Connect with us

Interview

Arkley Talks About Launching His New Project, His Inspirations, Plans For 2022 & More!

Unknown's avatar

Published

on

Blazing onto the scene in 2021 with ‘Music (Over & Over)’ that introduced the world to the UK-based artist’s unique chopped n screwed, sample-loving take on house-meets-electro, Arkley is now back with another earworm of an anthem to welcome in the new year on ‘Rave ’92 (Everybody Dancing)’. We had the pleasure of speaking with Arkley on a number of topics which you can read below.

Hey Arkley, thanks for taking the time to speak with us! Please tell us how your project under ‘Arkley’ came to be!
I’ve been making music since I was a kid, playing in various guitar and synth bands with my friends. It has been loads of fun, but at the end of 2019, I decided I wanted to try a solo project for the first time and go back to the rave and big beat records of the 90s and early 2000s that first opened my ears to dance music.

Who are your inspirations when making the music you now make?
So many! For the first time, I’m using a lot of samples and that’s really inspired by The Avalanches and The Dust Brothers (who produced Beck’s ‘Odelay’ and the Beastie Boys’ ‘Paul’s Boutique’). I also love The KLF’s smash’n’grab approach to writing tracks stuffed full of big hooks. The overall sound is inspired by the first dance acts I discovered like The Chemical Brothers, The Prodigy and early Daft Punk, as well as the 2mandjs ‘As Heard on Radio Soulwax’ mix series.

You were also one half of Deuce & Charger who made waves within the Drum ‘n ’Bass scene – tell us about how that project went and why you chose to move away from that?
Deuce & Charger was a lot of fun and I guess something I might come back to someday as I do still love drum & bass. We had so many great experiences playing clubs in London and the world’s biggest D&B festival, Let It Roll, out in the Czech Republic. We put out about 25 tracks in 4 years, including with some of the genre’s biggest labels like Viper, Technique and Liquicity, and met loads of awesome people along the way. But after all that, I really wanted to get back to the music that is 100% in my blood, which is what I’m doing now with Arkley.

So, you just released your own solo, sophomore single ‘Rave ’92 (Everybody Dancing)’, how has the support been so far?
Amazing, thanks!! I’ve had awesome support from press and radio like BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio and even the legend Judge Jules has given it a few spins on his radio show. Plus loads of positive messages and comments on social media too. I think the sound and style sounds really fresh and exciting to younger audiences, while also evoking a lot of fondness from older ravers – gives them something new to crank on the car stereo once they’ve dropped the kids off at school! Luckily for me, there seems to be a bit of a 90s throwback moment happening right now, so my sound fits right in!

We noticed you have a flair for taking a sample-heavy approach that nods to big-beat and hip-hop but you’re still firmly in the electronic scene. What is it that appeals to you about this process when creating a track?
I love stitching together really contrasting samples from diverse genres to create something unique and unexpected. The break in my first single, ‘Music (Over & Over)’, is probably the best example of this. It has a bon-tempi drum loop together with 70s soul strings and 80s Gary Numan-esque synth bass, plus southern US rap vocals and movie speech. I had no idea this is where it would end up when I started, so it was a really fun and exciting process for me. I have a whole folder of similar tracks that I’d like to bring together at some point into a continuous musical journey like the first Avalanches album. For now though, I’m going deeper into a modern take on 90s sampling techniques to make tracks to dance to!

You are based in the UK and are one of the new generations of up-and-coming artists with this moniker, but who would you love to collaborate with?
I’m very open-minded about collaborations as you always learn something in the process. I love unique voices, so working with people like Channel Tres or Kah-Lo would be very cool. Having said that, I’d also love to work with some of the older generation like The Chemical Brothers or Orbital. Utah Saints and Prospa are both in Leeds, which is just down the road from me in York, and working with either of them would be brilliant – so guys, if you’re reading 😉

What is next for Arkley in terms of your releases for 2022, as well as your live aspect? Will we see some gigs this year?
I’ve got loads of tracks that I’d love to release this year. A few more with an early 90s vibe like ‘Rave ’92’ and some others with a later 90s Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim influence. I put a lot of my unreleased WIPs in my monthly mixes on Mixcloud, so head there to hear them first! I’d love to do some DJ shows this year too. There are a few things which will hopefully come together as the year progresses, but I’m always open to offers – “have USB, will travel”!!

