Makebo weaves a fun ride through organic and progressive house…
Based in Barcelona, Makebo crafts immersive journeys through organic and progressive house, balancing hypnotic grooves with rich atmospheres.
Co-founder of the Rubicunda label alongside Amonita, he has brought his story-driven approach to dancefloors across Europe, the Americas and Ibiza, where his patient, groove-led sets have become a defining signature.
On this Balance Selections mix, the producer highlights his finely tuned ear, favouring cohesive track selection.
Featuring music from Tim Green, Hernán Cattaneo & Khen, alongside a host of Makebo originals—including his forthcoming Balance Music release—the mix is an expertly crafted journey through organic and progressive house.
Tracklist
01. Hernan Cattaneo & Khen – Rogelito (Original Club Mix) {Closure}
02. Ambrosia – Viridian (Flanerr Remix) {Stellar Fountain}
03. Makebo – Is It Real (Original Mix) {Balance Music}
04. Tim Green – Step Wish (Original Mix) {White}
05. Makebo – ID {White}
06. Volen Sentir – Delta Funktion {White}
07. Makebo – Your Voice (Extended Mix) {Colorize}
08. Makebo – Sense (Original Mix) {Balance Music}
09. Makebo – Frisson (Original Mix) {Balance Music}
10. Kyotto – ID {White}
11. Makebo – Balance {Mango Alley}
12. Jadon Fonka – Delusion {White}
13. Makebo – Storm {Mango Alley}
14. Amonita – Evolution (Volen Sentir Remix) {White}
15. Brian David & Joaquín Salmain – Mujo (Original Mix) {White}
16. Foglight – Shapeshifter {WARPP}
17. Joaquín Salmain – Represent {White}
18. Hernán del Azar – Fever Dream (Makebo Touch Version) {Soulsynth}
19. Alej Ch – The Kingdom {White}
20. Kyotto – The North Star {White}
Name: Maksim Butylev
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Alias/Producer name: Makebo
Labels affiliated with: Rubicunda, Anjunadeep, All Day I Dream, Balance Music, Lost Miracle, Mango Alley, Closure, No Drama
Music has been with me literally since the day I was born. My father is a true music lover, so there was always music playing in our home. I still remember our old reel-to-reel tape recorder and the huge collection of recordings. It was thanks to him that, from a very early age, I was listening to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Beatles, and many others.
I think actually, I don’t just think, I’m almost certain that all of that music shaped my musical taste on a subconscious level when I was still very young. As time went on, I started discovering many different genres, but the foundation was laid back then.
I’m very grateful to my father for introducing me to that kind of music. I believe it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give a child the opportunity to grow up listening to truly great music and truly great artists from an early age.
I was about 14 years old, around 1995 – 1996. One day I was walking through a park when I happened to meet a group of older guys. They had a boombox playing, and I heard music that was completely different from anything I had ever listened to before. For me, it was a real discovery.
My curiosity got the better of me, so I went over, introduced myself, and asked them what kind of music it was. We started talking, and that was the moment my journey into the world of electronic music began. Back then, everything was shared on cassette tapes, and they were always bringing something new. Thanks to them, I discovered a huge variety of genres, from jungle and acid house to many other styles that emerged over the years.
From that moment on, electronic music became an inseparable part of my life. I was always fascinated by discovering new sounds, so over the years I listened to virtually every electronic genre that came along. It was this constant exploration that shaped my musical taste of dance music. And to be honest, that journey is still going on today, I still love discovering new music and new sounds.
The first time I went to a nightclub, I was 16 years old. Yes, technically I was still underage, but thanks to my friends, I managed to get in. It was the late ’90s, a time when house music was truly at its peak.
To be honest, I don’t remember who was behind the decks that night, but I remember exactly how I felt and the music that was playing. The atmosphere of the club, the powerful sound system, and the people completely immersed in the music made a huge impression on me.
That was the moment I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to electronic music, not just playing other people’s tracks, but creating my own.
That realization quickly turned into a goal. By the age of 17, I had become a resident DJ at one of the local nightclubs and started performing regularly. At the same time, I was taking my first steps as a music producer, gradually turning my passion into a lifelong career.
The musical foundation I developed in childhood has never left me. I still enjoy listening to classic rock, and I believe it played a huge role in shaping the way I perceive composition, melody, and atmosphere.
I also have a deep love for hip-hop, especially the old school sound of the ’80s and ’90s. That was the music I listened to before electronic music came into my life.
As for what I listen to today, it’s usually not dance music at all. In my free time, I enjoy exploring a wide range of genres, from indie rock to neoclassical music.
I’ve always been drawn to music that tells a story and carries emotion and depth. I love beautiful, atmospheric, and sometimes even melancholic compositions, the kind of music that makes you stop, reflect, or simply dream for a while.
If I had to name a few artists who inspire me, I would mention Bonobo, Maribou State, Nils Frahm, and many other musicians working at the intersection of electronic and live music. I admire their ability to create a unique atmosphere and build an entire world around each composition.
I believe it’s very important for a producer not to lock themselves into a single genre. When you listen only to dance music, you naturally start thinking in the same patterns.
