Digital Mess shares 10 tracks that have influenced his production style

Hailing from Russia, Digital Mess has been a fixture of the progressive house scene for the better part of two decades. The Tver resident first rose to prominence with a string of early projects for System Recordings, where he established a dark, cutting edge production style that made him a name to watch going forward. The next decade-plus would see Digital Mess continue to refine his sound, always remaining club-effective with standout releases via Mango Alley, SLC-6 Music and WARPP. Now, fresh off his latest vehicle for Mango Alley, Digital Mess adds PURRFECTION to his resume with a dark rendition of Forty Cats ‘Android’.

To celebrate the release of his 'Android' remix , Digital Mess has curated a collection of 10 Tracks that defined his vision of progressive house. Enjoy!

'Android' is available now via PURRFECTION: https://tinyurl.com/5bj8c9cp

I came to music at a very early age. To exaggerate a little, I mastered music before I learned to speak coherently. Throughout my journey, I have had many guiding stars and iconic compositions that have inspired me. I cannot and do not want to name 10 compositions only from the genre of music I am currently working in. But I want to name a few tracks that have influenced me throughout my journey. Perhaps I have missed or forgotten something

The Prodigy - Poison

I listened to this track as a kid and was blown away by the sounds it was made up of. I was amazed at how completely different and very harsh sounds came together to form a cohesive picture. I was a teenager and yearned to be able to do something like that. And I think I do similar things in my tracks now without realizing it.

Benny Benassi - Satisfaction

About 20 years ago, this was the first straight kick track that I really liked because it had a very strong groove, based on the bass timbre and its changes, in addition to the straight kick. Before that, I listened to The Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Humble Brothers, Fluke, and rock music, especially metal. But this composition managed to hook me. This track had a strong influence on my understanding of sound design in music.

Sensorika - Only one

When I first heard this track, I didn't know that Alexander Sensorika was from my country. We still don't know each other and have never crossed paths, although it's been 17-18 years since this track was written and I heard it. There's nothing outstanding about this track, but it's perfectly made, mixed and mastered. And in my case, it's the standard for the sound of trans music. I don't write or play trance, but I learned a lot of useful information from this track that I've applied in my work.

Maetrik - Utilizame

This track by Maetrik (Eric Estornel, now known as Maceo Plex) showed me how groove can work. Sometimes I play this track in my sets, in those parts, and it sounds not only progressive but also in other good music.

Deftones - Gauze

This is not dance electronics, but harsh metal (more precisely, nu-metal). In my free time, I sometimes listen to instrumental music, sometimes rock with guitars, and sometimes metal. Among the extensive guitar grind, the track Gauze from the brilliant group Deftones stands out for its harmony, power, and emotionality. I love powerful music, and this song has become one of the standards of this genre for me. Well, it seems to me that such music also influences my work, although to a lesser extent.

Maetrik - Herb House/ Paradigm House

In my humble subjective opinion, this release by Maetrik was central to his entire career under this pseudonym, and greatly influenced the entire electronic scene and all music in general. This release still influences my work. I learned a lot and understood a lot while listening to it.

Mike Rish - District

This track has a very strong groove and amazing sound design. I listened to it and thought - is it really possible? Does it really work? I played it many times in DJ sets and saw that yes - it works. And this track changed my idea of modern progress a little. Before, I thought that progressive is a story of melody and harmony. Now I know that progressive is a story about groove and sound. And that progressive is a story in itself.

Imran Khan - Prowler

This track, released by the Meanwhile label relatively recently, immediately made me fall in love with it from the first listen. It penetrates the subconscious and puts the listener into a state of hypnosis. And in my humble opinion, this track deserves the status of one of the 5 best tracks in the genre of progressive house in the history of the genre. This is one of the most powerful pieces I have heard in my life.

Volen Sentir / Makebo - Alchemist

This is a very good track and a very popular song in DJ sets. Perfect groove, perfect balance, perfect design. It's hard to say anything else. It works always and everywhere.

Mike Isai - Tunnel

This track is similar to the progressive I got to know in the mid-00s. At the same time, it is a modern track. It is divinely balanced and sounds cool.

'Android' is available now via PURRFECTION: https://tinyurl.com/5bj8c9cp