From Ben Pearce to Nero, Chase and Status' MTA Records has a knack for unearthing acts that represent a distinctly UK soundclash vibe in a way that serves as a mirror to the London club scene. Their latest signee is taking on a wholly novel aesthetic for the label and serves as a sign of the changing tides on UK dancefloors. His name is Braxton, and he's very, very good.The strong basslines and muted triumph of Braxton's first single on MTA, "21 Days," bring that Hamburg sound championed by the likes of Solomun's Diynamic imprint to London airwaves. "I write moody and atmospheric, emotional electronic music," Braxton explains. "But the music I tend to play out is darker, edgier, groovier techno and housey stuff."With the breadth of radio play the track is enjoying, from Kiss FM to Paul Oakenfold's Planet Perfecto podcast, it seems that the UK is more than ready for the vibes Braxton is laying. Check out his exclusive guest mix for THUMP below:If Braxton doesn't sound like a DJ from London, it's because he isn't. "I grew up in a tiny town in the north-west of England," he explains. "A town that didn't have a musical identity, and an area of the country forever reeling from Maggie Thatcher's death grip. I was lucky enough to escape and move down south to study music." Although he's based in Brighton now, the influences his music references are far and wide.Although this project may be a newfangled affair, Braxton's long earned his chops in dance music. His big break, though, came when playing in Tourist's live band. "I grew up playing live in bands, but nothing like some of the crowds I saw over the summer. It was an incredible experience," he says.Now, Braxton is poised to take off in his own right as his tunes are enjoying regular airplay both in clubs and on the radio. "I try to write music that's suitable in multiple environments," he says. "Like a club, or just to wander around a dark, dirty and cold northern town with your earphones in." By the sounds of things, Braxton will be spending more time in the former than in the latter.Braxton is on Facebook // SoundCloud // Twitter
Advertisement