Exploring different styles, on the other hand, creates space for new ideas and helps you develop your own sound. For me, that’s one of the most important principles, not to repeat what already exists, but to bring something personal and new into every piece of music I create.
If I had to name the first album that comes to mind, it would be RY X – Dawn (2016). It’s been on my phone for years, and I think I’ve listened to it well over a hundred times. For me, it’s one of those rare albums that I can keep coming back to again and again.
There’s something truly special about its atmosphere, it’s delicate, deep, and incredibly emotional. I used to listen to it a lot while walking along the seaside at sunset. In those moments, the music and the landscape seemed to become one. It almost became a ritual for me.
If we’re talking about music that creates a strong emotional connection, Dawn definitely holds a very special place in my heart.
I’d also like to mention Tame Impala. I especially enjoy listening to those records on vinyl. Kevin Parker is an incredible artist, and there’s something about hearing his music on vinyl that makes the experience even more immersive.
But there’s another side to my musical world as well. I regularly return to the classic albums by The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers. That’s the music I grew up with, both as a listener and later as an artist. Even after all these years, those records haven’t lost any of their energy or personality. I believe time is the ultimate test of quality, and albums like these remain timeless, no matter how many years have passed since they were released.
I produce music in Logic Pro. In recent years, software has reached a level where it allows you to bring virtually any idea to life, so I spend most of my time working entirely in the box.
At the same time, I devote a great deal of attention not only to writing music, but also to mixing, mastering, and sound design. I always keep an eye on new plugins and technologies, looking for ways to incorporate them into my workflow and continuously improve my sound.
As for the hardware side of my studio, I’ve never had the goal of building a huge collection of gear. I prefer having a few instruments that I know inside and out.
My main pieces are the Elektron Digitone, which is one of my favorite FM synthesizers, and the Elektron Digitakt, which fits perfectly into my creative workflow.
Depending on the project, I also like to bring in the Roland TR-8S or the classic Korg Electribe EMX-1. Each of these instruments has its own character, and that’s exactly what I appreciate about them.
When it comes to DJing, I mostly play in a digital format these days. The reason is simple: a significant part of my music hasn’t been officially released yet, so digital is the most practical way to include it in my sets.
That said, whenever I have the opportunity to play part of a set on vinyl, I always enjoy it. There’s a unique magic to it, the hands-on experience, the connection with the records, and that warm, rich sound that I sometimes really miss.
This year has been incredibly busy for me in the best possible way.
Just yesterday, on July 9, my new EP was released on Mango Alley. It’s a very special release for me. Lately, my sound has been evolving in a more progressive direction, and this EP perfectly reflects where I am creatively right now. It’s deep, energetic, and very much designed for the dancefloor.
Very soon, my collaboration with Khen will also be released. Our track, “Famous,” will appear on a compilation from No Drama, the label owned by Roy Rosenfeld, and I’m truly happy to be part of this project.
Khen is an artist whose music has inspired me for a long time, so this collaboration means a lot to me.
At the end of July, Lumières, my collaborative single with Amonita, will be released on our label Rubicunda. It’s a lighter, brighter, feel-good house track that perfectly captures the spirit of summer.
Then, at the beginning of 2027, my new two-track EP will be released on Closure, Khen’s label. These tracks continue the direction my music has been taking recently and represent the next step in the evolution of my sound.
I’ve also signed another release with Mango Alley. It will include two original tracks and two remixes. I can’t reveal the names of the remixers just yet, as the discussions are still ongoing, but I’m confident it’s going to be a very exciting release.
And probably the release I’m looking forward to the most is my upcoming EP on Balance Music. It features three tracks that have become some of my absolute favorites. They’ve become an essential part of my DJ sets, and I can’t wait to finally share them with everyone.
And that’s only the music I can talk about at the moment. There are plenty of other tracks currently in progress, so I’m sure this list will continue to grow.
In the near future, I have several shows lined up in Sri Lanka, and we’re also in discussions about an upcoming tour in Australia. I’ll also be traveling to Georgia soon to perform at an All Day I Dream showcase, along with several other dates across Europe.
At the moment, I don’t have a residency anywhere, and I actually enjoy it that way. I love being on the move, playing in different countries, and connecting with different audiences.
As for podcasts, I release new mixes from time to time, but these days my main focus is creating new music and sharing it with people through as many live performances as possible.
I’m really happy with how this podcast turned out. It took me about two weeks to put it together, mainly because I spent a lot of time searching for exclusive music. Whenever I work on a mix like this, I never think of it as just a collection of great tracks.
For me, it’s important that it tells a complete musical story, with its own atmosphere, dynamics, and emotions, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in a journey from the very first minute to the last.
Alongside music from artists whose work I’m especially inspired by at the moment, I also included several of my own unreleased tracks.
I hope listeners will feel exactly what I wanted to express. For me, this isn’t just two hours of music, it’s an invitation to step away from the noise of everyday life for a while and completely lose yourself in the sound. If this musical journey resonates with people, then I’ll feel I’ve achieved exactly what I set out to do.
Led Zeppelin – Stairway To Heaven
Green Book (2018)
I don’t watch TV
It doesn’t matter where – the main thing is with your loved one!
