SPEZ on Shaping Techno Culture Beyond the Dancefloor

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SPEZ swung by to discuss his Melbourne beginnings, his music recordings, and his vision for driving the future of techno through his WARG Records imprint.

SPEZ may still be a relatively new name on the international techno circuit, but the DJ and producer hailing from Melbourne is a rising talent poised to reach a broader audience this year.

His journey into techno began with a fascination that went beyond the dancefloor. Drawn to the genre’s “seriousness on an electronic music level,” he developed a curiosity for the deeper complexities within its sound. He explained, “I always classify it as the classical version of electronic music — not necessarily by the sound, but by the complexity and sophistication around it.”

This fascination naturally became the foundation of his music recordings, which today balance deep grooves with elements of funk, driving rhythms, and electrifying tempos. “My sound is somewhat deep but also combines elements of groove and funk,” he said, reflecting on his evolution. “When I first started, the sound that I pushed was a lot more accessible, but the further I delved into it, the more my ears developed.”

While rooted in Australia’s underground scene, SPEZ’s productions quickly found resonance internationally. They earned support from respected tastemakers in the global techno scene, including Slam, Truncate, SHDW & Obscure Shape, Stef Mendesidis, Setaoc Mass, Cleric, and Keith Carnal.

Having recently relocated to Europe and now based in Croatia, SPEZ continues to take his Melbourne-honed sound to global audiences, performing at renowned venues such as Tresor, Sub Club, From Another Mind, and MARY GO WILD. Comparing the techno scenes between the two regions, he said, “I find that European dancefloors are a lot more serious in the sense that people live and breathe club culture around Europe. Australia’s scene is definitely developing, and there is a lot of great local talent, but there isn’t as much of a unique cult following as there is in Europe.”

In 2017, SPEZ founded WARG Records, a platform and label dedicated to forward-thinking techno that provides emerging artists with a space to share their creative vision through live performance and studio releases. “The idea was sparked by the fact that I wanted to push a specific sound in Melbourne that no one in my circles was promoting,” he explained. “I wanted to bring something to Melbourne and Australia that you would normally only ever see in Europe.”

Beyond releasing music, WARG also hosts events. In doing so, it’s fostered an engaged community that reflects SPEZ’s commitment to nurturing innovation and supporting the next generation of techno artists.

Don’t conform to the norm or any rules. Be yourself and don’t listen to anyone who’s not in a position you want to be in.

SPEZ

Since 2021, WARG has also curated CLOSER, an annual festival directed by SPEZ across Sydney, Perth, and Melbourne. What started as an underground gathering has evolved into a premier platform for hardgroove and raw techno, showcasing prolific artists and cultivating long-term cultural impact. He explained, “The idea of CLOSER is simple: bringing people closer to techno. Wherever it may be, it is a proclamation of community and like-mindedness.”

This year, CLOSER will make its European debut in Bosnia, embodying SPEZ’s wider vision of not just participating in techno culture but actively building the infrastructure to sustain and grow it globally. “I see myself as more of a DJ than anything, but the satisfaction I get from running the label and events allows me to also push myself as an artist,” he said. “Soon, there will be some music out from me which I cannot wait to share, but I think the overextended wait was necessary as the experience I’ve gained from running the label and events has influenced my musical direction.”

Through his music, label, and festival curation, SPEZ has cemented himself as a driving force in contemporary techno. His passion extends beyond his personal artistry as he bridges his Melbourne roots to the global stage. He continues to thrive as an artist, label boss, and curator, elevating his sound while creating platforms for others to succeed within the techno community.