The Inspiring Journey of Murch: Artist of The Month

Underground techno thrives on innovation, mood, and precision. Bulgarian DJ and producer Murch, at just 25 years old, has crafted a sound that captures these elements with remarkable skill. His music stands out for its precise basslines, creative use of dark atmospheres, and deep understanding of underground music production. Murch’s latest EP, Where Have You Gone, has already made waves, reaching Beatport’s top 5 techno charts. This post explores what makes Murch a rising star and why his work is essential listening for anyone interested in the future of underground techno.

Murch

Murch’s Unique Sound and Production Style

Murch’s sound is defined by a balance between energy and subtlety. The title track Where Have You Gone drives forward with a rolling bassline that keeps the momentum alive without relying on heavy saturation of elements. Instead, the track uses elegant leads and a carefully crafted low end to create a powerful groove that feels both fresh and timeless.

This approach shows Murch’s deep knowledge of sound design and arrangement. He knows how to build tension and release it, creating a dark mood that never feels overwhelming. His music invites listeners to explore the layers beneath the surface, making each playthrough a new experience.

Collaboration with Innervoix and the B-Side Strength

The EP’s B-side, You Said Forever, produced alongside Brazilian artist Innervoix, complements the title track perfectly. This collaboration highlights where underground techno is heading in 2026: a blend of elegance, groove, and thoughtful production.

Both artists demonstrate a clear vision for how to keep techno underground while pushing its boundaries. Their work features a groove centered in the low frequencies, with carefully placed leads and vocals that avoid repetition. This strategic use of elements keeps the tracks engaging and dynamic throughout.

Murch’s Role Beyond Music Production

Murch is not only building a brand through his music but also creating a creative space through his label, Derailed Music. This platform allows him to support other artists and foster innovation without limitations. It’s a sign of his commitment to the underground scene and his vision for its future.

His polished tracks like Memories and Kind of Darkness further establish his presence on the international stage. These releases show his ability to maintain a consistent quality while exploring different moods and styles within techno.

Why Aspiring Producers Should Study Murch’s Work

For producers looking to improve their craft, Murch’s EP offers valuable lessons:

• Precision in basslines: Notice how the bass drives the track without overpowering other elements.

• Creative use of dark moods: The atmosphere is carefully constructed, not just layered with effects.

• Balanced arrangement: Leads and vocals are placed strategically to maintain interest without clutter.

• Avoiding over-saturation: The sound remains clean and elegant, proving that power doesn’t require distortion.

  
  

Studying these aspects can help producers create tracks that feel both underground and polished.

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The Future of Underground Techno with Murch

As underground techno moves into 2026, artists like Murch is shaping its future. Their music combines elegance with grit, technical skill with emotional resonance. Murch’s ability to balance these elements while maintaining a strong groove sets a new standard for producers in the genre.

With his growing reputation and commitment to creative freedom, Murch is poised to influence the scene for years to come. His journey shows that innovation in underground techno comes from a deep connection to the music’s roots combined with a willingness to explore new sounds and ideas.

For fans and producers alike, following Murch’s work offers insight into where underground techno is headed and how it can continue to evolve while staying true to its core. We caught up with Murch for an exclusive enterivew and this is what he had to say.

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Treavor:

Firstly, thank you for your time. I appreciate it, and congratulations on your recent success. Beatport, the premier platform for DJs, is sponsoring this interview.

Treavor:

Share your excitement about the vibrant electronic scene in Bulgaria, and tell us how you became a part of it!

Murch:

The electronic music scene in Bulgaria has experienced significant growth in recent years. While not vast, it is a tightly connected and authentic community. The crowd is open-minded and energetic, with techno culture playing an increasingly vital role. Artists, clubs, and event series are now more focused on quality and establishing their own unique identities.

My journey into this vibrant scene began at Club Plazma in Plovdiv, where my passion for electronic music was ignited. From the outset, I was determined to one day perform on that stage. This ambition drove me to seriously pursue DJing and music production, experiment with my sound, and develop my own style. Ultimately, I achieved that dream, and performing there only fueled my desire to grow as an artist and extend my reach beyond the local scene.

Treavor:

Did you begin your career as Murch, or did you, like many other producers, use a different alias initially? How did you decide on the name Murch?

