With his debut EP Meteor landing on the revered Purified Records, French producer Teho continues to expand the emotional and sonic boundaries of melodic techno. Known for his deeply expressive live performances and genre-blending productions, Teho’s latest release showcases two contrasting tracks that reflect distinct emotional states. In this conversation, he opens up about the stories behind the music, the influence of long-standing artistic friendships, and how he stays true to his creative vision in a fast-evolving scene.
Your debut EP ‘Meteor’ on Purified Records features two very distinct tracks. Can you walk us through your creative process for crafting such contrasting sounds within the same release?
You’re absolutely right, the tracks are very different from one another! That’s because I didn’t create them at the same moment in my life. Meteor is closer to the sound I usually produce, and I made it during a euphoric period, after a series of great shows and exciting news. On the other hand, Deep Down was composed during a much darker time, when I was going through deep introspection. Despite their contrast, I think the two tracks work well together, as they each reflect a different emotional phase I’ve experienced recently.
‘Meteor’ blends immersive atmospheres with a standout synth top line, while ‘Deep Down’ dives into grittier bass-driven territory. How do you balance these two sides of your sound in both the studio and your live performances?
I don’t really try to balance them, both sides are simply part of who I am. Sometimes one takes over more than the other, and that’s totally fine. I always try to create music with my heart, driven by how I feel in the moment. So depending on what’s happening in my life, my sound naturally shifts. Like everyone, I go through highs and lows, and my music reflects that.
Your music is described as a fusion of techno power and acoustic finesse. How do acoustic elements influence your production style and what inspired you to incorporate them?
Lately, I’ve been using fewer acoustic elements than before, but I still love to include percussive touches like shakers or hand drums. I think these add more depth and texture to a track, something more organic. It feels natural to me because before making electronic music, I was playing rock with friends. Recording acoustic instruments was actually my first experience with music production, so it’s always been part of my process.
You’re known for your impressive live sets on platforms like Cercle. How do you approach translating your studio productions into a captivating live experience?
For me, live performances are at the core of what I do. When I produce a track, I’m already thinking about how I’ll perform it live, what changes I might need to make, how I can interact with it on stage. That mindset helps me build a stronger connection between the studio and the stage.
Many respected artists like NTO, Stephan Bodzin, Joachim Pastor, and Einmusik have supported your work or collaborated with you. How have these relationships shaped your musical journey?
NTO has been the most influential person in my career. We’ve known each other for over 13 years, he helped me transition from FL Studio to Ableton, listened to tons of my demos, gave me invaluable advices… I’m so grateful for his support, and even happier to call him a friend. Stephan Bodzin and Einmusik trusted me enough to release on their labels, which was a huge honor. Joachim Pastor has also been incredibly supportive, and now we’re working closely together on our collaborative project PACT, alongside Joris Delacroix.
Melodic techno is often praised for its emotional depth and atmosphere. What emotions or stories do you aim to convey through your music?
All of them! For me, the most important part of making music is expressing my emotions honestly. I’m not trying to make tracks just for DJs. I want to share my own vision, my personal story. Meteor, for example, reflects the euphoric state I was in during my Shifting album tour. I felt like I was living life at the speed of a meteor — intense, beautiful, and fleeting.
What new sounds or techniques are you currently experimenting with?
I’m always trying to evolve and improve. Recently, I started working with a semi-modular synthesizer, which is something new for me. I really enjoy the flexibility and creative possibilities it offers, it’s been a fun playground for exploration.
In an ever-evolving electronic music scene, how do you maintain your signature style while staying innovative?
I believe following trends is one of the worst things a musician can do. That said, I sometimes get inspired by elements from new genres and I might borrow an idea here or there to bring something fresh into my sound. But overall, I just focus on making the music I want to make, without chasing what’s popular.
Your performances create an intimate and energetic ‘cocoon’ for the audience. What do you think is the secret to connecting so deeply with your crowd?
I think one key factor is that I perform live, which means I can adapt the sound in real-time depending on the energy of the crowd. That creates a strong connection and a shared moment between us. Sometimes, the audience gives me so much energy that I feel it deeply, and the performance naturally becomes more intense and euphoric. My live sets are always shaped by the crowd’s mood.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect next from Teho, both in terms of new releases and live shows?
I’m really excited about this first release on Purified and I’m currently focused on that. At the same time, the PACTproject with Joachim Pastor and Joris Delacroix is picking up momentum, we’ll be touring together in the coming months. Of course, I’ll also continue performing solo, mostly around Europe.
