EMP Music Playlists & Podcasts

Podcast

EPM Music · EPM.198 - Martinou

EPM.198 comes from Martinou. Martinou’s formula couldn’t be clearer: if it doesn’t engage him emotionally, he won’t play it. The Swedish producer, DJ, and live performer creates multi-layered music that works its way into the heart and mind, sometimes bold and heavy, other times blissful and introspective (see his albums for Nous’klaer Audio for further evidence). Either way, an emotional response on the dancefloor is inevitable. This quality makes Martinou a key figure in the Scandinavian club scene as expertly now showcased on his mix for EPM that features the likes of Malibu, Mike Schommer, cv313, Bergqvist, Anthony Naples, Danny Daze, Edit Select and of course, a cut from Martinou himself.

With over 20 years of exploring electronic music from different angles, Martinou channels these experiences into his take on the deeper shades of the field. Hailing from Sweden, his sound is heavily influenced by the interplay of light and darkness found in the northern landscapes. The lush intensity of the forests and vast murmuring expanses infuse his music, adding mystery to his billowing pads and flowing rhythms. The result is a euphonious and emotional atmosphere. The albums ‘Rift’ (2021) and ‘Chiral’ (2023) on the Dutch label Nous’klaer Audio illustrate this Martinou-specific delicate balance between house and techno. What some might see as a middle ground becomes, in his hands, a space for deep and resonant expression. His recent trajectory marks a prolific and focused evolution. Martinou recently delivered his third EP for Nous’klaer, Always There, further cementing his place as a core artist of the label, while simultaneously exploring new territories with the We Orbit EP on ARTS Transparent. This momentum continues through a recent collaboration with Skyra on Horoom Records and a homecoming on Malmö’s Kontra Musik with the Kontentan EP. These works build upon a solid foundation of past releases on labels such as Turbo Recordings, Melifera Records, and Mule Musiq.

In 2014 Martinou co-founded Sewer Sender. The label explored different aspects of dance music, took artistic risks and focused strongly on the entire picture of a release, serving as an outlet for his productions and those of fellow artists. While the label ended in 2025, the same uncompromising philosophy continues to drive his current work. Anyone who encounters Martinou in a DJ or live performance can sense his genuine joy in playing music. It spills naturally, from the inside out, expanding across the dancefloor with ease. His DJ sets are notable for their flow, where tracks feel as if they were made for one another. He digs deeper than typical club selections, aspiring to offer something more intriguing and profound. It’s no surprise that he is known for 4-5 hour sets, which allow the stories within each dancer to unfold at their own pace. Similarly, Martinou’s live sets go beyond the sum of their parts; fairy-esque pads drift above and beneath the grooves, staying intimate to each listener’s experience. One way or another, a Martinou set is ever-evolving and enthralling, for him and everyone involved.

Now, his reputation extends beyond, with performances at events like the Draaimolen Festival and Georgia’s Bassiani, as well as a highly anticipated appearance at Stone Techno in July 2026, among other well-curated stages.

EPM.198 is also available on Soundcloud, Mixcloud & Apple Music.

EPM Podcast 198 – Track list

1 Malibu - Cherirosa ’94 - UNO

2 Mike Schommer - Lost in You (FDF’s Down Under Cut) - Primary [colours]

3 cv313 - Stars Above Elmwood - minimood

4 Zefzeed - Trecet - Mayak

5 J.S. (J.S.Zeiter) - JS-01R - JS (MCMLXV)

6 Bergqvist - Earth Creatures - Aniara Recordings

7 URA - Hash - NAFF

8 Sei A - Hyper Venom - Life And Death

9 Vardae - Kaipo - Ooda

10 Ben Kaczor - Tramuntana (Efdemin Remix) - Dial