August 2021July 2021June 2021May 2021April 2021March 2021 February 2021 January 2021December 2020November 2020October 2020September 2020August 2020July 2020June 2020May 2020April 2020March 2020February 2020January 2020December 2019November 2019October 2019September 2019August 2019July 2019June 2019May 2019April 2019March 2019February 2019January 2019December 2018November 2018October 2018September 2018August 2018July 2018June 2018May 2018April 2018March 2018February 2018
At a crossroads after taking a hiatus from hip hop production, SEM provided the perfect space for rediscovery through great tutors and fellow students.
Now I’ve found myself on a new and exciting path exploring music from a wide range of genres such as broken beat, lofi and Latin infused house and soulful DNB.
All of which has reinvigorated my passion for production, inspiring new music, with a solo project scheduled for release in late 2021.
My DJ style currently focuses on the teachings of Neil Diablo with an emphasis on blends, creating interesting segues and builds through merging a variety of genres. You’ll likely hear some performance-based chops and scratching incorporated into my future sets too, thanks to DJ Rasp.
You can follow on Soundcloud
Exposed to weird & creative music from an early age, Manchester-based artist Aagentah takes influence from a wide range of genres–all the way from early ’90’s Jazz music, to modern-day Sci-Fi scores.
Although staying true to Drum & Bass roots, progressing his sound through constant experimentation of genres expresses an alternative approach to exploring the landscape of underground music.
You can follow on Instagram | Soundcloud
Originally hailing from sunny Yorkshire, Hypershell (Joe Jilla) now operates out of Manchester, UK. Drum and Bass captured his heart whilst studying at Uni and he spent his formative years at DBE Loughborough Events. DJs such as R:Kade, Samiad & Madline shaped his influences into what they are today.
Taking inspiration from across the drum and bass spectrum, he’s always on the quest to create something raw, obscure and above all, entertaining. In 2021, Hypershell made his debut releasing the ‘Designs’ EP on Full Send DNB, and that was just the beginning…
You can follow on Instagram | Soundcloud
Rocco is back, delivering some 174.
Rocco has been perfecting his craft DJing in Manchester and Internationally for the last 5 years. Playing everything from house, bassline, UKG to DnB.
Now with his soul focus on DnB, he is making a name for himself with his performance-based 3 deck wizardry inspired by DMC turntablism.
Get stuck into Roccos’s mix below!
You can follow on Instagram | Soundcloud
Gina Bonnar is the creator of Lucid Juices. Founded in 2019 Lucid Juice is a party, radio show, and all-round creative platform focusing on bass music circulating the Manchester area and beyond.
Since it was founded we have hosted a variety of events with artists such as Commix, Strategy, Melissa, Mr. k and many other heads in the bass music scene.
Get stuck into Gina’s mix below!
You can follow on Instagram | Soundcloud
DJ Duckdown spins a spellbinding array of music including disco, house, funk, and soul. She fluidly moves through genres, selecting tunes with emotional resonance for an unforgettably euphoric experience.
DJ Duckdown is a member of the Manchester-based DJ collective All Hands On Deck and is resident DJ at Queer Family Tea.
Get stuck into Duckdown’s mix below! ?
Complete DJ Course graduate Citizen Simmo started DJing back in early 2010, initially playing records at the Garage at Beatherder to playing local bars to then putting on his own mini-festival!
Full of South African tech house, Morrocan house and some grooves coming out of Latin America, this mix is a perfect midweek pick me up.
Get stuck into Simmo’s mix below! ?
My first break came in 2003 when asked to produce background music for a Channel 4 (UK) drama. This one opportunity attracted people to want to remix and collaborate with me, were several tracks were played on UK radio.
Working with Preston born producer Carl Noblet (Source One), I released two tracks with Manchester Label 4:4 Records, were the label requested that I change my artist name to Daveros.
2013 saw me set up my own Label A1R Records, to release all future titles. I have seen an explosion in followers across the Globe with tracks being streamed in Cafes to nightclubs!
You can follow Davros on Instagram | Soundcloud
Current influences for my style of mixing would be Arkham Knights, Teenage Mutants, Layton Giordani, Dok & Martin and Spektre to name just a few.
