The UK producer provides a fire mix for our ongoing series
COHN is a London-based producer and DJ who’s been crafting his art and exploring the various facets of house music for years. Over his decade-long career, he has had some hear-catching releases on famous labels such as Kitsuné, Nervous, Ed Banger or Bordello A Parigi.
On his latest release, Focus On Your Breath, he showcases the wide array of his influences, and the broadness of his musical soundscape, revealing us these three interpretations of a track built around a mantric vocal sample. With the single out now, we’re stoked to have an exclusive mix and interview from this super-talented artist.
You’ve covered a lot of ground with your latest release—there’s a bit of Italo, a splash of acid, and some hypnotic club energy in there. What inspired you to take things in so many different directions on this one?
Honestly, the entire idea came from the vocal which I loved so much and wanted to build an EP around. When I started playing around with it in clubs and in my studio, I realized there were so many directions I wanted to take it, so I just made all those versions and threw them together!
The vocal sample feels like the glue holding everything together, giving the track its meditative edge. How did you land on that, and what drew you to those mantric vibes?
I meditate most days and have done for many years. I was listening to this quite long guided meditation and was completely in the zone and I heard that phrase and it had a kind of rhythmic quality to it. My brain went into music mode and I started kind of moving in my seated position. I realized I had to make this track. When I started playing it for others everyone connected to it and so I knew I had something.
You’ve released music with some heavy-hitting labels over the years—each with its own personality. What have you taken away from those experiences, and how have they shaped the way you approach your music today?
I think for me it’s been amazing to see how much the music comes first with everyone. I am not someone with crazy connections or who is amazing at networking, but I love this musical space because no matter who you are if you make a banger that people want to play, big labels and big DJs will engage with it and I’m very grateful for that culture. Big shout out to Ulla Records and Austher on this release. They don’t know me, we never met, but I just reached out to them and they understood the vision and we started working together.
London has always been a hub for forward-thinking electronic music. How has being part of that scene influenced your sound and the kind of music you want to make?
London is amazing but I get so much inspiration from travelling around to other cities. Especially smaller cities that have their own little scenes and sometimes their own ecosystems of tracks and DJs they love. I connect way more to this type of vibe where you can really feel how dance music brings people together without the major industry parts.
After over a decade in the game, how has your relationship with house music evolved? Are there moments where it feels like you’re rediscovering the genre all over again?
Honestly yes. When I started producing I wasn’t DJing much so I just kind of guessed what worked in clubs. You gain so much more from being in clubs and seeing what works and what doesn’t and my sound has evolved from that. My goal is always to make tracks that work in the club and on headphones.
Each version of the track feels like it’s built for a different mood or setting—whether it’s peak time in a club or something a little more introspective. How much do you think about where your music will be played when you’re making it?
I always think of that. This EP is supposed to have a track for when the night starts to pick up, a track for when the night is really pumping, and a track for the late night crew who have stayed way past their bed times but want some heavy energy to keep them moving.
What can you tell us about the mix you’ve put together for us? Any specific tracks you’d like to highlight?
This mix is supposed to be a mini-version of the energy I brought to this EP. Starting more Italo and fun, gradually getting into some acid sounds, and then pushing into faster late night music. I am really loving this type of journey at the moment so I hope the mix reflects that.
It feels like Italo disco and acid sounds have made a big comeback in recent years. What is it about those styles that still excites you, and how do you put your own spin on them?
I think there’s always something fun about reaching to the past and trying to pay respect to the history of the scene. I love to dig for vinyl and watch old YouTube videos about the 90s and 2000s scenes, and I think for me it was a chance to play with my own fantasy of being a part of those worlds that I was too young for. I try to make music that at the same time pushes those styles forward and also pays respect.
With such a wide range of influences in your music, what’s on the horizon for you for 2025? Any new sounds, ideas, or collaborations you’re itching to dive into next?
I have a new EP coming with Midnight People in a few months. A new EP on my own label. And another one that’s being written that I’m hopefully going to get back into playing around with sampling again, which was my first love but I have kind of left behind recently! Thanks so much for the support.
COHN – Focus On Your Breath is out now on Ulla Records
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