Dam Swindle Announce DJ-Kicks Compilation, Featuring Five Exclusive Productions
The Amsterdam duo become the first Dutch artists to contribute to the iconic mix series, with a 74-minute journey through house music, forgotten records and new material.
After 15 years of building their reputation around a distinctive approach to house music, Dam Swindle are taking on one of electronic music’s most established mix series. The Amsterdam-based duo, consisting of Lars Dales and Maarten Smeets, have announced their contribution to DJ-Kicks, arriving November 20 via !K7. The compilation features 23 tracks, including five exclusive Dam Swindle productions, alongside music from Osunlade, Eli Escobar, Soundstream, Harvey Sutherland and musclecars.
The announcement follows a significant period for the pair, who recently celebrated the 100th release on their Heist Recordings label while continuing their involvement in Amsterdam’s club culture through RadioRadio. Their DJ-Kicks contribution makes them the first Dutch artists to join the series, adding another chapter to a career built on an appreciation for the deeper, soulful side of house music.
Recorded in their studio beneath Amsterdam’s Volkshotel, the 74-minute mix brings together records that have shaped their musical identities with new productions created specifically for the project. The duo initially worked through approximately 30 demos before selecting five tracks that would fit different moments in the sequence.
“It was close to writing a whole album,” explains Smeets.
Rather than approaching the compilation as a collection of recognizable club records, Dam Swindle spent time digging through their collections for overlooked tracks that could hold their own on the dancefloor.
“We wanted tracks that were special to us, but which nobody knew,” says Smeets. “Those $5 bargains in the bin at your local record store.”
The selection also reflects the different musical instincts behind the project. Smeets was interested in exploring the eclectic territory of Henrik Schwarz’s 2006 DJ-Kicks, while Dales wanted to maintain a stronger connection to the club. Finding the balance between those approaches became central to the compilation’s identity.
“There were definitely moments where we were kind of bartering. But in the end we always arrive at a point where we’re both completely at peace,” Dales explains.
Among the highlights is their edit of Eli Escobar’s ‘Seein You’, which transitions into Mr. De’s ‘All For Granted’. Elsewhere, contributions from Makèz, D Stone and Nachtbraker bring a distinctly Dutch presence to the tracklist, with the latter also responsible for the compilation’s custom introduction and outro.
The mix gradually moves through different shades of house, allowing tracks from Harvey Sutherland, S.A.M. and musclecars to build toward Soundstream’s ‘Mercury Mood’, one of Dales’ personal highlights. Its darker atmosphere and subtle acid textures provide a shift in energy before the closing moments.
The first single, ‘I Want You’, featuring Allysha Joy, arrived October 7, introducing the new material ahead of the full compilation. A second single, ‘Keep On’, is scheduled for October 28.
For Dam Swindle, the project represents an opportunity to document their musical influences while showing how their sound continues to evolve.
“When people listen to the mix, they’ll understand where we come from, what we do and where we’re heading,” says Dales. “It’s a full circle moment for us, in that sense.”
Dam Swindle’s DJ-Kicks will be released November 20, 2026, via !K7.