Influences for stage productions would be a man who is literally out of this world – Eric Prydz. Seeing is believing with his production.
I have carved out a niche in my mixing style which I call technotrance – a blend of progressive / techno and trance music which fuses the three together. Mixes can be heard on my weekly 1 hour set on the Revolution of Dance Radio for whom I am a resident DJ.
You can follow Semset on Instagram | Soundcloud
”Since the late 80’s I have been pursuing a career in health & fitness as well as enjoying a multitude of sub-genres of EDM.
Around 2015 I decided I wanted to move on from being a personal trainer/sports therapist and become a Techno & House DJ. I’ve dedicated hours upon hours in order to gather an understanding of the structure of EDM music, how to use different controllers, sound distribution, lighting and how to construct warm-up, main event and after hour sets.
Since 2018 I have been actively DJing around the Blackpool area and I am beginning to gather a following and a good reputation. Cool dresser in good physical condition I am ready to bring the party to your town wherever it may be”.
You can follow FY8 on Instagram | SoundCloud
Markus studied our Introduction to Music Production, Electronic Music Composition, Music Business, Weekend DJ Course and Event Management courses here at SEM, where he created his ‘Industries’ project.
His music explores and subverts musical structures and ranges from field recordings, distorted sounds to harmonic melodies and large beats.
“My mix will take you on a journey through distorted sounds, experimental field recordings and cutting-edge beats, drowned in an eerie, dark atmosphere. It contains tracks by left-field electronica producers who inspire me, four of which are from Manchester. They are very idiosyncratic in their approach, open and adventurous in their experimentation. Enjoy the sonic trip!”
You can follow Markus on Instagram | SoundCloud
Mystique is a Manchester-based DJ and producer with a no-boundaries approach to club music.
Her genre-bending influences are often rooted in the sounds of Berlin, Detroit, the UK and within otherworldly synths and beats that stimulate your body to feel.
One of the co-founders of local DJ collective Shifting Spheres, known for providing DJ workshops for women, trans and non-binary folk, Mystique provides an ode to the club. Starting with the track ‘I. Miss. Raving’ by Elkka, the rest of the selection transcends into ghetto tech, garage and breaks.
You can follow Mystique on Instagram | SoundCloud
“Modern drum and bass with some liquid and rollers.”
After completing the DJ Course at SEM and performing at their winter social event I was eager to create more mixes in 2020.
I have recently gained inspiration from watching live streams and listening to other artists talk about their experiences of Lockdown. I am currently working on a few mixes and hope to post more in the future, as well as collabs with other 140 and drum and bass artists. I think this has been a difficult year, but I am now more determined than ever to focus on my music and get the ball rolling.
Since studying SEM’s Complete DJ course, I have been lucky to play SEM’s Winter Social and have undertaken a residency at UGC radio which I play two live shows a week.
Being a student at SEM has given me the tools and skills to be able to make my passion for playing techno a reality.
I take my influences from the likes of Richie Hawtin, Adam Beyer, and Charlotte De Witte who in my opinion take the roof off every show they play and I aspire to do the same
Ben Lockwood-Layton is an open format DJ/techno producer from Manchester who mixing style has elements of mainstream hits and underground bangers.
From playing venues such as ‘The Spot’ to ‘Eden’ in Manchester his style is nothing but driving and energetic. Sounds from dirty acid basslines to bright pads. influences include Carl Cox, Laidback Luke. Adam Beyer.
You can follow Ben on Instagram | Soundcloud
As far as I can remember, there was music playing at home when I was young.
I’m Arowbtheworld, made up in 2016 in France, a musician since my youngest age, producer, and DJ since coming to SEM in Manchester. Musicians like Daft Punk, Justice and Madeon inspire my music.
I’m mainly producing electro-house, though I really like all genres of music, this can be felt in my productions. The internet is my playground, I’m making videos on social media cumulating more than 175,000 views. Though I really love the stage feeling, so I started the DJ course at SEM.
CHANNE first learnt to DJ in 2014. Coming from Southport, she has been able to showcase some of her talent at local bars & clubs and has secured a weekly residency. She also performed at one of the local festivals DJing a mix of all her favourite house and Disco classics from over the years.
