In the world of EDM, there is a plethora of heavy-hitting dubstep to consume daily. Artists all over the globe are releasing their absolute nastiest tracks to gain their spot at the top alongside world-famous producers and DJs alike.  Sometimes, one rendition of a track is not enough, as listeners crave more of the same infectious energy they have been hearing. California-based producer and DJ, STRVFE, has gone on a mission to do just this, adding to the already intense and high-energy track, PANIC MODE, that fans had already been eating up. This VIP is nothing short of gnarly, packing a punch from beginning to end. Expanding upon the dark high-tech sounds from the original track, STRVFE has added even more to the track, breathing fresh life into his already popular track. There is no doubt that PANIC MODE and its VIP should be on everyone’s radar this festival season! Let’s take a deeper dive into why we are calling PANIC MODE VIP, a certified bop.

Panic Mode is a very important piece of my discography, signaling when I was diagnosed with OCD and a panic disorder at my lowest almost 4 years ago. Now that I’ve grown, sought therapy, and improved my own mental health, it felt like the perfect time to give it the modern VIP it deserved. Writing it over again felt like a breath of fresh air as I go into achieving my own personal goals this year. As far as song aesthetic, I aimed to take the original high energy lazer-y idea and shift it into a dark hi tech hellscape that I originally envisioned”

Diving Deep w/ STRVFE

1. When reimagining Panic Mode into a VIP, what elements were you keen on adding to make it stand out from the original track. 

The idea for this VIP was to honestly flip the original completely on its head, resampling old sound design into new pieces, and switching into a more complex and fluid sound. By shifting everything into quarter notes, but designing everything into this dark reverbed out basses, the vibe of everything changes dramatically.

2. Did you have any new inspirations when reconstructing Panic Mode VIP from its original?

I think anyone with a keen ear will be able to hear how much I adore Must Die!’s Crisis Vision EP, along with a lot of the new work that Space Laces has been previewing to the public. In general, I think there is a new wave of futuristic/cyberpunk sounding dubstep that i’m trying to push with the STRVFE project

3. What can fans who haven’t heard Panic Mode VIP expect from this heater of a track?

Fans can expect to go on a journey of dark sound design, pounding drums, and a look into the chaos of panic. Old fans will recognize the melodies in the background, and newer fans will definitely feel at home with my sound design style

4. What’s coming up next for your project? What do you and your team have planned for STRVFE that fans can look forward to?

MORFLO Records has become the premiere bass label within the EDM scene, gaining a name as one of the biggest and most well-known names in Denver electronic music. Created by none other than bass wizard Mersiv himself, MORFLO has become a hub for all things bass, featuring a roster with artists such as Tape B, Spades, BroMosapien, AHEE, and more. As this label continues to gain traction, more and more talented artists continue to put out some absolute heat in conjunction with this amazing project.

Bringing forth a new type of dark energy, Veil’s newest spring anthem, “Ungodly Hour” is one of the latest heaters to come from MORFLO Records. Using her own unique dark twist, Veil has cultivated a track, unlike anything she has previously released, exemplifying her dark yet alluring soundscapes of electric freeform bass. Utilizing vocal cuts to cultivate an ominous and suspenseful tone, the sound design of this track directly transports listeners into an eerie nighttime setting adding to the already tense and deep vibes of the track.

“Ungodly Hour is here to remind us we are always being watched; surveilled. In this world, and from other unknown entities. During the darkest times of the night we can hear these voices the loudest.” – VEIL

With the release of this track, VEIL continues to awe listeners all over the world with her cataclysmic energy and sound. Her desire to take risks and start new trends has skyrocketed her to the top of the experimental bass scene, making her a top female artist in the world of electronic dance music. There is no doubt that this is an artist and a track you must not sleep on, as her music will transport you into a deep dark world many have not yet explored. Peek into VEIL’s mind with our exclusive Q&A below where we discuss her project, track inspiration, and why “Ungodly Hour” is definitely, a certified bop. 

Diving Deep w/ VEIL

1. Why was “VEIL” the name you chose for your project? Does this project name have a significant meaning to something in your life?

I knew the feeling of the project before I knew the name. I knew how I wanted it to sound, look, portray, etc. but it took several months to find a moniker that felt perfect. When it hit me, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I wanted this project to be dark, mysterious, otherworldly, multi-univers-y, and the name perfectly encapsulates the eeries I wanted to bring to life.

2. What were your inspirations when you were writing “Ungodly Hour” for MORFLO Records?

I end up starting new projects late at night when I feel most creative and detached from my everyday reality. The vocals in the track came to me talking about the veil being thin from 3am – 4am, which is something I’ve always felt as well. It’s always been one of my favorite times of the night – the darkest and quietest (or loudest depending on where you are) time of the 24-hour cycle. I knew I wanted it to be dark and grudgy bass lines with a second drop that provided a bit of relief.

3. You have a number of festival dates coming up this year such as Deep Tropics, Lost Lands, and Hulaween. What do you do to prepare for bigger sets such as these? Do you have anything special planned for these upcoming festival sets?

