Basel-based DJ and producer Teocino recently released his two-track EP, ‘Kodada’, on Kuukou Records. After launching his professional career in 2024, he has performed at local venues such as Nordstern and Viertel Klub, playing closing sets alongside international artists like Maddix and Nils Hoffmann. Known for an energetic style that bridges trance and techno, this latest project marks a clear step forward in his discography.
Today, we catch up with Teocino to discuss the production process, his experience testing the tracks live and his future creative direction.
Hi Teocino, how are you doing today? How does it feel to finally have ‘Kodada’ out in the world?
I’m doing great, thank you. It feels amazing to finally have ‘Kodada’ out in the world. This project has been with me for quite a long time, especially the title track, which I started around a year ago. There were moments when I thought it was finished, but I kept going back to it because I knew it could be better. After spending so much time refining every detail, it’s very rewarding to finally share it with listeners and see people connecting with it.
The EP carries the title ‘Kodada’. Can you tell us about the meaning behind the name and why it felt like the right fit for this project?
The title actually came from one of the vocal chops in the track. Every time I listened to it, it sounded like it was saying ‘Kodada.’ It wasn’t something I planned from the beginning, but the more I worked on the track, the more the name stuck with me. Since ‘Kodada’ became the foundation of the EP and the first track I started working on, naming the whole project after it felt like the perfect fit.
Across these two tracks, what was the overall feeling or energy you wanted listeners to experience?
With both tracks, I wanted to create a powerful peak-time energy that works on big sound systems and crowded dancefloors. My sound sits somewhere between trance and techno, so the goal was to combine the emotional and uplifting elements of trance with the driving power and intensity of techno. I wanted listeners to feel both the energy and the emotion, whether they’re hearing the tracks in a club or through their headphones.
Can you walk us through the production process behind the EP? Which track came first, and how did the second evolve alongside it?
‘Kodada’ came first and really laid the foundation for the entire EP. I started it about a year ago and went through several versions before arriving at the final result. There were times when I stepped away from the track because I wasn’t fully satisfied with it, but every time I came back, I found new ways to improve it.
‘Techno Knocking at the Door’ came later and developed more quickly. By that point, I had a much clearer vision of the sound I wanted to achieve. While both tracks have their own character, they share the same energy and represent the direction I’m moving towards as an artist.
Was there a particular moment during the creation of the EP when you felt the project truly started to take shape?
I think that moment came when I started testing ‘Kodada’ in clubs. You can spend countless hours working on a track in the studio, but hearing it on a proper sound system in front of a crowd is a completely different experience. The first time I played it was after a set by Maddix, and the reaction was very positive. Seeing people connect with the track gave me confidence that I was heading in the right direction and helped confirm the direction of the EP.
What was the most enjoyable or rewarding part of bringing these tracks together?
For me, the most rewarding part was seeing how people responded to the music. As producers, we spend so much time working alone in the studio, so hearing a crowd react to something you’ve created is always a special feeling. Seeing the energy on the dancefloor and watching people connect with the tracks made all the hard work worthwhile.
Every release teaches something new. Did working on ‘Kodada’ reveal anything about your creative process or artistic identity that you hadn’t recognised before?
Definitely. This EP taught me the importance of trusting my instincts and being patient with the creative process. ‘Kodada’ went through many different stages before reaching its final form, and that reminded me that sometimes the best results come from taking your time and allowing ideas to develop naturally. It also confirmed that the trance and techno sound is where I feel most creatively connected at this stage of my journey.
Do you tend to test ideas or tracks in your DJ sets before releasing them? If so, did any crowd reactions or early feedback influence the final versions of these records?
Absolutely. Testing tracks in clubs is a very important part of my process. As both a DJ and producer, I believe there’s no better way to understand how a track works than by playing it in front of a crowd. The first reactions to ‘Kodada’ were very positive, and that gave me confidence in the direction I was taking. While I always trust my own vision, seeing people connect with the music helps confirm that the track is ready for release.
Your sound continues to develop with each release. Where do you feel ‘Kodada’ sits within your wider musical journey, and what aspects of the EP best reflect your growth as a producer?
I see ‘Kodada’ as the beginning of a new chapter. These are my first techno-focused releases and they represent a shift towards the sound that feels most authentic to me right now. My motto is “Trance Meets Techno,” and I think this EP captures that perfectly. Compared to my previous releases, there’s a stronger focus on creating powerful moments, bigger energy and a sound that is designed specifically for peak-time dancefloors.
Looking ahead, what are the next goals or milestones you’re working towards, both creatively and professionally?
Right now, my main focus is continuing to build on this new direction. I have a lot of unreleased music ready, and I’m excited to keep sharing it with the world. Creatively, I want to keep exploring the space where trance and techno meet and continue refining my identity as both a DJ and producer. Professionally, my goal is to release more music, reach new audiences and continue bringing my sound to bigger stages and dancefloors around the world.
With ‘Kodada’, Teocino provides a glimpse into his current sonic direction: combining trance and techno elements, he remains focused on honing his signature style and carving an original identity on the scene. By balancing studio work with live club testing, he ensures his music remains geared for the dancefloor, ready to bring energy with its powerful arrangements and contemporary production. As he prepares for the next steps, readying a steady lineup of releases, Teocino‘s journey continues to evolve, so be sure to stay updated on his future projects and performances by following him across social media.
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