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How to Start a Song? 9 Proven Tricks to Get You Off the Ground

Wondering how to start a song? Believe it or not, this is not a topic reserved for beginners.

Actually, knowing different ways to start a song can make sure you never run out of inspiration.

True, there are a million different ways to start a song. However, some a definitely more common than others. In this guide, we are going to explore 9 different tricks to start new songs, including:

The instrument-based approach
The sample-based approach
The “plagiarism” approach 👀
and more!

Ready? Let’s get stuck in 👇

So… Where Do We Start? 🤔

As I mentioned in the intro, there are a million ways to start a song.

However, there is no good or bad way to start a song.

This also applies to how to start a song 😅

What works for somebody else might not work for you. Similarly, you might grow tired of always starting your songs the same way. Time to freshen things up? Then this guide is for you. Also, these techniques are not mutually exclusive. Feel free to mix and match whatever works for you!

Let’s dive in 👇

The Instrumentalist 🎸

Whatever the genre, all songs are composed of different instruments. I’m not teaching you anything new there 😅

So one of the most common ways to start a song is to pick an instrument. This could be an actual instrument like a guitar, a synth, or some drum samples.

Let’s explore the most common ones.

#1: Start a Song with the Drums

Laying down a drumbeat is probably the most common way to start a song.

For this, you can drag and drop a drum loop that inspires you. Or you can craft your own drum pattern.

Start a song with drums — *Scrolling through some loops to get inspired*

The great thing about starting this way is that it keeps your options open. Until you lay down some chords, your track can be moody, uplifting, or anything in between.

The downside is that it might not be the most inspiring.

But this is down to your own preferences. Maybe you might need to lay down some solid drums before doing anything else. Personally, I need to start with some tonal information first. This will then dictate what my drums will sound like.

This leads me to my next point on how to start a song: the chords 👇

#2: Start a Song with Chords

Writing a chord progression is my go-to method to start a song.

There are roughly two ways you can approach this: first chords, then sound. Or the opposite.

Let me explain. In the first case, you lay down some chords on a basic piano sound. Something like this:

Start a song with chords — *Laying down some chords in the Piano Roll*

This is what it sounds like:

Now, I might switch out the synth, and find a sound I like. I loaded a Kontakt library and found this:

Alternatively, you can start by browsing sounds or design your own. This might then dictate the type of chord progression you write.

For example, I loaded up Phase Plant and found this preset I like:

Start a song with chords you like — *Dream Keys Pad preset in Phase Plant*

It sounds like this:

It has a more upbeat vibe to it, which inspired me to write this chord progression:

If your music theory isn’t quite up to scratch, you can also use chord generators. These are tools (some are free, some are assisted by AI) that will generate chord progressions for you. Just google “chord progression generator” 😉

Wanna learn more about what makes a great chord progression? Check out our full guide over here 👈

#3: Start a Song with a Melody

Next, another way to start a song might be to start with a melody.

Generally speaking, this works the same way as with chords.

You can create the melody first, or start with a sound you like. The only tricky part here might be to find chords that work with your melody.

#4: Start a Song with an Atmosphere

Finally, let’s start a song by laying down an atmosphere.

Let’s say our track is in C minor. And I want some kind of atmosphere to run through the whole track.

I found this stab that I like:

Let’s turn this into an atmosphere. I’m going to use method #4 from this guide here:

Nice 😍 Now we have a nice, moody atmosphere to start a song.

#5: The Samplist 🧪

In contrast to the previous method, you can start a song with a sample. This is a very common technique in genres such as Drum and Bass and LoFi Hip Hop.

There are a ton of ways of searching and finding great samples.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Spotify Playlists: Search playlists for things like “Nostalgic Piano” or “Instrumental Jazz”
Splice or Loopcloud: Scour sample databases until you find something that inspires you
Samplette.io: Use a dedicated service to generate random sampling material.

If you’re new to the world of sampling, make sure to check out our full guide over here 🔥

Starting a song with a random sample — *Samplette.io generates random sampling material based on YouTube videos*

Let’s use Samplette.io to find something interesting. After a bit of browsing, I found this recording:

Here’s a little extract:

The easiest way to flip samples is to use a sampler such as Slicex (FL Studio) or Simpler (Ableton Live). We’ve got a full guide on sampling right over here 👀

Here’s what I came up with:

Alternatively, you can use techniques like granular synthesis or even Gross Beat to warp your sample.

