PAWSA — a British DJ, producer, and co-founder of the legendary label Solid Grooves. He is one of the key figures on the modern tech house and minimal groove scenes, known for his signature sound: tight grooves, deep basslines, vintage samples, and a refined atmosphere. PAWSA has become a symbol of the London and Ibiza underground, with his tracks being a staple in sets by top DJs around the world.
PAWSA’s music blends intelligence, rhythm, and style. Every release is minimalist yet energetic, built around groove and instantly recognizable dancefloor sound.
Early Years and Beginnings
PAWSA (real name undisclosed) was born and raised in London — the city where many styles of British house and techno originated. From a young age, he was surrounded by club culture, hip-hop, soul, and jazz, which shaped his rhythmic sensibility and passion for sampling. Early in his career, PAWSA honed his production and DJing skills in underground London clubs, experimenting with various shades of house and minimal.
A turning point came when he teamed up with Michael Bibi to found Solid Grooves — a label that has since become one of the most respected names in tech house. Through Solid Grooves, PAWSA gained recognition as a producer with a unique and “intelligent” sound.
Breakthrough and Global Recognition
PAWSA made his international breakthrough in the mid-2010s with a string of acclaimed releases, including “The Groovy Cat”, “Pilot”, “Room Service”, and “Murphy”. These tracks went viral thanks to their club-ready energy, vintage vocal chops, and flawless sound design.
His meticulous attention to detail, clean mixdowns, and natural sense of groove quickly set PAWSA apart. His music has been championed by major names such as Marco Carola, Loco Dice, Jamie Jones, The Martinez Brothers, Fisher, and Patrick Topping.
Today, PAWSA is a regular at festivals including Solid Grooves @ DC10 Ibiza, Elrow, Sonus, Hideout, Creamfields, and Defected Croatia, as well as a headliner of major club showcases worldwide.
Discography (Selected)
- The Groovy Cat (2018)
- Murphy (2019)
- Room Service (2020)
- Roll Play (2021)
- Play House (2022)
- Listen (2023)
- Groove Operator (2024)
Most of PAWSA’s releases appear on his own Solid Grooves Records and sub-label Solid Grooves Raw, allowing him to maintain full creative control and sonic integrity.
Musical Style
PAWSA’s sound represents the essence of modern groove house: minimalist rhythms, deep basslines, vintage sampling, and soulful, jazzy, or funky vocal snippets, all woven seamlessly into the track structure.
Key characteristics:
- Clean, analog-style mixdowns focused on low-end warmth
- Energetic groove and crisp hi-hats
- Samples drawn from vintage films, speeches, soul, and jazz
- Progressive builds without excessive layering
- An “intelligent rave” atmosphere — crafted for clubs, not radio
PAWSA creates music designed for spaces like DC10, Fabric, and Printworks, while remaining accessible and danceable.
Festivals and Residencies
- Solid Grooves @ DC10 (Ibiza)
- Elrow (Barcelona)
- Sonus Festival (Croatia)
- Hideout (Croatia)
- Defected Croatia
- Printworks London
- Warehouse Project (Manchester)
PAWSA also frequently performs at Circoloco (DC10), Fabric London, Amnesia, and Pacha Ibiza, bringing the Solid Grooves sound to global audiences.
Achievements
- Founder of Solid Grooves Records — one of the most respected labels in tech house
- Resident at DC10 Ibiza and Solid Grooves tours
- Performances across more than 40 countries
- Millions of streams on Spotify, Beatport, and SoundCloud
- Ranked in Beatport’s Top 10 Tech House Artists for multiple years
Interesting Facts
- PAWSA often uses samples from old films and vintage shows to create his unique retro-rave atmosphere.
- His alias “PAWSA” is a nod to “instinctive groove” (from “paws” — representing instinct).
- Each of his sets tells a story — from deep warm-ups to peak-time groove catharsis.
- He’s one of the key figures behind the Groove Renaissance — the revival of “intelligent house” with a minimalist edge.
- Despite global fame, PAWSA remains fully independent and oversees all his releases personally.
Legacy and Impact
PAWSA stands among the most influential artists on today’s tech house scene. He has seamlessly merged intellectual production, classic groove, and modern club energy, helping revive appreciation for minimalism and high-quality sound design. His music is more than dance tracks — it’s a collection of carefully crafted sonic stories, each element serving a purpose.
PAWSA represents a philosophy of groove — taste, style, and deep respect for the roots of club culture.
