Australian DJ /producer Uone is the next guest to step up for a Balance Selections podcast. Known for his fun and energetic DJ sets, Uone has become a regular on lineups for some of the more upfront global festivals and events. With a sound that initially drew on elements from all genres of the electronic sphere, he has now found his niche in producing and playing deep, chunky and twisted tech house – and it is with this resolve that he has managed to carve out a name for himself on the international circuit.
Raised in Melbourne’s Peninsula Coast, demand for Uone’s sets has truly transgressed the borders of Australia with invites to play at Burning Man (Nevada), Fusion (Berlin), Glade (UK), Universo Paraleo (BR), Boom (Portugal), Ozora (HU), Eclipse (AUS), and more recently, the Rainbow Serpent Festival in Australia. He will be returning to Europe and the United States for a string of events over the Northern Hemisphere summer which includes Burning Man in the United States, the Secret Garden Party in the United Kingdom, and the Heinz Label Night in Berlin.
Production-wise, Uone has released a steady stream of dance floor weapons which has led to him being signed with Beef Records, and his array of deep house and techno tracks has found a home on labels like Katermukke, Heinz, Light My Fire, Sprout and Tonkind Records.
As Uone celebrates his 15th year of Dj-ing, he delivers a mix that is filled with audible nostalgia as he opts for orchestral melodies and percussive blends that signal to the old and new. Watch out for tracks and remixes from a diverse group of artists like Tube & Berger, Loco Dice, Maya Jane Coles, and of course Uone himself – all bookended by a special Balance Intro and Outro which Uone has produced exclusively for this podcast.
Words by Isabella Olivieri
Balance Selections Q+A
Name:
Ewan Scott
Location:
Melbourne and Berlin
Alias/Producer name:
Uone
Soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/uone
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/uonemusic
Labels affiliated with:
Katermukke, Heinz Music, Tonkind Record, Sprout, BEEF records
My last 3 releases:
What music did you listen too as a child?
Some of the earliest memories of music were from my favourite TV program theme songs like Winnie The Pooh, Gummi Bears and Looney Toons. My mother who could be described as a non-conformist, exposed me to house music in particular 90s dance music, artist like The Grid- Evolver, Captain Hollywood & Black Box.
When was the first time that you realized that you liked electronic music?
If there was one stand out song that kick started things, it would be Captain Hollywood ‘All I Want’. Growing up in country Victoria on a farm/Bed & Breakfast, young international travelers would be carrying the latest tapes and CDs full of dance and house music. My mother, never being shy of party, would host elaborate gatherings playing the latest “doof doof music”.
At the time I remember thinking to myself can you please turn this off, but after witnessing the physical emotion and impact that certain tracks had through dance, I remember being obsessed with taking charge of the next tape or CD to be played. Soon after this I got my hands on the Global Underground CD compilation series; artists on high rotation included the likes of Paul Okenfold, Deep Dish, Darren Emerson and Underworld.
When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?
I cannot remember the exact club name, but I was 17 years old, the party was called Substance and Lexicon Avenue were headlining. I had only ever dreamed about being inside a club, I remember it being particularly louder than I imagined and being blown away by the intensity of the sound.
Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?
Composers like Lisa Gerrad & Vangelis. Their ability to channel and take the listener instantly to another realm and create melodies and soundscapes that trigger emotions and feelings…that is real musical magic. I probably listen to the Blade Runner soundtrack on vinyl at least once week. I’m continually inspired by so many artist/producers, in particular people like Damian Lazarus, Matthew Dekay, Dnox & Beckers & Robag Wruhme who love what they do, constantly evolve, yet have the ability to keep their style alive.
What was the last album that you downloaded/bought?
The Glitz – ‘No Drama’. These guys have been DJing and producing deep in the Berlin and Hamburg underground for 15 years now, their level of production and attention to every detail is incredible. For a straight dance music album every track is expertly crafted.
What is your current production and DJ set up like?
After being on the road touring over the last 6 years, having a home base/studio has been impossible. Finally I have landed a studio in Melbourne inside an original barnyard style warehouse, and am running a 27inch I-mac with Motu 16 track soundcard. I have hardware consisting of Roland Jupiter 6 and Juno 106, Yamaha DX-7, Korg Volca bass and micro synth. Inside my computer I use software Ableton live and I have been really digging Reaktor’s range of instrument, in particular Razor (phat sounds coming from this one).
What releases do you have on the horizon?
Katermukke 100: Uone and Shades of Gray – Rambling Thoughts (Original Mix)
Katermukke is my family and really excited to be on the 100th release.
Sprout Music: Uone – Signals EP
Featuring remixes from Brazilian Gabriel Boni and Swiss guru Khainz.
Heinz Music: Uone and Out of Sorts – Pacific Highway EP,
4 tracks featuring remixes from Gabe and Thankyou City.
Light My Fire: Uone, Shades of Gray and JML – Hows It Done EP
Where can we hear you perform?
– 04 July Heinz Label Night – KaterBlau, Berlin
– 17 July Sienfenlasen Festival, Hamburg
– 18 July Still Vor Talent Open Air, Frankfurt
– 18 July Natural Klang Open air, Zurich
– 23 July Secret Garden Party, UK
– 8 Aug Sonne Mond und Sterne Festival, Berlin
– 9 Aug Cirque Magic, Belgium
– 16 Aug 3000 Gradi Festival, Germany
– 23 Aug Plötzlich Am Meer, Poland
– 30 Aug Burning man USA
– 19 Sept, Symbiosis, California
Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?
My approach to producing this mix was reflective of how I’ve developed my style over the last 15 years: To take the listener on an unforgettable journey. This typically involves a quirky intro, long track transitions, percussive blends, emotional strings, orchestral melodies and touch of nostalgia fusing the old with the new throughout the mix. The mix was produced with a combination of a live recorded mix and some technical tweaks afterwards.
My Recommendations
The top track in my DJ wallet currently is:
Javier Ferreira – Tracert (Melokolektiv Remix)
If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:
Uone – Connections (Out Of Sorts and Uone Dub Mix)
If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be:
Jan Turkenburg – In My Spaceship
My favourite Balance compilation is:
Joris Voorn
The last movie I watched that I really liked:
Gravity. The use of sound design as impact tool impressed me.
My favourite TV show:
Mighty Boosh
If I could choose anyone to compile a Balance compilation it would be:
Matthew Dekay or Robag Wruhme
Tracklisting
1. Uone – Balance Intro
2. Jacob Groening – Hangover (Mira Christopher Schwarzwalder Remix)
3. Bonobo – Grey Reverend (First Fires feat Grey Reverend Maya Jane Coles Remix)
4. Jonas Saalbach – Shimmer NL Gaia (Andreas Henneberg Remix)
5. Alex Sosa – Its Good Site (Original Mix)
6. Kellerkind – Move Me (Joachim Pastor Remix)
7. Tube & Berger – Paji Reliquia (Original Mix)
8. Melokolektiv – Born Trippy (Original Mix)
9. Loco Dice – How Do I Know (Original Mix)
10. Spencer Parker – Riding On The Rhythm (Original Mix)
11. David Dorad – Streets of Mexico (Original Mix)
12. Uone & Shades of Gray – Zembu House Diet (Original Mix)
13. Anna Leevia & Markey – Internal tourism (Original Mix)
14. Britta Arnold – Chicken Curry (Lee Jones Remix)
15. Uone – Balance Outro
