Artist Spotlight
Progressive house is at the center of PROFF’s universe. The Russian DJ and producer, born Vladimir Vladimirovich Ershov, revolves his fresh sound around core dance sensibilities with organic samples balanced masterfully. In PROFF’s world, piano melodies patter like raindrops, and synthesized strings turn a breezy atmosphere into a chilling rush. His full-bodied percussion and silky leads can move you towards enlightenment. PROFF’s charm is in how he sustains and extends the range of natural instruments to slowly diffuse their innate emotions and conjure what he calls “magic.” PROFF’s latest EP Your Light evokes a familiar feeling in a new environment. His recent works have appeared on Monstercat Silk, Armada Music, and Anjunabeats, with guest mixes on A State of Trance and Group Therapy radio. Although his name is now on the same roster as EDM legends, PROFF cut his teeth over years of transition before and after the popularity of electronic subgenres rose and then plateaued. PROFF’s decades-spanning career lets us plunge into the evolution of the melodic house and trance scenes. He recounts his beginnings in the 2000s Moscow rave scene, which he describes as “raw, revolutionary and truly underground.” He focuses on minimalism across the sonic landscapes that he builds. After steadily releasing singles for years, he is conceptualizing a debut album. PROFF also shares greater aspirations such as creating his own soundtrack to a video game. He has dabbled in DnB and techno, but when it comes down to it, PROFF holds a beacon for house music. We can take comfort in PROFF’s idyllic sounds as we get over the weirdness of returning to the dancefloor. And as we await the upcoming release of “Whale Song” via Monstercat, take a deep dive with PROFF and Gray Area into the roots of organic house, and bask in what’s on the horizon.
