Since 2006, Massio been a driving force in underground house music, blending artistry with intention. Whether he’s commanding the decks at Burning Man, Coachella, or holding it down at his LA residency at Pattern Bar, Massio brings a sense of purpose to everything he does. Co-founder of the Techlepatic Black, A&R at Rhythmica, and host of a monthly UB Radio show in Bangkok, he’s built a reputation for music that is felt as much as heard.
His latest release, Hakumaya, out now on My Other Side of the Moon, continues that momentum. The track, made in collaboration with Fiiasco, balances uplifting marimbas, soulful piano, and ethereal vocals to deliver an organic house vibe that’s both grounded and atmospheric. Perfect for sunset sets or after-hours grooves, Hakumaya also gets a fresh remix from Somelee, who adds hypnotic textures and a dreamlike flow that further elevates the release.
To mark the occasion, Massio is dropping six hard-earned tips for organic house producers. These aren’t generic soundbites—they’re pulled straight from his experience shaping a career built on authenticity, collaboration, and staying true to his sound. If you’re a producer trying to level up your tracks and leave a lasting impression, this is your blueprint.
We invited him on to share some high-level tips on making club-ready, punchy organic house so you can replicate the same levels of success that he has seen in his career over the past half-decade or more. So let’s leave it to him to share and drop the sauce!
As a DJ and producer, I’ve been in the trenches long enough to know what works on a dancefloor and what doesn’t. These five tips are for anyone looking to step up their game and create dance music that resonates. No fluff, no cheese, just straight-up advice to keep you on track.
1. Don’t Chase Trends, Set the Vibe
Trends come and go, but timeless music sticks. Instead of copying the latest chart-topper, focus on what makes your sound unique. Experiment with textures, grooves, and moods that feel authentic to you. Trust your instincts. If a groove feels good in a loop, it’ll probably hit in the club.
2. Collaborate with Intention
Working with others is a goldmine for creativity, but make sure your visions align. The best collabs happen when they are in the same headspace.
Lean into each other’s strengths and try to work remotely. One of you might be a drum wizard, while the other is killer with melodies, use that synergy to elevate the track.
3. Learn to Let Go
Perfectionism is the enemy of progress. Not every idea will be a banger, and that’s okay. The key is knowing when to move on. Finish the track to the best of your ability, test it live, and get feedback.
If it’s not hitting, let it go and start fresh.
4. Think Like a DJ When Arranging
Your arrangement should tell a story that DJs want to play. Build intros and outros that are mix-friendly, create breaks for dancers to breathe, and make your drops hit like they mean it.
Dont complicate your arrangements. Simplicity often wins. Ask yourself: Would I play this? Would it keep the floor moving? If the answer’s no, revise.
6. Master the Art of Mixing and Mastering
If you want to stand out as a producer, learning the ins and outs of mixing and mastering is the game-changer. When you know how to polish your own tracks, you’re not just relying on someone else to make it shine—you’re in full control of your sound. Study reference tracks, invest in quality monitors or headphones, and understand the relationship between frequencies. Mixing and mastering are lifelong skills that will level up not just your tracks but your entire approach to music.
Overal, focus on consistency, build relationships, and never stop learning. Dance music thrives on passion and authenticity, so stay true to your sound and don’t forget to have fun along the way.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