#6: The Plagiarist 👀

OK, I’ll admit this one is a bit click-baity. But let me explain. Staring at a blank page can be daunting. Or frustrating. Or both.

A proven method I’ve used in the past is to simply copy another song.

Before you get me sued, let me explain. I am not talking about lifting every single chord progression and melody. Rather, use the arrangement of the track to start your own song.

Let’s say you love the latest Skrillex track. Simply drag it into your DAW, and mark the different sections:

How to start a song with the structure — *Marking the sections of the track*

If you’re in Ableton Live, you can use dummy tracks instead. These are simply color-coded empty MIDI clips.

In order here, we have:

4-bar pre-intro
8-bar intro
8-bar drop
8-bar chorus
8-bar drop
8-bar switch
8-bar drop
8-bar chorus
8-bar build
8-bar drop
8-bar outro

It doesn’t really matter what you name each section, as long as it makes sense to you. Now we want to write down what each section contains:

Great! Now you have a solid foundation to start your own song 😊 All you have to do is fill in each section with the necessary elements. And don’t worry about “copying”. You’ll probably end up changing some sections eventually.

#7: The Arranger 🎼

A similar way to start a song is to look at its components.

A typical song will have an intro, verse, chorus, breakdown, and outro.

Depending on the genre, these sections might repeat several times or not. The verse might be called a “build”. Or the chorus might be called the “drop”. But you get the gist.

The idea here is to start a song based on what inspires you.

Are you drawn to heavy, bass-hitting drops? Or are you attracted to atmospheric, beat-free intros?

Whatever the case may be, start there. There are no rules when it comes to how to start a song. Some producers like to write chronologically, i.e. intro, then the verse, then the drop, etc.

Others will always start with the drop. This is usually the section that has the most (if not all) elements of your song. You can then strip away certain instruments to create the other sections.

#8: The Plugin Explorer 🌍

Another favorite way to start a song is to pick a random plugin.

This works especially well when I don’t feel any inspiration.

Do you use Serum in every single one of your tracks? Try ditching it entirely for your next project. Open up a plugin you’re not familiar with, and see where it leads you.

Here, I’ve scrolled through my own plugins and found this one:

Apparently, it’s a glitch plugin that I forgot I had 😅 Let’s load up the following sample:

Now I’m going to play with Fracture and see what I come up with. After a few minutes of noodling around, I stumbled on this weird bass sequence:

This could be perfect to sample and make my own bass line!

#9: The Music Theorist 🧠

Finally, one last trick you can use is to explore new music theory concepts.

This technique can be combined with either a melody or a chord progression.

The goal is to explore new scales and weird chords to inspire you to start a song. Let’s explore how to do this in FL Studio and Ableton Live separately.

In the latest update of FL Studio, you can enable the “Snap to Scale” function. This will ensure you only play notes in the right scale:

Enabling "Snap to Scale" — *Enabling “Snap to Scale”*

Under “View”, make sure “Note grid highlights” is selected. Then, click “Scale highlighting” and choose your scale. Select a scale you’re not familiar with, and see what kind of melody you write!

Alternatively, you can take a similar approach with chord progressions.

First, set the “Snap to scale” to your chosen scale. Next, use the “Stamp” tool to instantly create chords:

Using the "Stamp" tool to instantly create chords — *Using the “Stamp” tool to instantly create chords*

If you’re in Ableton Live, you can use the “Scale” for a similar result:

Enabling "Scale" mode in Ableton Live — *Enabling “Scale” mode in Ableton Live*

Firstly, enable “Scale” and select the scale of your track. Next, make sure “Fold to scale” is selected. This will now only show notes in your scale. You’ll never hit a wrong note again!

Select a scale you’ve never heard of if you want to get creative to start a song. How about “E Iwato”? Or “C 8-Tone Spanish”?

That’s It for This Guide on How to Start a Song! 🙏

That’s a wrap for this guide on how to start a song! Hopefully, I was able to give you some ideas for your next projects 😊 And if I can leave you with a single piece of advice, it would be this:

There is no good or bad way to start a song!

Do whatever feels natural to you. Even if that means going against what everybody says on Instagram 😉

Did I miss out on anything? What is your favorite way to start a song? Let me know over at [email protected]

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Lana Del Rey calls Joan Baez “the toughest woman I have ever met”

Lana Del Rey has called legendary folk singer Joan Baez “the toughest woman I have ever met”.

