La musique de cet hibou nocturne trouve ses racines plantées dans les contrées et chemins de traverse de la tech-house. Un style qu'il forge patiemment depuis plusieurs années et qui l'a porté aux côtés des plus grands, j'ai nommé Miss Kittin et Solomun, jusqu'aux scènes des grands festivals suisses, du Montreux Jazz à Festineuch, et finalement jusqu'au studio pour un nouvel opus qu'il sortira cette année. Affaire à suivre de toute évidence…

These days being an artist within the modern forms of Techno, Minimal and House music doesn't necessarily mean that you must remain exclusive only to the underground sphere. Forgetting the cliches that all music is universal, having knowledge through learning of another genre outside the electronic circle can only mean enriching one's skill and ability, both as a DJ and a Producer.

For James McHale, this was exactly the reason and the path he sought growing up in his youth. Encouraged by parents who saw the benefits in this, he enlisted in his school's Jazz group and began an exploration in expression that would continue on for several years, firmly grounding a base in music culture that would continue well into his adult life.

A local of the capital city Bern, it was here where he took an interest in the flourishing Techno scene, who's new sounds and atmospheres coupled with analog drums brought about a new curiosity and a desire to further understand this new concept. It wouldn't be long before he would be off spinning across all the cantons and over to London and Ibiza as a touring DJ. To him the future was already set into motion.

To date James has shared the decks with the very best acts currently working in the electronic scene, and as well as exploring the studio as a producer, he is currently the latest resident of prolific event organiser Sunday Breakfast Zurich, where he is bringing his sound to the collective and helping to shape the next generation of underground Swiss artists.

Although originally from Chile Claudia Ayala aka Masaya has been based in Switzerland from the tender age of two. She spent her childhood and formative years in Lausanne immersing herself in it's rich culture and eventually music. The captivating Swiss club scene had her hooked from the age of fifteen, from Zurich to Geneva the mesmerising world of dance music was the spark that lit the musical bonfire. After an eye-opening experience in a DJ competition, and some inspiring words from a panel member (Paul Oakenfold) she locked down a residency in the legendary Lausanne venue D! Club.

For twelve years she honed her abilities in the famous institution, developing a keen sense for reading the room and picking the right record at exactly the right time. Whether she's playing indoors or out, nighttime or daytime, Claudia's multi-dimensional approach to DJ'ing and reading the crowd is unquestionable - a true master of her craft.

Outside of her touring schedule she runs a regular show 'Atakama' on Switzerland's biggest radio station, Coleur 3, meandering through the multifaceted realms of music featuring anything and everything from hip hop to electro-pop through to brooding techno or beautifully ethereal house.

2005 saw her focus turned to the studio itself with a string of vibrant releases on labels such as NUM, Perspectiv and of course from 2008 her very own Mina Records. Mina means 'pretty girl' in her native tongue and is a slick nod to her intentions and creative path intended for the ever-impressive imprint. She explains "I wanted to nourish the feminine touch in music, be it produced by a man or a woman, and sustain the music I love by choosing and proposing it to others". Tribal vibes, hypnotic voices, seductive atmospheres - these are all things you can expect to hear on Mina Records. Among some of the artists she has signed are Swiss talents like Ripperton, Agnes and Chaton, as well as international producers like Petar Dundov, Trickski, Pawas, Agaric or Sei A.

The name Masaya is itself a play on words; Claudia's last name, Ayala rings similar to 'mas alla', meaning 'further' in Spanish and if her past accomplishments, in the studio and out, are anything to go by, she'll be going just that in 2016 and beyond.

Kun: sound/people/philosophy

Kun is sound: a blend of what house and techno music has best to offer, rooted in the tradition of digital art, IDM and g33k culture. Kun brings together the finest of the electronic legacy with cutting-edge avant-garde material. Kun considers clubbing as a space for simplicity, shared value and enlightenment.

Kun is people: a multi-generational duo, defined both by experience and impulse, technology and freshness. Kun has no physical studio. Rather a studio built completely in the cloud. A place where imagination, gears both acoustic and virtual as well as immateriality can converge through musical design.

Kun is philosophy: both of Asian descent, Kun's members cherish their name for its meaning of equality and multiplicity. Instrumentalists, vocalists, producers and DJs, they see the dance floor as an open and limitless territory for dialogue, expression and ultimately inner-travel.