Can you tell us about your background and how you first got started in music? How did you first become interested in electronic music and what drew you to it as a medium for self-expression?
Since I can remember, I have always been drawn to music and sound in general. My parents‘ house had a piano, on which, as a toddler, I conducted my first experiments with sound. It felt like pure magic to combine different tones in a way that evoked emotions. While my Mom was more into jazz and classical music, for which I hadn’t yet developed a taste at that time, my dad was into electronic music, which really spoke to me. We would listen to Tiësto – „Traffic“ in the car, and it would completely mesmerize me, especially the electronic drums resonated deeply within me. Back then, I didn’t know what this music was called, so I used to call it boom boom music. Later, I discovered dance hits through a CD my dad had, with tracks like „Pump Up the Jam“ by Technotronic and „Show Me Love“ by Robin S, which introduced me to the world of house music. My parents noticed my musical interest and decided to enroll me in piano lessons, but I didn’t enjoy it at all. I had no interest in playing other people’s music; I wanted to create my own. However, whenever my piano teacher played something, I would get completely absorbed in a trance.
My parents then tried to put me on drum lessons, but I also didn’t enjoy it as much because it lacked the emotional aspect of melodies and chords that I craved. I wanted to combine both elements. During this time, I wasn’t fully aware of Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), but I intuitively started experimenting with GarageBand on my computer at home.
Once I got into high school, I was constantly searching for and collecting all sorts of music to share with friends and play at parties. I became particularly hooked on hip-hop music and spent a lot of time skating and hanging out on the streets. During this period, I let go of my ambitions to produce music.
However, when I turned 17, the urge to create music suddenly resurfaced, and I began saving up money to buy a DAW. From that day on, I became completely addicted to producing music.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, both within electronic music and outside of it? How have these influences shaped your sound and approach to creating music?
My biggest influences must be my parents – my dad, for introducing me to electronic music at an early age, and my Mom, for nurturing and developing my creativity. However, my other significant influences stem from the life experiences I’ve gone through, which have included both soaring highs and challenging lows. These experiences have played a crucial role in shaping my character and also the way I approach my music.
Music production has become my escape and a way to confront myself with certain emotions that I am processing. It serves as a powerful outlet for me to channel my feelings and thoughts, allowing me to express myself in ways that are hard to capture in words.
If I have to name an artist who greatly influenced my sound in electronic music, it has to be Jon Hassell. His melancholic sound really resonates with me, and the fact that he was able to produce such fresh-sounding compositions later in his life really impresses me.
Can you walk us through your creative process for writing and recording a new song? How do you typically begin a new track, and what are some of the key elements or techniques you focus on as you develop it.
I always begin my creative process with an emotion; anything that touches me deeply will do. Many times, I experiment with sound design until I come across something that captivates my attention. Over time, I’ve developed various techniques for this, mainly involving synthesis and sampling. Currently, I use Ableton, which I adore for its ease of sampling, resampling, stretching, chopping, and overall sound manipulation, allowing me to craft entirely unique sounds.
Frequently, I start by synthesizing a sound from scratch, then I sample it and morph it into something completely different from its initial form. It’s an exciting way to explore new possibilities and push the boundaries of creativity. Additionally, there are times when I begin a project without any intention of creating a final track; rather, my pure intention is to experiment with sound. The sounds that come out of these sessions I then save as an audiofile in a folder to use in future tracks.
Your latest project is really gaining traction, can you tell us about it? How did this project come about and what inspired you to create it? What was your approach to making it and what do you think sets it apart from your previous work?
My first years of producing have been solely focused on House music, this EP contains some of my first experimentations with different genres and contains a more emotional side which i did not express before. Listening back now I can hear the processing of difficult emotions that I was experiencing at that time. All tracks are quite moody, but behind the clouds there is still some sunshine. Im very happy at the moment and I think this EP has helped me arrive at that happiness.
What has been the highlight of your career so far? Can you talk about a specific moment or accomplishment that stands out as particularly meaningful to you?
I can confidently say that this EP has been the biggest highlight so far. The fact that someone finds my music worthwhile to release, touches me deeply.
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects or collaborations you have in the works? Are there any new directions or sounds you’re exploring in your music right now?
Right now I’m experimenting a lot with rhythm and focusing more on club music, less moody stuff. I try to keep experimenting so I don’t fall into the trap of using the same trick over and over, which for me always leads to writer’s block. I get bored really quickly so to keep the music interesting for myself I need to reinvent myself over and over.
As a musician, what message do you hope to convey through your music? What themes or ideas do you find yourself returning to again and again in your work?
To embrace the mysterious aspects of life, we must acknowledge the limitations of our perception. As humans, it is essential to remain humble in the face of the vast unknown. Nowadays, a lot of people are trapped in a narrow worldview that, in my opinion, contributes to the destruction of our planet. Nobody truly knows why we are here. Therefore, it is best to embrace the uncertainty and strive to make our time here meaningful, not only for ourselves but also for the world around us.
Can you tell us about any challenges you have faced in your career and how you overcame them? Have there been any specific obstacles or difficulties you’ve had to navigate as an electronic musician?
I often find it challenging to strike a balance between my social life and my music production. I can easily get engrossed in my music and end up spending days on end at home, leading to isolation and difficulties in connecting with others and meeting new people. To address this, I’ve been working on managing my time more effectively. I now dedicate the mornings to music production, engage in social activities later in the day, and then return to producing in the evenings.
Additionally, sports have been immensely helpful to me, giving me a reason to leave the house more often and interact with others in a different setting. However, I must admit that my best work often emerges when I am feeling most emotional or socially unstable, hahaha.
Despite that, I recognize the significance of networking and meeting new people in the context of being an artist. Hence, I am striving to pay more attention to this aspect of my life, seeking ways to engage with others in the music community and beyond. It’s a delicate balance, but I understand the importance of both nurturing my creativity and connecting with fellow artists and enthusiasts.
How do you see the music industry evolving in the next 5 years? What changes do you think we’ll see in terms of technology, distribution, and audience engagement?
I think AI is going to make a big impact on the music industry, some people claim that AI will take over our role to create. I think this is nonsense, people’s urge to create will always be there and I think people would rather listen to a person with a story than an algorithm. I also think that having experiences is an important part of creating meaningful art. I think AI will rather be a tool that we’ll use to get further in our exploration of the audio spectrum.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to make it in the industry? Are there any particular tips or strategies you’ve found to be particularly effective in building a career as an electronic musician?
I believe it’s crucial to remain true to yourself and avoid getting caught up in the hype. This approach will help you become a more authentic artist. Instead of trying to emulate other artists, focus on what genuinely resonates with you and what you find worthwhile. In the past, I used to attempt to replicate the work of artists I admired, but I always ended up with a weaker and less interesting version.
When I started working more intuitively and trusting my instincts, I noticed that my results became much more captivating while still retaining my unique sound. So, my advice is to embrace intuitive work and avoid being overly rational. Don’t overthink; just dive into the creative process and let your instincts guide you. This way, you’ll discover a more genuine and distinctive artistic expression.
Also don’t be afraid to experiment, just touch all the buttons and see what happens, there are no rules.