In a conversation about the latter’s autobiographical documentary, I Am A Noise, which was released on Friday (October 13), Del Rey spoke of her admiration for the American singer-songwriter.

The pair previously duetted together to sing Baez’s hit ‘Diamonds And Rust’, for which Del Rey had to audition by driving 80 miles to practice the song on Baez’s kitchen table.

“The emotion you portray when you were 18 and now throughout the film is so relatable that it’s just been massively acclaimed already,” Del Rey said to Baez, who she also called “the toughest woman I have ever met” and a “lioness”.

“Just because of how specific your emotions were and how much solace people found in the vulnerability that you had in the film, which to me was the most unexpected thing,” Del Rey continued. “And on top of that, the stunning cinematography, and the seamless editing, just to me made it a classic film, especially since my favourite documentary since I was 18 was something you drew footage from, D.A. Pennebaker’s Don’t Look Back, which is when I fell in love with you, Joan.”

“It’s an instant classic and I think when somebody famous – or well-known as we like to be called – makes the film that’s the greatest compliment you can have that it wouldn’t even have mattered if it was just someone who was working in an everyday job that it was just absolutely striking.”

Del Rey was recently accused of performing witchcraft by a Christian influencer. A video of the singer’s concert in Mexico showed a huge energy wave that knocked the crowd down. In response, she wrote: “B!tch I know the Bible verse for verse better than you do.”

This year, Del Rey released her ninth studio album ‘Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd’. In our four-star review, NME said of the album: “‘…Ocean Blvd’ might deal with some major existential questions, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had and cements Del Rey’s status as one of modern music’s most intriguing songwriters.”

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REZZMAU5 Reimagine 2012 deadmau5 Classic in Monstrous Collaboration, "Infraliminal"

Rezz and deadmau5 are haunting fans on this extra-scary October Friday the 13th with their second original collaboration.

Since the song was revealed back in June, fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of REZZMAU5 after their live debut at Veld Music Festival, where they dropped an early version to fans who have since clamored for its release. Now, the Canadian duo have delivered “Infraliminal,” the follow-up to 2021’s “Hypnocurrency.”

The song breathes new life into “Superliminal,” which dropped back in 2012 on deadmau5’s sixth studio album, > album title goes here <. When running that track back, it’s clear why it influenced a then-up-and-coming Rezz, who said it’s “one of the songs which made [her] inspired to create music.”

deadmau5’s original introduction is kept largely intact before an enormous midtempo beat erupts from within. After dangling a moment of clarity, the duo shift gears in stunning fashion. Fans of Rezz’s harder music will feel right at home in the latter half of “Infraliminal,” which dials up the bass to monstrous levels as it stomps into a dramatic conclusion.

The REZZMAU5 fun doesn’t end with their new collaboration. The duo will reunite onstage for their American debut at Philly’s HiJinx Festival in December. Before that, the return of “Day of the deadmau5” will find the dance music legend celebrating with eight Halloween-themed shows, including a pair at Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

“Infraliminal” is out now on mau5trap. You can stream the new track here.

Follow Rezz:

Facebook: facebook.com/OfficialREZZ
X: x.com/OfficialRezz
Instagram: instagram.com/officialrezz
Spotify: spoti.fi/32DV4IY

Follow deadmau5:

Facebook: facebook.com/deadmau5
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Instagram: instagram.com/deadmau5
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Megan Thee Stallion says she has no label and her next album will be self-funded

Megan Thee Stallion has revealed she will be releasing her next album independently and will be financing it herself.

While speaking to fans on Instagram Live, the rapper confirmed that she is without a record deal but is proceeding to make new music regardless, funded out of her own pocket.

“This part of my album is definitely very much funded by Megan Thee Stallion because y’know… we tryna get off [laughs]… y’all know what’s the tea,” she said. “But I have no label right now and we’re doing everything funded by Megan Thee Stallion’s pocket. The budget is coming from me, motherfucking Hot Girl Productions. It’s all coming straight from Megan Thee Stallion – Megan Thee Stallion[‘s] brain, wallet… we in my pockets, hotties, so let’s do our big one.

“We’re really doing our big one and I’m so excited. We’re doing something for the first time independently since it was just me and my mama. I’m so excited ’cause it’s literally just me this go round until we sign to a new label. But I don’t want to sign to a new label right now because I just want to do it myself.”

