Avi Sic and her creative process in "need no light"

Some records arrive polished, others feel unearthed from the depths, raw, heavy, and untamed. Need No Light, Avi’s latest collaboration with Nessø and KXNE, falls firmly into the latter. It’s a track that trades gloss for grit, weaving primal percussion and shadowy vocals into something darkly hypnotic.

For Avi, the release marks more than just another addition to her discography. Landing on Don Diablo’s HEXAGON, after years of building trust through Generation HEX and HEXHIBITION, this moment feels like a return to the source, a full-circle affirmation of the sound he’s been chiseling into shape across countless studio hours and nearly two decades behind the decks.

How would you describe Need No Light in your own words?

It’s primal, dark, and atmospheric. Raw and natural in tone, almost like stone or wood. The percussion drives it forward in a way that feels instinctive, while the vocal ties everything together with this hypnotic energy. It’s less about shine and polish, and more about grit, weight, and a mood.

What does it mean to release this track on Don Diablo’s HEXAGON label?

It’s a full-circle moment for me. HEXAGON was one of the first labels to really believe in my sound, and Don Diablo has been a massive inspiration since the start. I’ve released with Generation HEX and HEXHIBITION a handful of times in the past. And this summer, I supported Don on the Chicago stop of her US tour. Bringing this darker, more experimental record to the main HEXAGON label feels like a significant milestone. It’s fantastic to find a home for this one on a label that’s constantly pushing boundaries.

What emotions or vibes were you aiming to capture with this production?

Emotionally, we wanted it to feel like stepping into another world, almost cinematic. It’s shadowy and mysterious, but there’s also this hypnotic pull that keeps you locked in, like you’re part of something bigger unfolding.

Which gear, synthesizers, or studio tools played a key role in creating the track?

Nessø and I both work in Ableton, so it's easy to pass the track back and forth. And Serum is our go-to synth. It’s incredibly flexible for building those darker textures and heavy bass sounds, essentially the backbone.

How did you approach designing the industrial sounds and the signature vocal layers?

We underwent extensive experimentation to achieve those industrial tones, layering percussive hits, distortion, and textural effects until it felt gritty yet still musical. KXNE’s vocals are heavily processed: pitch, time-stretched at moments, and layered. It’s far from the original take. The goal was to make it feel like part of the atmosphere at times, almost another instrument in the track. And on the drop, the catchy rhyme hits just right.

Which part of the production was the most challenging, and which came most naturally?

The most challenging part was that the vocals were supposed to go with a completely different idea. We ended up scrapping that version and rebuilding the track from scratch around the vocal. It forced us to rethink everything and make sure every sound served the mood. What came most naturally was the percussive foundation - those gritty rhythms really set the tone and gave us something interesting to build on.

You’ve worked with Nessø on Bad Habit and KXNE on Acid On My Tongue. What makes your creative chemistry work so well?

With both artists, nothing feels forced. We can toss ideas back and forth and instantly know what works. The trust is there, and we respect each other, which makes it easy to rebuild, experiment, and even scrap things until it feels right. It’s about intention and serving the song.

How did the idea to team up again for this new release come about?

Nessø and I were already deep into a couple of new ideas, but we wanted original vocals to take them further. I said, ‘I know the guy.’ KXNE was the perfect fit. These vocals were actually intended for "Bad Habit." Instead, I ended up writing and performing the vocals on that one. I really love that tune, and we signed to Revealed’s WYN label with support from Hardwell himself. We ultimately ended up using these vocals for a completely new idea - the whole direction of the track was built around them, and it really fell into place.

How did the audience react the first time you played the track live?

I debuted it while supporting Don Diablo on her US tour stop in Chicago, which made the release even more personal. That was an incredible show. There were well over a thousand Hexagon fans there, and they really are a family. People were singing along to many of my own records; it was a wild experience. I announced the upcoming release preview on the mic and felt that every person present was actively listening, taking it all in. It was very cool.

What do you hope listeners feel when they hear it in a club or at a festival?

When I drop it live, the whole room syncs up. You see everyone nodding, moving, and vibing together. That’s what I hope people feel: that collective energy where the track connects everyone in the moment.

Have you received any feedback from other DJs or producers in the scene yet?

Well, it’s already been played by Martin Garrix, Lucas & Steve, and Don Diablo himself a few times, which is surreal and validating. But the feedback that really means the most comes from my circle of friends and longtime supporters, and they’ve been loving it. That kind of genuine reaction always hits differently.

Avi, you’ve performed at festivals such as Beyond Wonderland, North Coast Music Festival, Chicago Pride Fest, and more. How does performing live influence your studio work?

I’ve been DJing as my sole career for close to 20 years now, so performing live is second nature to me. I play a show at least 3 times a week. That experience shapes my studio work every day. I’m constantly thinking about how a track will resonate on a big system, how the energy flows in a set, and how the crowd will respond in real-time. Playing live also gives me instant feedback. I get to test ideas and WIPS, watch how the crowd reacts, and then bring that back into the studio to refine things.

Can we expect more collaborations from you in the future?

Of course! I love collaborating, especially with artists with whom I’ve built a genuine connection. My latest release, called 'Universe Is Me,' just dropped on Interplay - we work together a lot; he’s a longtime friend. It’s super melodic, but also packed with enormous mainstage energy. My second record with FOOTWURK is coming soon on Be Yourself; it’s a super energetic tech house gem with ravey synths. I have another track with Nessø that we’re currently shopping around, and more are in the works with a few of my other past collaborators. So, yes, expect plenty more teamwork on the way, along with some solo tracks as well.

Need No Light isn’t just another entry in Avi’s catalogue; it’s proof of how far he’s willing to push himself and the people around him. Rebuilding a track from scratch, turning vocals into instruments, and testing it live in front of a thousand Hexagon faithful all show an artist who thrives on risk. What makes the release stand out is not only the milestone of landing on HEXAGON, but the way Avi turns collaboration into fuel. Every step, from Nessø’s textures to KXNE’s vocals, feels intentional, raw, and alive.

If this is where Avi is now, the future is only going to get darker, heavier, and more magnetic. And that’s precisely the point: music that doesn’t just play, but pulls you into its world and doesn’t let go.