The LowDown #130

One-hundred and thirtieth installment of our weekly newsletter from the Team.

May 27, 2026

From the Team:

There’s really no easy way to say this, so I’m just going to rip the bandaid off: this will be my last newsletter as I step away from Low End Directive.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions - LED is completely fine. The group has more than enough talent, passion, and momentum to keep this thing moving exactly the way it should. There’s no controversy, no fallout, no drama. Honestly, I probably didn’t even need to make an announcement because I truly don’t think there will be any drop-off in what LED is or becomes.

Still, it feels strange writing this.

To be honest, it is a weird feeling. While I am a little torn that I am leaving something behind, I feel more relief. The past 6 or so months (not going to catch me saying 6 7) have been hectic. Work picked up, I started grad school in January, and somewhere in between trying to balance all of that with helping keep the lights on at LED, life started feeling very loud. At one point, I had to ~metaphorically~ look in the mirror and determine what needed to change.

Because of the people involved in this project, the decision itself actually wasn’t that difficult. That’s what makes it emotional in a different way. We started this label almost three years ago, and this is now the 130th week of writing a newsletter. At this point, LED feels tattooed onto me. So much in my life has changed over those three years, but for better or worse, this project has been one of the few constants throughout all of it.

I think the biggest thing I’ll miss is simply feeling connected to something bigger within the NYC music scene. I don’t want to say I’ve taken it for granted, but it jumps out when I start to reflect on LED. One of the original goals of LED was not just to participate in the industry (especially one that, professionally, always felt difficult to break into) but to genuinely contribute to it in our own way. For me, that feeling never really got old. It was always a reminder that we built something real, even if it started small.

And to everyone who read these newsletters, came to events, listened to releases, supported the artists, or just even asked about the project - thank you. Seriously. None of this exists without people willing to care. There is so much in store for LED. Continue your support just like I will. The only difference is that I will be on the same side as you from now on.

-George (Costanza)

Artist of the Week:

NTFO

Instagram: @ntfo.music

NTFO is the Romanian DJ and producer duo of Dani (Fechete Dănuț) and Robert Petraru, artists who have spent more than a decade shaping a distinctive corner of minimal and deep house music. Originally from the small town of Jimbolia and later based in Timișoara, the pair first connected through their hometown club scene, performing under separate aliases before combining forces to form NTFO, a name built from fragments of their former monikers, NTQ and Fort.

Since emerging in the late 2000s, NTFO have steadily become key figures within the Romanian underground movement, developing a sound rooted in groove and precision. Their productions move between deep house, minimal, and deep-tech territories, balancing tight rhythmic structures with warm, organic textures. Influenced by both old-school house and the evolving Romanian minimal scene, their records are designed less around obvious peaks and more around subtle tension and flow. Here is one of my favorite productions from the duo, released this year:

Early releases quickly gained the attention of major names in electronic music, finding support from artists including Solomun, Marco Carola, Richie Hawtin, Loco Dice, Joseph Capriati, Butch, and Audiojack, and helping establish the duo internationally. Their relationship with Diynamic Music became a defining moment, leading to releases and collaborations including High with H.O.S.H. and Malonda, as well as Nobody Else alongside Dutch producer Karmon.

Alongside releases on labels such as Bondage Music, Djebali, Organic Music, Objektivity, and others, NTFO have consistently developed their own platforms through Sintope and Sintope Digital, labels that became important outlets for Romanian minimal and vinyl-focused underground music. Later projects like Jargon further reflected their interest in deeper, more old-school house and techno aesthetics.

As DJs, NTFO have built a strong international presence, performing across Europe and beyond at clubs and festivals known for deeper underground sounds. Whether in intimate club settings or larger festival environments, their sets reflect the same qualities as their productions: patient grooves, hypnotic progression, and a clear understanding of dancefloor dynamics.

More than fifteen years into their career, NTFO remain closely tied to the essence of the Romanian scene while continuing to evolve beyond it. Check out their latest releases:

-Lint

Event of the Week:

Ivan Smagghe & Daniel Dutts @ Outer Heaven

I have your plans for Saturday night. Since you’re going to be in Chinatown, let’s keep it festive. Go to Okiboru House of Tsukemen. Don’t worry, I am not judging your pronunciation. Get a nice lite bite around 7, 7:30. Once you are satiated, pop into one of the many bars in the area. If you need some direction because you are feeling a little over stimy, go to Ray’s or Vig Bar; let’s keep it simple, sweetheart. Grab a drink or two until you muster up the courage to shake your A$$. Finally, make your way to Outer Heaven to catch Daniel Dutts and Ivan Smagghe laying it down all night. They start at 8pm so you can get there early to catch some incredible music and be in bed just a liiiitttle past your bedtime. Reminder: do not get tix on RA. You can get into this place, it is not a tough door.

Info —> Event of the Week

Mix of the Week:

031 - Hamish & Toby B2B XDB - Recorded live from fabric

“A special 1 hour, 20 minute excerpt from the final part of their B2B closing set in Room 3 at our March Continuum.

“Find us a dreamier Sunday than playing b2b with Kosta in Room 3. It felt special to close Continuum together in that cosy little room - it really feels like home to us these days. Only our second time spinning together, but definitely not the last...” - H&T

Three artists who truly embody the fabric ethos. Now live on our SoundCloud for your listening pleasure.”