The artist had released her previous two albums, 2020’s ‘Good News’ and 2022’s ‘Traumazine’ on 300 Entertainment and 1501 Certified.

pic.twitter.com/s1Uc9J9Bf6

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) October 13, 2023

Last year, she was granted a restraining order against 1501 Certified Entertainment for allegedly trying to “interfere” with the rapper’s control over her music ahead of the American Music Awards.

Earlier in 2022, Stallion filed a separate lawsuit against 1501, claiming it was attempting to keep her locked into a contract by not acknowledging her recent ‘Something For Thee Hotties’ compilation as an album.

An attorney for 1501 denied the allegations in the lawsuit, telling Billboard that Megan’s contract gave the label oversight over what would count as an “album” for contractual purposes.

In March of 2020, the rapper also claimed the label was preventing her from releasing new music after she attempted to renegotiate parts of her contract, which the label refused.

In August 2022, she took 1501 to court again, claiming they were blocking the release of her remix of BTS’ song ‘Butter’. A judge sided with the rapper, permitting the track to be released shortly after the ruling was made.

Meanwhile, last week, Megan Thee Stallion debuted a new single, ‘Out Alpha The Alpha’ which is taken from the soundtrack to A24’s musical comedy film Dicks: The Musical.

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IMANU Collides With Zeds Dead on Mesmerizing New Single, "Rush"

When some of the most creative minds in electronic music come together, you can only expect greatness.

IMANU and Zeds Dead have delivered that and more after unleashing “Rush” via the latter’s Deadbeats imprint. The track is replete with the technical prowess of both, blending their sounds into a scintillating package.

The EDM.com Class of 2023 star has dialed back his hard-hitting sounds, embracing a mesmerizing soundscape decorated with shimmering vocals, pulsating kicks and subtle synths. It’s a beautiful culmination of IMANU and Zeds Dead’s distinctive sounds, allowing them both to flourish throughout.

Following the release of “Aching (On A High),” “Rush” serves as the final single from IMANU’s forthcoming Paradise EP, which is set to arrive next Friday, October 20th. To celebrate the project, IMANU will be hosting a release party during this year’s massive Amsterdam Dance Event featuring performances by Buunshin, The Glitch Mob, The Caracal Project and more.

You can listen to “Rush” below and find the single on streaming platforms here.

Follow IMANU:

Facebook: facebook.com/imanumusic
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Instagram: instagram.com/imanumusic
Spotify: spoti.fi/3ch9dPG

Follow Zeds Dead:

Facebook: facebook.com/zedsdead
Twitter: x.com/zedsdead
Instagram: instagram.com/zedsdead
Spotify: spoti.fi/3rtnrmg

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Ice Spice and Rema team up for new song ‘Pretty Girl’

Ice Spice has dropped a new single, ‘Pretty Girl’, featuring Nigerian rapper Rema.

The track is the first new single from Ice Spice since the deluxe edition of her debut EP ‘Like…?’ was released in July, and sees her gush over a new love interest – “Yeah, you the one, there’s no number two/If I had three wishes, I’d waste ’em on you,” she raps, while Rema sings the chorus.

The music video, meanwhile, sees the pair perform against a colourful animated background, while they’re also seen leaning against a retro-looking car.

Check out the visuals for ‘Pretty Girl’ below:

The rapper’s other musical endeavours this year have included collaborations with PinkPantheress, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift.

Meanwhile, Ice Spice is set to make her Saturday Night Live debut tonight (October 14) on the first episode of the late night show’s 14th season, and its first episode in six months.

The previous season of SNL was cut short by three episodes as a result of the writers’ strike in the US. Two weeks ago, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) announced the end of its months-long strike in Hollywood.

In other news, the rapper addressed accusations that she is an industry plant, sharing that she’s unbothered by rumours.

Reflecting on her swift ascent in a recent cover interview with Variety, the rapper said: “A lot of people have thrown that in my face – like ‘Oh, I’ve never seen anything happen so quickly. She needs to be studied,’ or ‘She’s a plant’.

“I just let people believe whatever they want to believe, to be honest. I don’t really mind all the rumors. At first I did, but now I’m at a point where I understand that just comes with this lifestyle.”

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Inside Selina Tulum Downtown, Your Oasis Within Tulum's Vibrant Dance Music Scene

Beloved for its vibrant nightlife scene and culture, Tulum is a paradise for both travelers and electronic dance music enthusiasts.

