Drist is a Polish DJ and producer who finds himself best in a blend between progressive sounds and classic instruments, like piano or strings, which gives his EDM production a house music vibe. Within last six months from the debut, latest track Dreamers is already a 4th release. Released on 31.01 Dreamers is EDM track at 125BPM with a hint of progressive house and commercial vibe to it.
Listen to ‘Dreamers’ on Spotify!
Tell us about that first track that put you on the map in the electronic scene and the journey since. How did you get started?
I was playing keyboard a lot in elementary school and then in high school I started as a DJ and played a lot of gigs over the next few years. I always felt that I would like to produce my own tracks and even made some small steps back in the days in this direction but there was always something standing in my way of commiting more to it. Last year, after few years break I made a promise to myself that I will pursue my passion for music and find time to learn and get creative. By september I was able to release my first track called Sunset and since then about every 2 month I was able to put a new track out and find time to learn and gain experience.
Tell us about your latest track ‘Dreamers’
Dreamers is already my 4th track. I would describe it as a EDM track at 125BPM with a hint of progressive house and commercial vibe to it. Funny thing is that its my shortest track till now. All the previous tracks was around 3:45 and as a long time DJ their structure was more DJ friendly but in the age of streaming platforms I got a lot of feedback that I could try to do shorter mix (more radio and streaming friendly) so i thought to myself ‘hey, i can try let’s see what will come out of it’ so i changed my mindset for this track right from the start. Week after release it is already played on few radio stations so I think it worked, as for DJs and clubs I made longer, extended mix 😉 So to sum up, every track and every feedback gives a new perspective and experience and with it I hope to become better producer day by day and evolve as an artist.
What single night out has been the most memorable for you as a DJ and producer?
I had some luck and was able to attend Tomorrowland 10th edition back in 2014 for the whole weekend. That was such an amazing experience, which I will never forget.
Tell us something we wouldn’t normally find out about you.
I always loved music and was fascinated a lot by the DJ side of it. Wondering how it looks like from “the other side” of club or event but frankly speaking I was quite a nerd in school, good from mathematics, not to much sport, spending a lot of time in front of computer screen playing games or typing commands. It was quite a transformation for me to be in a club as a DJ, in front of so many people. So exciting and rewarding, seeing how people party to something You choose and play or right now something created be me, giving them joy, feeling all this positive vibe and energy coming from the dancefloor. I work in IT right now, so I think I was able to find a balance in my life – work which I like and passion that I love.
Give us the name of one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you listen to it?
Many such tracks on my list but if I had to choose I think I would say Delerium feat. Sarah McLachlan – Silence in Tiesto or Niels van Gogh vs. Thomas Gold remix oh boy, that vocal and the beat. I always experience it like the first time.
Dream collaboration and why?
Axwell, I love his style and what he does. When i started DJing some of first vinyl records that i got and played were “Feel the Vibe” and “Watch the Sunrise”. Last year when he made Axtone Academy I jumped right in to gain some knowledge as a producer.
If you could play any festival, which would it be?
I dreamed for many years about visiting Tomorrowland and that dream came true, be a part of it as an artist would be just wow!
How do you get a track started? Tell us a bit about your production process. How long does it take you to complete a track on average and do you ever get writer’s block?
It depends, first track I started from making a drum beat, then adding bass and other elements but now mostly i start from chords and melody. I just take a piano and experiment. If i get something I like I try to build on this idea and as it is a creative process it’s sometimes hard to put a time tag on it. Sometimes I can have a basic idea within a few hours or a day and sometimes this writer’s block kicks in and after many hours or days I can throw everything I did away or completely rearrange the basic idea that I had. Sometimes it’s just best to stand up and walk away for a little bit, change focus, think about something else and get back to production later with a clear mind or fresh ideas but I usually try to finish what I started. Don’t like to just throw ideas into the drawer.
Latest track / EP? What are you working on currently? Tell us more!
Actually I am finishing my next track right now. It will be a dance track at 127BPM. Some synths, piano and strings. Very melody and chords driven production, vocal will be just an addon as a chops. Should be released within next two months 😉
The relationship between the audience and the DJ is crucial, and yet it seems to be a fragile one – how do you see the balance between giving the crowd what they want and treating them to something new?
Yes, You are right. I personally like to be surprised, hear something new, maybe something i missed myself within releases that come out each day but also like to hear favorite tracks, get this perfect balance and for most that sentence is probably true but as a DJ I remember one time that someone told me that it’s hard to party/have fun/dance to something never heard before BUT.. on the other hand sometimes something new can take up to few months to get recognized and become something wanted and expected. So as usual and in most aspects of our lives there are two sides of the same coin. Unfortunately there is no golden rule and each gig, event, festival, club is a little bit different, we just need to try do our best every time.
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