Messous: From Manchester to Miami – A Sound in Motion
Messous
This week, The Groove Palace presents Messous, a Manchester-born DJ and producer who has quickly become a key figure in Miami’s underground scene. With a deep-rooted passion for minimal deep tech and a sharp ear for emerging talent, Messous is not only pushing his own sound forward but also shaping the next wave of artists through his work as A&R at Pink Bag Records.
The journey of a DJ is often defined by evolution—of sound, of experience, and of environment. For Messous, a Manchester-born DJ and producer now based in Miami, that evolution has been nothing short of transformative. With roots in the UK’s underground scene and a newfound home in the sun-soaked, genre-blending culture of Miami, he has carved out a space where minimal deep tech thrives. But Messous isn’t just shaping his own sound—he’s also helping define the future of the underground as the A&R for Pink Bag Records, a label quickly gaining momentum as one of the most forward-thinking in the space.
This week, The Groove Palace is proud to present Messous, whose exclusive mix captures the rhythmic complexity, hypnotic energy, and cutting-edge style that have become his signature.
Early Influences: Discovering House Music in the UK
Messous’ introduction to electronic music mirrors that of many ravers—it started with a life-changing night out. “I got into house music around 2012, just as I was starting university. My first rave experience had me hooked immediately,” he recalls. Like most newcomers, he explored multiple genres at first, from house to drum & bass to UK garage, until he found what truly resonated.
During the early 2010s, the UK was experiencing a boom in deep and tech house, led by the likes of Hot Creations, Jamie Jones, Richy Ahmed, and Patrick Topping. “Hot Creations was the first label that really pulled me in,” Messous says. “That deep house era, that early tech house sound—it was a huge influence on me.”
Soon after, he discovered CUFF, the imprint run by Amine Edge & DANCE, which introduced him to the fusion of house music and hip-hop influences. “I’ve always loved hip-hop, grime, and R&B, and when I heard what CUFF was doing—bringing that into house music—it was a game changer for me.”
However, it wasn’t until he stumbled upon the London underground scene that his direction became clear. “I started going to afterparties where Solid Grooves was playing before they blew up, and that was the moment I knew—I wanted to be involved in this sound.”
The Leap into DJing and Production
Messous initially approached music as a fan, collecting tracks and DJing casually at house parties. But as his love for the underground grew, so did his desire to contribute to it.
“I was always obsessed with finding new music, digging deeper into sounds. But for years, I was just a bedroom DJ,” he explains. “I kept toying with the idea of producing, but for some reason, it never felt like the right time.”
That changed when he moved into his own place with his girlfriend. “I told myself, ‘You know what? This is a fresh start. I’m going to do it.’” He picked up Ableton and started producing his own tracks.
From the start, he was determined to take it seriously. “I joined Josh Baker’s SYNTHO platform really early on because I wanted proper feedback. I learn best by surrounding myself with people who are better than me, and I knew that was the fastest way to improve.”
His early productions leaned into minimal and deep tech, but he always kept a foot in his other influences. “I was always drawn to robotic, vocoder-heavy, electro-inspired sounds. That’s something I’ve started incorporating into my music more and more.”
Finding a Home in Miami
A year ago, Messous made a life-changing move—he left the UK and relocated to Miami. What he found was not just a city, but a community.
“Moving to Miami opened my ears to so many new sounds,” he says. “The underground here is completely different from the UK. In the UK, it feels like everything is driven by the big brands and labels, and it’s hard for new artists to break in. In Miami, there’s a real community—people support each other, and there’s always something happening.”
He credits Miami’s diversity for inspiring his evolving style. “The Latin influence here, the blend of minimal deep tech with percussive, groovy elements—it’s something I’ve started experimenting with a lot more in my own productions.”
At the same time, he found himself naturally fitting into Miami’s tight-knit underground, especially with the Pink Bag Records crew. “I met the PBR boys before the label even started. We connected over music, and I showed them a track I had made before moving to Miami—‘Miami’—which they ended up signing for the label’s first release.”
From there, his role within the label grew organically.
The Role of A&R at Pink Bag Records
What began as casual conversations about music soon turned into something more structured. “At first, they would just send me tracks for a second opinion, and I’d give my feedback. But as time went on, I started helping shape the releases more and more,” he explains.
Eventually, Messous officially stepped into the role of A&R, playing a key part in curating the label’s sound. But unlike many minimal deep tech imprints, Pink Bag doesn’t want to be boxed in.
“We don’t want to just be another label that puts out minimal deep tech. We want to push boundaries,” he says. “We look for authenticity—tracks that stand out, that have something unique. We get a lot of demos that are technically solid but don’t feel original, and that’s an immediate red flag. We want artists who bring their own flavor.”
With the label growing rapidly, Messous is helping define what Pink Bag represents. “It’s not just about the music. There’s a culture around it, a real community. The way we announce releases, the parties, even the humor on social media—it’s all part of it.”
Looking Ahead: 2025 Goals and Vision
As both an artist and curator, Messous has big plans for 2025.
Production-wise, he wants to refine his sound even further. “Every track I make, I try to push myself in a new direction—whether it’s a new drum pattern, a different sound design technique, or an unexpected groove. This year, I’m focused on making my productions even cleaner and more distinct.”
On the DJ front, he’s ready to take his sets beyond Miami. “I love playing here, but I also want to explore new cities—New York, LA, Texas, anywhere that has a thriving underground scene.”
For Pink Bag Records, the goal is expansion. “We want to keep growing the label, signing new artists, and throwing more events. We’ve got some big things in the works that I can’t talk about just yet, but 2025 is going to be a huge year for us.”
Advice for Up-and-Coming DJs and Producers
Messous believes the key to success is authenticity. “At first, it’s fine to take inspiration from others, but eventually, you have to find your own sound,” he says.
He stresses patience and persistence. “This takes time. Some tracks won’t hit, and labels will reject you, but if you keep learning and refining your sound, you’ll improve faster than you think.”
Networking is just as important. “Go to events, meet people, support other artists. You never know who you’re going to meet that could help open doors.”
Above all, he says, “If you love what you’re doing, that passion will come through—and people will notice.”
Messous’ Exclusive Groove Palace Mix
With all of these influences—UK deep tech, Miami’s underground culture, and the boundary-pushing ethos of Pink Bag Records—Messous’ Groove Palace mix is a masterclass in minimal deep tech.
From rolling basslines to hypnotic percussion and unexpected grooves, this set encapsulates everything that makes him an artist to watch.
Listen now exclusively on The Groove Palace SoundCloud.