Arpy Brown didn’t discover dance music through club nights – »but in my childhood bedroom«, he recalls. And you can hear it: he approaches club music with a sense of play. His tracks fuse elements of soul, disco, jazz, pop and rock with house grooves, creating a sound that’s rhythmically grounded yet emotionally rich.

Brown, who currently lives in London and occasionally in Berlin, is now an integral part of the renowned Toy Tonics label as a DJ and producer. His tracks, such as the club hit »Attention«, work on the dancefloor but have a song structure that goes beyond that: sung vocals, unexpected harmonies, musical twists that tell more than just the »four to the floor« rhythm. Brown is also part of the core team at !K7, where he co-curates the renowned DJ Kicks series.

Ambitious play

At the urging of his parents, Brown started music lessons at the age of ten – while also listening to hip-hop and forming his first bands. »I already enjoyed being on the mic, not just playing guitar«, he says. At twelve, he took to the stage for the first time as the lead singer of his own band. His passion quickly expanded, from discovering rock gods like Jimi Hendrix in his parents’ record collection to exploring electronic sounds – which eventually led him to house.

This openness has defined his artistic identity ever since. Under his former moniker Athlete Whippet, Brown released early club tracks that already hinted at his desire to stretch genre conventions. His 2025 single »Skin« on Tartelet Records, for instance, leans confidently into electronic pop, showcasing a strong instinct for melody and songcraft.

Toy Tonics label boss Kapote sees him as more than just a reliable producer. His numerous vinyl releases speak for themselves: Arpy Brown is an artist who takes club music seriously.