Selina Tulum Downtown is the perfect oasis for dance music fans looking to unwind and refresh between parties in the lively Mexican city. Part of the renowned Selina hostel chain, it functions as a hub where they can work, connect with likeminded individuals and travel to the surrounding areas of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Selina Tulum Downtown is located right in the heart of the buzzing city. Surrounded by pristine white sands, crystal-clear waters and the captivating ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, it’s a fantastic home base for your adventures.

Selina Tulum Downtown offers beautifully designed rooms and a range of amenities designed to enhance your stay, including wellness activities, co-working spaces, a refreshing pool, pa, bustling bar and restaurant, and even a nightclub onsite. EDM.com readers can save 30% off their stay from January 1-30, 2024 by using the code “SELINAEDM” at checkout.

Selina Tulum Downtown.

c/o Press

Visitors can wake up to incense-infused wellness classes and then explore the Parque Nacional Tulum to discover the awe-inspiring Mayan ruins of El Castillo. Selina Downtown Tulum is just a stone’s throw away from the city’s magical cenotes, perfect for swimming, while its pool is also a great spot for a refreshing dip. As the sun sets, Selina’s nightclub hosts Latin beats by resident DJs, inviting residents to dance and enjoy delicious drinks and cocktails.

Selina Tulum Downtown offers various room types, from private to shared, and each stay includes one wellness activity and one co-work spot per day, ensuring a perfect balance between work and play.

Selina Downtown Tulum is the perfect gateway to the Tulum experience. Whether you’re raving to some of dance music’s best, exploring the local area or just want to chill by the pool, Selina offers the ideal setting.

Find out more about Selina Downtown Tulum via its website.

FOLLOW SELINA HOTELS:

Facebook: facebook.com/selinathenomad/
Instagram: instagram.com/selina/
Twitter: twitter.com/SelinaHotels
Website: selina.com

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Jada Pinkett Smith says Tupac Shakur had alopecia

Jada Pinkett Smith has revealed that her late friend Tupac Shakur had alopecia.

The pair became friends while they were both studying at the Baltimore School for the Arts and their friendship was depicted in the 2017 film All Eyez On Me. Their friendship forms a significant part of Pinkett Smith’s soon-to-be-released memoir, Worthy.

Pinkett Smith was diagnosed herself with the autoimmune condition, which causes unpredictable hair loss, in 2018 and has been a prominent advocate for awareness surrounding the condition. In contrast, she has now said that she doesn’t think Shakur “ever talked about” his own experience with it publicly.

The actress told People that Shakur’s symptoms began around 1991 after he was arrested for jaywalking by the Oakland Police Department in California. Shakur went on to sue the police department related to the incident but the lawsuit was later settled.

“After he was in Northern California with the police officers that beat him up, he started losing his hair. And his alopecia patterns were far more extreme than mine,” Smith recalled.

“I don’t think Pac ever talked about his alopecia, but he also looked really good with a bald head,” she continued. “But that was during a time and during an era that you wouldn’t — he just wouldn’t talk about it.”

However, Pinkett Smith added that she reckoned if Shakur would still alive, she was “sure” he would probably speak about his diagnosis.

Elsewhere, she also recently reflected on the time Shakur tried to propose to her when he was imprisoned in Rikers Island for sexual abuse charges in 1995.

In a recent appearance on the All The Smoke podcast, Pinkett-Smith said talking about Tupac in Rikers Island was “one of the most painful parts” for her while writing the book. “Seeing him there [in prison], the condition that he was in and having to leave him there, he was in bad shape,” she said.

She continued: “So when he asked me to get married, I knew at that time that: he needed somebody to do time with him which I was going to do anyway – you don’t have to marry me to do time, I’m here – but he needed a rock.

“Because of our friendship and because of everything we have been through together, he just wanted to feel that solidified foundation, you know? Because I promise you, he would have married and divorced me as soon as his ass left jail.”

asked by RollingOut if she regretted not pursuing a relationship with Tupac.“It just wasn’t possible,” she replied. “There was no chemistry between us.”

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The Bromance Behind "Do You Want Me," Bob Moses and Hayden James' Breezy House Ballad

Bob Moses and Hayden James brought the best of both worlds on “Do You Want Me,” their effortless, debut collaboration.

