Means&3rd

Introducing Means&3rd, the alias of Manchester-based DJ and producer Ben Marsden. Means&3rd has spent over two decades shaping his sound within the city’s vibrant electronic music scene. Living in Manchester since 2007, his journey has spanned musical education, event promotion, and a long-standing role at the legendary Eastern Bloc Records, where he curates the house and techno sections, and curates the venue's busy events calendar. A regular fixture at venues such as The White Hotel, Soup Kitchen, Stage & Radio and Eastern Bloc’s very own club nights, his sets channel a headier, textured, and driving vision of techno that thrives in extended sessions. Building on this foundation, he launched his own imprint, Unveiled Nuance, a label and event series showcasing his evolving productions. With three releases already out and more in motion for 2026, Means&3rd continues to define a precise and distinct sonic identity—one rooted in experience, intuition, and an enduring passion for underground culture that continues to inspire him. Enjoy! @sklasi.dj Team Oefenmeesters Link & tracklist in bio. #setthemood #oefenmeesters #techno #means&3rd

@means_3rd aka Ben Marsden joins us for episode 469 with an extensive session covering over 2 hours worth of techno territory. The Manchester based artist can be found behind the counter at the legendary Eastern Bloc Records where he fronts the house and techno curation for the shop. He has leveraged his exposure to the latest sounds there to promote his own Unveiled Nuance events and label as well as securing performances at events throughout the country. Some words from Ben - “I aimed to create something that reflects where I am sonically right now. The aesthetic of the deeper sound has expanded so much lately, touching on all sorts of BPM’s and vibes, and I’ve really been loving every bit of it. This music requires some patience and a commitment to fully appreciate it, which is one of the reasons it continues to captivate me so much. I also wanted to give a huge shout-out to all the incredible artists featured in this mix; there’s so much amazing music out there right now., and a massive thank you to the Monument team as well—I’m genuinely grateful for this opportunity “ Available now on our SoundCloud, YouTube channels and @carbonmusic_app

• Crescent Textures #108• @means_3rd A steady and fulfilling path has been walked by Means&3rd aka Ben Marsden to get him to the creative space he currently occupies. A Manchester resident since 2007 his musical education has been nurtured by the city and the experiences that have come with it. First beginning with his musical education, shortly followed by many years of promoting events and culminated in securing a spot behind the counter at one of the UK’s finest record stores, Eastern Bloc Records, where he currently curates the House and Techno sections. A local favourite and regular of Manchester’s White Hotel, Warehouse Project, Soup Kitchen, and the close quarters of Eastern Bloc’s very own club night his DJ’ing style has matured over the years to convey a more textured, headier but no less driving vision of techno that is always cohesive within its layers and never struggles to provide a boundless dynamic, especially when given the chance to play extended sets where he truly thrives, a keen intuition developed from over 2 decades of DJing. More recently he has zeroed in on his production skills with 2021 seeing the launch of his own imprint ‘Unveiled Nuance’ which will serve as a platform for his own productions and a true introduction to his sound as an artist. After years of meticulous analysis of his craft and the invaluable knowledge gained via the record shop, he has truly begun to sculpt his own sonic identity with a sharp attentiveness to detail. . . . #crescentlondon #ambienttechno #deeptechno #undergroundtechno #undergroundtechnomusic #hypnotictechno #deepness #dubtechno #berlintechno #variousartists #releaseday #technoravers #darktechnoindustrial #dubtechnomusic #vinyltechno #vinyldigger #albumrecording #djsetups #djsets #djsetlive #recordlabels #holidays #summertime #sun #djslifestyle #summer #festival #outdoor #custom

Wishing you the very best Silas, keep following your heart x

Manchester’s techno specialist, gatherer of all things deep, trippy, and atmospheric in the club music sphere @means_3rd (Ben Marsden) makes his debut on @alltrax_ tomorrow with this fantastic mix recorded live at @renae.mcr - traversing bouncey house-leaning sounds, dubbed-out techno workouts, and electronic soul jazz club excursions. All coloured in Means&3rd’s signature heads-down, rhythmic hue. This mix is an incredible education through the lighter side of techno and the more mature, after hours side of house. Best not to over analyse it and just close your eyes and vibe out. Do not miss! 💿 In Ben’s own words: “This recording is from a 7 hour session that went from ambient textures right through to heavier, dubbier styles. Cut from the earlier part of the evening I move from more uplifting, deeper cuts to heavy basslines with plenty of swing. I dont get many chances to indulge in housier sounds much these days so it was a real treat to present this type of set. I also had the chance to get to know the new Alfa Theta Euphonia rotary mixer for the first time on the evening - so you’ll have to excuse the effect usage, I 100% got a little excited” 💿 Absolute killer mix in our opinion. 💿 Means&3rd, the alias of Manchester-based DJ and producer Ben Marsden, has spent over two decades shaping his sound within the city’s vibrant electronic music scene. Living in Manchester since 2007, his journey has spanned musical education, event promotion, and a long-standing role at the legendary Eastern Bloc Records, where he curates the house and techno sections, as well as the venue’s busy events calendar. 💿 A regular fixture at venues such as The White Hotel, Soup Kitchen, Stage & Radio and Eastern Bloc’s very own club nights, his sets channel a headier, textured, and driving vision of House, Techno, or whatever takes his fancy, always thriving in extended sessions. 📻 Lock in tomorrow, Wed 22nd April at 8pm - 10pm on @alltrax_

