Facets is a NYC-based DJ and producer known for his high-energy DJ sets that mix dark synth, EBM, new beat, acid, Italo-disco, and leftfield techno. His sound is raw, driving, and built for fog-filled dance floors.
Over the years, Facets has released on key underground labels like Optimo Music, Ombra International, Dischi Autunno, and Skylax. He’s also the founder of Samo Records and its event series Samo Nights, which has hosted acts like Black Merlin, Cosmo Vitelli, and Local Suicide.
Alongside Andi (Synthicide) and Rok One, Facets co-runs Italomatic, Brooklyn’s go-to party for Italo, synth, and new wave sounds. His work, whether behind the decks, in the studio, or curating lineups, pushes the darker edges of electronic music.
We caught up with Facets ahead of his set at ELSE Berlin. From edits to originals, he shares his journey, inspirations, and what’s next.
Hey Boris, So happy to have you on board with our KEYI community! Could you introduce yourself? It was great touring in New York — now it’s time for Berlin. What’s new?
Hi!
Yes, I’m glad to be part of it and really looking forward to the event!
I’ve been DJing for close to 15 years and producing music for the last six or so under my project Facets.
Excited to kick off the Euro tour this Thursday!
What inspired you to start your journeys as Facets, and how has the project evolved over time?
I’ve had a passion for music for a long time. I started off just as a clubber, and after collecting music for years, I got the opportunity to start DJing in NYC, just as the scene there was starting to grow. At the time, there were only 3–4 venues and a number of underground/warehouse parties. It was easy to connect with like-minded people who were very supportive in building the scene.
Facets began with DJing and naturally progressed into making edits (something I always loved, especially those by DJ Harvey, Eric Duncan, Ectomorph, Savas Pascalidis, and others). Eventually, I got into production, which allowed me to explore different styles like EBM, New Beat, leftfield techno, Italo-disco and more. I’m always inspired to try something new.
How does your experience in New York compare to the Berlin scene?
I think New York worked hard to catch up with the global and Berlin scenes in the past 10 years after its unfortunate decline in the late ’90s, when Giuliani’s policies led to the closure of legendary venues like Limelight, Tunnel, Twilo, and more. But at this point, I believe NYC has caught up with venues like Good Room, Bossa Nova Civic Club, Milagrosa, Mansions, H0L0 and Basement.
You’ve released on labels like Optimo Music, Ombra International, and soon Pinkman—how do you choose the right home for your tracks? Could you tell us more about those collaborations?
Honestly, I’ve been a huge fan of those labels musically, so I feel very fortunate they were excited to work with me. It’s been a really natural and inspiring process collaborating with them.
What inspired the creation of Samo Records and Samo Nights? You’ve played at some of the most exciting underground venues across the US, Mexico, and Europe. How would you compare the energy and crowd across these scenes?
The label came from a desire to push musical boundaries. I didn’t see many others releasing this kind of sound in NYC or internationally. From there, it made sense to start producing events with lineups that matched the label’s identity.
As for the crowds, each scene has its own energy. The US feels more traditional and starting to open up, Mexico is incredibly vibrant, raw, and passionate, and Europe, especially places like Berlin, has a deep appreciation for the music and long-form sets.
You’ll be performing at our summer special event at ELSE on May 29th, alongside legends like DJ Hell and Umwelt. What can we expect from your set, and what will you bring to the event?
I’ll be playing a high-energy mix of dark synth, EBM, New Beat, acid with lots of personalized edits, upcoming tracks from myself and the label, and some unexpected turns along the way!
What can we expect from Facets in the near future?
Expect new music on Pinkman and Wrong Era, plus edits on a new vinyl-only label. Definitely check out my new edits that just dropped on Blkmarket. I’ll be touring across Europe until July, then heading back to the US for the summer with a few stops in Canada. I’ll return to Europe in the fall and also hit Mexico and I’m planning a debut Asian tour next year!
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Catch his DJ set at our event at ELSE on May 29th. Expect unreleased tracks, sharp edits, and a sound that’s both intense and unpredictable.