Released a few months ago, it’s a shimmering summer anthem where yearning vocals from Bob Moses soar above a soundscape sprinkled with dance-pop elements à la Hayden James. The track is a billet-doux not only to their enduring friendship, but also their collaborative spirit.

View the original article to see embedded media.

A collaboration was long overdue. Four years ago, Hayden James remixed “Back Down,” a track off the Bob Moses duo’s Battle Lines album. The remix gave us a taste of what they’d sound like together.

Since then, their styles have evolved. The self-dubbed “rock band with an identity crisis,” Bob Moses have dived deeper into indie-pop flavors, far from their brooding deep house roots. Meanwhile, Hayden James has been churning out euphoric, ’90s-influenced house music. LIFTED, his sophomore album released last year, was full of it.

Both artists share a strong emphasis on songwriting and vocal-driven productions. But their chemistry extends far beyond their stylistic affinity.

In conversation with EDM.com, Hayden James riffed with Tom Howie and Jimmy Vallance of Bob Moses like childhood best friends at a high school reunion. Quips and banter swelled through talks of dream collaborations, favorite tracks and collaborative goals.

EDM.com: How did the idea to work together on a song come about?

Hayden: It was a couple of years in the making. I always wanted to work with the guys but geographically it just never worked out. I moved to LA about a year ago, Tom and I got to meet in the studio there.

EDM.com: Before the collaboration, how do you guys initially link?

Hayden: I remixed “Back Down” a few years ago.

Tom: We still play it in our DJ sets, great remix. We’ve been aware of Hayden and like his music. We asked him to do that remix and he crushed it. He’s always a staple of our DJ sets, so it felt like before we even met him, we knew he was part of the family. Then, obviously, when we met him, we hit it off right away.

EDM.com: What was the production process like for “Do You Want Me?”

Tom: Hayden and I met in a Spotify Studio in LA. We messed around with the beginning of the idea, had some vibes, then sent it to Jimmy and he worked on it. We kind of punted it around.

Hayden: This was a really quick track to work on. It just felt good from the get-go, and was kind of done in like a month or so, which is probably a record for me personally for a song.

Tom: That’s the great thing about the internet and Dropbox. You can just throw it around. We had a group chat going back and forth with ideas and it all came together, like Hayden said, super quick.

EDM.com: Can we expect more collaborations in the future?

Tom: We have nothing planned but there’s always a blanket yes when it comes to Hayden.

Jimmy: He has the keys to our studios, and to our hearts, He’s welcome anytime.

Hayden: Thanks boys.

EDM.com: This interview has just been filled with bromance.

Hayden: Yeah, it’s getting hot in here.

Tom: Oh yeah.

Jimmy: “Do You Want Me” is the name of the single, and the answer is yes.

Hayden: I’m done. That’s too good.

Tom: Mic drop on the interview.

EDM.com: Speaking of dream collaborations, Tom and Jimmy, which singer would you love to see Hayden collab with?

Hayden: I’m taking notes!

Jimmy: There’s a lot of ‘90s throwback stuff happening right now. There’s “Fine Day” with Kirsty Hawkshaw from Opus III that’s now come back. Cloonee did a remix. Skrillex and Boys Noize did one. So, maybe Bjork. Or something out there, a bit left to center. You could make a poppy dance track underneath one of these iconic ‘90s tracks.

Hayden: I’m going to do that.

Tom: I can’t wait to hear the Bjork one.

EDM.com: What about producers in the electronic music space?

Jimmy: Chemical Brothers. I’m going ‘90s big leagues. Swing for the fences! You don’t want to play D2, you want to be in the NHL of music.

Hayden: Jimmy’s my new manager, by the way.

EDM.com: Over to you Hayden. Who would you love to see Bob Moses collaborate with?

Hayden: I’d love to hear a Duke Dumont style production with Bob Moses intertwined. I think that’d be heavy and emotional.

Jimmy: A little crying on the dancefloor.

Tom: Good idea. If only we could make that happen.

Hayden: He’s out there somewhere!

Tom: You see a Duke in the wild? Let me know.

Jimmy: Duke, are you out there?

EDM.com: Tom and Jimmy had rehearsal spaces a block away from each other for over a year before crossing paths in a Lowe’s parking lot nearby. If it wasn’t for that chance encounter, Bob Moses might not exist! Hayden, what’s the most fortunate chance encounter you’ve had in your career as a musician?

