Lavan Talks Parallel Groove 007, Berlin House Culture, and Ascension on Wax

Born in East London and raised in Essex, British-Malaysian artist Lavan has spent the past decade steadily building a reputation within Berlin’s underground house community. First inspired by his father’s collection of funk, soul, and disco records, his musical journey evolved from experimenting with cracked production software to becoming a respected DJ, producer, and co-founder of Ascension on Wax alongside longtime friend Max.

Known for a sound that fuses classic house foundations with unmistakable UK influences, Lavan’s productions have found support from tastemakers such as Cinthie and Louise Chen, while his dedication to digging continues to inform both his DJ sets and studio output. After connecting with Intr0beatz through a mutual friend and bonding over a shared passion for records, it felt only natural for him to contribute to the Parallel Groove mix series.

For edition 007, Lavan delivers a mix that captures the essence of his musical identity: deep, soulful house rooted in the culture, records, and influences that first drew him to dance music. We caught up with him to discuss the mix, life in Berlin, the evolution of Ascension on Wax, and what’s next on the horizon.

The Art of the Mix

Lavan’s approach to the Parallel Groove mix was organic, born from his preparation for upcoming club dates. “I was preparing for some upcoming gigs around the time of recording this mix so I decided to just record my home mixes,” he explains. “One of them I happened to really get in the zone and just hold a vibe for the whole hour without straying too far away from the deep stripped back type grooves.” He notes that for him, collecting records is about storytelling, where each track contributes to a larger narrative.

Roots and Evolution

Reflecting on his early influences, Lavan highlights the enduring impact of his father’s record collection. “It’s funny since it almost goes full circle where I have sampled stuff from my own digging discoveries and then years later found the same track on a b-side of one of my dad’s records,” he says. He continues to sample these records today, ensuring his father’s musical spirit lives on through his own productions.

Regarding the evolution of Berlin’s scene, Lavan observes a shift toward a more diverse landscape of house music collectives. “Berlin is still a unique place on this planet where the music aspect of the party is valued by the party-goers which keeps me inspired,” he adds.

Looking Ahead

As he balances his work as a producer and label head, Lavan remains focused on authenticity. With Ascension on Wax, he and Max Logsdail aim to honor jazz influences while collaborating with visual artists. “My time contributing to AoW has taught me a variety of lessons,” he reflects. “One other important lesson that sticks with me is to not compromise and make sure things are done properly.”

Looking to the future, fans can expect new projects from the label, including forthcoming work from Glenn Davis and Yuu Udagawa, alongside Lavan’s own upcoming gigs and releases. “Don’t focus on the popularity aspect and just remember your genuine love for the music itself,” he advises, echoing the sentiment that the underground will live forever.