IGNEZ

Within contemporary techno, few artists have constructed a universe as personal, immersive, and spellbinding as IGNEZ. At the helm of Somov Records, which now celebrates its fifth anniversary, the Dutch artist stands not just as a DJ or producer but as a visionary curator of emotional depth and hypnotic resonance. A decade ago, IGNEZ was merely another curious adolescent wandering through the industrial cathedrals of Amsterdam’s nightlife, an impressionable spectator enchanted by the refined chaos of Club Trouw. Today, he operates as a conduit of those formative vibrations, channeling them into a sound that is both fiercely independent and transcendently communal. With each release and performance, IGNEZ offers more than music, he delivers an experience, one that dissolves boundaries between artist and listener, between sound and emotion.

My conversation with IGNEZ reveals an artist grounded not in ego or ambition, but in deep-rooted conviction and a relentless dedication to the craft. His words flow like his productions, deliberate, intuitive, and rich with unspoken undercurrents. As we dissect his journey from starry-eyed clubgoer to label head and globally respected tastemaker, the nuances of independence, collaboration, and sonic identity unfold with the gravitas of someone who has not only lived their story but has felt every beat of it. To speak with IGNEZ is to engage with a mind that has mastered the art of subtle disruption, a sonic architect designing cathedrals of feeling and frequency that stretch far beyond the constraints of genre.

"Club Trouw in Amsterdam played a big role in it for me. I was very (too) young at the time, listening to all the carefully curated artists at the club. My whole life, I was heavily surrounded by music, but it was in those years that my obsession with electronic music took off and shaped my interest. Going to an Ostgut Ton showcase hosted by Dekmantel was one of those moments. I was DJing for some years already, and was excited for my first proper event showcasing music that I only knew from home. I remember leaving the event, coming back home, blown away by what I witnessed. It was hard to process for me at that moment, but I knew very clearly that the magic and sound are what I want to create."

These early memories form the emotional and creative architecture of IGNEZ’s current ethos, an intersection of immersive listening, introspective resonance, and finely calibrated musical curation. The seeds planted during those transformative nights now blossom in each carefully constructed release and heartfelt performance.

"I was a bit intimidated by the labels I wanted to release on, and no one was replying to my emails at that time. Instead of waiting for others to find my email, I decided to take it into my own hands. It was important for me that my music was put out in the right way, as it is such an intimate part of me. Also, taking the responsibility of overseeing the artwork and vinyl pressing felt like the coolest way to share my music with the world."

The birth of Somov was less a business decision and more an act of creative resistance and radical self-trust. Amidst financial constraints and industry skepticism, IGNEZ held his line, refusing to compromise on vision or quality.

"There were some hurdles right at the start, a lack of money, and pressing records is expensive. And no distribution wanted to take my records into their hands. They told me there is an IDM and ambient track on the EP, and it’s not going to sell. 90% of the new labels don’t sell. What also did not help I only had 100 followers on Facebook. Mainly my friends. But I believed in my music too much not to press the records. After receiving 300 copies of the first release on my doorstep, I sent an email to Hardwax, they wanted to buy 50 records. Delivered by myself, it was the beginning, the rest is history."

"The tracks are mainly inspired by DJing so much lately. They are all made not long after a gig, fuelled with inspiration, in the plane or my studio. I make the best music not thinking at all, I guess being sleep deprived and still in a somewhat of flow from the night before helps. When everything comes together, playing it out loud on a special moment is just the best feeling. Like ‘Immersion’ on a Sunday morning in front of thousands of people at Fusion Festival during sunrise, playing together with Rødhåd."

There’s a bodily spontaneity to his process,creation not as calculated composition but as muscle memory, fueled by communal energy and the echoes of shared transcendence.

"I need to feel it. I can’t say much more about it. If it touches my heart and I think the world needs to listen to it, I release it."

When asked about his selection process as a label head, IGNEZ responds with the brevity and certainty of someone who doesn’t merely hear music, but deeply feels it.

"I will stay true to myself without following any trend whatsoever. That will be the most important for the label’s identity. I guess the label will always be a reflection of who I am. And what inspires me creatively. There is so much I still want to do with Somov that I am sure it won’t be just techno. Soon, there will be a remix EP coming out on the label, giving a fresh look at some older tracks on the label. Also, a blend of upcoming talent and longtime techno pioneers."

