Magnetik Source: Finding the Space Between Sound on Their Remix of Paul Loraine and DCLVIII OFC's Halo on Cubism

There is something refreshingly unforced about Magnetik Source. In an era where new electronic music projects often arrive with carefully crafted narratives and lofty declarations, Andrew Byrne and Claire Marshall speak instead about community, collaboration and simply making music that feels honest.

That ethos is perfectly reflected in their forthcoming remix of Paul Loraine and DCLVIII OFC’s Halo, released on Mark Gwinnett and Saytek’s Cubism label. More than just another remix, it marks another important step for a partnership that has quietly grown from shared experiences within the UK's underground electronic music scene. 

"We have the team behind the release to thank for believing in a project that is fairly new," they say. "They've been incredibly supportive, offering mentorship and genuinely backing what we're doing, which means the world to us."

Rather than simply reworking the original, Magnetik Source used Halo as an opportunity to showcase the sound they've been carefully developing together. "With this remix, we wanted to focus on the deep, atmospheric studio sound we've been nurturing. We deliberately tried to shift the pace from the original, pulling the energy inwards a bit to create something that feels like a solid, atmospheric 'pivot' track for a dancefloor. We always love thinking about how tracks function within the flow of a wider DJ set and how they contribute to the energy of a room."

That understanding of dancefloor dynamics comes from decades immersed in electronic music from two very different perspectives.

Andrew Byrne's career stretches back more than thirty years, encompassing releases for Global Underground, Renaissance, Fluid and his own Hellpass imprint, alongside performances with artists including Carl Cox, Chicane and Lee Burridge. 

Claire Marshall brings an equally rich, though very different, background as a musician, producer and researcher specialising in archaeo-musicology and heritage sound design, informed by years spent immersed in the musical cultures of Detroit and Chicago during the early 2000s.

Although their individual journeys are very different, the project itself came together remarkably naturally. "Firstly, thanks so much for inviting us to talk about the project. We're truly grateful for the warmth and opportunities that have come our way recently. The partnership just grew out of a community whose events have been running for over 15 years. A mutual friend connected us when the idea of collaborating came up, and from the very first track we tried working on together to test the waters, the creative chemistry just felt completely right. It was a very natural, organic evolution."

That sense of community remains central to everything they do. Asked whether there was a defining moment that cemented the partnership, they don't point to a particular track or performance. "It wasn't so much a single defining moment during the night itself, but rather the general energy of the room and realizing we shared the exact same values and outlook on music culture. Spending time together in those underground spaces reminds you why you fell in love with this scene in the first place. That shared energy, mixed with a very down-to-earth connection, made us realize we were completely on the same page."

The relationship in the studio appears to thrive because neither artist feels the need to dominate the process. "It is more about how lucky we feel to have found a shared rhythm where we can just dive straight into the music without any ego. When you share the same musical DNA, there is an immediate trust. What keeps the sessions alive, especially when things get tricky or a track hits a wall is a shared sense of humour and curiosity. Keeping things light and laughing together is just as important to the creative process as the music itself. It allows us to draw on our older influences with a bit of wit and keeps the whole process enjoyable."

That trust allows each of them to play to their strengths. "Because there is so much mutual respect, we've developed a natural intuition for when to step back and let an idea breathe. It's a balance that has grown from spending hours in the studio learning from one another. "The project brings together two different worlds; one side rooted in technical precision, rhythm programming, and clean mix-downs, and the other leaning toward musical theory, instrumentation, and atmospheric, freeform world-building. It's a classic case of different elements balancing each other out perfectly; it keeps the process fresh because we are constantly bouncing contrasting ideas off one another until everything clicks."

Claire's academic background inevitably finds its way into the music, although perhaps not in the way listeners might expect. "Having that background in history and sound research feels like a real privilege, and it naturally seeps into the studio process. You can't really separate yourself from the weight and legacy of those cultural roots. When we are producing, the focus is always on space, texture, and storytelling; thinking about how people will feel and experience the music. Historically and emotionally, the pioneering sounds of Chicago and Detroit are the biggest touchstones for this project. The origin stories of those communities and how they created something out of very little will always resonate deeply."

Respect, rather than nostalgia, underpins their influences. "That's a vital point for us. It comes down to respecting the entire ethos and community spirit of those original scenes, rather than just copying a specific sonic aesthetic. If you only look at the surface without understanding the culture and the history behind it, the music can easily feel like a caricature. For us, it's about honouring those foundational roots while letting our own modern lives and experiences shape the final output naturally. It's a hybrid approach with deep respect for the past, then played out in the present."

For Andrew, the excitement of making records has never really faded. "The way the workflow has opened up over the years is amazing. It takes away some of the friction and makes it so much easier to just try out alternative ideas on the fly. That fluidity keeps things genuinely interesting, especially when you have a collaborative partnership where you can bounce those spontaneous ideas off each other in real time. The excitement still comes from those moments of pure, unfiltered experimentation."

