Track of the Week: PHA2E… Architecture, UKG, and Basement Raves
From making rap beats in 2018 to closing for Ben Hemsley at Villa, Rex Burton (aka PHA2E) is bringing heavy UKG and structural precision to the Perth underground.
If you ask Rex Burton to describe the vibe of his sound, the answer is immediate: “Project X in an underground basement rave.”
Operating under the alias PHA2E, Rex has spent the last four years carving out a space in Perth’s electronic scene. But his origins are rooted in hip-hop. Originally producing rap beats back in 2018 under a name he admits was “really bad” (YMO Productionz), his transition to electronic music marked the second phase of his creative life. Hence, PHA2E.
Now, he’s leaving tech-house in the past, flipping old hip-hop acapellas into raw UKG, and approaching his tracks with the meticulous ear of an architect.
We sat down with PHA2E to discuss his latest self-mastered release, the problem with booking friends over talent, and why Kevin Parker is his ultimate production benchmark.
🏛️ The Architecture of Sound
Currently in his third year of studying architecture, Rex sees a direct line between the buildings he studies and the tracks he builds.
“There is 100% a correlation between the two,” he explains. “The space you create has a big effect on the music. Whether that be the interior or exterior of a building, it fuels everything you’re taking in, and it affects the way you think about the track.”
That structural mindset also seeps into his mixing. His biggest non-electronic influence? Tame Impala. “The way Kevin [Parker] is able to make a song so information-dense with sounds and melodies, but yet still sound so clean and mixed well… it really showed me the importance of a good mix.”
🗣️ The Scene: Talent vs. Nepotism
PHA2E is energised by the sheer volume of talent currently emerging in Perth, but he’s quick to call out the friction points of a rapidly expanding scene.
“I wish bookings would go to talent, rather than friends,” he points out. “Everybody and their dog is starting to DJ, which is good, but it’s not good when it’s not for the right reason. You can tell.”
His ultimate red flag at a party? “People not there for the music, rather there for the clout.”
When it comes to doing it right, he points directly to The Vault. “I love the culture it has created. It serves as the place for everything house, garage, and techno. Every time I go there I think there needs to be a documentary about the place and its impact on the scene.”
🛳️ The Cruise Ship Mantra
Closing for Ben Hemsley at Villa remains his biggest milestone to date… playing unreleased music to a massive crowd and holding them until the very end. But doing long sets requires serious stamina.
For motivation, PHA2E relies on an unlikely source: a random video of a cruise ship DJ.
“The guy asked the cruise ship DJ when he stops playing music, and he said, ‘I stop playing when the people stop dancing.’” Rex laughs. “When doing a 5-hour set, it can be daunting and you just want to stop… but that’s a reminder. I stop when they stop.”
🔊 The Track: Begging for another hit
Our Track of the Week is PHA2E’s “Begging for another hit.” It’s a track defined by contrast. Rex used a redux/bit-crusher on the drums and synths to inject consistent, gritty texture, serving as a harsh juxtaposition against the track’s ethereal chords.
The biggest hurdle was taming the low end. “There’s such a thick bass, it was really hard to start mixing and mastering,” he admits. The breakthrough came from finally mastering the FabFilter Pro-L limiter, learning how to manipulate the attack and release to lock the heavy mix perfectly in place.
⚡ PHA2E Quickfire
| Category | Answer |
| Origin | Perth |
| The Name | “Phase Two” of his musical journey (RIP YMO Productionz) |
| Favourite Venue | East Perth Power Station |
| Dream B2B | IPC / Club Angel |
| USB Staple | Ya Body Can Move – Kara Okay |
| Guilty Pleasure | Be the one – Dua Lipa |
| 3AM Feed | McNuggets, every time. |
| Pre-Gig Ritual | A couple tequilas, Red Bull, USB check, and a drink for the stage. |
| Drink of Choice | Tequila lime soda |
| Underrated Local | Cooper (Skaped) |
🔌 Pass the Aux
We ask every feature guest to answer a question left by the previous interviewee.
Incoming Question from Senditt: “What do you do when you get a creative block??”
PHA2E: “Usually give it up for the day. Go focus on something else, then come back with fresh ears and figure out what wasn’t working.”
Outgoing Question for the Next DJ:
“What has the biggest turning point been for you in the last year?”
Listen to “Begging for another hit” on Spotify: [Link]
Follow PHA2E: [Instagram Link]
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