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VAVO Look Back On The Past 12 Months & To The Future!

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2022 is almost over and it’s a good moment to review the most important milestones of this past year full of learnings, new experiences, and, of course, music. VAVO shares some insight about their year and their plans for the holidays.

Hi, thanks for taking the time to talk to us today. 2022 is almost over, we want to know what is your most important highlight of the year, both musically and personally?
Thanks for having us! We would have to say the amount of music we have finished! We were finally back together after some time apart in different countries, making production a little hard and slower. So now we are back together we have tons of amazing music finished waiting to share with the world!

What was your favorite release of 2022 (of your own)?
We would have to go with our latest release with Clara Mae called “Take Me Home”. We love her vocals on this song and working with her was so amazing. She truly is such a talented artist!

And what was your favorite track of the year from someone else?
For Jesse it would be “Heaven Takes You Home” by Swedish House Mafia! I really love Connie’s voice on this record, and it just brings me so many feelings.
Alden was really diggin “Escape” by KX5, Deadmau5 and Kaskade’s new side project!

Did you have any special standout shows this year either that you played or attended?
HQ nightclub in Atlantic City is our spot! We LOVE playing this venue and we actually have a residence there. We have really grown to know so many people there that it feels like home! Shout out to the crew at HQ!!! The crowds are always crazy to and love the energy they put off!

What was the biggest lesson you learned in life 2022?
Not to pay attention to what others are doing. You need to have blinders on and focus on you and building your brand! I know a lot of people say this but it is so true and very important!

And following on, what was the biggest lesson you learned in music?
Pretty much the same thing we learned in life, I mean music is what we do full time so it really is our life!

If you could send yourself a message to you 5 years ago, what would it be and why?
This is tough, but probably to not worry about the small things in life and to really treat every day like it may be your last. I think people worry so much about small things in life that are moments in time that will pass, so to not get caught up on them is important.

How has your sound developed in 2022?
We are always trying to be better at our craft, really honing in on who VAVO is. We like to think we finally have a ‘VAVO’ sound now, 7 years later! It isn’t easy when sounds and trends change so often but staying true to yourself, your brand and your fans is key. We have worked hard to make sure our productions are top tier.

Who would you say was the most innovative artist in 2022?
Tough to choose just one artist! There are so many innovative artists in every genre! I really don’t think we could pick just one!

Which label or labels do you think were at the top of their game in 2022?
Well, we definitely have to shout out our label KESS Records. Max has pushed our records hard and really grown our music and our brand because of it. It’s an indie label but he pushes the releases like a major! We really do owe all our success as artists to him. He took a massive chance with opening his label to help us and other artists grow! He has some really talented artists as well like LZRD, BKAYE and us of course, just to name a few! Outside of KESS, I would say Republic Records. While they may not be solely dance, they are responsible for some of the biggest releases in the world and never disappoint!

If any, do you have any regrets for the year behind us?
Never! We try not to have any regrets; everything is a lesson, and you learn and move forward smarter and stronger. Also look at the positive in things and cut the negative out! It will help immensely with your mental health.

What are your plans for the holidays?
Alden will be flying back home to the UK to spend the holidays with his family. Jesse will be in Canada with his family and then we are going to meet in Atlantic City for our show at HQ nightclub on the 30th! We will be eating mountains of turkey, ham and all the fixings of course!

Just for fun, if you had to take a classic Christmas song and remix it, what style would it be and what could we expect?
Funny enough, we would love to remix ‘Feliz Navidad’! We have never really thought about which direction to take it however! We would need to sit down in front of the project and really dive in! Something that would go off in the clubs would be sick.

Where will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
We have a show in Atlantic City on the 30th but will be back home with friends for NYE! We are staying local and hanging with our friends for the New Year!

If you had to put 2022 into one sentence, what would it be?
2023 we are coming for ya, OK let’s gooooooooo!

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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.

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Interview

Meet The Bausa: Norway’s Funky House Trio Taking Europe by Storm

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The three members of The Bausa posed against a deep orange and red sunset sky, one in an orange jacket with arms crossed on the left, one in an open white shirt centre, and one in a denim shirt on the right, with a church tower and a car partially visible in the dusky background.

Norwegian house trio The Bausa interview discusses breakout single Magnetic, their self-coined Scandi House sound, and what’s next for the Baerum-based three-piece.”

