CU Selects 03: Martron Rebuilds the Groove from the Ground Up

For the third edition of CU Selects, we dive into the evolution of Martron, a producer who traded the industrial shadows of New York for the expansive pulse of Los Angeles.

Originally a classically trained musician and composer, Martron’s journey hit a definitive turning point after a 2012 night at NYC’s Terminal 5. Watching a “stacked” lineup that included Tokimonsta, KOAN Sound, Skream & Benga, and Skrillex, the raw connection between the DJ and the dancefloor triggered a permanent shift in his career path. Since then, he has amassed over 3 million streams and support from industry heavyweights like Steve Aoki and ODESZA, yet his latest work signals a move away from the charts toward something far more visceral.

The transition to the West Coast hasn’t just changed Martron’s zip code; it has fundamentally altered his signal chain. While his earlier work flirted with big-room energy, his current output is defined by a fascination with “cold” Berlin aesthetics and UK Garage. For his CU Selects mix, Martron steps away from the mainstage to spotlight the “shadow” influences that drive his creative engine, proving that while his methods have matured, the passion remains as relentless as it was a decade ago.

Martron’s methodology is rooted in a balance between formal training and intuitive flow. Despite his background, he remains wary of letting theory dictate the soul of a track. Referring to the structural integrity of his recent work, like “By My Side,” he notes that his classical training manifests most clearly through his control of energy and structural arrangement.

“Nothing really dictates how I approach making music, I just go with the flow. If I had to identify those principles in ‘By My Side,’ I’d say the key things it thrives on are its dynamics and its structural arrangement. The way things are stacked and taken apart is make or break… knowing when to pull back and when to let loose.”

That understanding of energy was forged in the NYC electronic scene. Recalling that 2012 “lightbulb moment” at Terminal 5, Martron describes a feeling of unity that the concert hall simply couldn’t replicate. It was a special night where the music acted as a bridge between the crowd and the artists, creating an environment that felt “like being at home and dancing around” but shared with thousands of others.

This pursuit of connection faced its ultimate test in 2025. A total hard drive failure wiped a nearly finished EP, forcing a complete restart. Far from being a setback, the incident became the catalyst for his most authentic work to date. Under the pressure of reconstructing his identity, the “underground grit” that now defines his sound began to emerge. The Resurgence EP became a concept just weeks after the failure, with the track “Always” serving as an emotional catalyst.

“Resurgence came as a result of that hard drive failure… I had a different EP entirely I was working on since the summer of 2024 but after what happened to my laptop combined with what was going on personally at the time, I wanted to do something different. To me, whether you’re just starting out or massively famous, a solid work ethic and grit need to be in place.”

The move to Los Angeles further refined this evolution. While he treats the two cities as “different flavours,” the change in acoustics and environment allowed for a more consistent identification of issues within his production phases. It was in this sun-drenched setting that Martron found himself exploring the “cold” persistent aesthetic of techno – a genre he had never previously planned on writing. He approaches these sessions with “no game plan,” letting experimentation lead the way. “It’s like that quote about a box of chocolates,” he notes, “‘you never know what you’re gonna get.'”

Technically, Martron remains a purist regarding his rhythmic edits. Rejecting automated shortcuts, he manually splices his vocals to maintain a “groove’s soul.” He relies on Ableton’s stock plugins for color and transitions, while utilizing iZotope’s Nectar 3 for essential octave changes. This dedication to the craft is a form of authenticity that he believes is more radical than the “cool” detachment often seen in the underground. For Martron, being authentic – whether through raw emotion or drawing inspiration from video game design, like Shigeru Miyamoto’s Pikmin – is the highest form of artistic expression.

“Because being authentic and expressing raw emotions is what I consider ‘cool.’ Art requires some form of authenticity and raw emotion, whether you’re hidden or fully exposed… authenticity and raw emotion are my preference.”

This commitment to discovery is the driving force behind CU Selects 03. Rather than reaching for his chart-topping hits, Martron used the platform to highlight up-and-coming artists with followings as small as 700. The mix explores the “Yin and Yang” of his current convictions – the balance between the late-night euphoria of “Tonight” and the aggressive, grounding reality of “The Truth,” which he views as the “anchor that brings you back down when your head is in the clouds.”

As he moves forward, Martron refuses to be pinned to a single sound, choosing instead to let the project evolve naturally. Whether he is playing flute and piano or crafting aggressive techno, the core objective remains the same: staying consistent and knowing when to use the pen versus the sword.

“I’ll never forget my roots and like to utilize them consistently and I’m never gonna tell anyone this is where my project is ‘permanently.’ Artists change, they grow and learn everyday, so does their art. At the end of the day, if it represents me, that’s all that matters.”

Listen to all CU selects here

CU Selects 03 – Tracklist

Martron – Intro
Martron – The Truth
Martron – Ghost Mode
Fimigurrero & EsDeeKid – TARTAN (Klo Flip)
wakeup – knowmyname
Young Miko, Riri – Modley Dub
Martron – ID
Bronze Whale & Sofasound – Moving Our Bodies (Martron Remix)
Scorsi – No Turning Back
Martron – Talking
Bronze Whale & Martron – Blooming (Martron Remix)
Chris Lake – Savana (Martron Remix)
RHR, Skrillex, Me Jesmay & Lucas Swatch – SYRINX
Ice Spice – Princess Diana (Jukaa Bootleg)
Cesco – GITP
THEO AZUR – Reveal
Martron – ID
YOSHI – TODO (Alexis B Remix)
Jon Cass – GOT2GO
BLVZE & RICO 56 – GO OFF
JPKy – you
LAUTRE – Tell Me
fold & cu.rve – No Business
Anti Up” Chromatic (Cerdin Remix)
Moss – On My Way (feat. Ngaiire)
Martron – By My Side
SQUIRED – WATCH ME TAKE IT
Martron – Feel It
Martron – One More
Maneki – BACKSEAT
Foramic – SNF
Martron & 2Sum – Power
Martron – The Rhythm
Killmatter – BALENCIAGA BARBIE
Tiger Drool – TIGER (Martron Remix)
Martron – Step By Step
Bellorum – My World (Martron Remix)
QUIX – Gunning For You (Martron Remix)
Asper – Vibe Check
Virtual Riot – Sh*t’s On F*re
Martron – No Fear
Martron – Tonight x Always
Martron – Again
Martron – Heart & Soul