Distortion Ø
Friday 6 June 2025
Copenhagen-based talent Denis Horvat is making waves in the underground music industry, with his melodic signature sound. A self-taught producer with a quite simple musical background as a drummer, Denis has to put himself on the map, with releases on Innervisions, Afterlife and Diynamic.
Born to Croatian parents in Frederiksvaerk, a small village 60km north west of Copenhagen, Denis grew up on a musical education of his Dad’s 80s records, with favorites including Depeche Mode, Billy Idol, Blondie and Kiss. At just 10 years old, his cousin introduced him to The Prodigy, starting a long-term love affair with electronic music that hasn’t subsided since.
Denis’ studio set up is stacked with analogue gear, resulting in what he describes as the “synthesizer techno” he makes. As a skilled remixer, his rework of WhoMadeWho’s “Dynasty” became a staple on dancefloors worldwide.
While production was his primary focus in the early years, Denis has quickly made his mark as a DJ. Focusing on detailed tracks, with selections that weave a tapestry from start to finish, his sets have resulted in Horvat now regularly sharing the bill with some of the world’s most revered selectors, including the likes of Âme, Dixon and Maceo Plex.