Having drawn a lot of inspiration from trips to Ibiza over the past couple of years, she is now moving into music production at SEM and hopes to release some house & disco music in the near future!
Aspiring DJ and Producer Yaz AAhmed currently studying at SEM Manchester, originally from Stockport.
I first started DJ’ing when I was about 16 when, I bought a Numark mix track pro and self-taught myself the basics of DJ’ing. I was always the ‘DJ’ at high school parties, choosing the music and getting everyone up dancing. I have been looking up to many DJs, including Hannah Wants, Patrick Topping and Manchester’s Mason Collective, and been driven by their success to try to make it a career of my own.
‘I wanted to make my passion for music into a career and so booked myself onto the DJ course at SEM Manchester.’
You can follow Yaz on Soundcloud
22 year old aspiring DJ from Manchester, Deacon Healey spins genres ranging from house, tech-house, disco and experimenting with different sounds to see what works together.
“My main goal is to make music people can connect with in the same way that I do. Attending SEM gave me the opportunity to play a mix live in front of an audience, which really gave me a taste of what it’s like when people hear my music for the first time.”
You can follow Deacon on Instagram | Soundcloud
Purveyor of deep, infectious dance grooves – it’s Adam de Hoogh! Growing up on his father’s eclectic combination of soul music & West Coast American with his own love for house, disco & hip-hop, Adam ended up with quite a mixed spectrum of musical influences. 30 years later and this translates into sets of soulful and ethereal backdrops, brooding basslines, and occasional vocal hooks… all on top of a pronounced foot-shuffling disco beat.
Having studied at SEM to enhance his DJ skills, this has given him an elevated level of technical proficiency.
“For me, it’s all about mood and a deep, hypnotic groove… playing those tracks that get you tapping your feet and nodding your head without you realising it, regardless of genre, tempo, style, or release date. “
You can follow Adam on Facebook | Mixcloud | Soundcloud
Callum Booth is a recent student at SEM, and is looking to make a name for himself in the music industry, bringing funky and retro-inspired sounds to the dance floor!
Follow Callum on Soundcloud and Instagram.
MissBliss emerged on to the UK DNB scene this year. Her style: high energy, unexpected drops and of course giving you the classics you CRAVE. Be prepared to skank and lose your SH*T when she is on!
Follow MissBliss on: Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook
Born and Bred in Longford, Ireland. Currently residing in Manchester with a passion for house music and everything techno. Em-Jay also a graduate from our July 2019 Complete DJ Course.
Follow Em-Jay on Mixcloud | Soundcloud | Instagram
Manchester-based SEM alumni ‘Charpring’ has been flying through the ranks since she graduated from our Complete DJ Course.
In the space of a year Charpring she’s gone from not knowing how to DJ, to DJing most weekends in bars and events all over Manchester.
Now moving on to the music production side of the industry, we are excited to see what’s to come from this fast-rising star.
Follow Charpring on: Soundcloud | Instagram
Check out: Complete DJ Course | Ableton Live Short Course
Mark submitted a mix which we hosted in April 2019, but he’s come back with another solid one so it’s time to feature him again!
Manchester-born Mark Morris has a massive passion for music. He’s been mixing for over 18 years and is aspiring techno producer.
You can listen to more of Mark’s mixes on Mixcloud and follow him on Instagram.
Monopoly Phonic is one of the founders and resident DJs of Girls Night Out, a new hyper pop party playing experimental, niche and iconic pop music.
Monopoly’s Girls Night Out sets mix PC Music and Internet bops with pop fan favourites and forgotten deep cuts.
With three successful Manchester parties under their belt since their launch in March this year, next month Girls Night Out are launching their first London party. You can follow them on Girls Night Out Instagram and keep up to date with their events on Facebook.
Monopoly studied the Complete Music Production & DJ Course here at the School of Electronic Music. You can find out more about our courses here, and arrange a call with a course advisor here.
Sandy Astley has an amazing story. She became interested in dance music at the age of 46, after bringing her son to an open day at the School of Electronic Music. Her Son, Mitch Astley, signed up for our Ableton Live Course and Fast Track DJ Course. He then started DJing and producing as one half of Attollo (whose release ‘Free (Gay & Happy) ft Justine Riddoch‘ features in the mix).