Thanks for taking the time with us and we wish you success for this year!
Thank you

Founder, Owner & Manager of EDMHouseNetwork. Instant lover of all things electronic dance music from the moment I heard Fatboy Slim and The Prodigy. After pursuing a career as a DJ, creating EDM content quickly became a love of mine and it has been my mission to keep delivering high quality content ever since.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

EDM Music

STBAN, Varoc & Furia Drop ‘LUZ (Club Mix)’ on FLAMENCA Records: Varoc Interview

Unknown's avatar

Published

on

FLAMENCA Records bring their inaugural year to an end with a single that perfectly encapsulates the imprint’s mission. ‘LUZ (Club Mix)’ sees label boss STBAN join forces with Spanish stars Varoc and Furia for a collaboration that translates Vinnie Dollar’s original 2023 single through flamenco, electronica and trap, to stunning effect.

The original recording of LUZ by Vinnie Dollar has already clocked up an incredible 10 million views on YouTube alone. In this 2025 reworking the pace is turned up but the raw, Arabesque tones of Vinnie’s vocal remain just as evocative, providing a powerful backbone for the electronic elements to twist themselves around. The result is a perfect fusion of urban and electronica from Furia and youngster Varoc, with sultry shades of Flamenco House from FLAMENCA boss STBAN.

With so many different genres on display it could have easily turned into a muddled, disparate edit but the flawless production is instead testament to the shared vision of all four artists. As the vocal’s sentiment transcends language barriers, its combination with instrumentation provides an organic sense of movement, a crescendo of sound and emotion that bar by bar takes the track from the town square to the global dance floor.

The single is the final track of 2025 to drop from label boss STBAN. In the space of just six months, the DJ and producer has emphatically steered FLAMENCA Records onto the world stage. Eight singles, a major distribution deal with Toolroom Records, and FLAMENCA Live events at AirBeat One, Montreux Jazz Festival and Tantra Ibiza have combined to build some serious hype under one of Flamenco House music’s most passionate producers.

Furia, who runs label XTR Records, is renowned for his fusion of melodic and Afro-centred beats. Creating a dark, deep and melancholic body of work, his catalogue has amassed over 5 million streams on Spotify alone, earning him regular placements on top playlists around the world.

At the age of just 19 Varoc has already performed on some of the planet’s biggest stages, including Tomorrowland, BPM Costa Rica, Medusa, Weekend Festival and more. The teenager also hosts radio shows on Los 40 Dance and Ibiza Global Radio, one of the only artists to have shows on both. With the track dropping today, we thought it was high time we caught up with the talented teenager to find out more…

Varoc, welcome to EDM House Network! Can you tell us where you are right now and what you’re up to?

Hi, it’s a pleasure to have this interview with you. I’m Varoc, a DJ and producer from Madrid, Spain. I’m 19 years old and passionate about electronic music. I’ve performed over 200 DJ sets and I’m currently working on my new songs and productions.

In addition to Vinnie’s vocals, the track also features co-productions from Furia and STBAN, the head of FlamencaRecords. How do you approach a multi-collaboration like this and still make sure your own sound stands out?

Working with Furia and STBAN was key to this track. They’re both experienced producers and artists with strong creative visions. Their perspective helped us merge our different musical approaches into one cohesive and well-balanced concept.

You’ve been producing since you were 12. What was your first track, and what do you think when you listen back to it now?My first release was “No Limit’s.” When I listen to it now, it reminds me of my beginnings — a time full of curiosity, passion, and the drive to learn.

We have to say it — for 19, you’ve already achieved so much! Has electronic music always been your passion? What first drew you to it?

I’d say electronic music gives meaning to my life. From a very young age, it became my way of expressing creativity and emotion — both through mixing and through music production. It’s my escape, my purpose, and my way to connect with people.

Which producers and DJs do you look up to?

Right now, my main inspirations are Black CoffeeCalvin HarrisDavid GuettaHugelDiploFred Again, and many others. I also have a special connection with Andrea Oliva — I’ve had the opportunity to perform with him several times, opening his shows, and it’s always been an incredible experience.

You’ve performed at some of the world’s biggest festivals, including Tomorrowland.
How was that experience, and will you be back next year?

I’ve experienced so many unforgettable moments in my career — real dreams come true.
Performing at Tomorrowland 2024 was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Traveling to Belgium and sharing the stage with some of the world’s top electronic artists was something I’ll never forget. Another highlight was performing this summer at A Summer Story, playing for more than 5,000 people and feeling a deep connection with the crowd. And just a few months ago, I had the chance to present my new track “Luz” at the Tomorrowland Store in Ibiza, one of the island’s most iconic spots.

You host a weekly radio show on two of Spain’s leading stations, Los 40 Dance and Ibiza Global Radio. How important is radio for introducing your sound to new fans, and how far do your sets reach around the world?

