For aspiring DJs and producers, or anyone who appreciates a good story, the genesis of Palms Trax couldn’t be more ideal. A curious but naive son of the English Riviera lands a job at a leading London record store and discovers the masters of Chicago house and Detroit techno. Later, in Berlin, his crude attempts to emulate the sound of his newfound heroes accidentally land him a hit with “Equation.” A steady but steady stream of EPs, released by Dutch dance music powerhouse Dekmantel, allowed his productions to blossom in richer, more fluid directions. On the EPs “In Gold” (2015) and “High Point on Low Ground” (2016), he developed the carefree traits that characterize the best of house music—euphoric piano lines, gurgling acid, and luminous keyboards, all interwoven with Donaldson’s hard, distinctive drums. It was this bond with Dekmantel that spurred Donaldson’s rapid evolution as a DJ. A memorable performance at Amsterdam’s flagship Dekmantel festival in 2015 attracted open hearts, lost minds and aching feet. Since then, the Palms Trax sound has been a fixture on their massive main stage, drifting effortlessly between vintage house, esoteric disco and the various shades of the bubbling British underground it helped define. Occasional b2b appearances with the likes of Hunee, Young Marco and Midland, DJs regularly praised for their extensive musical knowledge and versatility, speak volumes about Donaldson’s DJ intellect. A skill that has taken him on non-stop international tours – from South America to Australia and from Panorama Bar to Concrete, Contact and De School.
https://www.facebook.com/palmstrax/