DT957 – Steb

Some DJs like to keep things tidy. STEB does not seem too worried about that.

The Italian selector joins us on the Data Transmission Podcast this week with a mix that moves through house, techno, breakbeat, electro, disco and a few curveballs for good measure. It is rooted in old school club culture, but keeps its eyes firmly on modern dancefloors, the kind of set that can turn a basement into a sweatbox without making a big speech about it.

STEB has been building serious momentum across Europe, with support from names including Seth Troxler, Jamie Jones, Mochakk, The Blessed Madonna, Ralf and Damian Lazarus. Recent music on Crosstown Rebels has pushed him further into the international lane, while his own Valkea Music label continues to champion underground house sounds with purpose.

This mix gives a proper look into that world. Supernova, Marco Faraone, Ejeca, Adeva, Stefano Fontana, DJ Cream and Diana Ross all rub shoulders, while STEB threads in plenty of unreleased material from himself and the Valkea Music camp. There are forthcoming cuts from Havoc & Lawn, Benjamin (IT), Giacomo Tuono, E.T.H, and more, giving the whole thing that nice “what was that?” energy.

His own tracks land throughout too, from the unreleased ‘Free Popper’ and ‘Plastic Love’ to ‘House of STEB’ on Crosstown Rebels and the upcoming ‘Be Thankful’ featuring Ann Saunderson. It is loose in the right places, tight where it counts, and clearly built by someone who still cares about the art of selection.

STEB steps up for Data Transmission with a mix full of groove, character and late-night intent.

Today, he joins on the podcast for the first time. Listen to it below, on Mixcloud or Apple Podcast here.

Sum up this podcast in 10 words

Soul, tension, club culture, dancefloor, with my world at the centre.

What’s your personal favourite track on it?

Probably “House of STEB”, even though it appears in the mix only as an acappella. It is a very personal track, almost autobiographical, and seeing it released on Crosstown Rebels, a label I have followed and respected for a very long time, was an important step in my journey. In this mix I used it more like a signature than just another track.

What’s the special ingredient in this mix?

Identity. Inside the mix there are different sides of my musical world: fresh and contemporary house, but also more electronic and driving grooves, tension, deeper moments, and more direct, club oriented parts. There is also a lot of unreleased music from Valkea Music, the label I run together with I.G.N.A., and some private cuts that represent my current sound world very well. I wanted to build a mix that was not just a sequence of tracks, but a small story of who I am today as a DJ and producer.

Tell us about your next EP?

Right now the main focus is on Valkea Music. We are working on several releases with artists and remixers who share our idea of club music: authentic music with groove, personality and a strong connection to the dancefloor. Some of the tracks in this mix anticipate this new phase of the label. I also have some unreleased music of my own coming out on vinyl and digital during the summer on other labels.

What have you got coming up?

After the release on Crosstown Rebels, I am working on new original music, collaborations and upcoming Valkea Music releases. It is a very exciting moment for me, because I am trying to connect my house, funky and underground roots with a more contemporary sound, without losing identity. The goal is to keep growing, while staying true to my way of understanding club music. I have six releases coming out before the end of the year, including two on vinyl.

And finally, do you have a special message for our readers?

I hope this mix reaches people in the same way it was born: with passion, instinct and the desire to share real music. For me, the dancefloor is still the place where everything makes more sense, without too many explanations. Stay curious, open and connected to music: when a club is real, it is not just entertainment, it is culture, connection and freedom.

Tracklist:
01. Supernova: Body & Soul (Extended Mix) [Lapsus Music]
02. Marco Faraone & Ejeca: Inside Of Me [UNCAGE]
03. STEB: Free Popper (Smoked Boot) [Unreleased]
04. Havoc & Lawn: Under My Skin [Valkea Music, Unreleased]
05. Benjamin (IT): Lost & Confused [Valkea Music, Unreleased]
06. E.T.H (Italy): Trance Atlantico (Federico Grazzini Remix) [Valkea Music, Unreleased]
07. Adeva: Respect (Morpheus Edit)
08. Ritacco & Igna: N’ Round [Futura]
09. STEB feat. Ann Saunderson: Be Thankful (Club Mix) [Lapsus Music, Unreleased]
10. Stefano Fontana: Low Bias (Ruben Mandolini Remix) [Valkea Music]
11. STEB: House of STEB (Acappella) [Crosstown Rebels]
12. Giacomo Tuono: B7NZ [Valkea Music, Unreleased]
13. DJ Cream: I Just Make You
14. STEB: Plastic Love (Lynch Private Cut) [Unreleased]
15. I.G.N.A. & STEB feat. Lady Vale: Dizzy [Loose Monkey records, Unreleased]
16. Diana Ross: The Boss (Dimitri From Paris Remix)