For this instalment of our Mix Series we have delved into the darker, more club-focused fringes of dance music, with British DJ and producer Declan Knapp. He has been making waves all over the country, with huge releases on Nervous Records and, more recently, launching Fish56Octagon's new imprint with a remix of Groove Armada's classic 'Superstylin'. 

Growing up in and around music his whole life, he started his journey through Drum and Bass, before developing his sound to combine elements of House and Techno, characterised by emotive, melodic modular synth work and dynamic builds. Knapp has performed across Europe and gained attention for his innovative, club-focused sound.

This mix perfectly exhibits Declan's evolving sound, so lock in for an hour of euphoric breakdowns and heavy breaks, all seamlessly blended together.

What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self, or anyone starting out?

Have fun with sound and make time for hands-on experimentation. Dive into the process without worrying about perfection; take inspiration from artists you admire, try recreating sounds you love, but don’t stop there. Let yourself explore, push, and twist those sounds to discover new sonic worlds. As a kid, I really loved messing around with anything I could get my hands on that made sound and I think that’s shaped the way I make music today.

What is your dream venue to play at?

Printworks - when it reopens! It’s such an iconic venue, and the sound and lighting are absolutely on point. I’ve had some amazing days and nights in that place, and being able to play my own music there would be unreal. If it never reopens then Pacha is a very close second!

How has your music style evolved throughout your career?

I actually started out making drum & bass and stuck with it for a good while, but eventually felt I’d taken it as far as I could. Over the last few years, I began experimenting with different sounds, blending genres and influences, and that’s brought me to where I am now - making bass-heavy, emotional, and euphoric tracks but also balanced with some fun, not-so-serious four-to-the-floor bangers.

If you weren’t a DJ what career would you be in?

Sound and music have always been at the heart of what I do. I’ve worked as a sound designer alongside DJing, so if I weren’t a DJ, I’d probably still be creating in some way within the audio world. Maybe exploring different aspects of sound design or diving deeper into audio engineering - anything that lets me experiment and keep pushing the boundaries of sound.

If money wasn’t an issue what would you ask for on your rider?

If money wasn’t an issue, I’d make sure everyone in the crowd got a free drink. Either that or this £4k bear I saw in Hamley’s the other day…

Day party or club night and why?

Day party for sure! I wasn’t totally convinced at first, but after hitting a few, I’m all in. There’s something about being able to party hard but still getting a good night’s sleep after. Although, sometimes a proper all-nighter is worth it, especially if you get to sit on a beach and watch the sun come up after.

If you could create a pub what would you call it?

The Dog and Flamingo - my two favorite animals. You can’t go wrong with a double-animal name, right?

If you could change one thing about this industry what would it be and why?

I’d love to see ticketing become more accessible for everyone, especially for those who might not have the budget for high-demand events. Live music should be something that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their financial situation. Fairer, more transparent pricing would go a long way in making live shows and festivals open to a wider audience and keeping the focus on the shared experience.

Check out the mix here