"Thank you. Rødhåd’s sound influenced me a lot. I am a huge fan of his former Dystopian label and a fan of his DJ sets, so working together with Mike was a dream come true. I think the blending of our sounds turned out very well, and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Our workflow was very organic, and it clicked. Witnessing Rødhåd's work process was inspiring, and I learned a lot from him. Working in such a beautiful studio, equipped with top-notch gear, felt like a dream come true. Additionally, painting the special editions of the project, developing a concept, and painting each record by hand was a super fun process."

What started as a collaboration became a dialogue, a sonic exchange that added new texture and dimension to both artists' outputs. For IGNEZ, it was a chance to synthesize influence with originality, and to evolve through kinship.

Nomadic Influence and Sonic Transference

"Being constantly on the move exposes me to different scenery, cultures, and emotions. Each place leaves its subtle influence, but ultimately, it’s the contrast between movement and stillness that gives my creativity the most. The energy of touring feeds me, but I need those moments of quiet to process and make it into something meaningful."

Whether lost in a festival crowd or communing with silence in a studio, IGNEZ gathers fragments from everywhere and spins them into unified sonic narratives that speak across language and space.

"It’s about the energy I translate, and I can always adapt to the surroundings. It’s my purpose as a DJ, I think. Where my core stays the same, the music I like and what I want to transmit, but there are many nuances and styles I can play to achieve intimacy with people in front of me."

"My goal is not to create a certain construct. It’s for people to take it exactly as they should take it. That’s why I like the dance floor so much, as it’s such a free environment, also for people to express themselves freely. I always love the long, minimalistic parts that build tension and put you into a trance, it’s what techno is all about for me."

IGNEZ is, in many ways, an anomaly in the world of techno—a scene that often oscillates between rigid minimalism and performative excess. What sets him apart isn’t just the sonic precision of his work, but the feeling it evokes: a sense of grounding, of spaciousness, of deep listening. His music doesn’t demand attention; it invites it, quietly and with conviction. There’s a humility in his approach that resists the egoism often found in fast-rising electronic acts. Instead, IGNEZ moves with the discipline of someone more concerned with cultivating a lasting atmosphere than chasing a fleeting moment.

This is what makes his work with Somov Records so compelling. It’s not just a label—it’s a statement of intent. In building Somov from the ground up, IGNEZ sidestepped traditional gatekeeping and chose self-determination over validation. That decision, born of both necessity and belief, speaks volumes about his character. He didn’t launch the label to chase trends or court tastemakers. He did it to preserve the intimacy of his vision, to ensure every record, artwork, and groove carried his fingerprints. Somov feels less like a business model and more like a sanctuary—a rare space where intuition governs output.

Artistically, IGNEZ excels at making techno that doesn’t just move bodies but opens emotional channels. His tracks often bloom slowly, with patience and restraint, revealing layers that aren’t immediately graspable but reward deep listening. There’s a meditative quality to his sound, rooted in repetition yet never mechanical. Even when he edges toward more physical, percussive territory, there remains a softness in his touch—a refusal to brutalize the listener for the sake of impact. That, in my view, is where his brilliance lies: in the tension between tension and tenderness.

The fact that he speaks of his workflow in terms of feeling, not formula, only deepens the authenticity of his craft. IGNEZ doesn’t intellectualize his process, nor does he market himself with a brand strategy. Instead, he moves from a place of emotional clarity. Whether it’s releasing music that “touches his heart” or painting vinyl covers by hand, there’s a tactile intimacy in everything he does. It’s an ethos that fosters connection, not just between artist and audience, but between the listener and themselves. His work becomes a mirror, gently asking you to slow down and feel.

In a cultural moment where so much of electronic music feels designed for quick consumption, IGNEZ offers something enduring. He reminds us that techno can be thoughtful, spacious, even sacred. He doesn’t impose a message—he creates the conditions for one to emerge. And that, ultimately, is why I consider IGNEZ not just a promising figure in techno, but one of its most vital. His music doesn’t just soundtrack the night—it lingers in the quiet that follows.