Pavel Milyakov (RU)

Also known by his alias Buttechno, he is an original figure in contemporary electronic music, able to move between techno, ambient, improvisation, and visual arts with a consistently experimental approach.
Born in Moscow, Milyakov grew up in an urban and cultural environment that deeply shaped his aesthetic. Raised in the peripheral districts of the Russian capital, he began producing music in the early 2010s, immediately standing out for a sonic language that reflected the harshness and desolation of urban landscapes. Under the alias Buttechno, he gained recognition in the underground scene, becoming a key voice for a new generation of Russian artists.

In 2015 he founded the collective and label Johns’ Kingdom, a project that promoted anonymity and anti‑ego as creative principles, in contrast to the commercial logic of club culture. From there, he embarked on a path that led him to release works on international labels such as The Trilogy Tapes, Berceuse Heroique, L.I.E.S., Minimal Wave/Cititrax, and Smalltown Supersound, solidifying his global reputation.

His discography is extensive and diverse: albums such as Yalta (2016), La Maison de la Mort (2019), Masse Métal (2020), and collaborations like STYX with Alex Zhang Hungtai (2020) demonstrate his ability to move across genres and formats. Milyakov does not limit himself to techno: he explores ambient, noise, free improvisation, and instrumental music, often with an almost painterly approach to sound. In 2023 he released works that intertwine electronics and acoustic instruments, confirming his desire to transcend traditional boundaries of music production.

His aesthetic is marked by a raw, material minimalism that highlights the physicality of sound. Low frequencies, distortion, and repetitive patterns become tools for investigating perception and the relationship between body and space. Unsurprisingly, Milyakov has collaborated with visual artists and choreographers, bringing his music into performative and museum contexts as well as clubs.

Beyond his recorded output, Milyakov is known for his live performances, often characterized by radical unpredictability. His sets can shift from abrasive techno to moments of ambient suspension, creating immersive experiences that challenge audience expectations. This attitude has made him a sought‑after artist at international electronic music and contemporary art festivals.

In recent years he has intensified collaborations with musicians and artists from diverse backgrounds, further expanding his scope. His music has been described as an act of resistance against convention, a way of questioning not only sound but also the social and cultural structures that surround it.