Ornery: "I start with a feeling, and let the music take me where it wants"

Redaction
2 days ago
3 min read

Ornery is a multi-faceted artist based in Berlin: producer, DJ, sound engineer, and one half of the live techno duo SPHR. His style blends dark, emotional, and intense sounds, drawing inspiration from the full spectrum of electronic music. Following the success of his debut EP "Evolution", he has released a steady stream of originals and remixes on labels like Aesthetika, Dear Deer, Stellar Fountain, Sync Forward, and more. Known for his atmospheric and emotionally charged sets, he has performed in some of Berlin’s most iconic clubs, as well as in cities like London, Ibiza, Miami, and Barcelona. Through his labels Audere and Daydreaming, he curates and supports a distinct sonic vision while championing like-minded talent. More than just a DJ, Ornery is a sonic explorer—his music is a journey through groove and introspection, made to forge real connections on and off the dancefloor.

Your new single "The Space In Between" stands out for its emotional depth and immersive textures. What inspired this track, and what kind of story or feeling were you aiming to convey through it?

The track was mostly inspired by what became the title — that moment of emotional suspension, a sort of uncertain place between clarity and confusion. I was interested in exploring that space, rather than resolving it. The track went through a few different iterations — it was probably more upfront at first, but it gradually shifted into something more subtle and layered. That felt more in line with the mood I wanted to capture.

Emotion seems to play a central role in your productions. When starting a new track, do you begin from a specific feeling or concept, or does the mood emerge during the process?

Generally, yes, I usually start from a feeling, sometimes a specific concept. It can be an atmosphere or evolving sound, a simple riff, or even a new instrument I’m exploring: that usually gives me a starting point that evokes a feeling, and guides me through the whole process. That said, the mood can definitely shift as the track evolves. Sometimes the initial idea takes me somewhere completely different, and I just follow where it naturally wants to go.

You’ve released music on a wide range of labels and curated your own. How do you decide what fits where? Is there a difference in mindset when producing for Daydreaming versus external labels?

As far as musical mindset, I don’t think there is a huge difference, at least not at the moment. I try to create with an open mind, judge what I have with the ears of a listener, and then decide what fits where. This is actually the first solo track I’ve released on Daydreaming — until now, I had reserved the label mostly for collaborations with other artists, as well as discovering and signing music from around the world.

The line between club-oriented tracks and more introspective, melodic productions is something you navigate well. Do you consciously shift between these worlds, or is it more of a natural blend for you?

It’s more of a natural blend for me. I’ve been trying to be a bit more intentional in my productions — thinking more about structure or purpose from the start — but the line between club-oriented tracks and more introspective, melodic ones often gets blurry. Sometimes a track starts with a groove meant for the dancefloor and ends up becoming something more emotional, or the other way around. I try not to force it too much and just follow where the idea leads.

How do you see the evolution of melodic and deep techno today? Are there trends you find exciting, or perhaps directions you'd like the scene to move toward?

The current melodic sound is quite codified and instantly recognizable — it’s reached a level of popularity we hadn’t seen before, and has maintained it for quite some time now. Overall, I believe that’s a positive thing, as it helps the music reach more people.

That said, while I do keep an eye on what’s happening, I’ve never really followed trends too closely. I really focus on developing my craft, shaping every sound, and letting instincts guide the process. Personally, looking ahead, I definitely see myself moving more into the live space and bringing in more influences from outside electronic music.