An inspiration to Sandy, Sandy then began to take DJ lessons at SEM a few years later, at the age of 50! Now she’s an inspiration to us all at SEM!
You can ready more about Sandy‘s journey on her blog: http://bit.ly/
Ben Lockwood-Layton is a DJ/Producer whose main genres are techno, house, EDM, Trance and Deep House. You can follow Ben on Soundcloud here.
His influences include artists such as Laidback Luke and Deadmau5. His production focuses more on Techno as well as trance, film scores and progressive house.
March’s Mix of the Month comes from HUGO MANSION.
Hugo Mansion’s musical influences are broad and expansive. He’s a versatile DJ playing everything from RnB, Grime, House to Bassline. Expect a cross-genre set including a range of styles and tempos. Productions inspired by Jave, Don Diablo, Gorgon City and a range of artists spanning the genres.
February’s 2019 Mix of the Month comes from EKKINZ.
The North West based DJ and Producer structures his mixes with a classy selection of dark and vibey bass music. Expect to hear weighty productions fusing elements of dub, techno, breakbeats and more.
Ekkinz has been playing raves as part of the outdoor party scene since 2014 and more recently supported the likes of High Contrast and Dynamite MC at the Highest Point festival official after party. He was also invited to play a 2hr influences set on Limbo radio Mcr, showcasing his ability to mix genres like Garage and Dubstep all the way through to Footwork and Minimal Dnb. Ekkinz also played the Jungle Sale at Beatherder Festival 2018.
Our first SEM Mix of The Month for 2019 comes from Nialas.
Nialas is DJ/Producer from Salford in Manchester, inspired by legends including Daft Punk, Deadmau5 and The Prodigy.
Our final SEM Mix of the Month of 2018 comes from DJ Hamish Gilbert. Hamish is a DJ living in Manchester playing techno and house music.
He takes his inspiration from many DJss, including Carl Cox, Jon Rundell, Adam Beyer, Amelie Lens amongst others.
November’s Mix of The Month comes from DJ alumnus About Time.
About Time is a house DJ living in Manchester. He is also part of Manchester based DJ collective, Tempo Rubato.
October’s Mix of The Month comes from DJ alumnus DJ Dee Bee.
Expect a mix influenced by his love of deep house, commercial house, bass house/bassline and tech house.
September’s Mix of The Month comes from DJ alumnus DJ Usman.
Expect a selection of top Progressive House tracks from artists such as Paul Kalkbrenner, Julio Bashmore and Deetron.
August’s Mix of the Month comes from DJ alumnus Moltonic.
His influences vary from deep and chilled beats to the hottest tech house rhythms and basslines. After producing a remix for the industrial/rock band Hypnotic, he’s now working on some tracks for his first EP due in 2018.
July’s Mix of The Month comes from DJ alumnus George Dower.
The upcoming DJ from warrington mixes an assortment of styles and is co-owner of New Age Sounds, local record label and events promoter.
June’s Mix of The Month comes from SEM’s youngest student, Rocco Harris.
Rocco’s having a busy start to the year with his very first EP recently being released on Roughmoose Records.
May’s Mix of the Month comes from SOMNIA.
After diving into the Psytrance scene in the Netherlands, Gimi aka Somnia became interested in electronic music production and DJing. He later studied electronic music production and took DJ lessons from DJ Mark One at SEM during his stay in the UK.
April’s Mix of the Month comes from SEM student Notchyy.
Wigan based DJ Notchyy has been Djing for over 6 years and his influences include Yotto, Dusky, Lane 8 and Above and Beyond.
March’s Mix of the Month comes from SEM student Liohness.
Recently she’s been ripping up the dancefloor in Manchester at local club night 10th Dimension and last year she warmed up for Submorphics, a key player in the Drum & Bass scene.
Our first Mix of The Month comes from head lecturer Tom from 2 Billion Beats.
Tom is a prolific ghost-producer running a professional studio, and part of the successful electronic band 2 Billion Beats, with well over 25+ releases.
