Following his debut Third Ear release, the Shonky ep in 2018, Third Ear follow up with 8 more Shonky dance floor bombs. Shonky has a signature hypnotic, hard grooving sound, characterised by punishing beats laced with detailed polyrhythms and elusive motifs. On The Run is Shonky's debut album. More

Shonky has over the years developed a signature hypnotic hard grooving sound, characterised by punishing beats laced through with detailed polyrhythms and elusive motifs. Sexy and playful, seriously jacking. The result is dance grooves that punch and tickle every surface and joint in the body. It sounds effortless, but it's far from it. Shonky crafts his tracks to deliver a prefect groove every time. More

While feeling very honored and excited to have three extremely talented artists feature on his new Real Tone Records release, Shonky the French Berlin-based producer who is also a part of Apollonia, has asked Larry Heard, Delano Smith and The Martinez Brothers a couple of different questions each to give us more of an insight to them and their artistry.

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Shonky’s debut EP for the label bears a lot of his signature elements, mixed in with a dash of patented Culprit funk. The title-track fits the label’s canon of soulful, warm grooves and provides the inspiration for the rest of the EP. The two companion songs ‘La Bestia’ and ‘Kwality’ took shape as label and artist moulded the release together. In ‘La Bestia’ Shonky serves up his take on the melodic, funky bassline sound which Hot Natured pioneered for the label, with his own more euphoric twist. ‘Kwality’ channels Shonky’s love for classic 90’s US house. It works a dancefloor but reflects LA’s sun-drenched vibe far more than darkened warehouse spaces. The song recently set the roof ablaze at Culprit’s Sonar showcase. An outgrowth of another trans-Atlantic relationship also sees Londoner jozif join Culprit on this release, remixing ‘Oasis’. His remix has been a secret weapon in Droog sets for the last few months, with its dramatic piano flourishes and jozif’s own original guitar elements adding up to a modern take on a truly Balearic style. It’s only fitting that jozif has just become a Space, Ibiza resident. Through a “meeting of the minds” last year in London and playing together in Miami and Sonar, a friendship between the label and jozif has been cemented that, in typical Culprit symmetry, will see him go from remixing to contributing a full release to the label later this year. More

Apollonia Music unveils its latest release, which comes straight out of Dan Ghenacia’s lab. The fresh new EP is amusingly titled ‘The Egg’ after his son, who was born just a few months ago, and sees Dan bringing together three productions with different styles and flavours, each with an egg-related track name. It’s been a while since monsieur Ghenacia appeared on Apollonia’s label, but this EP is definitely worth the wait… On side A it’s ‘O¨ La Coque’ (Boiled Egg), aptly-titled with its aquatic low end percolating and bubbling away. Quirky effects keep things interesting throughout, adding depth and movement... then we get a killer riff which lifts the vibes higher. Once that disappears a mysterious set of chimes arises from the deep adding a mystical feel to the track before it continues on with its bubbly groove. Flip the record over and side B kicks off with ‘Mykonos Huevos’, which boasts hard-hitting percussion and a sublime b-line designed to get those hips moving with a sensual rhythm. The insistent, dramatic atmosphere is relentless and this is one of those cuts that will captivate the dance floor when it’s dropped. Lastly, we have ‘Sunny Side Up’ which rounds off the EP nicely, bringing that Sunday after hours vibe you’ll find at Dan’s party GoDEEP. This one has a heady vibe with a hypnotic main riff and secondary piano riff that complements it perfectly. The beats are crisp, the low end warm and soothing which, combined with progressively trippy atmospherics, envelopes you and transports you to a better place, way beyond the stars. … And there it is, a thoroughly eggscelent EP from Dan Ghenacia, courtesy of Apollonia Music

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It’s time for a fresh new release from the Apollonia stable, and this time around we unveil four groovy gems from Shonky and Tolga Fidan working together for the first time, giving us a winning combination and one which is sure to satisfy fans of both artists. The first track ‘Dynamo’ sets the tone for the EP; the bassline has a deadly groove, while playful effects dance around at the top end creating an immersive atmosphere. Intergalactic vibes. After that comes ‘Bastille’, which features a similarly jaunty rhythm with a variety of bleeps, chirps and twangs layered on top on each other to give the track its depth and character, while a menacing b-line does its dirty work in the low end.On the flip we get ‘Micro-Ondes’, a mysterious into the undiscovered lands of planet funk. You feel as though you’ve been transported to another world, where warped creatures lurk, calling out for your attention. As for the bass, its rhythm is utterly contagious. Finally ‘Americana’ completes the collection, maintaining the unusual use of sound prevalent throughout the EP it utilises a myriad distorted instruments. Support in the low end comes via a tough, punchy bass riff.

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For the latest instalment in the Apollonia story we look to Argentina and the talented producer Federico Molinari. Having been based in Germany for the last couple of decades, Federico has refined his sound, developing a strong signature through his DJ sets and his studio productions, most of which he has released via his label OSLO. Federico’s ability to craft effortless grooves and timeless rhythms is evident here on this killer new three-tracker. Side A is the eight-minute long roller ‘Congo Toys’. The focus here is on a crisp 4x4 beat, which keeps things simple – under this lies a sturdy bassline. All the while, the low end is accompanied by a series of bleeps, which could almost be the chatter between two archaic computers, modulated and weaving in and out of the beats and bass. On the flip, we have two more dance floor-ready joints. Like ‘ Congo Toys, ‘Tres Cuartos’ is focused around a simple foundation, with layers of unusual effects – an overriding sense of playfulness comes through in Molinari’s production, perfect for the boogie down crew. Last up, ‘Joyfex’ takes us further into leftfield, hypnotic, hazy atmospherics draw us into their web and we’re tangled up in a mesh of vibrating whirrs and echoing, distorted voices. Sublime business from an Apollonia favorite…

