We sit down with Pan to discuss his latest release on his Melody Lab imprint. Read below to find out more about the man behind the music…
Hey Pan, what’s good with you? How has your 2024 been so far?
2024 has been amazing with unforgettable international and local gigs, continuous milestones for my label, lots of new music, collaborations, and exciting event plans. I’m pumped to see how the rest of the year unfolds and to announce Melody Lab’s upcoming plans.
Give us a rundown of your journey into electronic music?
I fell in love with electronic music in my teens, drawn by its energy and creativity. I started DJing in my bedroom, often borrowing my friend’s Pioneer controller. I then moved to the UK in 2014 for my studies, where I upgraded my DJ gear year by year as I got more hooked into the art of track digging. During this time, I attended great events and festivals across the UK and Europe which sparked the idea of creating my own imprint, Melody Lab, which first started as a house party in Brighton and shortly after as a mix series.
Why did you decide to start your label Melody Lab?
I wanted a platform to release music I believe in and to support emerging artists who share my vision. Melody Lab allows me to cultivate and curate sounds that I love whilst building a community around them.
What inspired it? What was the aim?
The inspiration came from wanting to complete Melody Lab as a brand – to a label, event, and a community of online listeners and offline party goers. I aimed to create a space for groovy, fresh and soulful electronic music, pushing boundaries of known artists, as well as giving voice to under-represented artists.
Tell me about the vocals – who writes the lyrics, is their content important, how did you record them?
To be honest most of the vocals in this EP come from sample packs, while some other sounds were recorded through my Zoom H5 (what a lovely piece of equipment). When I can, I collaborate with vocalists to add more depth to the production.
What do you hope makes your music unique?
I aim to make my music stand out by blending groove and emotion at the same time. I hope to do this through rhythmic grooves, trippy vocal arrangements, driving baselines and recorded sounds. When these elements are combined effectively, they create an experience that keeps listeners engaged.
Should dance music be socially and politically aware?
Yes, it should be to an extent, as we must remember that Detroit Techno and Chicago House are both rooted in political movements. Especially as electronic music artists, it’s essential to speak out against anything that contradicts the roots of dance music culture. At the same time, artistic expression is very important and it’s essential not to constrain someone’s creative freedom to make sure there is a voice. So I think having the right balance between the two is the best approach.
As a DJ, what is your style? Do your productions relate to what you play in the club?
My DJ style is spicy and dynamic. While some might describe my selections as a blend between house, indie dance, and disco, I don’t like focusing on any particular genre. My aim is to create an energetic flow that makes people dance freely and feel deeply. This EP definitely relates to what I play in the club. My multiple years of DJing before starting music production help me craft tracks that resonate on the dance floor.
What’s up next, what else have you got coming up?
A lot of fresh music is in the works, with more releases coming in the coming months. I have some festival gigs planned for the summer, as well as Melody Lab events and showcases that will cross international borders. On the label side of things, we have great talent joining and exciting new music that I can’t wait to introduce to everyone.
What was the last record you heard that made you go wow?
Sincopat’s latest release ‘Uma Ya Ye’ by Niv Ast and Laroz. An excellent blend of creativity, energy and emotion.