We live in the era of 'more'. We spend our days trying to keep up with a seemingly infinite range of links to follow, pictures to see, sounds to hear, places to go, objects to desire, events to anticipate, heroes to cherish and villains to loath. But rather than freeing, too many options can become paralyzing. Consequently, we often find ourselves frustrated because of the experiences we will never have... without even knowing what we really want. The same goes with music creation in digital environments. Too many possibilities can also mean a tyranny of the "what if...". In this light, celebrating 'less' becomes vital. And that's exactly what swedish producer and Studio Barnhus affiliate Simon Haydo does in 'Redux'. All of the sounds in the album's nine tracks come from just one synth: the Korg MS20. As Simon puts it, the idea was to "maximize the use of less, basically. Less gear, less effects, less input from other people, less everything."Using only between 2 and 6 channels for every track, the result is a stripped but surprisingly rich sound, that delineates spatial Techno vignettes coated with the unmistakable charac- ter of the MS20 filters. Even more interestingly, this restraint is not only applied gear-wise, but also from an emotional point of view. "Instead of involving my own feelings, I let the voice of the MS20 take care of it", says Simon. All this makes 'Redux' an expression of techno in its purest form. After all, it's a kind of music that has always gravitated around simplicity, austerity and, of course, the believe that the machines have their own soul.

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French producer Hemka delivers her debut album on Darko Esser’s BALANS Records imprint this March entitled ‘Hunger Waves’


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For the next installment on Darko Esser’s Balans imprint the Dutch producer Tetelepta brings his slick, laidback tech house vibe to the label with ‘Waiting For The Flash’ EP.


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The first installment of Balans Records in 2018 brings the talented female Parisian, DJ and producer, Hemka, to the Dutch label.Opening the EP, ’707 Collision’ rushes in with subtly shifting groove repetition, suspenseful melodies and echoes of Detroit. The atmospheric ’Nocturnal Rounds’ keeps the fast-paced rhythm with added Sci-fi flavor - peak time techno at its best!

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(Yotam Avni remix) Darko Esser's Balans imprint returns this fall with one the most promising projects emerging from the electronic scene of Tel Aviv, Deep’a & Biri. Having previously released on Derrick May's Transmat, DJ Hell's International DJ Gigolos and their own label Black Crow, the duo now presents their ‘Linear Regression’ EP on the Dutch label.


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Having previously released on Z.I.P.P.O’s Fides imprint, 3KZ now bring their powerful four tracker ’Not From Here’ on Balans Records. 3KZ are Z.I.P.P.O and Kalean


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Early support from Ben Klock & Marcell Detmann. The first installment of Balans Records in 2016 brings the debut of young, talented Italian artist, Drafted, to the Dutch label.



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The perpetually seductive Mike Parker delivers a remarkable performance with this solid four track addition to the Dutch label Balans Records, continuously known for delivering modern classics

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Balans welcomes back Swedish-born Staffan Linzatti for his second release on the Dutch imprint with Dividing in Two, an energetic two-track EP keeping consistent with the labels vision of delivering classic techno rhythms.


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The BALANS roster is growing evermore internationally with fresh Moscow signing Nphonix. The Russian producer made big waves in the global Drum & Bass and Dubstep scene, but is no stranger to juke, acid and techno as he proven on previous releases. His different background provides him with a fresh angle on classic techno, pushing the envelope for the genre in a manner we love. For the Benway EP’s title track, a coop with fellow Russian producer Apobothra, the term ‘monster track’ is an understatement. The slow, careful build up doesn’t prepare the unweary listener for the wall of sound that’s yet to come. After the drop Benway evolves into a relentless tornado, destroying everything in it’s sonic path. Black Acid and Nebrakada on the flip are have the same sonic signature, but are more trippy by nature. Both tunes reveal Nphonix dubstep background 135-140 bpm tempos, without losing any of their funk through pulsating bass grooves.


