Martijn Helle
Tempted Audio since 1995
Listening, selecting, mixing and collecting music is in me.
Every addition to the collection adds to an ever expanding mosiac of sound.
My Signature Sound and Building a Vinyl Collection.
-1995 First glimpse
It’s here, in the mid-nineties, that a lifelong connection to electronic music begins. Late nights and early mornings at Club Roxy and MTC parties form the foundation..
1996–1999: Mills, Young, Broom and Craig
I make frequent visits to London’s Fat Cat Records, where I discover the sound of artists like James Ruskin and Oliver Ho of Blueprint Records, as well as key figures from Birmingham’s techno scene: Regis of Downwards Records and Surgeon of Dynamic Tension. Records from Adam Beyer’s Drumcode label, especially the early works by Cari Lekebusch, are important discoveries during this period.
These sounds heavily influence my early DJ sets. I begin playing club gigs, opening sets for none other than Jeff Mills, Claude Young, Mark Broom and Carl Craig.
2000–2002: Rush Hour Education
I work at the freshly opened Rush Hour record store in Amsterdam. This is where I’m introduced to the deeper, more elegant sound of techno and house. Hours and hours of listening to a wide range of music in the shop sharpen my ears. My record collection grows substantially, with labels like Environ, Sound Signature, KDJ, Planet E, Headspace and Peacefrog. All to this day, landmark labels for a reason.
2003–2009: Berlin to Antwerp
I find myself heavily drawn to the Berlin sound emerging at the time. Producers like Steve Bug, Tiefschwarz, Henrik Schwarz and Âme open up a whole new spectrum with a stripped-back blend of techno, deeper house and modern sound design. A personal highlight is being invited to play at Antwerp’s Café d’Anvers 10-year anniversary party.
2010–2022: Sound Beyond the Booth
My focus gradually shifts from DJ gigs towards building a career in sound design for motion pictures. While continuing to collect jazz records, I open my own sound studio, creating a space for sound, picture and creation. To this day, the studio mixes and masters many feature films and documentaries each year.
2026: Loos Amsterdam a New Beginning
The focus returns to the dancefloor. Sharing music, feeling the room, and building sets that move with patience and intent. Moving freely between a broad spectrum of house and techno, the approach remains rooted in instinct, curiosity and flow. Vinyl remains at the core. A physical and deliberate way of playing, where selection and timing come together in the moment. Always searching, always listening. Carrying forward the same energy that started it all.