Boston-based producer, instrumentalist, and DJ Steve Darko releases his dynamic two-track ‘Abyss’ EP, out now via Dirtybird.
The aptly named title track of Steve Darko’s latest Dirtybird EP is as haunting as it is riveting. Layered with analogue synths to create an eerily lush atmosphere, ‘Abyss’ showcases Darko’s depth as a producer. ‘Stay Awake’ blasts into a tech-house banger with more upbeat percussion and a creative build-up. The two-track project marks Steve Darko’s grand return to Dirtybird following last year’s Midnight Swim LP.
“‘Abyss’ is a deep, slow burner track that’s centred around a moody pad chord progression that slowly builds and fades throughout the song. I wrote this record shortly after wrapping up my album Midnight Swim, and I think some of the vibes from the album carried on into the ‘Abyss’ EP. The flip side, ‘Stay Awake’, is a bit more club-centric with heavy-hitting percussion driving most of the track, but I tried to keep things interesting by sprinkling in some hypnotic, detuned synth work and heavily time-stretched vocals. The breakdown gets pretty out of control and the pause before the last drop is always a crowd-pleaser in my sets.” – Steve Darko
The dichotomy in this EP speaks to the duality of Darko’s own life. By day, he works as a full-time developer with music production software leader iZotope, and by night, he transitions his skills into his Steve Darko project.
Written during the creation of Midnight Swim, ‘Abyss’ is a manifestation of his growth. In the year since its initial draft, ‘Abyss’ has been refreshed and refined using the full breadth of Steve Darko’s extensive knowledge of electronic music production.
Steve Darko is one of the latest up-and-coming producers championing the underground house scene. His unique sound earned him the attention of Dirtybird boss Claude VonStroke, who signed several of Darko’s records and had him provide direct support on his 2018 World Tour. Since then, he has become a familiar face on club and festival lineups across the US.
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