Msystem & Toxo are producers and sound engineers who have been quietly shaping dancefloors for over a decade. They return to The Disco Express with ‘Feeling Underground,’ a two-track EP that leans into the raw, human side of nu-disco and soulful house. Featuring the powerful vocals of Fatimah Provillon, both tracks are crafted entirely from live synths, bass, guitar and drums – no shortcuts, just groove, pressure and emotion. The title track dives into darker, late-night territory, while ‘Let’s Keep On’ brings a more uplifting but still heavyweight energy, both designed with real club systems in mind.
This is music made by people who understand sound from the inside out. With releases on labels like Ultra Records, Universal, Stardust Records, and Ministry of Sound, and years of shared history between them, ‘Feeling Underground’ feels like a confident statement – not just of where they are right now, but how they work together.
They stop by to talk all things technical background, EP sparks, what’s next, and more!
WWD: Welcome to When We Dip! Let’s talk about ‘Feeling Underground.’ The EP is dark, warm, and muscular. What was the original spark and where did that “underground” feeling come from?
For us, ‘Underground’ means restoring the raw connection between the crowd and the booth, free from mainstream interference. We leaned into the classic foundations of 90s house—bold piano chords, driving basslines, and soulful vocals—to capture that authentic energy.
WWD: Both tracks feature the incredible Fatimah Provillon. How did that collaboration come together, and what did her voice unlock creatively for you?
She truly has ‘the code.’ Her vocal lines are always focused because she deeply understands the house music mood. Having started her journey in New York at a young age, she lived through the Golden Age of House in the mid-90s, and that heritage shines through. We first heard her during a house music jam and immediately fell in love with her energy.
WWD: You’ve built this EP entirely from live synths, bass, guitar and drums. In a world of fast, in-the-box production, why was it important to keep things so human and hands-on?
At our core, we are simply expressing our ideas and tastes. As producers, playing instruments gives us more opportunities to convey our identity in the best way possible. This kind of music is a visceral, human experience; we work to make people dance, not machines.
The title track feels late-night and hypnotic, while ‘Let’s Keep On’ is more uplifting but still heavy. Were you consciously designing these for different moments on the dancefloor?
Absolutely. We designed them for different stages of the night. The title track is for the heads—hypnotic and driving for those darker moments. ‘Let’s Keep On’ is more about the groove and the vocal energy, aimed at shifting the mood toward something more positive while keeping the sound physically heavy.
WWD: You’re both sound engineers as well as producers. How does that technical background shape the way you approach groove, low-end and space in your records?
Our engineering background is fundamental. Using compressors and transient shapers isn’t just about technicality; it’s about crafting the groove’s DNA. The low end is where a club track lives or dies—it’s a complex area to mix, but finding that perfect balance is what keeps the production process so stimulating for us.
WWD: As a duo, your roles are very defined – MSYSTEM on melodic and structural elements, TOXO on rhythm and groove. How has that production balance evolved over the years?
Constant, honest, and sincere feedback has always been fundamental for us. It’s through this continuous exchange that we’re able to fine-tune our direction and constantly improve the quality of our songs.
WWD: You’ve released on major labels like Ultra, Universal, and Ministry of Sound. How does releasing on The Disco Express compare creatively – does it give you more freedom?
The Disco Express is an incredible collective of talented House and Nu-Disco producers. Being part of such a community is a vital creative stimulus because it contributes to a real movement. Being part of a movement feels profoundly different from being buried in a massive corporate catalog, where the risk of your identity getting lost is very high.
WWD: TOXO, your background as a drummer really comes through in these tracks. Do you still think like a drummer first when building house and nu-disco records?
For me, the groove has always been the key element that has constantly captivated me in music. Drums and bass are the instruments that make people move; a hihat played with a slightly different swing is enough to completely change the perception of the song. That’s precisely why I almost always start with these two instruments when I begin a new song, and when the two of them are enough to create magic, I immediately call Alessandro!!!!!! Hahaha
WWD: You’ve both been producing for over a decade. Looking back, what do you think separates your early work from what you’re doing now with records like ‘Feeling Underground?’
Msystem: For me, it’s all about awareness. I’ve realized that maturity often means knowing when to remove an element rather than adding one. In the early days, my main drive was to experiment and test myself across different genres; now, my focus is entirely on defining a clear identity and working every day to build and refine it.
Toxo: I have to admit that since my first experiences as a DJ and later as a producer, I’ve always had this very funk influence, derived precisely from that sense of groove in the drums. Although, obviously, there has been an evolution as I’ve grown up musically, I have to admit that from 2010 until now, the disco influence has never been lacking!
WWD: What’s next for Msystem & Toxo? More collaborations, more live elements, or even deeper underground?
What’s next? More great records that fulfill us creatively and reach even more people. For us, the greatest satisfaction is seeing our music connect with the crowd and keep the party going.
WWD: Couldn’t agree more! Thanks for the chat 🙂
Thanks!
The ‘Feeling Underground’ EP is available here.