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We welcome UK’s rising star Jordan Peak on board for his first fully fledged techno release. Jordan has been making waves ever since his entrance on the international circuit in 2011 and with releases on Bass Culture and Robsoul a.o. his future is looking bright. Last year he started his own imprint Rogue Society, a label focused on music on the borders of house and techno. Jordan’s first steps into purist techno territory appear more like giant leaps. All four tracks sound like he is been making techno tunes for years, an extraordinary display of his talent. Black Paint kicks of a funk fuelled groove accompanied by modern day dub stabs and fx programming. Follow up Crocodile Tears brings memories of early Slam/Soma records to mind, updated to 2014. On the flipside you’ll find 2 dark, hypnotic groovers. Relentless in their pace, both with catchy melody lines that’ll stick in your brain for weeks to come. Another fantastic BALANS debut

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Sometimes we get handed a demo from a totally unknown producer that instantly blows us away. That’s what happened when Dars’ brother send us the link to ‘All Is Tainted’ last year. The deep brooding darkness, offbeat bassline and droney sounddesign got us hooked within a few seconds. That’s all you need sometimes. Before we could put the record out, more tunes were needed. Dars got in the studio and came with 2 more amazing tracks that follow the same dark atmospherics as All Is Tainted. Conflicting Principles Of Behaviour and Revolutionary Feedback showcase the amazing talent of the Rotterdam based philosophy student and will mark the start of a fruitful collab between the debut artist and BALANS. If you love your techno deep, dark and ultrahypnotic you won’t be disappointed.

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Don’t we all love it when artists hide behind a mysterious alter ego? Don’t we jump on the chance to unravel these kind of secrets? We have got one for you right here with our new release. Cadans is the super secret techno alter ego of a very well known and respected Drum & Bass//Dubstep producer. We have known and followed Cadans for many years and are very exciting to get to release the first EP of his new endeavour. All 3 tracks have been road tested extensively by labelboss Darko Esser and now finally will be documented on precious wax. Basically it’s a triple A-side record. Fix, Samsa and Millian are all peaktime, stripped down industrial machine funk monsters. A trio of bassheavy battle weapons wich will leave any dancefloor in shatters. Try it out and see for yourselfs!


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Early support from Jeff Mills! We have been looking forward to this release for a while now and we are happy to share this amazing EP with you. Swedish futurist Staffan Linzatti has joined ranks with BALANS and how!

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We have got a stunning debut lined up for magical number 10. Amsterdam’s Stefan Vincent will release his first BALANS twelve by the end of April and we are really extremely excited to unleash these 4 gems into the world. Both Conflate Four and Five are about as trippy as it gets, reminding us of the golden 90’s era of psychedelic Detroit and Berlin techno. But with a distinct Dutch flavour off course, think Steve Rachmad under his Ignacio monniker. Washes of synth arps are getting all the room they need to breath, expand and contract thanks to the ultra minimalistic grooves of both tunes. Stefan showcases a different side of himself on ‘Fool Me Again’ and ‘Welder’. Two downtempo, electronic, ambient cuts. ‘Welder’ embraces futuristic synths and abstract, alienating sounddesign, while ‘Fool Me Again’ is Detroit melancholy at it’s best: try and not get goosebumps.


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Ever since his classic 'Vangel' release on Ostgut Ton we have been huge fans of Samuli's sound. Needless to say we are very proud to have him on board. Early support from Yvan Smagghe, DVS1

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From friendly and uplifting (Beware) to ultradark (Subcutanteous Tissue), abstract & dubby (Detoxification) and homelistening jazzed up electronics (Aquarium), Imugem manages to pull all of that of seemlessly without effort.

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Dutch minimalists Dimi Angèlis & Jeroen Search return for their second stripped down and abstract sonic affair on BALANS Records

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Balans head honcho Darko Esser is on duty for his very first EP on Balans Records. Remixes comes from Peter van Hoesen and Regis & Function a.k.a. Sandwell District. The new year couldn't have started better.

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