Connect with us

Editorial

John Summit CTRL ESCAPE: From CPA to DJ

Unknown's avatar

Published

on

John Summit smiling and looking outward with his arms spread while performing at a massive outdoor festival, contrasting with the corporate themes of his upcoming album CTRL ESCAPE.

How John Summit turned his life before music into the concept behind ‘CTRL ESCAPE’.

Before he was headlining festivals and selling out clubs worldwide, John Summit worked a corporate job as a CPA, spending his days inside the kind of structured routine that many artists eventually write about leaving behind. That contrast now sits at the center of CTRL ESCAPE, his upcoming album set for release on April 15, a date that also happens to be U.S. Tax Day. Paired with the visual themes introduced in the “Lights Go Out” music video, which uses office imagery and controlled environments, the project frames Summit’s move from accounting to dance music as more than backstory. It positions CTRL ESCAPE as a concept rooted in personal history, timing, and intent, turning a former reality into the narrative thread running through his current chapter.

From Accounting to Dance Music: John Summit’s Path Before the Spotlight

Before releasing music professionally, John Summit, born John Walter Schuster, studied accounting at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he began DJing while still enrolled. During this period, he played regularly at local venues connected to the campus nightlife circuit, including The Red Lion and Canopy Club, building basic club experience long before touring became part of his career. After graduating, John Summit entered the corporate workforce and took a position at Ernst & Young, qualifying and working as a Certified Public Accountant. Music at this stage existed alongside a full-time accounting schedule, limited to evenings, weekends, and small local bookings.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by FORTUNE (@fortunemag)

While employed at Ernst & Young, John Summit continued DJing in Chicago, focusing on house music and gradually teaching himself production outside of working hours. He began releasing tracks independently and on smaller labels, using early gigs and online feedback to refine his sound without industry backing. This period lasted several years and did not end with a single turning point. John Summit remained in accounting until 2019, when steady release output and increased booking opportunities made it possible to step away from the firm. The year that followed marked a clear shift, culminating in “Deep End” reaching No. 1 on Beatport’s Overall chart in 2020, where it stayed for an extended period. That success came after his exit from accounting, but it was built on years of parallel work, making the transition from corporate life to music gradual and deliberate. This timeline gives weight to the themes later present in CTRL ESCAPE, which reference control, routine, and release without exaggeration.

How “Lights Go Out” Introduced the World of CTRL ESCAPE

“Lights Go Out” was released as the first single connected to CTRL ESCAPE, making it the starting point for the album’s visual rollout. The music video is set inside a corporate office environment, with scenes showing cubicles arranged in rows, desks with desktop computers, rolling office chairs, ID badges, and overhead fluorescent lighting. John Summit appears dressed in standard office clothing and is shown seated at a desk alongside other workers. Much of the video takes place inside enclosed office interiors, with repeated shots of desks, hallways, and shared workspaces. There is no dialogue or written text on screen, and the setting remains consistent throughout the early portion of the video.

As the video continues, changes take place within the same environment. Lighting conditions shift, movement becomes more pronounced, and the way John Summit interacts with the space begins to change. The office setting does not disappear, but its rigid order is interrupted as the video progresses. These visual changes occur without explanation and without introducing new locations. The use of an office workplace as the primary setting aligns closely with John Summit’s documented history of working as a CPA before committing to music full time. By launching CTRL ESCAPE with “Lights Go Out,” the album rollout begins with imagery tied directly to work, structure, and routine, grounding the project in a real-life setting that connects clearly to his background and setting up the logic for the album’s wider narrative.

Following “Lights Go Out,” John Summit released his second single “Shadows,” continuing the rollout for CTRL ESCAPE shortly after the album was publicly revealed. The official music video for “Shadows” was filmed during John Summit’s pop-up album announcement event at Re:frame Studios in Los Angeles, the same night he first revealed CTRL ESCAPE and confirmed its April 15 release date. By capturing footage from the announcement itself, the single connects directly to the moment the album entered public conversation, linking the music to the physical launch of the project.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by John Summit (@johnsummit)

Why April 15 Matters for CTRL ESCAPE

After “Lights Go Out” set the direction for the project, John Summit confirmed the album title CTRL ESCAPE and announced April 15, 2026 as the release date. The reveal took place in early February 2026 during a surprise pop-up appearance at Re:frame Studios in Los Angeles, where the album name and date were shown publicly for the first time. That moment anchored the project in a physical space before the same information was shared later that day through his social channels, making the title and date part of the wider conversation around the album.

The choice of April 15 adds another layer of context once the background is considered. In the United States, the date is widely known as Tax Day, marking the annual deadline for federal income tax filings. John Summit has spoken openly about his time working as a Certified Public Accountant before shifting fully into music, making the date difficult to read as a neutral scheduling decision. Coming after a lead single and video set inside a corporate office, confirming April 15 as the album release date extends the same real-world references into the calendar itself. The timing reinforces the project’s focus on work, structure, and routine, carrying those ideas beyond visuals and into the date chosen for the album’s release.

