Martyn: The Pioneering Sound of Bass-Weighted Techno

Martijn Deijkers, known professionally as Martyn, is a Dutch electronic music producer and DJ whose innovative fusion of dubstep, techno, and UK bass has defined a generation of forward-thinking dance music. Hailing from Eindhoven and later based in Washington D.C., his career breakthrough arrived with the critically acclaimed 2009 album Great Lengths on the influential label 3024, cementing his status as a visionary in the global club scene.

Early career

Born in 1975 in the Netherlands, Martyn's musical journey began in the 1990s within the Dutch drum and bass scene, DJing under the name Martyn D. His early productions were rooted in jungle, but a pivotal move to the United States in the early 2000s exposed him to new sounds. This shift in perspective led to his first significant 12" releases on labels like Revolve:R and his own imprint, 3024, which he founded in 2007 with visual artist Erosie.

Breakthrough

Martyn's breakthrough year was 2009, marked by the release of his debut artist album Great Lengths. Released on his 3024 label, the album was met with widespread critical acclaim for its seamless and emotive blend of dubstep's sub-bass, techno's rhythmic drive, and atmospheric melodies. This release positioned him at the forefront of a new wave of producers blurring genre boundaries, leading to high-profile remix requests and international touring.

Key tracks

Natural Selection — This 2009 single, featuring the vocals of dBridge, became an anthem for the post-dubstep movement and a flagship track for the 3024 label's sound.

Vancouver — A standout from Great Lengths, this track exemplifies Martyn's signature style, marrying melancholic synth lines with a robust, stepping rhythm.

Masks — From his 2011 EP Masks / Popgun on Flying Lotus's Brainfeeder label, this track showcased a darker, more experimental turn towards complex percussion and abstract sound design.

Miniluv — A collaboration with Mike Slott released on All City Records, this 2012 track highlighted his ability to inject soulful, almost jazz-inflected melodies into a rugged 4/4 techno framework.

Following his initial success, Martyn continued to evolve, releasing albums like Ghost People on Brainfeeder in 2011 and The Air Between Words on Ninja Tune in 2014. These works saw him incorporating elements of house and garage while maintaining his distinct bass-heavy texture. His collaborations expanded to include work with artists like Kieran Hebden (Four Tet), with whom he released the 2015 12" Bristol, and a remix for The xx on their Jamie xx Edits release.

Artists exploring similar territories of hybrid club music include Four Tet for a shared love of melodic intricacy and genre fusion. Joy Orbison shares Martyn's foundational influence in UK bass music and atmospheric depth. The Dutch scene is represented by 2562, another producer known for merging dubstep and techno with a minimalist aesthetic.

Martyn's pioneering discography ensures his music remains in heavy rotation on specialist electronic music radio stations and online radio streams dedicated to techno, bass music, and cutting-edge club sounds. His tracks are staples on programs that champion innovative DJs and producers who push the boundaries of dance music.

Listeners can discover the dynamic range of Martyn's catalog, from early dubstep-inflected anthems to his later techno explorations, by tuning into the electronic music radio stations featured on onairium.com, where his work is regularly featured in DJ sets and specialist shows.