Very few DJs have a show on both Los 40 Dance and Ibiza Global Radio, and that pushes me to constantly search for the best new music. It allows listeners from Ibiza, Spain, and around the world to enjoy my sets each week. It’s also helped me build a strong presence on two of the most influential radio stations in the electronic and Ibiza scenes.

This is your first release on Flamenca Records. Do you feel the “flamenco house” sound is starting to grow outside of Spain?

Yes, definitely. There’s a growing trend of fusion between styles — more and more producers are experimenting with cultural and sonic blends, creating new genres that connect with audiences across different countries.

You’re about to leave your teenage years behind. Where do you see yourself by the end of your twenties?

Honestly, I try to focus on the present — enjoying each moment, each song, each show…
and letting myself be guided by energy and music.

CONNECT // FLAMENCA:

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK

CONNECT // STBAN:

INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK

Continue Reading

Interview

YOUNA on ‘Serotonin,’ Coachella 2026 & Techno in Dubai

Unknown's avatar

Published

on

In a world where electronic music is often pigeonholed into rigid categories, YOUNA DJ is proving that you can be both dark and happy at the same time. The Korea-born, Dubai-based DJ and producer has carved out a unique space in the melodic techno and peak-time techno scene, blending aggressive soundscapes with catchy melodies that make crowds jump with genuine joy.

 

Fresh off the announcement of her upcoming Coachella performance and riding high on her latest Armada Music release “Serotonin,” YOUNA DJ sat down to discuss her evolving sound, the art of warming up for legends, and why club gigs will always be her favorite.

YOUNA DJ’s “Serotonin”: The Paradox of Happy Darkness

When you first listen to “Serotonin,” YOUNA DJ’s latest track on Armada Music, you might be struck by its relentless, hypnotic intensity. But for the producer herself, it represents her happiest work yet.

“For me, compared to my other tracks, it’s very happy,” YOUNA DJ explains with a laugh. “Usually I put more aggressive sounds rather than something everyone can sing and dance to. This time I really wanted to try to find some catchy melody, happy kind of stuff. When I sketched this melody, I could imagine every people on the dance floor dancing together, jumping with happy energy.”

The track’s title references the brain’s happiness chemical, and while it might sound darker than typical “happy music,” YOUNA DJ embraces this duality. “It’s still melodic techno, still my sound, so it can be darker than just normal happy music, but for me it’s very happy and positive energy.”

This philosophy of being dark and happy simultaneously extends beyond her music into her entire artistic identity. “I love dark, fast, hard music,” she says, “but you can smile while listening to these really hard tracks.”

Working with Armada Music: A Dream Realized for YOUNA DJ

Landing on Armada Music was a milestone moment for YOUNA DJ, and not just because of the label’s prestige. “I’m really happy to work with them, not only about the fact that they’re a huge label, but also they’re super professional in every work,” she shares. “For example, I made this Serotonin t-shirt. I suggested the idea of doing some merch giveaway, and they were really supportive of everything.”

The partnership represents the realization of a long-held dream. “It’s one of my dreams to release tracks from Armada, so I’m obviously super happy for that,” YOUNA DJ says, adding that her first stop at Amsterdam Dance Event will be visiting the Armada offices.

The Art of the Warm-Up

One of YOUNA’s most impressive skills is her ability to open for techno titans like Charlotte de Witte, ARTBAT, I Hate Models, and Amelie Lens. But this wasn’t always intuitive, especially coming from the Asian club scene.

“In Asia, most of the time, there’s no concept of warm-up,” she reveals. “Obviously there are warm-up DJs, but they’re banging all the time. It’s common that they play drum and bass before my time, or hardstyle, and I’m like, ‘Okay, well…'”

Moving to Dubai and doing residency at Seoul Garden taught her the art of building energy throughout the night. “For hard techno warm-ups, I play more of my stuff and it’s totally fine because whatever track I play is less hard than the main artist. But I try to be careful with other melodic techno artists. My style is quite harder, so I try to play proper warm-up music and put just one or two of my tracks in between.”

Her secret to making warm-up sets memorable? Connection. “Even though I play less energy music, I always try to make people enjoyable. I always smile at people, interact with them. Even though it’s the same track, there’s a huge difference between just wearing a hat and looking down versus interacting with people.”

From Yachts to Clubs: The Perfect Setting

Despite playing everywhere from desert festivals to yacht parties, YOUNA has a clear favorite: traditional club venues. “Club is always the perfect place to play for me,” she states definitively.