Hayden: I’m with Elderbrook right now at an Airbnb, we’re playing a festival soon. And actually, I met Elderbrook backstage in Australia. We had dinner that night and hung out. The Odesza guys were there as well. If I hadn’t met them at that moment, I wouldn’t have gone on tour with them or written a song with Elderbook. Especially moving to LA, you’ve got to be out there to play the game. You can’t expect things to just happen if you’re sitting at home.

EDM.com: You guys went B2B at Electric Forest. What do you think makes a good B2B set?

Jimmy: It’s complicated. You’re kind of nervous going into them because you don’t know the other person. It’s almost like playing poker—you don’t know what the other person’s hand is. The thing with Hayden is, because we get along so well as people, I feel like that helps. If your personalities are similar, you can plan a road map of where to go and how to read a crowd. It’s really tough because you might think musically that certain acts work really well together, but I think back-to-back is more about personalities connecting behind the decks.

Hayden: It’s like a date.

Jimmy: A lot of DJs have all kinds of music. I have a folder for stuff we would never play in a Bob Moses set, waiting for that after, after, after party to draw. So, it’s just about feeling comfortable being next to someone to unlock that.

EDM.com: What would be the ideal setting for a Bob Moses B2B Hayden James performance?

Hayden: I think our musical tastes and what we do is for a sunset. I’m talking three-hour B2B, sun is just setting, and you’re getting that last flicker of light into the night. That’s a great transition. You can play different moods. And if we’re doing that, it’s got to be on a beach. I’m thinking a San Diego kind of vibe.

Tom: I’m with you.

EDM.com: What’s been your most memorable moment of 2023 so far?

Hayden: Coming out of Covid, everything has gone super fast-paced. It’s like, hey, what happened this year? It’s really difficult to kind of pinpoint. Also, my brain.. that’s just what it is. But, 2023, moving to the States is a big thing—and being able to play shows here. I’ve been loving playing all the festivals that I have all throughout the States and Canada. I’d probably say my favorite thing this year was playing Osheaga festival at 4 pm and it was just absolutely rammed. When you’re playing early and it’s packed, it’s just such a good feeling.

Jimmy: Tom and I both had kids this year and we both didn’t really do a good job of taking a break. I had a kid and two and a half weeks later, we headlined Red Rocks. Then, Tom had a kid a few months later and we did a big show for Bonnaroo. Those were both amazing shows without that being involved. But it’s the juxtaposition of being a new dad or having a new child in the world to playing in front of so many people. Those two things are both highs but they couldn’t be more different.

When we asked Bob Moses and Hayden James what they thought each other’s best tracks were, hilarity ensued. Text can’t quite capture the moment, so enjoy the clips below.

EDM.com: Hayden, what’s your favorite Bob Moses track?

EDM.com: Tom and Jimmy, what’s your favorite Hayden James track?

FOLLOW HAYDEN JAMES:

Facebook: facebook.com/haydenjamesartist
Instagram: instagram.com/haydenjames
Twitter: twitter.com/hayden_james
Spotify: spoti.fi/3QLEw95

FOLLOW BOB MOSES:

Facebook: facebook.com/bobmosesmusic
Instagram: instagram.com/bobmosesmusic
Twitter: twitter.com/bobmosesmusic
Spotify: spoti.fi/3387taM

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Nitefreak, &friends make Tomorrowland Music debut with “Ike Onu”

by: Cameron DeFaria

Oct 14, 2023

African producer Nitefreak has officially released “Ike Onu,” a joint work featuring key vocal collaborator Phina Asa and Afro-house collective &friends. Marking the Zimbabwe native’s debut single under Tomorrowland’s record imprint, “Ike Onu,” meaning “Stronger Together” in the native African language of lgbo, is a smooth and soulful addition to Nitefreak’s five-year-spanning music catalog. Sharing on the lyrics of the track, Phina Asa explains,

“The idea behind this song was that I thought about the world today, and how it doesn’t look how it used to. It’s getting more challenging and complex, and in life we can’t thrive on our own without any help. We need people to support us, push us, hold us accountable, and help us grow.

Nitefreak’s latest plays as a testament to the DJ’s status as one of the key leaders of the Afro Progressive House movement. Watch the official music video for “Ike Onu,” by Nitefreak, &friends, and Phina Asa, below.

Featured image: Austin Morales

Tags: &friends, Ike Onu, Nitefreak, Phina Asa, tomorrowland

Categories: Music

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