Martinou

Martinou’s formula couldn’t be clearer: if it doesn’t engage him emotionally, he won’t play it.

The Swedish producer, DJ, and live performer creates multilayered music that works its way into the heart and mind—sometimes bold and heavy, other times blissful and introspective. Either way, an emotional response on the dancefloor is inevitable. This quality made Martinou a key figure in the Scandinavian club scene. Now, his reputation extends beyond, with performances at events like the Draaimolen Festival and Georgia’s Bassiani, among other well-curated stages.

With over 20 years of exploring electronic music from different angles, Martinou channels these experiences into his take on the deeper shades of the field. Hailing from Sweden, his sound is heavily influenced by the interplay of light and darkness found in the northern landscapes. The lush intensity of the forests and vast murmuring expanses infuse his music, adding mystery to his billowing pads and flowing rhythms. The result is a euphonious and emotional atmosphere. The albums Rift (2021) and Chiral (2023) on the Dutch label Nous’klaer illustrate this Martinou-specific delicate balance between house and techno. What some might see as a middle ground becomes, in his hands, a space for deep and resonant expression.

The years 2023 and 2024 marked pivotal moments for the Malmö-based artist, with significant releases on Turbo Recordings, Melifera Records, and Mule Musiq. In 2014 Martinou co-founded Sewer Sender. The label explores different aspects of dance music, takes artistic risks and focuses strongly on the entire picture of a release. Sewer Sender serves as an outlet - and home - for his productions and those of fellow artists like Eletun Selona and Nokato Nomer.

Anyone who encounters Martinou in a DJ or live performance can sense his genuine joy in playing music. It spills naturally, from the inside out, expanding across the dancefloor with ease. His DJ sets are notable for their flow, where tracks feel as if they were made for one another. He digs deeper than typical club selections, aspiring to offer something more intriguing and profound. It’s no surprise that he is known for 4-5 hour sets, which allow the stories within each dancer to unfold at their own pace, rather than being rushed into a typical two-hour slot. Similarly, Martinou’s live sets go beyond the sum of their parts. Fairy-esque pads drift above and beneath the grooves, gently arching into the surroundings while staying intimate to each listener’s experience.

One way or another, a Martinou set is ever-evolving and enthralling, for him and everyone involved.