- Dame Un Grrr” has taken TikTok by storm, over a billion views in just one week. Did you expect it to blow up like this when you were in the studio with Kate Linn?
Honestly, we didn’t see it coming at all and that’s the magic of it. You’re in the studio just making what you love, no expectations, and then one day… boom. That one song changes everything. It’s a reminder that you never really know what’s going to connect and you just have to stay true to your vision.
- How would you describe your sound and artistic vision?
It’s not easy to define my sound or artistic vision and maybe that’s the point. My sound isn’t confined by genre; it’s fluid, and it belongs to the people who feel it. As for my vision, it’s shaped by human energy. That connection is what drives everything I create.
- What are your musical influences from childhood?
My parents always had music playing at home. My dad is a huge music lover and even a collector. So, I grew up surrounded by all kinds of sounds, especially Depeche Mode. Their music was a big part of my childhood. I also absorbed a lot of that era: bands like New Order, Kraftwerk, Eurythmics… that whole wave shaped my ear early on.
- You fuse electronic, pop, and world music into your sound. What does your production process typically look like when starting a track like “Dame Un Grrr”?
The process is different for every track, but I love blending pop or other genres with world music influences. My production approach is very much try-and-try. I keep experimenting until something just feels right. For me, music and production are deeply rooted in feeling.
- You’ve spent years behind the scenes as a producer and songwriter. What’s the biggest shift when you’re front and centre with your own project?
I spent years behind the scenes, analyzing and working with other artists. I always had ideas about what I would do differently, but I never really applied them to something of my own. Starting Fantomel was the turning point. It gave me the space to finally pour everything I’d learned into one project and trust my own instincts.
- With hundreds of influencers jumping on the “Dame Un Grrr” wave, do you have a favourite fan-made video or trend so far?
I don’t have one favorite influencer who jumped on it there were honestly so many that surprised me in the best way. At this point, it would be hard to even list them all. But what matters most is that the song touched people. It became a kind of release for them — something they could enjoy, breathe with, and feel free for a moment.
- Do you feel like TikTok has changed the way you approach songwriting and production going forward?
TikTok has become like a radar. If people truly connect with a song, you’ll see it there first. I don’t think it’s changed the way I write or produce music, but it has made it easier to reach a massive audience in record time. There’s a lot of debate in the industry about “making music for TikTok,” but I don’t see it that way. You make music for people and if it resonates, it doesn’t matter where they find it. A real hit will travel everywhere. There’s no rule.
- How does your Romanian background influence your sound, especially when creating tracks meant for a global audience?
I wouldn’t say the Romanian scene shaped my sound directly. I’ve always aimed to make music that speaks to people everywhere. Even if my sound isn’t rooted in traditional Romanian influences, growing up there is still a part of me and one day, I’d love to bring a touch of that into one of my tracks.
- Now that “Dame Un Grrr” is becoming the anthem of Summer 2025, what’s next for Fantomel? Any more collaborations or solo drops on the way?
All I can say is there’s a lot more coming. I have several collaborations lined up, and especially more with Kate Linn. We’re a duo now, and this is just the beginning.
and then