One of London's most sought after DJs and producers, Floating Points alias Sam Shepherd, has toured with The xx, collaborated with Caribou, Four Tet, and has performed around the world, including festivals such as Glastonbury, Primavera, FYF Festival, Pitchfork Festival Europe. Floating Points' first LP, 'Elaenia', was considered 'Best New Music' by Pitchfork, named 'Album of the Year' by Resident Advisor in 2015 and led Rolling Stone to define it as 'one of the most innovative talents in contemporary electronic music'. Shepherd composed and recorded the album, which bridges the gap between ecstatic dance music and the formative roots of classical and jazz music, while pursuing a doctorate in neuroscience and epigenetics. He returned with the extensive and extended two-track EP 'Kuiper' in 2016. In 2017, he followed the album with 'Reflections - Mojave Desert', a short film and a soundtrack with tracks recorded in the Mojave Desert, with Pitchfork calling the album “his most ambitious recording to date.” Shepherd's latest project, 'Ratio', is an epic track that is close to 19 minutes long and recalls his previous releases focused on the dance floor. The track received strong radio support, with Annie Mac calling it “the hottest recording in the world.” Over the summer, Floating Points developed 'Ratio' as part of its solo electronic live show at festivals around the world. The track quickly became a fan favorite, a real highlight of the performance. Sam also hosts the internationally renowned “You're A Melody” DJ parties and manages the Melodies International reissue label along with others.

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For aspiring DJs and producers, or indeed anyone who appreciates a good story, the genesis of Palms Trax couldn’t have read any dreamier. You know the one; curious yet naive son of the English Riviera lands a job at one of London’s leading record stores and discovers the masters of Chicago house and Detroit techno.

Later, stumbling around Berlin, his primitive attempts to emulate the sound of his newfound heroes accidentally land him a bona fide dance floor hit. A gradual but steady stream of EPs courtesy of Dutch dance music powerhouse Dekmantel have allowed his productions to blossom in richer, smoother directions. On 2015’s ‘In Gold’ EP, and throughout the following year’s ‘High Point on Low Ground’, halcyon hallmarks of house - euphoric piano lines, bubbling acid and luminescent keys - are shot through with Donaldson’s tough, distinctive percussion.
It’s that same connection with Dekmantel that has encouraged Donaldson to quickly evolve as a DJ. A memorable performance at Dekmantel’s flagship Amsterdam festival in 2015 captured open hearts, lost minds and aching feet.

Since then, the sound of Palms Trax has been a fixture on their enormous main stage, drifting seamlessly between vintage house, esoteric disco and the various shades of a bubbling UK underground he has helped define. Occasional back-to-back performances with the likes of Hunee, Young Marco, and Midland, all DJs regularly credited for their breadth of musical knowledge and versatility, speak volumes for Donaldson’s DJing nous, which has lead him on an international trail; from South America to Australia, and from Panorama Bar to Concrete, Contact, and De School.