With CTRL ESCAPE now scheduled for April 15, John Summit has also stated that he plans to release a new single every Wednesday leading up to the album’s release. That approach keeps attention on the music itself and gives listeners a steady way to follow the project as it unfolds over the coming weeks. Each release adds another piece to the larger picture around CTRL ESCAPE, without relying on long explanations or thematic statements. As April 15 approaches, fans can follow the weekly singles and see how the full album comes together track by track.

With 13 years in the EDM scene, Preetika has built a strong presence around festivals, club culture, and electronic music. Based in Bangkok, she covers all things EDM in Thailand and beyond, with a focus on both local and international talent. She has attended major festivals including Tomorrowland, Ultra Japan, and Creamfields Hong Kong. Since working as a writer for EDM House Network, she has interviewed artists such as Blasterjaxx, James Hype, W&W, R3HAB, Alok, and many others. Her experience and consistent presence in the scene make her a trusted voice for EDM coverage.

Editorial

ClutchLoop II Is Here — And It’s Taking Phone Security to the Next Level

Unknown's avatar

Published

on

If you’ve ever been to a festival — and let’s be honest, most of us have — you’ve probably heard at least one horror story about someone losing their phone in the crowd. Between filming sets, coordinating meetups with friends, and navigating massive festival grounds, your phone has become an essential.

That growing concern is exactly what inspired ClutchLoop. The company originally launched its anti-theft phone tether as a simple solution to help festival-goers keep their devices secure in crowded environments without sacrificing accessibility.

Now, the brand is taking the concept a step further with the introduction of ClutchLoop II, an updated version of its phone tether designed to improve both security and everyday usability.

A Smarter Design

At its core, ClutchLoop works by attaching a phone to a retractable tether that connects to a bag, belt loop, or piece of clothing. This allows users to pull their phone out to film, text, or check directions while keeping it physically secured to them at all times.

ClutchLoop II introduces several upgrades aimed at making the system stronger and easier to use. The redesigned model features a reinforced retractable steel cable along with an improved anchor system that attaches securely to most phone cases.

The updated design also includes a magnetic locking mechanism that helps keep the phone in place when it’s not actively being used. This added stability can be especially useful in crowded environments where phones are frequently pulled out to capture videos or photos.

Moving Beyond Festivals

The launch of ClutchLoop II moves beyond festivals and into everyday life. As smartphones continue to function as cameras, wallets, navigation tools, and digital tickets, the importance of keeping them secure extends far beyond music events.

Grab yours here or use code ‘EHNCLUTCHED’ at checkout!

Continue Reading

Editorial

Dance Music and Depression: An Emotional Connection

Unknown's avatar

Published

on

Dance Music and Depression: An Emotional Connection Through Movement, Memory, and Shared Experience

For many people, dance music is more than entertainment. It becomes a way to process emotion, release tension, and feel connected at times when mental health feels fragile. This experience now has growing support in research. A systematic review and meta-analysis titled Effect of Dancing Interventions on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Older Adults by Tiago Paiva Prudente, Eleazar Mezaiko, Erika Aparecida Silveira, Túlio Eduardo Nogueira, and colleagues found that structured dance interventions were associated with significant reductions in depressive symptoms compared with control groups. Although the study focused on dance instead of specific music genres, it supports the idea that moving to music can play a meaningful role in emotional health. For people who turn to dance music during difficult periods, the combination of rhythm, movement, and shared experience can offer a form of emotional support that feels personal, physical, and deeply real.

How Movement to Music Can Help Ease Depression

Clinical and behavioral research shows that rhythmic movement affects multiple systems linked to depression, including sleep regulation, stress hormones, and emotional processing. Regular movement to music has been associated with reductions in cortisol, improved serotonin activity, and better emotional regulation, all of which are commonly disrupted in depressive states. In practice, this means that movement to rhythm can shift the body out of prolonged stress response and into a more stable physiological state. Unlike exercise alone, dance adds emotional and social layers that affect motivation and emotional engagement, which is why people who struggle to maintain regular physical activity often find it easier to move when music is involved.

@bobby.hendrickson EDM can cure depression?! 😢 . #edmmusic #edmlife #edmlifestyle #edmfestivals #edmfestival #housemusic ♬ original sound – bobbyhendrickson

This becomes visible in real dance music contexts. At events such as Anjunadeep Open Air, Boiler Room, or extended house and melodic techno sessions at venues like Club Space Miami, people often describe feeling mentally lighter after hours of movement, even when arriving emotionally heavy. The structure of dance music helps here. Tracks repeat patterns, slowly evolve, and provide predictability alongside variation, which supports emotional grounding rather than cognitive overload. Over time, this combination of movement, sound, and shared experience creates a form of emotional release that many people return to not just for enjoyment, but for relief.

