One of the most devout contributors to the progression of electronic music, Solee, enjoyed another career-defining year in 2023, with a consistent stream of original music for the likes of Ritter Butzke Records, Spectrum and his own Future Romance. Following the release of his globally-adored single ‘Krake’ in November of last year, Solee now returns to his own esteemed imprint with his follow-up record, ‘On The Other Side’, kick-starting the new year in the same tenacious fashion with which he ended the last.

With ‘On The Other Side’, Solee invites us to explore the deepest recesses of our musical consciousness, offering a heady web of soundscape and synth intricacies to draw listeners into his immersive sonic world. An odyssey into the depths of house and techno’s rapturous sensibilities, Solee’s latest studio endeavour evokes a full range of emotions and movements; a trait we’ve come to know and love from his impeccable output. To fully realise the track’s spirit, Solee treats us to an anthemic break that floods the airwaves with warm nostalgia, demonstrating his innate aptitude for meaningful melodies. We sat down with him to find out more.

Hey Solee, thanks for chatting with us today. Where in the world are you right now?

I’m currently in Thailand / Bangkok and will fly on to the islands tomorrow to take a little vacation to escape the European winter. Of course, I’ll also be playing a little gig at a beach party, which I’m looking forward to.

For those of our readers who are not yet familiar with your music, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I started the “Solee” project in 2006. Since then I have been producing melodic house and techno music, playing as a DJ, and have also done live acts. I’ve traveled quite far around the world through my music and today I’m still very grateful for everything my music has made possible for me.

How did you first get into music? Were there any significant figures who have helped you on your musical journey?

I loved listening to the radio as a child and recorded music from the radio on cassettes. At some point I received a small keyboard from my parents for Christmas, which I then used to make my first attempts at music. However, other things became more important and I didn’t get back into making music until I was about 20 years old. At that time, I started listening to techno and trance music and made my first attempts as a DJ. A good friend of mine already had a small music studio with synthezisers. I always enjoyed watching him, and sometimes I was allowed to join in a little bit, until at some point I decided to buy my own synths, learn how to use Steinberg Cubase and make my own music. At that time I was strongly influenced by the end of 90ies techno-trance scene with labels like Harthouse or Noom Records but also music from the Wave/EBM scene with bands like Depeche Mode, The Cure, Front 242 etc. Alongside this friend through whom I ultimately started producing later, my job at a vinyl and later digital music distributor was very important for my development. That’s where I actually learned almost everything about the music business and was also able to make important contacts. In total I worked there for 10 years from sales representative to A&R and label manager.

Can you tell us a bit about your new single ‘On The Other Side’ and how it came about?

I produced “On The Other Side” at the beginning of 2023 and played the track at my gigs all last year. This track was, so to speak, my secret weapon to get the dancefloor and the ravers dreaming. Now it was about time to release the track and I’m happy about the great feedback so far. How did this come about? Like most of the time for me, just out of nowhere. I usually sit down in the studio without a specific idea, I mostly just let it go and it evolves depending on my mood.

Where does most of your inspiration come from? Is it from other artists or your immediate surroundings?

A lot of my inspiration probably comes from other music I listen to. Also music that I heard before and stayed in my memory. But also about my moods and my emotional world. Sometimes also  coincidence certainly decides which direction a track takes for me.

What is one of the stand-out moments of your career?

There are some moments. The most important one was probably when I realized that I could quit my normal daytime job and make a living from my own music. That was around 2010. I never thought something like this would happen to me. But there are also some great gigs that will stay in my memory forever, such as playing at the Rainbow Serpentine Festival in Australia on Mad Monday or the opening of the Turmbühne at the Fusion Festival two years ago. But reading or receiving great feedback on your own tracks or sets are still great moments that motivate me incredibly.

Do you have any specific goals for 2024?

Stay healthy, stay creative and stay true to myself.

What are the plans for your label Future Romance this year?

Continue to find great new music from great artists and continue to expand the still young platform.

What do you look out for most when listening to demos for the imprint?

It is of course important that the music fits into my area musically, ideally fits and works in my DJ sets. The music comes first, it has to touch me emotionally in some way and it should sound professional. I also prefer music from real artists, artists who produce their own music in their own studio with passion, like me.

Any final words for our readers?

We think too much and feel too little.

Solee – On The Other Side is out now via Future Romance: https://lnk.to/fur023