Balance Selections Podcast

Scottish producer Nila, now based in New Zealand, is no stranger to the Balance roster. Shaped by the explosive rise of trance, techno, and progressive house during the ’90s dance music scene, he now delivers a warm, flowing sound that many are latching onto. Here, he is joined by Spanish producer Luis Damora, making his Balance Music debut. With support from a who’s who of the progressive world already in the bag, Damora is well on his way to break into the wider scene. Together, they combine their talents for a two-track EP that straddles the line between main room progressive and deep house complexity. On ‘Lose Kontrol’ a warm, bubbling bassline flickers in the background with blue flame energy. Combined with the soothing kick drum and crisp percussion, these elements alone could create an infectious dancefloor track. However, they are merely the entrée to delicate arpeggiated pads and synths, which enter the mix like a silk ribbon blowing in the wind. The melody is gently filtered into the breakdown, where sprinkles of synths flirt above it all. When the drums kick back in, the dance floor will surrender any semblance of control to its revitalizing energy.

Scottish producer Nila, now based in New Zealand, is no stranger to the Balance roster. Shaped by the explosive rise of trance, techno, and progressive house during the ’90s dance music scene, he now delivers a warm, flowing sound that many are latching onto. Here, he is joined by Spanish producer Luis Damora, making his Balance Music debut. With support from a who’s who of the progressive world already in the bag, Damora is well on his way to break into the wider scene. Together, they combine their talents for a two-track EP that straddles the line between main room progressive and deep house complexity. 'Silicon Surface' breathes with a life of its own, a fusion of organic rhythm and mechanical precision. Delicate FX skitters in the background with the gentle hum of electrical circuitry, while a rising pad emits a nebulous glow. Beneath this fog lies an intricate network of progressive elements working in harmony. The bassline flows with a liquid energy, while shimmering synths trace patterns as intricate and delicate as fractals. Each beat, each note, sends ripples across a landscape that is undeniably contagious and perfect for deeper dancefloors.

Deep. Dark. Progressive. Those three adjectives captured a moment in electronic music that rippled through the scene like a sonic ideology. The sound emerged at the turn of the millennium and embraced its name with laser-like precision: it sure was deep, undoubtedly dark, and undeniably progressive.

 It’s a moment that Stuart McKeown and Darius Bassiray know all too well. As part of Melbourne’s Zero Tolerance crew and two-thirds of Depth Institute, they champion its contemporary incarnation, releasing on labels like Mango Alley, Sound Avenue, and, of course, Zero Tolerance.

 They also lived through it, making them perfectly positioned to pontificate on the scene. Read the full feature on the Balance Music website, where we delve into this early 2000s strain of progressive. To supplement that article, they crafted a two-hour showcase of their favorite classic and contemporary genre moments. Featuring tracks from John Creamer & Stéphane K, Chab, Diego Moreira, Analog Jungs, and more, this is an excellent entry point for anyone looking to explore this audio world. @mckeown-bassiray

For our special 300th episode, we welcome a true electronic music icon... As part of the original crew of Nubreed DJs, Sander Kleinenberg helped shape a sound that defined a generation. However, more than his peers, Kleinenberg challenged the prog status quo in a way that set him apart. The first Everybody mix compilation, featuring pink-themed art collage and journal-style liner notes, showcased an artist with a penchant for fun—an image that contrasted sharply with the serious persona his contemporaries portrayed. That energy transferred to his sets too, which would fluctuate from vibrant deep house to dark, dramatic progressive sounds. It resonated widely, so much so that he took out the Essential Mix of the Year honours in 2001. Today, he remains active in the studio, boasting an ever-growing and impressive list of collaborators, including names like Halsey, Daft Punk, Timbaland, and Madonna. His Deepest Mixtape In The Universe podcast is proof that he hasn’t lost his mixing touch. We are thrilled to host this legend for a two-hour mix featuring Phil Kieran, Tigerskin, Blue Amazon, and more.

Kabi is part of a new wave of progressive house producers emerging on the global scene. Hailing from Argentina (where else?), he belongs to a generation raised in homes influenced by the musical revolution of the nineties and early 00s. For Kabi, this translates to a rich musical upbringing filled with Jamiroquai, Illya Kuriaki & The Valderramas (an Argentinean hip and funk duo), and even St. Germain. Today, he’s building a reputation through carefully crafted DJ mixes and an impressive array of productions. Bedrock, All Day I Dream, and The Soundgarden all feature Kabi’s work, and now he adds Balance Music to that list. His recent Venom EP comprises a trio of well-honed tracks that sound as if created by a two-decade veteran. The title piece, “Venom,” is dance floor titanium—a progressive bomb of the nuclear kind that should come with a warning. “Misti,” with its lovely introspective intro, harks back to the glory days of progressive house, while “Switch” draws you in with melodic grit and a massive breakdown that will captivate even the most stubborn dance floors. In this Balance Selections mix, Kabi showcases his complete talent with a complete 60-minute set that explores different shades of progressive house. Featuring artists like Traumer, Scippo, Avision, and, of course, Kabi himself, this is a robust journey of dance floor bliss that begins deep before building to a heavy-duty big room finale. @kabi-ar