When asked why, she doesn’t hesitate: “I don’t need to prepare the equipment setup. It’s all there. But when it’s outdoor, I first think about setting up properly. Maybe the light’s going to bother me, maybe the sand is going to bother me.”

She recalls a particularly memorable yacht party where the waters got rough: “In the end it was super shaky. People were holding the speakers!” While it was fun, her perfectionist nature prefers the controlled environment of a club. “There’s more possibility for natural disasters outdoors,” she jokes. “Club is a safe place.”

Peak-Time Techno: Finding Her BPM Sweet Spot

YOUNA describes her sound as melodic techno and peak-time techno, citing influences like Drumcode, Adam Beyer, Space 92, and Eli Brown. Her sets typically start at 128 BPM and max out around 132 BPM, though she’ll push to 138 when warming up for hard techno artists.

“These days I’m making much more energetic stuff,” she explains. “I used to do more melodic, more emotional tracks, but now I’m trying to make it more energetic, more techno.” This evolution keeps her sound fresh while maintaining that signature balance between dark and happy energy that defines her work.

Looking Ahead: Coachella and Beyond

If 2025 has been big for YOUNA, 2026 promises to be even bigger. She’s confirmed for Coachella, a massive achievement for any electronic artist. “I’m really looking forward to it,” she says with excitement.

Before that, she’s staying busy with shows in Turkey for Halloween and the Untold Festival on November 9th. She’s also working on new music, including a remix of Sian’s “Guilt” for Manta Label, complete with a music video. “I felt really big inspiration from the original track. It’s more dark techno, peak time, in the middle of melodic techno and hard techno. I really like this combination.”

Reflecting on her favorite memory of 2025, YOUNA points to an unexpected show: “Honestly, the Beirut show was my best memory because it was so unexpected. The love from the crowd was insane. I felt huge dopamine from that show.”

She’s also been expanding her operations, hiring an assistant and exploring new creative ventures like merchandise and music videos. “Everything is new and exciting. I think there’s going to be much more things coming up next year.”

For an artist who proves you can be both dark and happy, both melodic and hard, both emotional and energetic, the future looks bright indeed.


Listen to the full episode on the 10 Days in Dance podcast, available on all podcast platforms.

 

Continue Reading

Interview

Fede Spamer’s ‘Silence’: New Melodic Techno Track & Creative Process

Unknown's avatar

Published

on

Portrait of Argentine producer Fede Spamer, discussing the creation of his introspective melodic techno track, 'Silence'.

Fede Spamer’s latest release, ‘Silence’, marks a new shift in the Argentine Producer’s artistic direction. Known for his emotive production and subtle sonic layering, Spamer leans into a more introspective space with this track, balancing ambient textures, evocative vocals, and a restrained but resolute energy. It’s a work born out of doubt, yet shaped by creative persistence, capturing the quiet tension of uncertainty and the gradual pull toward clarity. 

We sat down with Fede to explore the creative process behind ‘Silence, and how this track reflects a deeper evolution in his sound and mindset.

Hi Fede, how are you doing?

Hi! I’m doing great, thank you. How about you?

Let’s start with the creative spark –  where did the initial idea or emotion behind ‘Silence’ come from?

Silence came together at a time when I was dealing with a lot of self-doubt. It was during a quiet period I took for myself, right at the beginning of fall in Argentina. The cold weather was starting to come around, and since I’ve never been a fan of the cold, that season always makes me feel a bit sentimental. At the time, I wasn’t feeling very inspired and wasn’t happy with the tracks I was working on. But I knew I wanted to use spoken words. When I found these, they perfectly captured what I wanted to express. They took me back to a time years ago when I was also doubting my path in music. I wanted Silence to sound like a conversation you’d have with yourself, that inner voice reflecting, feeling close to giving up but not quite, and deciding to keep going and keep believing that you can make it.

What kind of mood or energy were you aiming to capture with this track?

I wanted to capture a mood that felt introspective but also hopeful. The track has this sense of quiet energy, almost like being suspended in your own thoughts, but there’s also a subtle energy pushing you forward. It’s not a sad track, even though it comes from a nostalgic place. It’s more about acceptance, reflection, and finding calm in uncertainty. I also wanted it to have an abstract feel, something open to interpretation, where listeners can connect with their own emotions and thoughts. I wanted them to feel that quiet space where doubt turns into motivation.

Was there a moment in the production when you felt the identity of the track really locked in? What came together to make it feel complete?