If you haven’t heard “Magnetic” on the radio yet, you will soon. The Bausa, a three-piece house act from Baerum, Norway, are making serious waves across Europe, and after a conversation with Fredrik, Edward, and Filip, it’s clear this is just the beginning. In The Bausa Interview, we’ll explore what sets this group apart and where they’re heading next.

The trio’s origin story is one of those happy accidents that makes for great mythology. Filip and Fredrik had been making music together for two weeks when Filip brought Edward into the picture at a high school party. “He showed me one of the tracks they made and it was so bad,” Edward laughs. “But he was interested in the whole thing, and none of my friends were making music.” A studio session at Fredrik’s home studio sealed the deal. They made a song in two hours and partied to it for the rest of the night. The Bausa was born.

The name has its own story. A friend suggested “Brødrene Bausa,” telling them it meant “boss” in German. They ran with it. Years later, on a trip to Germany, they found out it doesn’t mean that at all. “It sounds dope, it sounds cool,” Filip says, unbothered. When pressed on the actual meaning, they landed on something like “big” and “ambitious.” Close enough.

250 Tracks a Year and the Bus That Made Them

Before playlists and streaming algorithms, The Bausa were sharpening their craft in one of the most uniquely Norwegian ways imaginable: making music for russ buses. If you’re not Norwegian, this requires some explanation. Russetime is a rite of passage at the end of high school where groups of about 30 students rent or buy a bus, get it painted with their crew name and logo, commission custom songs from producers, and then party inside it every night for 30 days. They go to school during the day. They do this for a month.

One of those bus crews was called Tournée, meaning “tour” in Norwegian. They commissioned a track from The Bausa, and that song ended up becoming one of the group’s early breakthrough moments. At their peak, the trio were producing around 250 custom tracks a year for various russ groups, covering everything from hip-hop to drum and bass. “We got a lot of training from that,” Edward says. “We were mixing and mastering the tracks as well.” It’s an unconventional music school, but the output speaks for itself.

Finding Their Sound

Today The Bausa describe their music as “Scandi House,” a term they coined themselves for a style that blends disco, funk, and house in a way that didn’t fit neatly into any existing genre. Their first English-language EP came together almost by accident. They were working on a Norwegian album in January and couldn’t crack the lyrics for a particular beat, the one that would eventually become “Addicted to Your Love.” An English top line clicked where Norwegian hadn’t, and suddenly they were making an English EP.

“Magnetic,” the lead track, has been getting significant radio play across Europe, including here in the Netherlands. There’s an ease and warmth to it that translates across borders, a summery groove that feels effortless even if the work behind it wasn’t.

What’s Next

The Bausa have a busy summer ahead, with festival appearances lined up across Europe. When asked about a dream destination they haven’t played yet, the answer was India, a market with a passionate and rapidly growing electronic music fanbase that they’re clearly keeping an eye on.

As for Norway’s own scene, they’re optimistic. They see a new generation of house producers and underground DJs building something real in Oslo, and they’re quietly hinting at plans to help shape what that becomes. A house festival of their own? “We have some plans,” is all they’ll say.

In the meantime, follow The Bausa on their socials and streaming platforms. All the links are in the show notes below.

Want to hear the full conversation? Stay tuned for the complete interview, coming soon to the Ten Days in Dance podcast on Spotify.

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Interview

Zehavi Interview: Aliya, Lior Narkis, And Music Without Borders

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Promotional portrait of Zehavi wearing a white draped outfit against a light studio background for his interview on Aliya, Lior Narkis, and Mediterranean electronic music.

Zehavi Interview: Aliya, Lior Narkis, And Music Without Borders as he talks Aliya, Mediterranean roots, and culture-crossing electronic music

Zehavis music began with the sounds he grew up around, from Arabic, Moroccan, Persian, Greek, and Mediterranean melodies to the bouzouki he first learned through his father. Those early influences now sit inside his electronic productions, giving his work a personal link to tradition without pulling it away from a wider audience. In this interview, Zehavi discusses his collaboration with Lior Narkis on Aliya, the creative control behind the release, and how different languages, instruments, and cultural references can meet inside one record without losing their emotional weight.

Great to have you with us. Before we dive in, can you tell us a bit about the artists, sounds, or moments that originally drew you toward music as a profession?

Growing up, I was exposed to music from many different cultures and languages — Arabic, Moroccan, Persian, Greek, and more. From a very young age, I already knew how to play full classic songs on the bouzouki, and those ethnic melodies became a huge part of my musical identity.

What excited me most was the idea of bringing those timeless sounds and emotions into today’s mainstream world through modern production and electronic music. Music was never just a profession for me. It has always been the biggest love of my life. It calms me, gives me energy, and has been there for me even during difficult moments. For me, music is not just work — it’s a way of life.

There’s a really distinctive blend in your work, electronic textures sitting alongside instruments like the bouzouki. How did that pairing come about for you, and how have you refined it over the years?

This connection started when I was very young. My father played the bouzouki everywhere we went, and during his free time he would teach me as well. Those sounds became part of me from childhood, so the emotional connection to the instrument was always very natural.

As I got older, I formed a band where we performed original music alongside classic songs in a Mediterranean and Greek-inspired atmosphere. That experience taught me a lot about live performance, emotion, and connecting with people through traditional melodies.

Later on, when I discovered electronic music, I immediately realized how fascinating the combination between these two worlds could be. The energy and production of electronic music mixed with the soul and emotion of live ethnic instruments felt like something unique that I wanted to build and develop further.

You’ve seen substantial growth across streaming platforms and social media recently. How are you processing that level of recognition, and what does it open up for you as an artist?

It’s an amazing feeling to know that you’re truly connecting with people through your music and your journey. Honestly, I enjoy the exposure because I like being open with my audience. I don’t really have filters – I speak honestly about what I feel and share the process I go through both as a person and as an artist. My followers know the real me.

I think people connect not only to the music itself, but also to the authenticity behind it. That openness has created a very strong connection with my audience and opened many doors for me professionally and personally. It led to collaborations around the world, live performance opportunities, and relationships with incredible people who are still part of my life today. Sometimes people even reach out to me for advice about life, which is something I never expected. I’m truly grateful for all of it.

Taking full creative control on the release of “Aliya” alongside Lior Narkis, how did this collaboration differ from others you’ve worked on, and were there any challenges you faced along the way?

This project was very special for me because I really wanted to bring together different cultures and languages in one track. With “Aliya,” the vision was to create an English record combined with Arabic influences, which made the collaboration feel very unique from the beginning.

Seeing Lior Narkis, an artist of his level and background, step into a language and musical atmosphere that was less familiar to him was something very exciting and inspiring to witness. One of the biggest challenges was making sure the fusion felt natural and authentic, while still remaining accessible to a wide audience.

What moved me the most was seeing how people connected to it regardless of language or culture. The track reached audiences all around the world and showed me that music can truly break boundaries and unite people emotionally.

Credited as performer, producer, and co-writer, could you talk us through the creation process of this track and how rewarding projects like this can be?

Being involved in the project as a performer, producer, and co-writer made the entire process feel very personal to me. I wasn’t only focused on creating a good song, I was focused on building a full experience and emotion around it. Every small detail mattered, from the melodies and production to the atmosphere and energy of the track.

The creative process was very organic. We spent a lot of time experimenting with sounds, languages, and different musical influences until everything felt authentic and emotionally connected. Because I come from both a live musical background and an electronic production world, I always try to balance emotion with energy.

Projects like this are extremely rewarding because they allow me to fully express my artistic vision. Seeing people from different countries and cultures connect to something we created in the studio is one of the best feelings an artist can experience.

As a major collaboration, what was it like working with an established artist like Narkis, and what key lessons did you take from the experience?

Working with Lior Narkis was an incredible experience. Beyond being a great artist, he’s also an amazing person with a very special energy, the kind of person you instantly connect with. From the very first moment, everything flowed naturally between us, both creatively and personally, and I think people can feel that chemistry in the music as well.

One of the biggest lessons I took from the experience is to always listen to your heart and trust your vision. In music, there will always be different opinions from people around you, but when you truly believe in an idea and feel connected to it emotionally, you have to follow it completely. Sometimes the projects people doubt the most become the ones that connect the strongest with audiences.

With your career constantly on the rise, could you give us an insight into what the future holds for Zehavi, particularly in terms of new music and live performances?

This project is constantly evolving, and I feel like I’m only at the beginning of the journey. I’m planning to release a lot of new music and collaborate with artists from different countries and cultures, all with the same goal – to create music that truly touches people emotionally.

My live show is also constantly changing and growing. I always try to bring something fresh, emotional, and unexpected to the stage. Right now, I’m working on a brand new project that I’ll be able to reveal very soon, and I believe it’s going to take the Zehavi experience to another level.

As Zehavi looks ahead, the next chapter of his project seems closely tied to the same ideas that have guided his work so far: collaboration, live performance, and music that carries pieces of different cultures without treating them as separate parts. With more releases planned and a new project on the way, his focus remains on creating records that connect through feeling first, while still keeping the bouzouki, Mediterranean influence, and electronic production at the centre of his sound. For Zehavi, Aliya with Lior Narkis is not only a collaboration, but a sign of how far his music can travel when tradition and modern production are allowed to meet naturally.
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Interview

Modal Nodes Talk ‘Destiny,’ ‘Jawa Dub,’ and Mystery

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Modal Nodes wearing sci-fi masks for a feature on Destiny, Jawa Dub, Subtronics support, and their bass music project

Modal Nodes Talk ‘Destiny,’ ‘Jawa Dub,’ and Mystery as the bass act discusses Subtronics support, sci-fi influences, and what comes next

Modal Nodes have quickly become one of bass music’s most intriguing emerging projects, pairing a mystery-led identity with a sci-fi visual world and a sound tied to their fictional origin story. Their latest dual release, Destiny and Jawa Dub, gives the project two different entry points, with Destiny connected to their first shows and Jawa Dub rooted in the alien narrative behind Modal Nodes. In this interview, Modal Nodes discuss the concept behind the project, the brutalist architecture that influences their identity, recent support from Subtronics, and what may come next as their presence in bass music continues to grow.

Modal Nodes have quickly become one of the most talked-about emerging names in bass music despite still remaining anonymous. Was the mystery always part of the project from the beginning, or did it evolve naturally alongside the music?

Modal Nodes originally started out as an abstract concept on our home planet. It wasn’t anything serious to begin with, but has since progressed farther than we ever expected.

Your latest dual release, Destiny and Jawa Dub, showcase two very different energies. What inspired the direction behind each track?

We wanted to showcase the duality of what we’re capable of within one musical project. Destiny was inspired by our first shows, and Jawa Dub was inspired by a xenos race we encountered in our travels.

There’s a strong cinematic and sci-fi-inspired feel behind the music and visuals. What are some of the biggest inspirations behind the world of Modal Nodes?

Our sound and appearances come from the far reaches of the galaxy. We’ve taken a lot of inspiration from the brutalist architecture on our home planet, it plays a massive role in our identity and our sound tries to embody this.

You’ve already received support from major names in bass music, including a recent co-sign from Subtronics during Coachella and custom visuals at his sold-out Red Rocks headline. What has it been like watching the project gain traction so quickly?

It’s been incredible to see someone with such influence as Subtronics play our music out. We have never received this type of appreciation where we’re from. It’s been very rewarding seeing it received so well here on Earth.

Your early live appearances at events like Rampage in Belgium and Northern Invasion in Montreal are major milestones for a developing act. How has the live response compared to what you expected when starting this project?

When we first started the project we never considered the idea that we would have mistakenly arrived on this incredible planet. It came as a shock that humans were so receptive to it, and so far it’s been a dream come true. We are incredibly grateful.

Without revealing too much, what can fans expect from Modal Nodes as the project continues to evolve?

A lot more music, shows, collabs with great artists, merch and possibly something considered to be unnatural.

Thanks so much for taking the time to speak to us, is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Thank you for all the support. We’ve only just begun.

As Modal Nodes continue gaining attention in bass music, the project is doing more than relying on anonymity alone. Destiny and Jawa Dub point to two different sides of their sound, while their sci-fi identity gives each release a wider concept to exist within. The references to brutalist architecture, distant planets, xenos races, and “something unnatural” also show that Modal Nodes are treating the project as a full creative world, not just a run of singles. With early support from Subtronics, appearances at Rampage and Northern Invasion, and more music, shows, collaborations, and merch ahead, the project is still in its early stages, but the direction already feels intentional.

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