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Music Producer Blog & Promotion

Michael Kanyongolo followed his muse instead of the herd in his alt-dance track, Justice

Brooklyn-based electronic music producer Michael Kanyongolo obliterated the EDM mould with his 3-track release, MK, featuring the seminal single, Justice.

In a track that pulses with an electro heart, Kanyongolo injects licks of funk delivered by rolling bass guitars to deepen the groove, creating progressive rhythms that play with complex time signatures, flirting with the Avant-Garde.

As the track unfolds, the heavy, dark, and reverberant phasers cloak the mix with an ominous, almost cinematic feel. The sound design isn’t just on another level; it’s in an entirely different orbit. Kanyongolo’s interstellar mix is one you can get endlessly lost in as the interplay between the layers brings ever-deepening textural depth and scintillation.

The auditory slice of ingenuity established Kanyongolo as an artist you can always expect the unexpected from. His inspiration from electronic icons like Daft Punk and Justice is clear, but it’s his signature synthesis of adventurous production techniques that make him worthy of a space on your radar.

Stream Justice on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A&R Factory interview with the man, the muso and the audio legend, Manuel Sanchez

Manuel Sanchez

Manuel Sanchez’s interview with A&R Factory explores into his profound connection with music. His narrative begins with the discovery of this deep-seated passion and traces through his scholarship at Berklee College of Music which marked a pivotal point in his artistic life. His artistic arc showcases an unyielding adherence to personal authenticity, a theme consistent throughout his career and particularly evident during the Berklee audition where he presented an original piece.

The interview touches upon the challenges and cultural shifts Sanchez faced, from moving to Boston to establishing himself in the competitive Los Angeles music scene. His role at Igloo Music, alongside his transition into producing his own music, highlights his evolution and the various facets of his musical and professional identity. 

Manuel Sanchez, welcome to A&R Factory! It’s a pleasure to sit down with you and discuss your storied career as an audio engineer and musician. To start, can you take us back to the moment when you discovered your passion for music? 

My passion for music began when I was just 9 years old and started taking guitar lessons. From the very first moment, I felt a deep connection with music. Despite my limited knowledge of music theory at the time, I always found a way to express myself through it, creating original pieces from the moment I started playing. This drive to express myself inspired me to continue studying, striving to improve and communicate my emotions even more effectively through music.

Earning a scholarship to Berklee College of Music is no small feat. How did the scholarship shape your approach to music?

When I received the scholarship, I felt vindicated—it reaffirmed my belief in trusting myself and in what music truly meant to me. Many people don’t know this, but I wasn’t accepted into one of the universities I applied to in Colombia. Their requirements were very strict; to be accepted, I had to perform a prepared piece that demonstrated technical ability in a specific genre—Jazz—which I wasn’t very familiar with at the time. As a result, I felt like I wasn’t good enough.

However, for my Berklee audition, I decided to stay true to myself. I played an original piece with a full band because I wanted to show the jury what music truly meant to me: a way to express myself. When I received the scholarship, I knew that trusting my vision and passion had been the right choice. Years later, I had the opportunity to meet one of the jury members from that audition, and she told me it was one of the best auditions she had ever seen. No one else had the idea, nor the boldness, to bring a full band into an audition to play an original piece.

How much of a culture shock was it to move from Bogotá to Boston for your scholarship?

Arriving in Boston was a big shock. Not only because I had to learn a whole new language but because It was the first time I was living by myself. The culture was different, the food, the weather. In Colombia, we don’t have winter so being -26°C (-14.8°F) is a challenge for me. But Berklee was an amazing place to start over. I had many friends that were international students as well and we all supported one another. It was very interesting to me how so many people from so many different countries could just get together and become friends. It really showed me that humans have the ability to get along no matter how different we think we are.

You have successfully integrated into the LA music scene, a pipedream for most, what has been your experience of the industry in LA?

LA can be a really tough city at first. I felt more lonely and stressed moving to LA than I did moving to Boston from another country. When I arrived in LA, I was on my own, without a car or a stable job. I took on numerous internships while working, and eventually, I found a place where I could grow.

Your work at Igloo Music, alongside industry giants like Gustavo Borner, has been a pivotal part of your journey. What have been some of the most impactful experiences working there?

Definitely, learning from more experienced people has been invaluable. Even though they were often busy with many responsibilities, they were always willing to help and teach. And then there’s the importance of making mistakes and improving from them. Don’t be afraid to fail—every failure is an opportunity to learn and grow.

You’ve contributed to over 100 projects, including high-profile productions like Money Heist: Korea and The Glory. Out of all these projects, which one do you feel was the most challenging or rewarding, and why?

One of the most challenging projects I worked on was Who Killed Him? for Amazon. This project was particularly demanding because it centered heavily on the actors’ incredible performances and artistic vision. We had to ensure that we preserved and enhanced the original intent, staying true to the creative direction while bringing out the best in every detail.

Your career spans various roles in audio engineering, from mixing to recording and dubbing. How do you approach each of these roles differently, and what do you enjoy most about the diversity in your work?

