AndThen Breaks Down His Sound, His Influences and His New Huxley Collaboration

For UK producer AndThen, 2025 marked a period of forward motion and success that was hard earned. High-charting releases on Beatport, international radio support and collaborations with Flashmob, Loz Seka, Johan S and starting this year with Huxley have positioned him as one of the more compelling names emerging from the UK’s percussive, groove-led corner of House and Techno.

Brand new release, Head On, with Huxley arrives on Junior Jack’s Adesso Music, the label he calls “one of the best labels I’ve worked with.” He explains, “They really invest a lot of time in their artists… they’re lovely people to work with, very professional and genuinely support the music. I’d love to grow alongside them as they continue to develop.”

Head On didn’t begin with a concept so much as a spark. “We had the vocal and a bit of a loop going and built it from there,” AndThen says. “We had just finished a track which was quite high-energy, so we wanted something with a bit more soul and feeling, and this hit the mark for us.”

He and Huxley didn’t overthink the contrast that defines the record. The euphoric vocal sits above a tension-heavy groove, but that duality wasn’t calculated. “Sometimes you don’t intentionally go anywhere with the music,” he explains. “You just feel what’s right and go with it.”

Working with Huxley, someone whose work he had admired for years, shifted his own approach. “When I produce on my own, I tend to use reference tracks to keep things on the right lines,” he says. “However, Huxley is so experienced that he just goes with the flow, and I’m starting to do more of that now.”

The partnership wasn’t random. The two first connected through an online electronic music platform and later at a retreat. “We stayed in touch and he now runs Rtrybe with Ramin Rezai and Bakkiss, which is a great community for music producers,” AndThen says. “I’ve also released music on his label, Dumb Safari, so when he suggested making a track together, I obviously jumped at the chance. I’ve always loved his music and have been a big admirer for a long time.”

Beyond music, the collaboration became an informal mentorship. “Studio-wise, Hux is a genius, so I learned loads about the actual music production,” he says. “But it was also great chatting with him about his experiences in the industry as well, both the good and the bad.”

Having already collaborated with Flashmob and Loz Seka, AndThen values what happens when two worlds meet. “You always learn a lot from those who have been there and done it,” he says. “You pick up little bits from everyone you work with, so it’s best to be a bit of a sponge.”

AndThen describes his sound as “a fusion of House and Techno with tribal undertones and a key emphasis on percussive-laden groove”, a style rooted in the evolution of UK club culture. “I’ve had a bit of a journey in electronic music, from hard house, tech house, tribal and techno, so all of that influences my sound now,” he says.

The early 2000s tribal era left a particular imprint. “I love the drummy, tribal sounds of the 2000s, with artists like Tony Thomas, Danny Tenaglia and Peter Presta,” he recalls. “I ran a party with some close mates a few years ago called Superchunk, which was based around that sound, and I suppose I’ve clung onto it ever since.”

Today’s surge of Latin tech offers a natural bridge. “With the Latin tech sound being so big right now and having strong drummy elements too, it all feels like a natural fit,” he says.

Influences such as Nic Fanciulli, Matthias Tanzmann and Yousef resonate not only musically, but generationally. “With Nic, we’re a similar age, so having someone your age who you’ve seen grow over the years is a huge influence,” he says. “Everything released on Saved is always a banger, I’d love to release on Saved one day.”

Matthias and Moon Harbour reflect similar longevity. “Seeing how they’ve grown over the last 20 years while staying true to their sound,” he says, “that’s inspiring.” Meanwhile, Yousef played a direct role in his ascent: “He really supported me by releasing some of the early AndThen material on Circus… I also love how his sound has become more emotional over the years.”

The past year delivered a series of validating signals. “It definitely feels like a bit of a turning point,” he admits. Beatport success in particular carried weight: “Pretty much the only people buying from Beatport are DJs in one form or another. So, getting chart support there really does mean a lot, as it shows that other DJs are choosing to download and support your music.”

BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, ABC (Aus) and Kiss FM followed, generating exposure that, in a different era, would have instantly translated into touring. “Tall Paul said that if this had happened 15 years ago, you’d be touring everywhere,” he laughs. “With how fragmented the industry is now, that’s no longer the case.”

Still, radio remains vital. “Is Radio 1 still important? Absolutely, of course it is, but you also need to crack the other formats as well.”

Looking ahead, both solo and collaborative work will define the next phase. “I’ve got a track that I’m really proud of in the hands of a label, I can’t say which yet,” he teases. “Loz and I also have a collaboration to finish and I’ve got a few solo tracks that I may release myself.”

He’s also working closely with Deep Fiktion and Elemental: “There are lots of plans this year around working with them… and definitely keep an eye out for an even bigger and better Elemental Festival this year.”

If Head On serves as a first impression of AndThen, he hopes the message is clear. “I like to mix things up while still keeping a strong groove at the centre of what I do,” he says. “It always starts with rhythm and feel, but I’m also interested in adding emotion and musicality. Ultimately, I’d want people to hear it and think it sounds natural, honest and made for people to move to, but also to feel something at the same time.”

Read the full interview with AndThen on The Night Bazaar HERE.