Space Tours
We had a chat with with Space Tours aka Mitch Wellings where he spoke about the process of making his track 'The Next Level', why it's important to him to make music that resonates with him rather than following market trends and chasing that 'big room' sound. Also Mitch gives advice to budding producers on why it's important to build up some financial security before making the leap to going full time working in music as well as the importance of forging solid connections that support and back your sound.
For his 10th vinyl release, Mitch Wellings entered a new orbit under the Space Tours alias, assuming the name of the label he founded in 2019. This new chapter represents a refined and deeply considered sound, while continuing to blur the boundaries between genres with effortless style. As a producer and DJ, Mitch draws from over two decades of record collecting, weaving together house, garage, electro, breaks, trance and the deeper shades of electronic music. Storytelling sits at the heart of his philosophy, navigating unexpected selections and rare underground gems to conjure emotive moments on the dance floor. As Space Tours, he continues to explore the limitless possibilities of electronic music, crafting journeys that transcend genre and convention.
Could you tell us a bit about the process of making your track? How did it come about? Can you remember where you wrote it? What methods did you use to produce it?
Some of my tracks are quite elaborate, but for this I wanted to create a warm afterhours groove built around the idea that less is more. A simple, effective bassline, a floaty pad and just one chord change — letting the tension and texture build subtly. Something you can really lock into on the dancefloor.
If you could go back in time and give guidance to your younger self, what would you say that would impact your career the most?
Build up some savings before going fully self-employed in music. You never know what’s around the corner. The pandemic took so many of us back to square one, for some of us just as our careers were taking off internationally.
How is making a living from music affecting your creative output? Do you feel as free as when you started?
I still just make whatever I feel like that day regardless of what’s commercially viable. It often gets suggested to me ‘why don’t you just make some big room tech house, it’s the new EDM’ but honestly it would be soulless for me.
Gate keeping is one of the main obstacles for up and coming artists. Promoters book the same dj’s over and over, and labels are more receptive to established names, making it hard for lesser known artists to get a chance to shine. How long did it take you to breakthrough and what strategies would you recommend for up and coming producers?
Even after 10 vinyl releases, I still feel like I’m breaking through every time. Moving to a capital city and creating your own events is probably the way to go, instead I’ve always relied on promoters who book me because they genuinely rate my music, not because of my networking skills or what I can offer them in return. Thankfully some genuine tastemakers still exist.
When producing, are you more in the box or do you use Outboard too? Could you share with us a single unit or tool that is a true game changer for you, and why?
I take a hybrid approach, combining the best of both worlds. The ‘Elektron Analog Rytm Mk II’ is a real game changer for me, blending analogue sound with modern sequencing to unlock exciting experimental possibilities.