This track actually took longer to produce than usual for me. It really started to take shape once I managed to organize the vocals and find ways to make them feel like an introverted conversation. That was the moment when the identity of the track began to come together. I also spent quite a bit of time refining the chords, both in the main section and the breakdown. I used NI Kontakt 8’s Glaze 2 to layer choir-like sounds with the synths, which helped give those chords a more emotional and textured feel. That’s why the chord progression carries a melancholic yet uplifting energy. It was a very detailed process, and I wish I could show you the MIDI because every note, section, and layer was placed with intention.

The female vocal stands out as a distinct element. What drew you to this particular sample, and how did you shape it into the mix?

It really started with the line ‘Oh darling, what is the meaning of life?’ and everything just flowed from there. I spent many hours experimenting with different phrases until it began to feel like a real conversation, almost like a phone call with your inner self. That’s why, at the beginning of the track, I placed a faint beeping sound in the background that resembles the tone of an old phone hanging up, as if one part of you has ended the call but another part still wants to stay on the line. The story continues until it ends with ‘Deep into the silent nothingness,’ which isn’t about giving up, but more about surrendering to the moment and choosing to stay on the line anyway. The track concludes with the beeping sound alongside an uplifting lead, symbolizing both the end of the thoughts and a sense of forward motion. When mixing the vocal, I added delay effects and reverb to give it a distant, reflective quality, almost as if the voice is bouncing around inside your head. I also used FabFilter’s Saturn 2 to add saturation, which gave the vocal a bit more warmth and to make it sound slightly distant at the same time, and T-RackS Mic Room to help it stand out in the mix.

Compared to your previous EP ‘Love Mission’, what new ground does ‘Silence’ explore for you – sonically or emotionally?

With Silence, I wanted to move toward a more melodic techno feel. Love Mission had a brighter, more uplifting energy, while this track goes deeper both sonically and emotionally. I focused more on atmosphere and texture, building layers that feel immersive rather than straightforward. It has a slow emotional build that reflects the kind of space I was in when I created it.

Let’s talk production – were there any specific tools, synths, or plugins that played a key role in shaping the sound?

For this production, I used many new plugins. It was the first time in a while that I upgraded my setup, so I wanted to experiment with different sounds and textures. I worked mainly with Native Instruments plugins and synths, but the main chords and synths started with Serum, which is still my go-to. From there, I layered other elements using Massive and Kontakt 8’s Glaze 2 and Natch for the leads. The bass also came from Serum, while for the echoes I used Replika XT, which was new to me and quickly became my favorite delay plugin. I also used Solid EQ during the mastering process.

‘Silence’ moves with a real sense of momentum. How did you approach structure and progression to keep the energy evolving throughout?

For this track, I wanted the structure to feel like a gradual emotional journey that eventually leads to a powerful release. It starts in a very minimal and reflective space, almost like you’re entering your own thoughts, and then builds up into a more intense and energetic section. I focused on creating tension through subtle transitions and layering so that when the shift happens, it feels earned and emotional rather than abrupt. The idea was to guide the listener through that contrast between calm and intensity.

When it comes to balancing groove and texture, melody and rhythm – is this instinctual in your workflow, or do you make conscious decisions to guide that balance?

It’s a bit of both. I usually start from instinct, just feeling out what works in the moment and letting the groove and textures build naturally. But once I have the main idea down, I shift into producer mode and start refining everything. I always say that I constantly move between artist and producer modes, where the artist side is about emotion and intuition, and the producer side brings structure and precision. I always end my tracks in producer mode, making sure every detail feels intentional and polished.

Looking at your process for ‘Silence’, what did you learn that you’re carrying into your next project?

That you have to trust your intuition. I was actually about to discard this track, but something told me to finish it. In the end, it felt like an upgrade in many ways, both creatively and technically. I learned that sometimes the projects you doubt the most can push you to a new level if you just trust the process and follow your instinct.

Finally, can you share what you have lined up next? Any upcoming releases we should keep an eye out for?

Yes! I’m about to release a new single in a few weeks. It’s actually a project I produced at the beginning of this year, before Silence. Right now, I’m making a few adjustments and tweaks to bring it up to the level of my current workflow and techniques.

With ‘Silence’, Fede Spamer offers more than just a listening experience, as it showcases his own reflections on artistic vulnerability and self-belief. Built from moments of stillness and shaped by careful production choices, the track reveals an artist increasingly confident in letting the process guide the outcome. As he prepares to release new material, Fede Spamer continues to carve his own path defined by both emotional resonance and refined sonic craftsmanship.

Listen and Buy ‘Silence’ Now: 

Fede Spamer Online 

Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram  

Continue Reading

Trending