On May 28, GRAMMY®-nominated artist and producer Benjamin David, known professionally as Mild Minds, officially announced the signing of HUMS—the Helsinki-based project of producer Elias Durac—to his label MOODS INTL. Marking the imprint’s first external artist signing, the announcement coincides with the release of HUMS’ ethereal debut single “Fractures,” now available on all streaming platforms.
Crafting a delicate intersection between atmospheric electronica, organic textures, and confessional vocal elements, HUMS fits seamlessly within MOODS INTL.’s evolving sonic identity. With “Fractures,” Durac delivers a composition that reflects his distinct production style—blending static, machine-like drums with expressive synth work and vocal samples from personal voice memos to create a hauntingly intimate listening experience.
“We’re thrilled to welcome HUMS to our roster,” shared Benjamin David. “His sound felt like exactly what I was listening to—something that’s hard to pigeonhole but carries influences from UK Garage, darker electronica, and melancholy house. His production was inspiring, and we can’t wait to get more of his music out there over the next 6 months.”
Born in Turku and now based in Helsinki, Elias Durac has been involved in music since childhood—forming bands, producing early electronic projects with his older brother, and performing under his indie alias Fabianossa. But it was the emergence of HUMS in 2022 that marked a major shift—an emotional outpouring catalyzed by personal challenges, written in a spontaneous weeklong creative burst. The result is a sound that’s deeply personal, emotionally resonant, and entirely his own.
“Fractures is a song where I really concentrated on the drums,” Durac explained. “I wanted something static and electronic like a drum machine layered with organic elements. I used a bunch of samples from my own library—vocals, synths, textures—and built the track using what I had. Sometimes, it’s better to work with fewer tools. It brings more focus and creativity.”
For Durac, joining MOODS INTL. represents both creative freedom and meaningful collaboration. “It’s a special thing to work with individuals that love music and embrace my own process,” he said. “Sometimes I forget how hard it can be to manage everything alone. With MOODS INTL., I feel supported—there’s feedback, real involvement, and a shared vision.”
MOODS INTL., established by Benjamin David following the success of his Mild Minds project and his tenure with ODESZA’s Foreign Family Collective, is designed as a platform where artists can retain creative control while benefiting from decades of industry expertise. With the recent release of his sophomore Mild Minds album ‘GEMINI’, David is now turning more energy toward nurturing a diverse and forward-thinking artist roster.
“After finishing the new Mild Minds record, it felt like the right time to shift our energy toward the label,” said David. “MOODS INTL. has been quietly developing behind the scenes, and now we’re finally ready to share what we’ve been working on. We’ve got some incredible projects lined up—debut acts, familiar names. There’s so much talent out there flying under the radar. We’re building something thoughtful and lasting.”
“Fractures” marks the first in a steady flow of releases from HUMS slated throughout 2025. With his evocative sound and a growing home at MOODS INTL., HUMS is poised to become one of the most compelling new voices in underground electronic music.