Being able to switch between different roles is something I’m very grateful for. Every time I spend a long time recording, for example, it’s nice to be able to transition to a different aspect of my profession and continue being creative. Each role is like a different hat or character I need to play, and with experience, you can switch between them more organically.

You’re on the verge of releasing your first single and have several exciting projects on the horizon. Can you share a bit about what we can expect from your music and these upcoming ventures?

I’m thrilled to finally release my music project. These songs have been in the making for years—some for over five years—so they’re deeply connected to my journey. They represent how I’ve perceived and experienced my path and evolution throughout this time.

Your story is one of perseverance, talent, and an unwavering commitment to your craft. For those who aspire to follow a similar path in music and audio engineering, what advice would you offer based on your experiences?

I advise staying true to who you are and what you genuinely want. Don’t be afraid to take risks and demonstrate your desire to grow and learn. Nowadays, society is like a loud playground where it’s easy to get lost. So take the time to focus on your inner voice and truly listen to what your heart wants. Be grateful for what you’ve achieved, as that gratitude will give you the strength and courage to keep moving forward.

Discover more about Manuel Sanchez via his official website.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Jeff Goldsmith – Before Dawn: Stillness in Electronic Neo-Classic Motion

This Beast by Jeff Goldsmith

Ahead of the release of his This Beast EP, the award-winning Minneapolis film composer and sound designer, Jeff Goldsmith teased the reflective ambience to come with the unveiling of ‘Before Dawn’.

The instrumental score captures the beauty of the stillness before dawn breaks and the humdrum of modernity unfurls. The electronic synthetics reverberate around the softly plaintive keys which keep the momentum quiescently pushing forward through the layers of ethereal reverb which border on ominous as the single progresses reaches a subtle crescendo.

The track then winds back down through an installation of artfully composed neo-classic trip-hop, exhibiting Jeff Goldsmith’s versatility as a musician and engineer. His ability to beguile through electronic sound design fused with treated samples and evocative acoustic instrumentation has earned him several accolades in the industry.

When he’s not composing for the airwaves, he’s scoring soundtracks for horror and thriller films. His most recent project, This Beast, may be a departure from his industrial leanings, but for the sonic sanctuary it delivers, it is more than worth your attention.

Stream and purchase Before Dawn on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Unleash your demons and dance on the edge of madness with Patrice AorMelodicRock’s future-forward dance rock anthem, Crazy Night

Patrice AorMelodicRock’s new dance-rock anthem, Crazy Night, is an electrifying testament to the enduring power of rock, infused with a futuristic edge that makes every modern rock outfit sound positively antiquated.

With a pop-hooked production so slick it’s hypersonic, the track propels you into a sonic universe where the expansive presence of the vocals, which could lead a rock opera, meets the cutting-edge innovation of bands like Bring Me The Horizon.

The vocals soar just as high as the guitars which blaze through the synthetics of the track, embodying the futurism of a rock scene reimagined a century from now. Imagine what Shinedown would sound like 100 years from now, and you’ll get an idea of what the solo artist achieved with this hit which electrifies the mind, body and soul.

You’ll want to relive Crazy Night time and time again with its intoxicating synthesis of raw energy and sleek production which invites you to dance on the edge of madness and unleash your demons.

How Patrice AorMelodicRock, who started earning his rock stripes in the 80s, isn’t already at the top of the rock charts is one of the great injustices of our era.

Stream Crazy Night on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alisma-Rei anthemised the cycle of connection and detachment in her dance track, While We’re Ahead

The emerging independent artist, producer, and mixing and mastering engineer, Alisma-Rei, has added to her repertoire of infectious dance anthems after unveiling her latest euphoric floor-filler, While We’re Ahead, which strikes all the right rhythmically kinetic chords.

While We’re Ahead infuses the soul of RnB and the introspection of singer-songwriters into the dance track which delivers an affecting vignette of the reality of fragile relationships heading toward their inevitable end.

The thematic depth is matched by an intricate production style, where subversive syncopated time signatures create a sonic landscape full of unexpected twists and turns. The rhythm, with its mercurial momentum, ensnares listeners, reflecting the track’s core message through its unpredictable beats.

The impassioned delivery of the fiery RnB vocals leaves no doubt that the track served as a canvas for cathartic expression for Alisma-Rei. The single unspokenly invites listeners to lose themselves in the rhythm, find solace on the dancefloor, and perhaps heal a little in the process.

While We’re Ahead dropped on August 8th; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Garfield Mayor shredded inhibition with soul in his nu-disco pop hit, Foolish Feet

Hot on the blazing heels of his critically acclaimed single, Been Thinking, the British singer-songwriter Garfield Mayor, grooved the bar even higher with his lush self-produced summer anthem, Foolish Feet.

Knowing exactly how to command the mic with magnetic soul, Mayor ensures that being drawn into Foolish Feet hook, line and sinker is as obligatory as giving into the compulsive beat and surrendering to the melodies which reach the epitome of infectious fluidity.