Experimentation is clearly encouraged inside the Magnetik Source studio, where analogue synthesizers, modular systems and organic sound design constantly generate unexpected ideas. "We absolutely love those beautiful moments of studio serendipity where the unexpected just clicks. Recently, we were playing around with some hardware loops and stumbled into a sound that instantly gave our upcoming material its core identity. We just captured it in the moment and built the rest of the project around that feeling.

"When a session starts, it helps to strip away any rigid expectations. We are big believers in the simple power of play. It's all about capturing honest, resonant moments as they happen, and then sitting down together to see where they lead."

That balance between emotion and functionality sits at the heart of every production they make. "The project is really about balancing functionality with real personality. For us, deep emotion and dancefloor dynamics aren't separate things at all; you need both to create a moment that genuinely stays with people after the night ends. We try to blend that classic, hypnotic club energy with atmospheric storytelling, so the music works just as well in a room full of people as it does in a pair of headphones."

It's a philosophy that naturally extends to their forthcoming live performances, where music, visuals and improvisation will exist side by side. "We are in a really exciting phase of learning right now. Because we care deeply about the culture, we are taking our time to get every single detail right. Ultimately, the goal is simply to create an atmosphere where the music and visuals blur together, offering the audience a shared space where they can disconnect from the outside world and have their own personal journey along with the rest of the crowd."

While the performances will have structure, spontaneity will remain essential. "While we will keep a structured foundation to respect the flow and timing of the night, we definitely want plenty of room to let things breathe and improvise live. We're approaching this with a DJ's mindset and reading the room, feeding off the crowd's energy, and drawing on years of collective experience behind the decks to guide the vibe naturally."

They also see the project extending beyond conventional club spaces. "It feels like a bit of both. We really want to make the live experience as accessible as possible. It is incredibly important to us that this project can live in different types of spaces and bring people together, whether that's in a traditional club setting or a more community-focused art space."

Community is a word that surfaces repeatedly throughout the conversation, nowhere more passionately than when discussing the underground scene itself. "The roots of the scene still rest entirely on the incredible goodwill of people who pour their time, energy, and hearts into throwing parties simply for the pure love of the music and community. It's tough out there, and very few independent promoters are doing this for purely financial gain.

"Lately, things have become a bit more fragmented and localized, moving away from massive commercial brands. But honestly, that feels like a beautiful turning point. It means small collectives are doing things entirely on their own terms again, creating tight-knit, authentic spaces which is exactly how underground culture regenerates itself."

For Magnetik Source, smaller spaces continue to offer something larger venues often struggle to create. "It really comes down to genuine, organic community building. It's about getting to know the people in the room in a much more authentic way. Even larger, established movements are starting to move toward smaller, more intimate gatherings because everyone is craving that real connection again. It brings together people who are truly there for the music, and implementing spaces where people can just be present without phones completely transforms the collective energy of the room."

Looking ahead, there's already plenty on the horizon. Alongside the Cubism remix, the duo have completed a new EP for Rhythm Cult. "We are honestly so grateful and honoured to share this music with Rhythm Cult. It's a label that feels like a true home for underground music and the guidance and trust we've been given to just explore our sound has been incredible. That's the beautiful thing about a proper creative community; it brings out the best in everyone.

"The EP features three tracks and one remix, and the brief was simply to create something fresh while allowing the artist to work to their strengths. Mood-wise, we like to think of it as a late-night drive down the highway between Chicago & Detroit, sitting right in that sweet spot where deep electronic foundations meet an addictive groove."

Even then, they're reluctant to define the music through a single concept. "We are really enjoying where the sound is at right now and it feels like a very honest reflection of where we are; but we never want to stop learning and evolving. "For us, it's not about sticking to one rigid conceptual theme; it is all about the raw emotional journey. Music is completely personal, and we just want people to feel the genuine love and care that went into the studio process. Our ultimate hope is for these tracks to take listeners to a space that sparks their own personal memories, vibes, and moments."

As the conversation draws to a close, their ambitions remain grounded, reflecting the same humility that has run throughout the interview. "Hopefully a lot of music! We've got a real sense of optimism and are eternally grateful for the mentorship and community support that has helped us share our sound. We're just keeping our heads down, working hard in the studio, and hoping to contribute to the scene organically through a few new EPs and remixes. We just want to keep sharing the journey with everyone."

For a duo whose story has been built on trust, curiosity and a deep respect for the culture that brought them together, that final sentiment perhaps says everything about Magnetik Source. Their remix of Halo may introduce more listeners to their sound, but it is the spirit behind the music, one rooted in community, collaboration and storytelling, that leaves the most lasting impression.

Paul Loraine & DCLVIII OFC – Halo (Magnetik Source Remix) is out on now on Cubism. Grab it on Beatport HERE.

Read the full interview with DCLVIII OFC on The Night Bazaar HERE.