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London-based producer and DJ COHN has long occupied a distinctive space in the electronic music underground, blending classic dancefloor instincts with a flair for the unexpected. His latest release, Focus On Your Breath, feels like a crystallization of his approach—a set of three mixes (Italo, Acid, and Late) that reimagine the contours of house music through a lens that’s both nostalgic and forward-thinking. Each version feels like a time-stamped snapshot of club culture: the euphoric chaos of peak-time, the hypnotic sway of the late hours, and the meditative comedown that lingers in the morning light.
In this interview, COHN unpacks the serendipitous genesis of the release—a vocal sample unearthed during a meditation session—and the process of layering his eclectic influences into cohesive sonic moments. As he sets his sights on new collaborations with labels like Midnight People and his own Butter & Wine imprint, COHN reflects on the intricate balance of creativity, spontaneity, and discipline that keeps his music fresh and vital.
We’re very excited to be speaking today with rightly acclaimed London-based house music artist, producer and DJ extraordinaire COHN; holiday greetings and salutations COHN and welcome to Vents Magazine! Before we dive into the Q&A mosh-pit, how are the first weeks of 2025 finding you and yours?
The first weeks of January have been good for me, weird for the world I feel. I’m trying to focus on my own music and get some exciting stuff moving for 2025. You never know when inspiration will hit so I’m trying to stay ready and get some new Eps moving!
Major kudos and accolades on your freshly-minted new release Focus On Your Breath! Starting at the tip-top, can you talk about what inspired this absolutely amazing new gem of a ditty?
Thank you so much! It’s really all about finding that one element that ties everything together. For this track, the vocal sample was the foundation—it gave me the freedom to play around with different sounds while keeping everything connected. The Italo and acid bits bring the energy, and the progressive tech adds a smooth, hypnotic flow. I didn’t overthink it; I just went with what felt right and let the track come together naturally.
The sample itself actually came out of a meditation session. I wasn’t planning to do anything with it, but as soon as I heard it, it just made sense. It had this rhythm and tone that felt perfect. Once I had that, everything else—the groove, the layers—just fell into place. It was one of those rare moments where you instantly know you’ve found the soul of the track.
There are no less than three distinct interpretations of Focus On Your Breath; the Italo Mix, Acid Mix and the Late Mix. Can you walk readers through the different versions and what sets them apart from one another?
I envisioned this EP as a tribute to those “big nights” at a club or festival that we’ve all had, where you completely lose yourself in the flow and atmosphere of the party. Each track embodies a distinct moment of the night: the first sets the tone as a midnight warm-up, the second captures the energy of the peak hours, and the third delivers the vibe for the late-night warriors haha.
Listening to Focus On Your Breath, we can’t help but hear a wide array of influences mixed in with your own unique and indelible house sound; congrats! Can you talk about what some of your musical influences have been in life which may have served as jumping off-points creatively for the new single?
For this EP, I pulled a lot of influence from old drum machines and synths—like so many of us do—but I always try to push beyond the “traditional” house music styles once I’ve locked in the core idea. I like to experiment and mix in fresh ideas to keep things feeling dynamic and original. Interestingly, when I’m deep into finishing an EP, I actually avoid listening to house music altogether. It’s too easy for it to seep into my process, and I don’t want to lose the unique edge that makes my music stand out.
In the wake of the release of Focus On Your Breath, can fans look forward to catching you on the touring/performing circuit?
I’m trying to play more in Europe and hopefully get back to the US this year. I’m loving getting back into DJing and might even try to pull together some more vinyl sets for the heads. Watch this space.
Can you give us a hint or three as to what fans can look forward to from you musically in 2025?
There’s a lot coming up, but I’m especially excited about my upcoming EP with Midnight People. Beyond that, I’ll be releasing more music on my own Butter & Wine label in early 2025. Lately, I’ve been thinking about diving back into working with samples, especially blending them with heavier beats. It’s a direction I’ve played with before but haven’t explored in a while. Sampling is such a big part of dance music history, and even though it can be tricky when it comes to releases, I’ve always loved chopping things up and discovering those unique, unexpected sounds.
You’re based out of the United Kingdom. How do those particular stomping grounds inform you and the music which you create?
London is obviously a nonstop playground for music, with huge events to secret underground gatherings happening all the time. But for me, the actual inspo comes from the more tucked-away corners—the hidden record stores, the smaller DJs doing their thing, and those random, unfiltered conversations after a night out. The city’s mix of cultures and creative energy has definitely shaped how I approach music, but I find just as much inspiration exploring the underground scenes in other cities when I’m on the move.
Any final thoughts you might like to share with readers and fans alike regarding your beautiful new release of Focus On Your Breath?
I wrote the song for people to hear in the club and hopefully have a special moment with themselves, their breath, and their body. So I encourage people to play it out in clubs and parties and enjoy the amazing experience that dancing can bring. <3