Why Familiar EDM Songs Can Become Emotional Anchors During Depression

For many people experiencing depression, familiarity provides stability when motivation, focus, and emotional regulation feel disrupted. Well-known EDM tracks such as “The Nights” by Avicii, “Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia, and “Summer” by Calvin Harris work in this context because their structure, melodies, and emotional direction are already known. The listener does not need to process something new or make sense of unfamiliar sounds. The brain follows a recognised pattern, which reduces mental effort at a time when decision-making and emotional processing often feel exhausting. This predictability allows engagement without pressure, making it easier to return to these tracks during difficult periods.

These songs also carry emotional clarity without requiring introspection or explanation. “The Nights” by Avicii is commonly associated with urgency and freedom, “Don’t You Worry Child” by Swedish House Mafia centres reassurance and release, and “Summer” by Calvin Harris evokes warmth and forward motion such as the passing of time during pivotal moments in ones life. Even when lyrics are present, they are direct and uncomplicated, which matters during episodes of depression when complex emotional narratives can feel overwhelming. Beyond personal memory, these tracks are tied to shared cultural moments such as festivals, radio, and collective experiences that many listeners recognise instantly. Returning to them does not just recall a sound, but a time when connection felt possible. For people struggling with depression, that reminder alone can make dance music feel less like entertainment and more like a reliable emotional anchor.

When Dance Music Becomes More Than Just a Night Out

So the next time you find yourself reaching for dance music when things feel heavy, it is worth recognising that this instinct is not random or shallow. For many people, dance music becomes a reliable place to land when emotions are hard to name and energy feels low. It offers rhythm without pressure, emotion without interrogation, and connection without obligation. Whether it is putting on a familiar Avicii track alone at night, letting a Swedish House Mafia chorus play through headphones on repeat, or standing in a crowd where the music carries the weight for you, the experience serves a purpose that goes beyond distraction. Dance music does not promise to fix depression or replace professional support, but it can offer moments of steadiness when everything else feels unstable. In that sense, calling it a lifeline is not exaggeration. It reflects how music, movement, and memory can quietly support people through periods when simply staying present is already an achievement.

Continue Reading

Editorial

yetep’s ‘ÿ’: A Debut Album For The Books

Unknown's avatar

Published

on

If you already know yetep, you know he’s one of EDM’s most promising acts. If not, let his debut album introduce you to one of the USA’s fastest rising artists. Blending melodic bass, future bass, and emotive EDM, ‘ÿ’ marks yetep’s first LP, released via Insomniac’s ‘Lost In Dreams’ label.

Blurring lines between multiple genres, the album is a journey through freedom and curiosity, one that reflects yetep’s musical beginnings.

Speaking about ‘ÿ’s concept, the artist says: “I started my music career making mixes on SoundCloud and posting them on Tumblr, just playing whatever I loved with no genre rules at all. That freedom is what made me fall in love with music in the first place. With this album, I wanted to bring that same energy back.

Rather than starting with a strict concept, I wanted to let the project develop naturally and feel open, the same way my relationship with music began,” he adds.

Consisting of 13 tracks, the production is also a representation of yetep’s evolution as both an artist and a community leader. Each track stands on its own, yet together they paint a complete picture that captures the DJ’s path so far.

Standing at the centre of the album is a spirit of togetherness and love, fuelled by the DJ and producer’s deep involvement within his community. yetep constantly provides aid to homeless youth and raises awareness around mental health through his Common Unitÿ charitable initiatives.

At its core, this album is about connection and honesty, and creating space for listeners to take away whatever the music means to them,” mentions the artist about his debut album, ‘ÿ.’

yetep: The Journey To ‘ÿ’

‘ÿ’ arrives following a long rollout which began in May 2025 with the release of the album’s lead single, ‘Hate It When It’s You.’ Finally putting out his first full-length project, yetep steps into a pivotal new era, expanding his artistic boundaries while remaining connected with the values that have shaped his rise.

Originally from Seoul, Korea and now based in Los Angeles, the artist attracted a global following through a series of monthly mixes posted on SoundCloud.

Moreover, the unique, emotional depth behind his sound helped him cement his reputation as a producer, with support from names such as Seven Lions, Dabin, and Adventure Club.

Since his first official release, yetep’s productions have become a regular presence on renowned labels including Monstercat and Lost In Dreams, the latter of which released his album on February 27.

Even though a written format of yetep’s journey could go on for pages, there is no better introduction to this artist other than listening to his debut album, his most expansive and personal statement so far.

Listen to ‘ÿ’ by yetep now, available on all platforms worldwide.

 

Continue Reading

Trending