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Italian rudeboy Ivan Iacobucci brings his brand of lowdown funk-influenced tech house to Apollonia with this sterling three-tracker. Over two decades of hard work and dedication to his craft has culminated in Ivan’s untainted reputation and widespread respect within the underground from true heads like Zip and, of course, the Apollonia boys. His love of jazz in evident throughout this EP which is full of subtlety and depth, pulsating b-lines and smooth chords are interlaced with razor-sharp percussion and delicate keys. The first track ‘Old In On’ has a laid back, though driving, groove, pushing forward with a hefty bassline that is perfectly counterbalanced by the light twinkling keys and barely-there pads. ‘Scris Frumos’ encapsulates more of an ominous, tribal feeling with intricate effects trickling through every pore of its deep, dark exterior. Its atmospherics keep you intrigued, voices echo in the background and a few moments of softened chimes really intensify the already mysterious vibe. ‘Mini Ass’ channels more of that electro-funk that forms the foundation of Ivan’s love for music, haywire radio pulses prance around stuttered beats, giving it a slightly cosmic feel, while pipes add a more organic nuance to the track. Absolutely masterful work from Ivan, and another inspired addition to the Apollonia catalogue. More

As the year progresses, Apollonia keeps up its steady release schedule with a delightful new EP from Swiss alchemist, Alci. The young producer has already made an impact with some tre cool releases with labels like Robsoul, owned by Paris rudeboy, Phil Weeks. Now we have this sublime three-tracker landing on Apollonia and it’s serious…The EP gets moving with a track called ‘Garden Of Buddha’ which is a perfect example of Alci’s ability to cook up strange sounds while keeping it groovy and dance floor-friendly. ‘All Bun’ follows with more of the same; original flavours, minimal composition, with deep, catchy rhythms and vocal clips. ‘Traveling Soul’ closes things up neatly, giving us an enchanting collection of effects with a pulsating bassline that will have you gripped from the moment it appears. Another step forward for Alci and another diamond release from the Apollonia team… More

Time for some Double Dutch action with Apollonia’s latest release, which comes courtesy of Makcim & Levi. The twosome have already been picking up steam in their native Holland, playing at many of the country’s best-known clubs over the last few years, establishing themselves as selectors in a class of their own. And their prowess as DJs is equal to their talents as producers, with their very first EP appearing on Raum Musik and finding its way into Apollonia’s sets. Now they’ve got together once again to produce their second EP just for the Apollonia guys…The ‘More Lettuce’ EP fits perfectly into the French label’s sound ethic, emitting a dark groovy energy throughout. For starters we have ‘More Lettuce’, a gritty tech-driven monster on a mission. With its gravely percussion and air-raid siren-esque effects this is a surefire dance floor killer… listen out for the switch of pace, class. This is followed by ‘Tegel’, presumably named after the airport in Berlin. With this we get a kind of dingy Berlin vibe; morose, grey yet ingrained with a bouncing energy that you just can’t help but bop your head to. On the flip side ‘Thaiman’ injects a slightly odd feel to the EP with warped, muted sounds meandering around a subtle bassline. Finally, Makcim & Levi close up the EP with ‘Dope Erwt’ another roller that will enchant the dance floor from the start, building into a bright, airy breakdown before continuing in its somber yet groovy manner.

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After an astounding year for Apollonia storming all corners of the earth, the three welcomed further success with a momentous fiesta at BPM to commence 2014. Working the label in tandem, the list of pioneers featured thus far – POINT G, Callisto and Kerri Chandler – is mighty impressive. Jovonn is a name that sits naturally alongside them, the difference being that the forthcoming EP on Apollonia is not a repress but juicy new productions. A highly respected international DJ and producer hailing from Brooklyn, Jovonn made his mark within the underground House scene with classics such as “I Can’t Make Up My Mind”, “Garage Shelter”, and the standout collaboration with DJ Deep “Back In the Dark”. An intrinsic inspiration to the Apollonia trio, a personal relationship first formed at WMC Miami last year. Enjoying a production comeback following music on Dogmatik and La Vie En Rose in 2013, talk of working with Apollonia has fruitfully resulted in “The EP”. Proving he can still produce a House bomb with ease, “Trippin” is a Jovonn future classic dripping in sexy hushed vocals, with a dub alternative that sticks to the track’s fundamentals. “The March” journeys forward into the deepness of dreamy synths, while the contagious beats lure you into a swinging metronome effect. In the words of Jovonn, “it’s spiritual.”Catch Jovonn playing alongside Apollonia at Treehouse on 24th March, as part of this year’s WMC Miami festivities. More

Less than a year old, the newly formed label Apollonia presents its debut album release Inviting you on an imaginary journey in their Lotus Seven, a road trip back to ‘90s San Francisco takes Chris Carrier and Hector Moralez on a musical mission, stopping for hip hop style smokes, disco jams and soul-warming joints on the beach; this is an exploration through their colourful inspirations and rhythmic upbringing. More

Less than a year old, the newly formed label Apollonia presents its debut album release Inviting you on an imaginary journey in their Lotus Seven, a road trip back to ‘90s San Francisco takes Chris Carrier and Hector Moralez on a musical mission, stopping for hip hop style smokes, disco jams and soul-warming joints on the beach; this is an exploration through their colourful inspirations and rhythmic upbringing. More