Get to knwo: APHØTIC

APHØTIC, an artist who has captured global attention with his unmistakable style in dark, energetic techno. During our conversation, APHØTIC shared fascinating insights into his beginnings, the evolution of his sound, and his future goals. This is an in-depth look at the artist and his personal journey to success.

Starting his artistic journey without a deep understanding of techno, shared how his first rave in 2019 was the event that fully immersed him into the scene. Before that experience, he mostly listened to hip-hop and rap, though he had some exposure to techno.

“Some friends who were already more into the scene took me to a party in Rotterdam. The set that surprised me the most was DYEN’s. After that experience, I was hooked. I had never experienced anything like it; the energy, the friendly people... I felt very safe there,” he recalls.

This moment marked a turning point for APHØTIC. From that day on, he dove deeper and deeper into the world of techno, with a fresh perspective on the music and the community around it.

I asked APHØTIC if, when he bought his first mixer, he ever imagined where his career would go. His answer was honest and revealing.

“I didn’t imagine it at all. I bought my first DJ controller when I was 12, but I didn’t fully understand how it worked, so I sold it after a few months. Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands, with so much free time, I decided to get back into DJing with a new controller. I didn’t do it with the idea of becoming a professional DJ, but just for fun, to play music for my friends. I remember the early days when I played at home—those nights were so much fun!”

Those early steps were crucial for what would come next. Even though APHØTIC didn’t initially aspire to be a professional DJ, practicing with friends helped him refine his technique and better understand what he wanted to achieve as an artist.

The path to music production can be intimidating for many artists, but APHØTIC took it in stride. I asked about the challenges he faced when he started producing his own music, and I was surprised to hear that, for him, it wasn’t a difficult transition.

“I bought Ableton to produce and learned everything by experimenting with the functions and plug-ins. I watched some YouTube videos to learn more about specific topics and to get a bit of inspiration. It was a pretty natural learning process.”

APHØTIC also reflected on how his sound managed to connect with a global audience, accumulating millions of plays.

“I think my sound was something new when I started. For example, when I released ‘Real Lies,’ I used hardstyle kicks before the drop, something not many producers were doing at the time. With ‘Thalassophobia,’ I think it was mainly due to the vocal before the drop and the simple but recognizable melody. I think the audience enjoys simple songs,” he said.

APHØTIC shared the story behind his artist name and how it relates to his creative approach. The "aphotic zone" is a deep, dark part of the ocean, and that concept of mystery and darkness directly influences his music and career.

“At first, I played darker industrial techno, but over time I shifted toward hard techno. Last year, I went through a period where I incorporated trance influences and bouncier sounds, but now I’ve returned to dark techno and schranz, with some industrial elements. I like to show that I can play more than one style and adapt to any position in a lineup.”

This desire to surprise his audience has led him to create energetic sets with few breaks, always aiming to keep the tempo high.

“I always try to play as many unreleased or lesser-known tracks as possible. My mixing style is very energetic; I don’t like taking many breaks and always use four decks for quick mixing. This gives my sets a lot of energy and power,” he explained.

When it comes to maintaining a solid and consistent identity both in his music and personal brand, APHØTIC stressed that it’s essential to him.

“I always try to be consistent with everything I do, from social media posts to the way I write my descriptions and the color gradients I use for my photo covers. For now, I don’t feel any pressure to change my identity; I think the meaning of my name and my image is unique, and that’s what many people value.”

APHØTIC prioritizes building a strong connection with his audience, rather than only playing the biggest festivals.

“I don’t have big dreams at the moment in terms of performances. I’m already very grateful for what I’ve achieved so far. I enjoy playing at big and small events. For me, as long as I can give people a great night, I’m a happy man,” he shared.

However, when it comes to the evolution of his sound, APHØTIC is determined to keep things fresh while staying true to his dark and energetic essence.

“I will always play the style I enjoy the most. My style changes a little over time, and I think those small changes keep my sound fresh, but it will always stay true to dark and energetic vibes,” he clarified.

Finally, APHØTIC revealed an exciting project in the works:

“I’ve already started working on my own label. This is a big project I’m focused on now. The first release will be a ‘Thalassophobia Remix EP.’ It’s going to be incredible. By creating my own label, I hope to build a stronger community where I can better connect with emerging and established artists and the audience.”

APHØTIC is an artist who has stayed true to himself while exploring new boundaries within his sound. With the creation of his own label and the constant evolution of his music, it’s clear that his impact on the techno scene will only continue to grow. We eagerly await his upcoming projects!