Losless, a former rock guitarist turned electronic music innovator, has carved out a distinct niche in the global dance music scene. His “Techno Spectrum” approach breaks free from genre constraints, blending techno, electro, and makina to create an electrifying sonic experience.
Photo credit: Losless – Official
Through releases on labels like Siamese, Upperground, and Habitat, Losless has established himself as a forward-thinking producer who values artistic authenticity over conformity.
Based in Lisbon, where he crafts his productions, Losless has gained recognition from top DJs for his boundary-pushing sound and spontaneous creative approach. His tracks, composed in focused 2-3 day bursts of inspiration, embody his belief that authentic artistic expression can’t be forced.
EG caught up with Losless in his studio to discuss his artistic journey, upcoming releases, and his perspective on the evolving electronic music landscape.
EG: Hi, Ben! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Losless: Thank you so much, the pleasure is mine. I’m doing very well. I’m currently in my studio in Lisbon, getting ready to dive into a mixing session for my upcoming releases and preparing my sets for this weekend’s gig.
EG: First of all, thank you for your contribution to our EG Podcast. We really enjoyed the mix. What can fans of the series expect to find in this delivery? Is there a theme or concept behind the mix?
Losless: I approached this podcast in the same way I approach a gig. For me, playing on stage or in a club is an opportunity to show who I am today and where I stand musically at this moment in time.
EG: By the way, we’ve noticed the mix features a nice number of IDs. Is there anything you can reveal about them? Will any of these see the light of day soon?
Losless: That’s right! I included a few of my IDs, and all of them will be released in 2025. I also added a lot of edits of tracks I love, which I’ve reworked into my own versions. Actually, you’ll only hear those in my sets during my upcoming gigs. Editing tracks is something that I do a lot preparing for my sets – if I like a certain element or part of a track, I get inspired to play along with it to incorporate it later on stage.
EG: Speaking of releases, you seem to be very selective about which labels and brands you work with. Has it always been this way? How important is it to you to tell your story on your own terms?
Losless: Yes, I try to maintain as much control as possible over the collaborations I engage in. However, I don’t make these choices solely for strategic reasons—I also let the music guide me. If I believe in a musical project or artistic direction, that’s the most important factor for me, and it’s the number one reason I commit to something. That applies to remixes, collaborations in general, and label opportunities.
“Playing on stage or in a club is an opportunity to show who I am today and where I stand musically at this moment in time”
EG: How would you describe your sound today? Are you making the kind of music you thought you would when you started?
Losless: When it comes to my sound, I draw inspiration from all the music I listen to and have listened to. I don’t limit myself to any specific style, and maybe that’s why my tracks sound so different from one another. I don’t set any artistic goals—I just do what I feel like doing. Sometimes it sounds like techno, sometimes like electro, or even makina.
I started feeling happy with my creative process the moment I stopped trying to find coherence between my tracks. I don’t think you could call my music pure techno, melodic techno, or indie dance. The only common thread might be the energy they carry and perhaps a certain sonic signature. I like to call it “Techno Spectrum” (which is also the name of my curated playlist on Spotify).
EG: Can you tell us about your origins? What were your first interactions with electronic dance music like? What led you to DJing and producing?
Losless: I started as a guitarist, playing mostly in the rock scene. I remember my older sister introducing me to electronic music almost 20 years ago. At the time, she was part of the free party movement, and one day she brought home turntables and a crate of hard techno vinyl. That’s how I started DJing. Later, I played my first hard techno live sets on hardware machines, and it was only later that I began using computers to take things further.
EG: As someone who started as an instrumentalist and moved into electronic production, what techniques or creative habits do you rely on to keep your process fresh and avoid creative block?
Losless: My main guiding principle is that I never force myself to produce music. I’ve done it in the past, being hard on myself, but now, if I’m not feeling it, I don’t go to the studio. I’ve also realized that if I spend too much time on a track, it’s usually not a good sign. Ever since I started following this rule, I’ve been finishing my tracks in 2 or 3 days. Everything feels more spontaneous, feels right and that’s exactly what I’m aiming for.
EG: Let’s tackle a hot topic: What’s your take on the current state of the scene? Is social media too intertwined with an artist’s success? What’s your personal relationship with social media? Are we focusing on the wrong things?
Losless: The scene is evolving, and it always will. I’m not one to criticize change. It’s true that social media has taken on a big role in techno, which used to be more underground and niche. There are both positives and negatives to this.
Honestly, I’m not sure I could do this job today if social media didn’t exist—I have to admit that. Like everyone, I’ve questioned seeing a sea of phones filming a giant screen. But at the same time, I’m the first to want footage of my performances in clubs. It all contributes to the visibility of smaller artists, and it’s up to the audience to take an interest in them.
My relationship with social media is pretty healthy, I don’t spend too much time on it. For me, it’s just a platform to showcase my work and develop my identity. I’m careful about it, for sure, and outside of gigs, it’s the only place where I can show my work, who I am, where I stand, and where I’m headed.
I also strive to control the image of my project as much as possible. We work in a field heavily influenced by social media and other platforms, which often push us to fit into predefined molds to reach a wider audience. For me, there’s nothing worse than conforming to something in art. I believe it’s by standing out that we move forward.
“I don’t set any artistic goals—I just do what I feel like doing”
EG: And what about the massive screens? Are we becoming too reliant on them to aid the narrative? Or do you believe they enhance the overall experience?
Losless: I’m not necessarily against giant screens. I like the idea of visuals accompanying music, but I don’t like being spoon-fed and told what to think while listening. I believe the audience should always play a role in completing the work with their own imagination. That’s my vision, at least. If the visuals do all the thinking for me, I feel like something is lost. This concept applies to all forms of art, I think. I’m a big fan of imagery, and cinema in general and I hope that one day I’ll get the opportunity and means to join both worlds.
EG: You’ve released music on notable labels like Siamese, Upperground, and Habitat. How do you decide which label is right for a particular track, and what role do these partnerships play in your creative journey?
Losless: To be honest, I never think of labels while producing music. I’ve done it in the past, and I think it held me back in a way—it imposed limits not to cross. My main objective is to create music that I like, and that excites me. I’m thinking more about what it provokes on a dancefloor. Questions about labels come later.
EG: Your discography spans multiple genres, and you’ve mentioned you don’t limit yourself to a single style. How do you keep pushing your sonic boundaries, and are there any particular artists or records that have shaped your evolving sound?
Losless: It’s hard for me to name just one artist who has influenced me. I’m interested in so many different genres of music—not just electronic—that my sound is probably a mix of all kinds of influences I listen to. Whether it’s techno, drum’n’bass, breakbeat, metal, classical music, or psytrance, I try to let my ideas flow as spontaneously as possible while aiming to avoid the obvious.
EG: Finally, what can we expect from Losless in the coming months? Where can fans catch you next?
Losless: The next few months are packed with gigs all around the world. I’d encourage everyone to follow me on social media to stay updated. On the music side, several releases are coming soon. In January, I’m dropping an edit I did for Arude and Sincz called ‘Humanity’, which you can already hear in the podcast. More releases are on the way, including my second collaboration with ARTBAT and several EPs.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Benjamin! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Losless: Thank you so much for having me and for your trust. I wish you all the best as well!
Losless ‘In & Out’ is now available on Upperground. Stream and download here.
Follow Losless: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook
