Track of the Week: SHELLAZ… High Tension DnB

One was born in the UK, the other was scratching on his Dad’s vinyl in Perth before he could walk. United by a love for gritty “Crime Film” aesthetics and a “less is more” philosophy, meet SHELLAZ.

Josh Holliday and Tyler Casserly (aka SHELLAZ) are a study in contrasts that just works. Josh hails from Dorset, UK, moving to Australia for a lifestyle change. Tyler is Perth born-and-bred, a lifelong music head who started spinning his Dad’s vinyl before he could even read.

Together, they formed SHELLAZ 2.5 years ago, bonding over a shared love for Underground Grime, Jungle, and the high-tension atmosphere of crime films like Scarface.

“We named ourselves SHELLAZ as a nod to that culture,” they explain. “High tension and leaving a mark.”

Their latest release, “FEELS LIKE,” is our Track of the Week. It’s a testament to their evolving sound, specifically their recent obsession with Half-Time DnB.

We sat down with the duo to talk about their production epiphany, why they hate “content tracks,” and how they bridge the gap between warehouse raves and mainstages.

🎬 The Cinematic Aesthetic

If you could turn the SHELLAZ sound into a movie, they say it would be a “late-night underground crime film.”

That gritty, cinematic influence… drawn from horror flicks, space exploration games, and crime classics; bleeds heavily into their production. While they draw inspiration from the Born On Road label, they are currently experimenting with darker textures and Half-Time rhythms to build that specific tension.

Their production philosophy shifted recently after hearing the track “Innocence 2025”.

“It made us realize that less is more,” they admit. “Cramming sounds into a tune to ‘fill it up’ can do a lot of harm. The simplicity is sometimes beautiful.”

🏗️ From Warehouses to Mainstages

The duo has already notched a massive debut at Metro City supporting Macky Gee, a “one for the books” moment that cemented their presence in the local scene.

But their ambition goes beyond the support slot. While they naturally gravitate toward the raw energy of warehouse raves, they have their sights set on an open-air debut or the mainstage at The Court. They are also keen champions of the local ecosystem, tipping Coop’d Up as the underrated producer Perth needs to pay attention to right now.

🧠 The Discipline of Prep

It’s not just about turning up and pressing play. For bigger sets, the duo relies on a disciplined pre-gig ritual to ensure their disparate styles mesh.

“We usually meet up prior to our gig with a playlist of tunes we want to play that night,” they explain. “We’ll combine our playlists and build a set from there.”

It’s a balance of preparation and instinct… building a skeleton for the night that allows them to read the crowd without losing the narrative.

🎓 Experience > Gear

This approach comes from two very different entry points. Tyler grew up on analogue vinyl; Josh has been DJing for four years. That blend of lifelong instinct and fresh energy informs their advice for newcomers: stop obsessing over the equipment and start obsessing over the hours.

“Play as much as you can, even if it’s to yourself,” they advise. “Experience is more important than gear. Every hour you put in shapes your ear, your style, and your confidence behind the decks.”

📉 For the Floor, Not the Feed

The boys have a strong stance on the current state of music marketing. While they love how global genres are blurring (like Jersey Club influence creeping into DnB), they hate the pressure to create viral moments.

“We don’t like seeing music reduced to trends,” they say. “Tracks are being made for quick reactions and clips, instead of for the dancefloor or the long term.”

For SHELLAZ, the goal isn’t a 15-second viral video—it’s a track that works at 3 AM in a dark room.

💣 The Track: FEELS LIKE

The winning track, “FEELS LIKE,” wasn’t an easy birth. The duo admits they struggled with the drums for a long time.

The breakthrough moment came when they decided to flip the script on the second drop. “When we made the half-time second drop… that was the ‘Aha!’ moment.”

Pro Tip: They credit the RIFT Distortion VST for defining the sound of this track. “Highly recommend.”

⚡ Quickfire: SHELLAZ

🔌 Pass the Aux

We ask every feature guest to answer a question left by the previous interviewee.

Incoming Question from TRMV:

“What song inspired you the most to want to start DJing?”

SHELLAZ:

“Walk n Skank – Dux n Bass & Macky Gee.”

Outgoing Question for the Next DJ:

“Are you for or against SYNC?!!”

SHELLAZ represents the shifting energy of Perth’s underground… respecting the roots while pushing the tempo. As the scene evolves, PartyLine will be here to document the noise.

Listen to “FEELS LIKE” on [Soundcloud]

Follow SHELLAZ: [Instagram Link]