09/01/2025

Magnetic Mix: Deep Cuddle

An exclusive mix comprised entirely of original, self-penned music from the Chicago DJ and producer.

Deep Cuddle is a Chicago-based DJ and producer with over two decades invested in the city’s underground. His approach to house music is unhurried and quietly distinctive, shaped as much by his love of psychedelic detail and experimental texture as by the traditions of four-to-the-floor.

Where many lean on formula, Deep Cuddle finds space in the margins, building grooves that feel minimal yet never static, full of subtle quirks that only reveal themselves after repeated plays.

In the middle of a prolific release schedule which includes the recently released The Way You Love Me and the upcoming Put Your Faith In Me – both on his own Penthouse Audio imprnt – we’re hyped to host an exclusive mix and interview with this special artist.

We have to start out by asking: why Deep Cuddle? Are you an affectionate guy?

I am an affectionate guy! Growing up in rave culture you know… if you’ve ever partaken in some chemical support it kinda makes you wanna cuddle. With the music that we create I want to wrap the listener in a cuddle with sound. I came up with the alias to first love myself so that I can love others.

“Put Your Faith In Me” carries a strong vocal hook, which isn’t always the centerpiece in deep house. What drew you to using vocals so prominently on this one, and how did the idea for the track first take shape?

Vocals anchor a song in your memory bank. We have soo much music being consumed regularly right now. Making songs that are just instrumentals can get lost in the mix, not to say that there aren’t amazing songs that don’t have vocals. I as a house head from Chicago grew up on vocals. That’s what made the track memorable. Most of my tracks have a vocal element in it, which helps to tell a story.

You’ve been embedded in Chicago’s underground for over two decades. In that time, what’s changed most about the way the city supports or platforms homegrown producers like yourself?

I love the diversity of the Chicago scene. The world famous talent that we have in this city is unmatched. This is where it all started and I think that my sound is an amalgamation of what 25 years of club music & the larger EDM ecosystem have created. It’s an amazing city with an amazing amount of talent with a wealth of people to evolve and grow with. We have a very active scene with something going on weekly.

Releases like “Smoothjaxx” and “Need You” feel rhythmically tight and minimal, whereas others lean into a more hypnotic, spacey palette. Do you approach each track with a specific setting or emotional register in mind, or do they evolve more freely?

No, it’s like throwing paint against the wall. Then it morphs with adding and subtracting during the process. A lot of the tracks we work on don’t even see the light of day because I love the art of making the track. I have hundreds of snippets and chunks. l just love to make sound dance.

Your community initiatives suggest a real investment in mentorship and collective growth. How has that work shaped your own practice as a DJ and producer?

I think bringing the community together and growing with people is the entire concept. It’s the whole bit. I’ve struggled with drugs and alcohol all my life. In recovery, I realized building community and helping people is one of the most important things one can do. Whether that be at the MeditationCenterofChicago, the monthly Ableton workshops hosted by Orville Klien, our #deepdcuddlefrequency wellness events with our Sauna/Cold Plunge friends Maria and Kaan of HarborThermaCulture and my new sailing friends at SailingChicago. When we come into this world we are introduced to our family, as we grow into the world we get to find our extended family. The people we love and want to be around that make life worth living.

You’ve carved out a clear identity with Penthouse Audio Group, but your sound still feels open to evolution. Are there new textures, tempos, or influences you’ve been exploring behind the scenes that might surface in future work?

The record label as a whole is a vehicle for all EDM. There are no limits to what the label will put out in the future. Any genre that falls under good electronic dance may get released. If we like it, we will produce or sign it.

Acid lines show up subtly in a few of your tracks, including “Put Your Faith In Me.” What’s your relationship with that sound—are you drawing from Chicago lineage, or is it more about personal sonic taste?

It’s nostalgia, it’s what I grew up on. Sonically, Acid lines make me feel great.

This year’s run of singles suggests a prolific streak. Do you tend to work in short, focused bursts, or is this the result of longer arcs of experimentation finally coming to fruition?

It’s been 3 ½ years in the making. Building to where we can consistently put out releases at this volume. It’s been a long time coming to get to the level we’re at right now. It’s awesome! Just wait to hear what we have up next.

Tell us about the mix you’ve put together for us – any specific tracks you’d like to highlight?

I still like All Right, it’s my favorite track. I think my favorite song to date is Magic because it was created alongside Orville Klein & suemomo. Other favorites would be The Whole Sound with Joey Jaxx, SmoothJaxx the latest release; Need You and Find My Way are standouts among the field of greats.

What’s next for Deep Cuddle?

We’re going to keep making dope music and see where the world takes us. We have a great team of professionals who have been in the industry for a good amount of time. We’re just going to keep kicking arse and taking names. We’d love to connect with people who are interested in joining our community, please reach out to us via socials. Thank you for listening/reading.

Mix tracklist