Arizona-based DJ and producer Braydon Terzo is making a huge impact in the US deep tech scene, and he stopped by to talk about upcoming shows and his future plans.
Braydon Terzo has been on a roll lately with standout releases and playing shows all around the US and Europe in a relatively short period of time. Born in California and now based in Phoenix, he is, like fellow rising deep tech artists Gio Lucca and Anatta, one of the up-and-comers to watch coming out of Arizona, and one thing has been made clear—this 25-year-old is certainly putting the work in.
Four years into producing, his sound is deep, groovy, and minimal, with glitchy percussions and big boomy kick drums at the forefront. Releases from Braydon Terzo have landed on labels like Nervous Records, Sosa‘s COCO, and MÜSE, with support from artists like Chris Lake, Cloonee, Chris Stussy, and Mau P along the way. Most recently, he found a home on Ilario Alicante’s Sound D’Elite with his two-track Keep It Real EP. Not to mention that he’s teased on social media that a release on the Romanian label Take Notes is on the horizon.
Looking to gain some added insight into his career, we caught up with Braydon Terzo to dive into how he got started, who his influences have been, and his new label, Roots Recordings. Be sure to check out his exclusive mix and read on for the full conversation.
Stream EDMID Guest Mix 481 || Braydon Terzo on SoundCloud:
Hey, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump into it! Can you introduce yourself and tell us where you’re based and how you got started producing house music?
What’s up! My name is Braydon Terzo. I’m currently based in Arizona. I started producing house music seriously back in 2021. I got into this style of music my freshman year of college, after my roommates invited me to an electronic music festival here in Phoenix called Goldrush. After being exposed to house music there and experiencing the scene, I instantly knew this was something I wanted to be part of.
Who has been influencing or inspiring you lately? I know Chris Lake is a big inspiration of yours.
Yes, Chris Lake was actually the first house set I ever saw at that festival I went to. His sound design and ability to innovate are something that have always inspired me. A year or two later, he actually started playing out one of my first-ever releases, called “Dale.” Seeing that person who originally exposed you to the genre play your music is an indescribable feeling. Lately, honestly, I have been really inspired by the Maccabi House guys—I feel like they combine electro elements with minimal tech flawlessly. This is something I also have been trying to do within my own production.
Phoenix isn’t traditionally known as a major dance music hub. What’s the underground scene like there?
Our scene in Phoenix is vibrant, constantly evolving, and growing. There are many sound influences here, and I can definitely see it being one of the big players in the next few years to come. Every year, we are getting more and more big Euro house guys touring here, and it is amazing seeing the club scene grow and accept this sound.
You have a new EP out on Sound D’Elite, the Keep It Real EP. How did that come about? How was it working with Ilario Alicante and team?
It’s been really sick. I saw Illario a few years back at Club Space, and since then, I have been sending him pretty relentlessly. His DJ style is very unique, and I have always loved his selection. It’s a dream to now have support from him on his label, as I consider him a long-standing legend in our genre.
The EP really came about by just making some tracks in my bedroom studio that I thought sounded dope and reflected my style. I made Keep It Real directly before Miami Music Week this year and sent it to Sound D’Elite, and eventually got to meet Ilario at one of his shows there. After connecting at music week, his team reached out to say they wanted to sign the tracks, and I was ecstatic.
You’ve also released on some major underground labels like Nervous Records, COCO, and MÜSE. How did you build those relationships and break into the European scene as an American artist?
I think staying consistent with sending demos while staying true to your sound is really the most important factor, regardless of where you are from or based. Labels respect consistency with sends, even if you are getting rejected back-to-back. I know I sent at least 20 tracks to SOSA before I eventually got a yes from the COCO team. Breaking in isn’t easy, but it is the most rewarding thing ever to finally hit a platform you have been trying for.
Earlier this year, you launched Roots Recordings. What motivated you to start your own label, and what’s your vision for it?
Roots has been an idea I’ve been working towards almost since I first started producing. I chose the name Roots because just as the roots of plants are physically underground, underground house music is my passion for the label’s sound. I have always had the desire to build a platform and community beyond my personal project that other producers, I believe in, could be a part of. My vision for the label is to use it as a creative outlet for myself and others to push out tracks that are set staples for me and, eventually, down the road, organize my own events.
I saw that you have a show during ADE. How excited are you for that? Are you preparing for that at all?
It’s hard to put into words how excited I am for this – it’s going to be my first time ever going to Europe, and I feel super lucky to be able to play there at both Crane Sessions and 1001Tracklists Future Of Dance mixer. Having the opportunity to showcase my sound in another country is a crazy feeling while also being recognized as one of the top new producers of the year. I’m wrapping up a bunch of new ones that I cannot wait to test out for everyone.
Besides this show, is there anything else that you are looking forward to that you can tell us about? Maybe a new release or another show coming soon.
Yeah, I have a couple more big releases coming before the year is up on some other Euro labels that I have been trying to hit for a while. I’m working with a great team to get a big sample cleared on one of my most requested IDs, keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out there. I’m also playing a massive sold-out show with Matroda in LA in December, which will be the biggest crowd I’ve ever played for. Lots of things on the label side in the works for Q1 2026 as well that I am excited to share. Cheers, guys, and thanks for having me!
