Review: Balance presents Uone

Melbourne has bred its fair share of musical prodigies over the last couple of decades, bringing the city to the forefront of Australia’s dance music scene. At the pinnacle of this cornucopia of talent is none other than ‘Uone’ (pronounced ‘you-won’), the Peninsula born wunderkind who credits his success to his insatiable appetite for vinyl, synthesizers, and the sounds of the future.

Dominating the dance floor with his elegant blend of deep house, techno, minimal, Afro, and just about any genre you can ‘step and clap’ to, Uone has spent his career well traversed amongst some of the most famous venues, alongside the most famous artists dictating the world of dance music.

Because DJing didn’t completely quench his thirst for immersing himself in the world of music, his production work has been the defining element that sets him apart from other artists, with his releases snatched up quickly by Beef Records and Chameleon Records. 

His extensive resume includes appearances at Burning Man (US), Fusion (Berlin), Boom (Portugal), and Glastonbury (UK), and if his name still doesn’t quite ring a bell for you, not to worry, you’ve likely danced the night away with him at any major Australian music festival you’ve visited in recent years.

His most recent project ‘Beat and Path’ is his own love child in the form of a record label, created collaboratively with the hopes of catapulting other local talents into the world that Uone has become an icon within.

Uone’s recent mix for the Melbourne based ‘Balance Series’ is the perfect summary of why he is so good at what he does. Including his own collaborative works with artists such as ‘Mihai Popoviciu’ and ‘Jonas Saalbach’, the mix is a 2 and a half hour sonic exploration of his influences, and his own creative works. “Collaboration is something that I feel has been lost in production in the electronic age. Back in the day the best magic was produced in bands with people coming together and weaving the collective vibe into one sound”.

Opening up the mix with his highly anticipated track ‘After The Blood Moon’ released with artists ‘Adam Freeland’, ‘Mojo Filter’, and ‘Jamie Stevens’, it features all the quintessential Uone elements, including wide evolving bass lines, ominous synthesizers, and beautifully crafted vocal passages. The mix then picks up the pace as it delves into heavier tracks featuring fellow Melbourne artist ‘Philosophia’ and ‘Some Kinda Voodoo’.

Featuring lighter hues that you’d rock out to with your mates at pre-drinks, and darker elements that you’d find yourself completely immersed within on the dance floor during the early hours of the morning, there’s something in this mix to suit everyone’s palate.
Review by Marli Grosskopf