Max HeyraudCork-born, Melbourne-based techno artist Chris Hayes delivers a blistering mix that spans the full spectrum of the genre, from wretched, broken techno gauntlets to slick, hypnotic minimalism. Clocking in at 90 minutes, this mix comes from a certified techno mechanic at the top of his game.
Hayes has long been recognised as one of Cork’s foremost contemporary techno DJs, with a finely tuned taste that spans the hypnotic canon of techno. Yet even that description barely scratches the surface of his deep and expansive appreciation for the genre. He navigates all shades of techno with precision, moving effortlessly between hard-hitting, chaotic cuts and poignant, minimal grooves.
This eclecticism is on full display in his guest mix for the Intimate Records series. He opens with chuggy, warped-out tracks from the likes of Clotour and Beste Hira, before diving into early ’90s drenched loops from Dynamic Forces and Conrad Van Orton. The mix dances between frenzied peak-time madness and stripped-back, nuanced tracks, a delicate balance Hayes handles with mastery.
The magic lies in his mixing approach. He’s deft on the mixer, expertly manipulating EQs and faders, alternating between quick, shoulder-turn mixes and long, drawn-out blends. He gives some tracks room to breathe while suffocating others under immense pressure, creating a zigzagging journey that keeps the set fresh, dynamic, and endlessly rolling.