Berlin-based DJ and producer Tetractys (born Athanasios Sakellaris, originally from Lamia, Greece) has been a staple of the underground electronic scene for years. With residencies at hotspots like Hoppetosse, Mein Haus am See, and Cosmic Kaspar, his signature style features hypnotic melodies, intricate rhythms, and cinematic sound design.
Drawing from Berlin’s raw club energy, Tetractys’ music seamlessly fuses nostalgia with innovation. Spanning genres from techno and tech-house to melodic techno, trance, and progressive house, he is celebrated for crafting emotional, groove-driven soundscapes—warm, immersive journeys that linger long after the drop.
We caught up with him after the release of his latest track “What Do You Feel”, which dropped 8 August 2025.
1. Your sound blends vintage techno elements with modern production techniques. How do you balance nostalgia with innovation in your music?
I’ve always been fascinated by the raw energy of early techno—there’s something timeless in those analog synths, gritty drum machines, and lo-fi textures. But I don’t want to recreate the past. I use those elements as a foundation and then manipulate them with modern production—layering granular textures, automation, and unconventional sound design. It’s a balance between memory and movement, keeping the soul of classic techno alive while pushing it into new emotional territory.
2. Tracks like “Broken” and “The Beast Inside” showcase emotional depth as well as rhythmic intensity. What emotions or experiences inspire your darker or more introspective productions?
Those tracks come from real moments—loss, isolation, inner conflict. I don’t sit down thinking “I’m going to write a dark track”; it’s more like an emotional release. Music is where I process things I can’t always explain in words. Sometimes it’s anxiety, sometimes it’s that hollow silence after a long night. I think people connect with that honesty—techno can be physical, but it can also be deeply personal.
3. How has moving from Lamia, Greece to Potsdam, Germany influenced your creative process or approach to making techno?
Greece gave me emotion—sunlight, melancholy, a sense of longing. Germany gave me structure—discipline, minimalism, and access to a community that lives and breathes electronic music. In Potsdam, and being so close to Berlin, I’ve been exposed to a deeper, more experimental side of techno. The move definitely sharpened my focus. I work faster, more intentionally, and I’m constantly inspired by the sounds and energy here.
4. You’ve released a number of standout tracks in 2025—how do you keep your sound evolving while maintaining your signature style?
I focus on evolving textures and moods while staying rooted in certain key elements—like my drum programming style or use of atmospheric layers. I’m always exploring new plugins, modular tools, and mixing techniques, but I don’t chase trends. My signature isn’t just a sound; it’s a feeling. As long as the music still feels like “me,” I let it grow organically.
5. Can you walk us through your production workflow—from initial idea to final master? What tools or techniques are essential to your process?
I usually start with a mood—a drone, a field recording, or even a movie scene. Then I build a rhythm section around that. I use Ableton Live as my main DAW, and I rely heavily on plugins like Diva, Valhalla Reverb, and Soundtoys. Once the structure is there, I’ll start layering atmospheres and effects to create movement. Mixing and mastering I handle myself for now—I like having control over the final energy of the track.
6. Many of your tracks, like “MOON” and “Drops,” feel both hypnotic and cinematic. Do visual ideas or imagery play a role in your production?
Always. I see sound in shapes and colors. Sometimes I’ll score an imaginary scene in my head, or watch abstract visuals on loop while I build a track. “MOON” was literally inspired by footage of lunar landscapes. For me, techno isn’t just about sound—it’s about space, atmosphere, and tension. Visuals help guide that.
7. Techno is often described as repetitive, yet your tracks are deeply textured and dynamic. How do you keep listeners engaged without losing that hypnotic quality?
It’s all about subtle movement. I use automation, evolving delays, and micro-changes in rhythm to keep things alive beneath the surface. Repetition builds trance—but texture brings emotion. Even a one-bar loop can feel alive if you treat it like a living organism, constantly breathing and shifting.
8. With a growing international following, how do you approach live performances? Do you adapt your sets depending on the venue or crowd energy?
Absolutely. I never play the same set twice. I come prepared with a structure, but I read the room and shift accordingly. A warehouse in Berlin is not the same as a festival stage in Italy or a small club in Athens. I want the crowd to feel seen, not just entertained. Energy is everything—it’s a conversation, not a script.
9. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to aspiring producers who are trying to develop a distinctive voice in techno?
Don’t rush to sound like everyone else. Spend time figuring out why you want to make music, not just how. Try everything, fail often, and trust your instincts. The most original voices come from people who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable in their sound.
10. Your upcoming release “What Do You Feel” dropped recently on UFO Recordz—can you tell us about the inspiration or story behind this track?
“What Do You Feel” is about disconnection and the search for meaning in overstimulated times. I used distorted vocals that almost sound like a question being lost in noise. The track builds slowly, like a wave of suppressed emotion rising to the surface. It’s one of my most personal releases—it came from a late-night moment of reflection and uncertainty.
11. How does “What Do You Feel” differ from your previous releases in terms of sound design or emotional tone?
It’s more restrained, more minimal in some ways—but also heavier emotionally. I focused a lot on negative space, letting the silence between the beats carry as much weight as the sound itself. Sonically, it uses more granular textures and fewer melodic elements. It’s raw, introspective, and maybe more vulnerable than my past tracks.
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