Murch:

I launched my career as Murch, a name that has been with me since childhood. It was a nickname I've always had, making it the perfect choice for my artistic alias. From a young age, I had big dreams, and the name Murch has always been a reminder of little Nikola, who dreamed boldly and believed in endless possibilities.

Treavor:

Who have been your musical inspirations? At what point did you recognize music as your passion?

Murch:

My grandfather sparked my passion for music from a very young age, and it has always had a special place in my heart. My friend Space 92 is my greatest inspiration. I've eagerly followed his entire career, ever since he transformed his vision as Space 92!

In addition to him, I draw significant inspiration from local DJs in Bulgaria like Metodi, Pavel Petrov, and my friend Phoenix Movement. They have introduced me to diverse approaches, styles, and ways of connecting with music, which have been instrumental in shaping my own identity as an artist.

From a very young age, I realized that music was my true passion. The feeling I experienced when listening to or creating music was unparalleled, affirming that music would be the core of my life.

Treavor:

Your sound is remarkably polished. How did you achieve that? Can you describe your sound for us?

Murch:

My sound has evolved over the years through dedicated experimentation and learning. I've always aimed for my music to be both energetic and emotionally rich. The polished quality is a result of meticulous attention to detail—ensuring every bassline, synth, and element interacts seamlessly, and the energy flows consistently throughout the track. I invest significant time in arrangement and dynamics to craft an engaging flow on the dancefloor.

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Treavor:

Let's dive into Production. I absolutely love the baselines you incorporate in your music. What's your process for crafting such impressive baselines?

Murch:

Thank you! The low-end is my favorite part of production; for me, they are the most important element in a track. My process starts with thinking about rhythm and groove, how the bass will work together with the drums and percussion to drive the track properly.

Then I experiment with different synthesizers and sounds until I find the right tone and texture that conveys the proper feeling. It’s very important for me that the bass has dynamics, that’s why the rolling baseline is my favourite one. I often add small variations and filters to make it feel alive and interesting throughout the track.

Lately, I’ve been experimenting a lot with psy basslines and faster rhythms, which has allowed me to expand my sound palette and add new dimensions to my tracks

Treavor:

Your strategic use of vocals in Memories and You Said Forever is impressive. You clearly know exactly where to place them. What is your process when you begin working with vocals?

Murch:

Thank you again! Vocals are absolutely essential to me. I can't envision my track without them. They embody the soul of the music, consistently infusing it with emotion and a human touch that brings the track to life.

My process starts with finding the right voice and texture that fits the energy and message of the track. Then I experiment with placement, effects, and processing until I find the moment where the vocal truly ‘speaks’ to the audience and enhances the track’s overall energy.

For Memories and You Said Forever, I focused on placing the vocals strategically so they become part of the track’s dynamics while letting their power and emotion hit at the right moments. The vocal on Memories definitely became a big hook. When I played it in Delhi, India, and the crowd started singing along, I got goosebumps, and the feeling was absolutely unforgettable.

An interesting fact about You Said Forever is that I actually came up with the track’s name before I even started working on it. Thanks to AI and a lot of processing, Innervoix and I managed to create a vocal that perfectly fits the track.

Treavor:

Your remix of Bruno (HU, SaviG), What You Want, is exceptional. How do you go about

collaborating with someone? And how do you go about remixing someone else’s

track?

Murch:

Collaborations are crucial to me as they infuse fresh energy and diverse perspectives. When partnering with another artist, the essential components are communication and mutual respect, along with maintaining a clear vision while granting each individual the freedom to express themselves.

In remixing, I begin with a deep respect for the original track. I focus on understanding its emotion and core idea—what makes it unique. Then, I determine how to infuse my own sound while preserving its identity.

With What You Want, my goal was to keep the recognizable elements of the original while giving it a stronger peak-time character, more energy, and my signature low-end. For me, a successful remix is one that feels fresh and different, but still honors and elevates the original track.

Treavor:

Your tracks are absolutely phenomenal—clean, crisp, and stunningly beautiful, with that irresistible underground vibe! How do you craft such amazing music? What's your creative process like? How do you bring your ideas to life?

Murch:

Thank you very much! When I start a new track, everything usually begins with an emotion or a specific feeling I want to express. I don’t immediately think about structure or genre rules. I first focus on creating a mood, a groove, and a core idea that guides the whole process.

From there, I build the foundation - low-end and rhythm, because as I said, that’s the backbone of any track. Once that part starts to breathe, I layer atmospheres, synths, and details, paying close attention to dynamics and balance to keep the sound clean and crisp.

