Joey Beltram

About

Also known as: Beltram, Joe Beltram, Joseph Peter Beltram

Joey Beltram essentially rewrote the rulebook for techno not once but twice before turning 21, a fact author Simon Reynolds put on record in his book Generation Ecstasy. His 1990 single "Energy Flash" and the 1991 track "Mentasm", released under the name Second Phase with co producer Mundo Muzique, are the two pillars his reputation rests on. "Mentasm" in particular unleashed what became known as the hoover sound, a churning, almost mournful synth riff that burrowed deep into rave culture and went on to be reused in thousands of records spanning techno, drum and bass, and hardcore. Daft Punk paid their respects by name dropping Beltram on "Teachers" from their 1997 debut Homework. Beyond those foundational tracks, Beltram kept a relentless pace through the 1990s and into the 2000s. His remix of Human Resource's "Dominator" cemented his connection to the Belgian techno scene, and he went on to release across labels including Warp, Tresor, Drumcode, and Harthouse. Albums like Places, Close Grind, and the 2004 release Rising Sun on Tresor show he was never content to coast on his early legend. He has also headlined major festivals including Awakenings, Coachella, and Mayday, keeping the dancefloor as central to his work as the studio.