Andy Tomlinson / YANT.

YANT is a Manchester-based techno DJ and producer, he studied Sound Engineering & Design at Spirit Studios and graduated in 2019. Since first discovering electronic music as a teenager, he has built an international reputation for his atmospheric and hypnotic techno sound, performing at world-renowned clubs including Berghain and Bassiani. YANT continues to shape his sound while also teaching the next generation of producers.

In this interview, he reflects on his journey from bedroom producer to international DJ and shares his advice for current Spirit students.

What inspired you to get into the music industry?

Well, I started producing electronic music when I was about 15. I’ve always been intrigued by how things are created which led me into making music. I started out working my way around the different types of software and watching online tutorials. But after a couple of years, I really took an interest in the technical aspects of producing. I started to experiment more and look for important connections in the industry

What made you choose to study in Manchester?

I’ve always loved Manchester since coming here as a kid, shopping with my parents, walking up Market Street. It’s always been special to me and felt like such a big and exciting place with a huge music scene. 

I’m from a very small town but luckily I had some friends who were slightly older than us who were running music events in my area. I always wanted to see a lot of the artists that were from Manchester so that’s inspired me to want  to move here and obviously I chose Spirit Studios for its music history.

Looking back at your time at Spirit Studios, what did you enjoy the most about it?

I think for me, it was a lot of the connections, people and friends I met and engaged with, from a lot of different walks of life. But also, doing a lot of the projects which maybe you wouldn’t get to experience otherwise just from home. 

I came from just producing in my bedroom whereas here there is a lot of equipment, a lot of opportunity, to be able to record bands live, or visit real studios or work with amazing industry standard equipment and to be shown by some of the best in the business. It was really amazing.

What’s your favourite venue to play in Manchester and why?

Some of my favourite venues I have played in Manchester have to be The DBA and also White Hotel. They’re both very special to me and I always have so much fun playing them.

What’s a standout moment in your career so far?

My standout moments have to be playing in berghain and bassiani. I played the closing set in Bassiani last year (2024) and the sound quality there is something else. It was great to see the Georgians dancing on the dance floor as they are releasing from some politics that’s going on in their country at the moment, so that was great to experience. 

Are there any inspirations to your sound at the moment? 

There’s so many. I’m always listening to a lot of different music, not only from techno which is the prominent scene that I’m involved in but also a lot of drum and bass and jazz.

I would say Oscar Mulero and DVS1 are some of my biggest inspirations. DVS1 follows a loopy and minimalist style to build an atmosphere which I really love. Every time I see him he continues to amaze me. Luckily, I had the chance to have a quick chat with him in Spacehall Record store during a trip to Berlin.

I’d also say Ed Rush & Optical’s Wormhole Album is still to this day one of my favourite drum & bass albums because of its raw, creepy and distorted analogue sound. As far as production goes, I’d say the sci-fi sound Luke Slater creates has really influenced my sound. I’m yet to hear one of his tracks that hasn’t gone down as a Techno classic.

What advice do you have for first years at Spirit Studios?

I would definitely make the most out of the access to the equipment here. When you leave Spirit you realise how much access you have to such amazing facilities and it’s definitely something that you will regret when you leave if you don’t take full advantage of that. Use the equipment as much as possible and really get an understanding of how you can use them in your productions by the time that  you leave.

Where can we find out more about you and your work?

You can check me out on my socials at @Yant_dj.

Check out my releases and mixes on Soundcloud and Audius.