My workflow is very intuitive. I often work in stages, coming back to the track, removing elements, and keeping only what truly matters. For me, executing an idea means staying true to the initial emotion that inspired the track and turning it into music that works both on the dancefloor and on a deeper emotional level.

Treavor:

Your latest EP, Where Have You Gone, on Enter Audio is a true masterpiece. Share some insights about the track Where Have You Gone and You Said Forever, both of which soared into the top 5 on Beatport's Techno charts. The work throughout the EP is outstanding and undoubtedly serves as a must-study for beginners aiming to capture that underground sound. How did you and Innervoix divide the work?

Murch:

Thank you very much for the kind words; it truly means a lot. Where Have You Gone is a deeper and more emotional track for me. With it, I wanted to capture a very specific moment and emotion from my life back then, translating that state of mind into sound. When I first shared the track with Phoenix Movement, he immediately felt its potential and encouraged me to create a second track so we could release an EP. That’s when the idea came up to do my first collaboration with my friend from Brazil - Innervoix, who is one of my favorite upcoming artists at the moment.

This is how You Said Forever was born, a track with a more direct peak-time energy and a strong hook. Working with Innervoix felt very natural and organic. We split the work intuitively, with each of us contributing our strongest qualities, from ideas and arrangement to atmosphere and final details. We were constantly exchanging feedback until the EP felt complete and authentic.

Seeing both tracks reach the Top 5 on Beatport’s Techno charts was a huge milestone and a true validation of our vision and collaboration.

Treavor:

Which plug-ins do you rely on? What hardware is essential in your studio?

Murch:

Serum 2 is definitely my go-to plug-in. It’s incredibly flexible and allows me to shape exactly the kind of sounds I hear in my head.

When it comes to hardware, a lot of people believe that you need thousands of dollars' worth of gear to create high-quality music, but that’s simply not true. What really matters is imagination, knowledge, and how well you understand your tools. As an example, Martin Garrix created Animals, which is one of the most iconic EDM tracks ever made, in a simple room with just a laptop. If you have a clear vision and the right skills, you can create professional music anywhere.

Treavor:

Let's discuss your label, Derailed Music. How did you get started, and what drives its purpose?

Murch:

I will always be grateful to one of my closest friends in the industry, Neumann, for his trust and belief in me and for giving me the opportunity to step into the role of Label Manager. His support has been fundamental in my career, shaping my vision and my approach to the label.

Derailed Music started from a very personal need, the need for complete creative freedom. We wanted to build a platform where music always comes first, without limitations, pressure, or compromises on sound and identity.

The purpose behind the label is to support emotional and forward-thinking techno, while giving artists the space to express themselves honestly. It’s not just about releases, but about building a community around a shared vision and sound.

For us, Derailed Music is a long-term project, a place where we can release music that truly represents who we are at a given moment, while also supporting artists who share the same mindset and passion for the scene.

Treavor:

What advice do you have for an up-and-coming producer?

Murch:

Stay patient and trust the process. Focus on developing your own sound instead of chasing trends, because authenticity is what truly lasts in this scene. Learn your tools deeply, but never forget that emotion and feeling are just as important as technical skills.

Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and start over; every track is a lesson. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. Progress takes time, but consistency and passion always pay off. Most importantly, enjoy the process. If you love what you’re doing, people will feel it in your music.

Treavor:

What's next for Murch?

Murch:

Hard work, hard work, and more hard work. That’s what’s next for me. I’m focused on expanding my sound and taking my performances to stages around the world. I’m definitely looking forward to my upcoming tour in India for the second year in a row, and we’re also trying to get to Thailand as well.

In the next two months, I will be playing in Sweden, Finland, and a few places around Bulgaria; that’s confirmed for now. I’m also setting my sights on a target label for 2026: Set About, which is one of my all-time favorite labels.

Alongside this, I’m working on new releases that continue to push the boundaries of my music, experimenting with different sounds, rhythms, and emotions. Collaborations with artists I admire are on the horizon, as well as projects that allow me to explore more personal and emotional territories in music.

At the same time, I’m committed to growing the vision of Derailed Music, supporting new talents, and building a community around authentic, high-quality techno. The year is just getting started, but there’s a lot to look forward to already.

Thank you for your time. We eagerly anticipate what the rest of 2026 has in store.