Varun Fernandes Explores Three Sides of House Music on Stronger EP

Goa-based producer Varun Fernandes has returned with Stronger, a three-track EP released October 23 through Pumproom Records that brings together several different sides of his production style. Moving from the deeper house influences of “Taken” into the progressive arrangements of “Surface” before finishing with the more club-oriented title track, the EP reflects Fernandes’ experience working across different areas of underground electronic music.

It also marks his debut on the Bengaluru-based label, adding to a catalog that already includes releases on Beatfreak Recordings, Movement Recordings, Balkan Connection, Zephyr Music, and JEE Productions.

Fernandes has been involved in Goa’s electronic music community for well over a decade, beginning his DJ career in 2010 before developing a parallel career producing music and programming events. His experience includes performing alongside John Digweed and Simon Dunmore, launching his Evolve events at Chronicle in 2015, and ongoing involvement in artist programming at venues across Goa.

Those responsibilities have put him in a position to select music, develop original productions, and help determine which artists perform in the local scene, giving him several perspectives on how electronic music functions in a club environment.

That experience is relevant to Stronger, particularly because the EP is organized around three different levels of intensity. “Taken” provides the deeper introduction, “Surface” develops the melodic and progressive direction, and “Stronger” closes with a more direct approach to melodic house and techno.

This approach reflects how DJs often structure longer sets, gradually introducing different elements as the music develops, while giving each track a specific role beyond the context of the full release.

From Goa’s Underground Clubs to International Record Labels

Fernandes began DJing in 2010 after developing an interest in underground electronic music during his teenage years. His early involvement with Goa’s club community included supporting the Together at Tito’s project, an initiative associated with Nikhil Chinapa that introduced underground house and techno to audiences within a setting primarily associated with the area’s nightlife and tourism. He subsequently shared lineups with John Digweed and Simon Dunmore, gaining experience alongside established international DJs while developing his own approach to selecting and performing music.

His transition into production followed that period of regular DJing, with an early release on The Purr Music titled “Chronicle,” inspired by the Goa venue where he held a winter residency. Subsequent releases on Balkan Connection and other independent labels introduced his music to a wider audience, with his productions often featuring detailed percussion programming, prominent basslines, and a mix of atmospheric and more direct club arrangements.

His catalog now spans progressive house, deep house, techno, and melodic electronic music, with individual releases reflecting the different styles he has explored throughout his career.

That mix of responsibilities is key to understanding his career.

Building a recognizable catalog requires time in the studio, but regular involvement with clubs and events also provides opportunities to understand how different records function during performances. In our interview with Selderv, we discussed how years of clubbing and developing DJ sets shaped his musical preferences, including an interest in progressive house arrangements and the relationship between melodic material and percussion. Fernandes has built his experience through a similar mix of production and regular involvement in underground events, though his work programming lineups gives him an added connection to the local community.

Stronger Marks Another Release for Varun Fernandes

Fernandes’ latest EP arrives after several years of activity across DJing, music production, and artist programming, with the three recordings reflecting the different musical styles he has incorporated into his work. The release maintains his interest in percussion and bass-driven house production while moving between deeper arrangements and music intended for higher-intensity club settings.

The timing also follows a productive period in his recording career, including the August 2026 release of “Qasbah” alongside Cafe De Anatolia, Akhlad Ahmed, and Ansick. His broader catalog now spans multiple independent labels, while his ongoing involvement in Goa’s nightlife continues to connect his original music with the artists and audiences in the city’s electronic scene.

For producers, one of the more interesting aspects of Stronger is the decision to organize the release around three related styles while maintaining a relatively consistent tempo. It demonstrates how changes in arrangement, instrumentation, and musical intensity can distinguish individual recordings without requiring substantial differences in speed, giving DJs options for incorporating the tracks at different points in a set.

Stronger is available now through Pumproom Records, with “Taken,” “Surface,” and “Stronger” available on Beatport and other major streaming and download platforms.