A fresh force has arrived on the electronic music scene as RJ Buchanan, the creative mind behind the genre-defining act Valerna, launches his bold new project Horse & Pony with Plasmapool Records. Delivering a funky, warm, and uplifting fusion of classic retro vibes and modern disco house energy, Horse & Pony is all about sophisticated party grooves.
Big, driving beats meet crisp hi-hats, smooth vocals, and infectious basslines, pulling you straight onto the dancefloor. It’s pop, it’s experimental, it’s groove-packed and festival-ready — a shimmering mix of old-school disco charm and cutting-edge synth wizardry. Pulsating synths, playful bleeps, noisy basslines, and sleek production create a joyous explosion of sound that’s tailor-made for cool city nights, street celebrations, and late-night festival magic.
Already prolific despite being a brand-new project, Horse & Pony is set to win over fans worldwide with a sound that’s as fresh as it is irresistibly danceable.
Electronic music innovator behind genre-defining act Valerna launches new project, Horse & Pony with Plasmapool Records
August 2025 – After helping birth the complextro genre and achieving multiple #1 Hype Machine hits with his groundbreaking duo Valerna, producer RJ Buchanan has emerged with an exciting new creative direction. Operating under the moniker Horse & Pony, the Massachusetts-born artist is channeling two decades of production experience into irresistible disco house that’s gaining momentum across streaming platforms and electronic music communities worldwide.
Buchanan’s latest release as Horse & Pony, Hypno Helio Static Stasis, showcases a dramatic evolution from his genre-pioneering work with Valerna. The project represents his continued commitment to pushing musical boundaries, building on a career that has consistently defied genre limitations.
“There’s a sea of electronica out there nowadays so it’s important to push it and try to stand out,” Buchanan noted in a rare interview during his Valerna years. “We’re not looking for just the club scene audience.”
This philosophy continues to drive his work as Horse & Pony, where he applies sophisticated production techniques honed over twenty years to create accessible yet innovative disco house.
From Hip-Hop to Complextro to Disco House: A Producer’s Journey
Buchanan’s path to Horse & Pony represents a fascinating evolution. Starting in 2004 as hip-hop producer Sixunder7 alongside longtime collaborator Brett Sorrentino, he initially produced beats to fund their electronic music ambitions. By 2008, they had transformed into Valerna, fusing their metal backgrounds with electronic production to create what would become known as complextro.
Valerna’s remix of Pance Party’s Fun Factory is widely credited as the birth of the complextro genre, predating and influencing artists like Skrillex, Porter Robinson, and Madeon. Their innovative sound design and intricate basslines earned them multiple #1 hits on Hype Machine, including remixes of Busta Rhymes and Clockwork that dominated the blogosphere during electronic music’s blog era golden age.
Now, as Horse & Pony, Buchanan brings that same innovative spirit to disco house, creating tracks that blend sophisticated production techniques with pure dancefloor energy. His approach reflects years of experience bridging genres — from his early days as a mason’s laborer in Boston funding studio equipment to his current status as a genre-hopping innovator.
Cross-Media Success and Growing Momentum
Horse & Pony‘s influence extends beyond traditional music channels. The recent track Whippit has been selected for inclusion in an upcoming release by NY-based game developer Nuclear Fishin, marking an exciting crossover between electronic music and gaming culture.
This cross-media appeal, combined with substantial growth on SoundCloud — where unreleased tracks have generated significant community engagement — positions Horse & Pony as one of 2025’s most promising breakthrough acts.
The project benefits from Plasmapool Records‘ extensive support, with recent releases including No Pony Ride (April 2025) debuting as a Beatport exclusive. As part of the Stuttgart-based label group that manages 56 in-house labels and over 7,000 artists, Horse & Pony has access to global distribution networks that have proven instrumental in the project’s rapid growth.
Looking Forward: Written on Your Kitten EP
Buchanan shows no signs of slowing down, with the highly anticipated EP Written on Your Kitten scheduled for release later this year through Plasmapool Records. Early previews suggest a collection that pushes his disco house sound into new territories while maintaining the infectious energy and sophisticated production that has become his trademark across all his projects.
About RJ Buchanan
RJ Buchanan is an electronic music producer whose career spans over two decades. As co-founder of Valerna (2008–2012), he helped pioneer the complextro genre and achieved multiple #1 Hype Machine hits. His production journey began in 2004 as hip-hop producer Sixunder7, and he has now evolved into creating cutting-edge disco house as Horse & Pony. Born in Lynn and currently based in Salem, Massachusetts, Buchanan continues to push creative boundaries while maintaining the innovative approach that has defined his career.
Connect with Horse & Pony
Streaming Platforms:
• Spotify
• Apple Music
• SoundCloud
Purchase & DJ Support:
• Beatport
Social Media:
• Instagram
