching its 20th release. What does hitting this milestone mean to you both?
Honestly, it means everything. When we started the label, we never imagined reaching twenty releases and two Various Artists albums, and definitely not with the kind of support and community we’ve built along the way.
UT020 feels like a sign of how much we’ve grown: as artists, as a label, and as people learning the business side of music step by step. It’s a moment that makes us proud and reminds us why we started all of this in the first place.
Let’s talk about the new EP, The Devil Don’t Care About You. What inspired the direction behind this release?
This EP represents everything we’ve been building toward over the last few years. Our sound has gotten darker, more driving, and more refined and this release captures that evolution.
“The Devil Don’t Care About You” is a reflection of the energy we’ve been bringing to our DJ sets and the direction we’re taking creatively. It’s heavier, more precise, and more intentional than anything we’ve done before. As the label heads of Undertone, it felt right to bring that energy home for the 20th release.
What makes this EP different from your past work, both musically and personally?
We’ve always focused on melodies and telling a story through every release, and that hasn’t changed. What’s different with this EP is how much raw, driving energy we brought into it. We wanted something that hits harder but still carries meaning, something where every idea feels intentional and connected. We feel that we’ve grown a lot as producers, and you can hear it, the percussion is sharper, the arrangements hit harder, and every choice has purpose behind it.
It’s also not the average or trendy “hard techno” that’s been coming out lately. That’s never been our lane. This EP stays true to the roots of what we want to stand behind as artists and as a label.
On a personal level, this release feels like everything we’ve been learning and shaping over the years finally coming together in one project.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from Undertone after this milestone release?
2025 closes with UT020, but this is only the beginning of the next era. We’re planning to bring in even more diverse sounds, highlight new talent, and push the label into a stronger international presence.
We want Undertone to continue evolving, just like we are. Expect fresh faces, bold releases, and a lot more intentional storytelling through the music we put out. Our mission is still the same: build a community that feels real, supportive, and driven by pure passion for underground music.