Description
Active in underground house and techno since the 1990s, a craftsman who has also worked on productions for Honey Dijon, Luke Solomon, and others returns to his roots with deep house recorded live using hardware-based setups.
Lance DeSardi's "Live Trax Vol.1" is the first installment in a series of live sets recorded directly to 1/4-inch tape. Composed of tracks that have been played on dance floors at venues such as Heidegluhen, Block 9, and Love International, it captures the raw, battle-tested grooves of the live setting.
The production centers on equipment such as the Sequentix Cirklon, Roland MC-707, TR-8S, and 1010 Music Blackbox, crafted with a deliberately simple approach. Returning to the methods he used when starting his career in the 1990s, he creates sounds using hardware only and records them directly to tape, achieving a straightforward sound free of unnecessary embellishment.
The result is raw, propulsive deep house. Tight drums and deep basslines form the foundation, with elements gradually layering on top of one another. While prioritizing functionality in the club, the record fully reflects the subtle fluctuations and atmosphere unique to live performance.
This release showcases the authority gained from his extensive experience working as a producer, mix engineer, and arranger, even within its simple structure.
A1. The Strobe
A2. The Strobe (A Capella)
B1. CJ Bass Dub
B2. Spirit Level
Lance DeSardi – Live Trax Vol.1
Live Trax Vol. 1 is the first in a series of new releases that come from live hardware sets
recorded straight to 1/4” tape.
It’s rough & ready deep house that’s been road-tested on cultivated dance floors, including
Heidigluhen, Block 9, Sunset Sound System and Love International.
Two years ago, a good friend - who knows stuff - suggested I should do a live show. Thinking it an
interesting concept, I started building the idea of a full set with new and old music, and set up my
hardware in a way that would allow me to make it work.
Distilled down to the essentials, my live touring rig consists of four main pieces of gear -
Sequentix Cirklon, Roland MC-707 & TR-8S, and a 1010 Music Blackbox.
This process led to making music in a new way that harks back to the 90’s when I started - all
hardware, minimal gear and recording versions straight down to the Studer A80 Tape machine.
These tracks are the beginnings of the fruits of this process.
If you don’t know me: as well as doing my own music, I work in various capacities as producer,
mix engineer and arranger for Honey Dijon, Luke Solomon, Gideon, Horse Meat Disco
Defected Records and lots more.
I’ve performed at as some the best clubs and festivals including Genosys & NYC Downlow at
Block 9, Heidegluen, Adonis in London and Panorama Bar.
My style of house and techno has always been tipped towards the underground, with raw, deep &
driving sounds all key to the mix.
