Emerging Belgian DJ/producer STEYA shares her debut EP on IMF, becoming just the ninth artist to release a full body of work on original Berghain resident Marcel Fengler’s label. The five-track work includes remixes by Rolando and Hertz.
The Berlin-based artist aims to stamp herself as one to watch since breaking through in 2022. She’s a regular at RSO Berlin and Grelle Forelle in Vienna, and has also played Tomorrowland, Exhale, Rex Club and Basement in NYC.
Her first forays into production was ‘Neon Reecho’, featuring on RAW's Third Eye compilation in 2021. This was followed by the release of 'Elysian' on BCCO's second V/A, as well as the ’Prototype X’ on the ‘10 Years of IMF’ that dropped in 2022. She followed this with a contribution to the label’s new HARDPROOF V/A series in 2023 with ‘Trigger Me’.
Her debut EP crystalises 20 years of devotion to techno, presenting a broad palette of sonic influences formed since her early days as a raver in Antwerp, where she fought against a strict Jewish upbringing to immerse herself in the city’s club scene.
At the same time, it continues the label’s philosophy of pairing a next generation artist with respected heads of the genre, with long-time Swedish producer Hertz and STEYA’s hero Rolando featuring on her ‘Dopamine EP’. Growing up in Belgium where the ‘Knights of the Jaguar’ was a staple childhood anthem, it was “one of her biggest wishes to have him [Rolando] as a remixer”.
An EP borne through two years of studio time, the EP kicks off with the title track, ‘Fast Life’, a bass-led cut with a bottom-end kick before a synth melody gets added to the brew. Hertz – a favourite of hers (“I’ve played one of his tracks in every set since the beginning of my career”) joins the project to re-work the title track, upping the energy of the original.
‘Things You Never Said’ begins life centred around rolling grooves, before synth rushes give it a Motor City vibe. Rolando steps up for remix duties to close out the EP, delivering a deep techno cut, extending the original by two minutes.
STEYA: “It’s a big honour to release my debut EP on such an amazing label like IMF, which is very close to my heart. I poured my heart and soul into this project. It showcases the artistic direction I’ve developed over the last few years and is an important milestone in my artist journey."
Marcel Fengler: “After experiencing many of her stunning DJ sets, it's wonderful to see her thriving also as a producer. What really excites me is witnessing her continuous growth, always fuelled by her deep passion for music. So, I’m thrilled to release STEYA's debut EP on IMF, featuring three original dancefloor anthems and two stellar remixes by Rolando and Hertz.”
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