From his earliest demos to his current standing as a techno icon, Ali Wells—better known as Perc—has followed a path defined by grit, authenticity, and a constant desire to push boundaries. Born and raised in London, Perc's early influences came from punk, industrial, and the darker side of drum & bass. When he eventually found his way to techno, he approached it like an outsider, twisting it into something unsettling. Today, his visceral blend of industrial noise, driving rhythms, and unfiltered intensity have redefined the genre. Hear for yourself as Perc arrives in Bucharest at Control Club on Saturday, November 2.
In 2011, Wicker & Steel, his debut full-length, would cross into the mainstream press in the UK. The Power & The Glory pushed his sound further. With Bitter Music, Perc delivered Look What Your Love Has Done to Me, a track that became a techno anthem in 2017.
Another pivotal moment in Perc’s career came with Up, released on Kompakt. With its rising tone, Up was an underground phenomenon, finding its way into the bags of Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Chris Liebing, and John Digweed. His follow-up, Headphone Heart, would reinforce his versatility through a mix of industrial-strength percussion with a haunting flute melody.
As his reputation grew, Perc caught the attention of the techno elite, including Chris Liebing’s CLR imprint, leading to the hard-hitting Serious Moonlight EP. This was followed by Submit, a Berghain-ready EP that combined peak-time intensity with broken-beat explorations. Furthermore, his Sticklebrick EP on Drumcode was another benchmark, making him the first non-Swedish artist on Adam Beyer's esteemed imprint in seven years.
Now producing at the same standard as the world’s best, opening doors to major festivals and cementing his place as a global techno figure, Perc would truly be able to express his voice, seeing techno as an opportunity to address the world around him. This is evident in politically charged EPs like Gob (2015) and Greed Dance (2021), a track born from pandemic lockdown frustration.
Perc has also become a sought-after remixer, known for transforming tracks with a darker and sharper flare. Over the years, he’s remixed Trentemøller, Phil Kieran, and Gary Beck. In 2024, he made fresh remixes for artists like Misstress Barbara, Max Cooper, and rising Perc Trax talent Sawf.
But Perc's commitment to a singular vision is most visible in his label, Perc Trax. Founded in 2004, Perc Trax was originally a platform for his own music but quickly grew into one of the most respected labels in techno. Its roster features artists as diverse as James Holden, Nathan Fake, Norman Nodge, and Peter Van Hoesen. Recent releases from artists like Donor & Truss, The Delta, and drum & bass legend Ed Rush continue to reflect the label’s wide-ranging taste.
The year 2024 has been particularly significant for Perc. He released his highly anticipated fourth album, The Cut Of, which was followed by a three-month tour across Europe and the Americas and a debut at the Netherlands' Awakenings’ summer festival.
Before Awakenings, Perc’s live performances had already become legendary in their own right. Over the years, he’s performed across Europe, the Americas, South Africa, and Japan. Highlights include a back-to-back set with Oliver Ho in Tokyo, headlining the Drumcode Arena at Dance Valley 2024, and sharing the bill with Richie Hawtin and Speedy J on Amsterdam’s King’s Day. Away from the festival stages, his residencies at Phil Kieran’s Kranc in Belfast and the London-based Lost Souls collective give fans a chance to experience him in more intimate settings.
Perc's music challenges confronts and refuses to compromise. As he continues to push the boundaries of techno, his journey is a reminder that true artistry will always endure, even in a world built on trends.