Equally as sweet as the sonics which subvert the expectations of summer pop hits are the lyrics which tenderly implore the listener to throw away inhibition and self-consciousness. The lyric, “Who cares about cliches, let’s dance like the old days, we’re all the same species” exemplifies the essence of the single which advocates for living in the moment and casting aside self-preservation to make room for rhythm-led euphoria.

“I was the designated driver at a party. Get Lucky by Daft Punk started playing. I wanted to dance but it had been a while, and I was self-conscious… I went for it anyway, and I remembered how much I’d missed it. It reminded me what a valuable part of life dancing is.”

Coincidently, Foolish Feet is the perfect hit to get footloose with. The echoes of Nile Rodgers’ funked-up guitar and Daft Punk’s kinetic rhythms filtered through a vibe-driven nu-disco lens allow the release to hammer home the razor-sharp propensities of Mayor’s songwriting chops.

Foolish Feet hit the airwaves on August 9th; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get on board with the tech house transcendence in Darth Athena’s Freight Train

After amassing over 25k streams since its debut, the momentum behind Darth Athena’s ‘Freight Train’ is showing no signs of slowing down.

The techno hit, which arrived on the airwaves on July 5th  thundered into the dance music scene with a pulsating energy to deliver a beat-driven masterclass in production. As the synths strobe light into the intricately textured and ominous in all the right places track, the slamming beats blister with swathes of bass, attesting to the meticulousness of the Atlanta, Georgia-residing artist and producer’s style, which couldn’t be more magnetic.

The sequences of euphoric entranced energy pull you in so viscerally that you can almost feel them getting under your skin as you become a victim to the infectious anthem which exemplifies old-school tech house vibes which are seamlessly synthesised with innovative sound design, making a pivotal step in Darth Athena’s journey as a producer.

Stream Freight Train on all major platforms, including SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Barry Slorridge – Why? Avant-Garde Whovian Electronica

Any artist who uses the vocalisations of an existential Dalek in their tracks is an icon in our book, and that’s just the tip of the ingenuity iceberg in Barry Slorridge’s slice of Whovian avant-garde electronica.

With Why? the UK-based composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist didn’t use his Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Composition by any conventional means; instead, he chose to score his cultivated composition chops into an installation of delicious discordance which reminisces with nuances of The Beatles and Kraftwerk.

The synth lines carry echoes of The Phobophobes, introducing a dark, reflective undertone, interwoven with kaleidoscopic effects, allowing distorted waves of psychedelia to cascade through the music. Meanwhile, sweet psych-pop harmonies offer a stark contrast to the monotonal menace of the Dalek samples.

The track epitomises revolutionary art, achieving a rare feat—it unsettles those comfortably ensconced in their auditory preferences while providing solace to those who find beauty in the bizarre. Once Slorridge finds his niche, he will be an unreckonable force in the alt-electronica scene; his ability to orchestrate sensory experiences which bend the mind and electrify the pulses is unparalleled.

Why? was officially released on August 5th; stream the single on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Ryan Alexander put Glasgow on the Afrobeat map with ‘Me & You’

Ryan Alexander’s standout single, Me & You, is a pulsating declaration of the DJ and producer’s ability to bolster Glasgow’s burgeoning stature on the global Afrobeat scene. Emerging from the underground with a sound that carries the weight of authentic Afrobeat rhythms and the lightness of transcendent summer vibes, Ryan’s work in this single is nothing short of revolutionary.

Right from the outset, the track asserts itself with an irresistible vibrancy; produced by Steven Alexander, the track adeptly weaves influences from the likes of Fuse ODG and OMI into a multi-sensory auditory experience. The use of organic percussion roots the track in Afrobeat’s rich rhythmic traditions while providing a fresh sonic texture that is all too easy to get addicted to.

The track’s sensuously smooth lyricality, brings a sincerity that cuts through the synthetic beats prevalent in much of today’s EDM, offering instead a voice that is as heartfelt as it is harmonic.

Ryan’s ability to blend the guest vocalist’s sincere vocal delivery with lush, layered instrumental backdrops sets Me & You apart as one of the most unmissable anthems of the summer.

Stream Me & You on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Descend into the sonic shadows with Voidform’s seminal score, Wonder

Voidform’s single, Wonder, from the debut album Void Incarnate, is a haunting foray into an innovator’s mind. As the dark, reverberant, industrial techno-adjacent bass rolls through your speakers, they’re met with luminous synths that shimmer through striking juxtaposition, creating an avant-garde production that ensnares from the very first beat.

With the Eastern-esque synthetic rhythms weaving a thread of mysticism through the track, Voidform adds an unpredictably addictive twist to the mix which transcends unsettling sound with its cinematic scope, which lends enough eerie tension to rival a John Carpenter horror soundtrack. Prepare to be propelled into a hypnotic stupor when you hit play; the pulse of the beat becomes inescapable in the immersive soundscape of sonic shadow.

Voidform may be a fresh name on the scene, but this project is clearly one to watch. There’s a calculated precision in the chaos, a deliberate artistry in the dissonance that suggests this is just the beginning of what Voidform has to offer. Immerse yourself in the Void—if you dare.

Wonder is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast