Interview: Colyn
Hey Colyn! Great to speak to you. How are things? Where in the world are you speaking to us from?
I’m actually in Amsterdam at home right now, which is rare these days. But feels good to get a bit of rest before a very busy summer these next two months.
2022 has already been a big year for you with your long-awaited ‘Oxygen Levels Low’ EP on Afterlife. How has the reaction been?
The reaction has been very good. On the entirety of the EP actually. I’m happy how the EP offers various moods across the board and showcases something different on each track.
Can you tell us a bit more about the creative process behind the EP?
Honestly the tracks weren’t created to be together on an EP specifically, it’s just how it came together naturally. I always try to follow my instinct in the studio and from there I try to select tracks that complement each other on an EP. That way I can showcase a wider range of my sound and not just a single niche.
How influential has Afterlife been in your career so far? Do you see that as a home for your music for many years to come?
Afterlife gave me some huge opportunities with their support on their label and events. The support and love is immense and it will always be a home for me and my music. One of the most important things for an artist is to remember where you came from and who was with you from the beginning.
In your eyes what has been the key to your success?
It’s a combination of things, but you have to realize that you have to grow on all levels. Always pushing for the highest quality. Not only music, but relations, maintaining your socials and building a team around you that you trust, who have a network and ability to act in your best interest.
What record do you think has had the most influence on you?
Quite the impossible question haha! I’ve listened from Rock to Trance to Ballads and everything in between when growing up. Think of artists like Phil Collins, Radiohead, Tiësto, Paul van Dyk, Gorillaz and many more.
Where did it all begin for you and was there any specific mentors or clubs that played a big part in your initial journey into dance music?
A few friends from the town where I grew up learned me how to DJ after I’d already been producing for a while. They really helped me get on top of playing music. After that I got some really cool opportunities to work on my craft, mainly in De Marktkantine in Amsterdam. This is the place where I grew up as a techno dj.
What are your thoughts on the current state of the scene. Is there anything that you want to see change?
There are always things that can improve, but I try and work with the developments instead of against them.
What was your initial exposure to the melodic sound, and what is it that draws you towards you?
Eric Prydz/Pryda is one of my earliest influences in melodic and I still play his songs. Don’t know many more artists with such an impressive catalogue that somehow always stays relevant.
What plans do you have for the rest of 2022?
I have 3 releases scheduled for this summer included two remixes. One for Coloray and one for Rüfüs Du Sol. And also a track on the VA of Afterlife. Other than that I have an amazing summer tour with shows all over Europe and also my debut in Argentina, which I’m very excited about. Due to COVID I have had to postpone this a few times and it’s one of the places I’ve been most excited about to play due to the insane amount of messages I always get from there.