Thursday 23rd April - Silasthedon Leaving Party After four and a half years at Eastern Bloc Records and our dear Silas Is leavin! “The shop’s given me serious guidance in music n life in general, helped shape my taste, and introduced me to people I’ll carry with me for life. It’s also where I’ve built my footing in the industry, through everything I’ve learned along the way. On the night: myself (Silasthedon), alongside former Eastern Bloc employee Karl Roscoe, plus shop heads Means&3rd and JimBane. Expect a genre-fluid session covering everything I’ve picked up over the years… hip-hop, broken beat, house, garage, jungle, DnB, dubstep, bass, dub, techno and more” @silasthedon @karlroscoe7 @means_3rd @dj_jim_bane FREE ENTRY 9pm -2am 🎵Logic - blues for you (vocal mix)� #recordstore #manchesterevents

Saturday 4th April, Means&3rd’s Unveiled Nuance returns with more local talent. This time presenting Cønnør, a long time flith resident, one DBA’s most popular nights, this one promises to bring the heavy tension soaked sets with plenty of momentum. Having witnessed his music curation in action, were looking forward to hearing the high energy selections do there damage in the ebloc booth. As always Means&3rd will be bringing a complimentary vibe to Cønnør’s output, and be digging into a different side of his palette to complete the evenings sonic tapestry @means_3rd 
@_connorbuckley £5 OTD 9pm -3am . . #manchestertechno #easternblocrecords #techno

So after the madness that was Piccadilly central for @bigdazmac & the @nimbusmcr crew I’m going to be flying the flag for the more housey leaning side of myself this Thursday (5th March) at @renae.mcr , managed to bag myself an all nighter so plenty of time to move through the gears. Been getting lost in digging for this the last couple of weeks and got some insane music lined up. Really hope I’ll see some of your faces down the front as I can’t wait to present what I’ve been finding, deffos some nostalgia picks going on. Will leave you with this very nice write up from Renae.
 “Ben’s been spinning the best house and techno for as long as our cocktail-addled brains can remember, always outclassing his peers at parties with flawless blends of tunes you instantly needed to own. Luckily, you could grab them from him over the Eastern Bloc counter, then try and fail to make them sound anywhere as good as he did.”

Saturday 28th February, Unveiled Nuance is back with the first party of the year at our beloved Eastern Bloc Records, kicking things off, we welcome Manchester’s own Høleigh. Having caught her a few times recently, we’re seriously buzzing to bring her into the Unveiled Nuance fold. Høleigh blends a diverse mix of techno, psy, and tribal influences, and we can’t wait to see what she brings to our infamous sweat den. Joining her on the evening will be resident Means&3rd, guiding the night through the sounds that have become synonymous with Unveiled Nuance. We’re hyped to welcome Høleigh for this one, see you on the dancefloor. @means_3rd 
@holeighuk £5 OTD 9pm -3am . . #Means_3rd #unveilednuance #nuance003 #uktechno #manchester manchestertechno easternblocrecords techno technolabel vinyl records newtechno technovinyl deeptechno ambienttechno deeptechno undergroundtechno hypnotictechno dubtechno vinyltechno vinyldigger experimentaltechno

Whopper of a night 🫶

Our New Website Launching Soon 🔜 40 Years Of Wax. One Brand New Way To Dig! 🪏 Sign Up Via Link In Bio For Exclusive Access & Offers 🔗 #easternblocrecords #nqmanchester #vinyldj #websitelaunch #recordstore

Saturday 29th November Unveiled Nuance returns to @easternbloc_ After our mega show with Astral Industries boss Ario we cast our talent net over one of Manchesters own. Super happy to be presenting @ajrenwick from Mod Depth, a club night and studio space based in the city who has brought forward thinking bookings like Creznight, Fergus Sweetland & Manchesters own Adrian Skiba to it’s nights. Expect fast paced rugged sounds that have one foot in the spanish techno history, this one promises to be a goodie, hoping you can make it along! . . #Means_3rd #unveilednuance #nuance003 #uktechno #manchester #manchestertechno #easternblocrecords #techno #technolabel #vinyl #records #newtechno #technovinyl #deeptechno #ambienttechno #deeptechno #undergroundtechno #hypnotictechno #dubtechno #vinyltechno #vinyldigger #experimentaltechno