No matter the size of the set, I typically have a similar preparation routine. I build a large crate of newer tracks and depending on the event, time slot, and artists playing before/after me I curate the crate down to about 100 or so. I like to play tracks that haven’t been heard before or maybe just dropped, as my main goal is the element of surprise in the audience. I If and when I can I like to bring 5/9 along for the live visual experience, but even if he cannot come the resident VJ’s will have the opportunity to rinse my new visual pack we’ve created for SURVEILLANCE. I absolutely cannot wait for the crowds to hear all the new music I’ve been working on and see all the visuals we’ve made to create the most entrancing VEIL experience yet.

4. What do you have planned for the Veil project? Is there anything upcoming that fans have to look forward to?

I have a lot of new music dropping in the next few months and cannot wait to get those out into the airwaves. I also have a few more large events I am absolutely thrilled to be playing that aren’t quite announced yet and on a tour in the winter that has me STOKED. Our whole VEIL visual team, 5/9 and Towr Media, is also accompanying me to the sold out Brooklyn Mirage with BTSM in July to perform on the most massive visual wall that exists. For us, that is going to be a huge highlight having the opportunity to share our art on that scale! Throughout the weekdays, we work so hard on merch, art, event, and visual concepts that I’m certain that we will be a nonstop push all through the summer!

After spending the last decade creating his music empire, Israeli-based producer and DJ, Whales, reaches a milestone that many artists dream of reaching, commemorating 10 years of creating his own unique style and creative talent under his well-known persona. Tal Rochman, the man behind the Whales project, started his journey at the young age of 13, growing and evolving his project into the prominent name it is today. Now at 23 years old, Rochman celebrates 10 years of creativity, hard work, and accolades with the release of his highly anticipated EP, “Fuckin”, a 6-piece sensation as he moves forward into a new chapter of the Whales project. Not only does this EP serve as a mile marker for this artist, but also opened the door for Rochman to reflect on the last 10 years and the challenges he had to endure to advance to where he is in his music career now. His project now serves as an inspiration to fans and producers who also struggle with physical and mental health issues, hoping to follow in his footstep within the scene. 

Tal Rochman began his journey to Whales at the young age of 13, and despite facing immense health challenges such as PTSD, Autism, Tourettes, OCD, and more, he turned to music as a solace and an escape from the world around him. Under his original moniker, ‘Sex Whales’, in which he gained significant popularity right off the bat. He put out hits such as “Dead to Me” and “We Are”, shooting him into the spotlight from very early on. Rochman served as a true pioneer in the electronic scene, garnering over 100 million streams on Spotify alone and working with artists such as Excision, DJ Diesel, and more heavy hitters. 

“When I was 13 years old, I really wanted to start making Dubstep. This led me to creating a project with a focus on bass music called “Sex Whales”. Despite the bizarre name, I had such a strong passion for music that I didn’t have a second thought over the name. Over time, the project gained some attention, and I began to feel embarrassed about having such a name. I worried that people would see me as a childish person and I didn’t want to be known as “this kid Sex Whales”. It was one of the hardest decisions I had to take, because Sex Whales was so popular among so many people, but it had to be done. I felt ashamed with this name and anything to do with it. Nevertheless, I felt that it was necessary to distance myself from the name and everything associated with it. When I turned 18, I decided to rebrand myself as just “Whales.”

With the release of his “Fuckin'” EP, Rochman continues to inspire others and pave his way throughout the scene. This release showcases his unique hand in electrifying bass music production. “Real Lies”, the first track off the EP, sets a very clear tone for the dynamic and infectious energy that this release packs, perfectly encapsulating the true essence of bass music. ‘So Ready’, comes next offering distinctive glitchy synths and booming basslines. ‘Untouchable’, plays on hip-hop influences, creating depth and a new sound within the mix of other tracks. None other than the title track ‘Fuckin’ follows, which exemplifies Whales’ true and original sound down to its very roots. ‘Hurt’ is next on the list, taking listeners on a raw and emotional journey through the use of string riffs. Finally rounding out the EP as the 6th and final track, “Drowning”, brings everything full circle, packing in the energy and inspiration from the rest of the EP all in one.

Whales’ musical journey serves as a testament to anyone trying to overcome obstacles to reach their dreams. With each release and show played, Whales’ has defied the odds and persevered, bringing him to this momentous 10-year celebration of his work thus far. Only 23 years old now, Whales’ has so far to go, with the sky truly being the limit for this incredible artist. From his early beginnings in music to his latest releases, his true passion for his craft is evident with each and every track he releases and set he plays.

We had the extreme pleasure to be able to dive a little deeper with Whales’ about his last 10 years in music, his challenges, and what is to come in an exclusive interview featured down below! Make sure to check out “Fuckin” which is available now on all streaming platforms, because trust us, you are in for an absolute treat.

Diving Deep w/ Whales

1. What drew you to turn to make music to help find solace from your personal struggles? Was there a turning point in your life where you found making music as a creative outlet?

I think growing up as an autistic kid, it was pretty obvious I needed a unique outlet to express myself because human interaction wasn’t much of a thing, I always felt like music understood me best and that the only place I could put out what’s inside my head to the world, was through creating music. I definitely worked a lot on my social skills growing up, but sometimes it still feels like music is the only way to express what’s really inside of me 🙂

2. You serve as a huge example to many up-and-coming artists and fans who might be dealing with their own personal battles in day-to-day life. Do you have any words of inspiration or advice for those who look up to you as an artist?

The only thing I want to say is don’t give up. I know a career can look so far and unreachable, and sometimes it seems like everybody is doing better than you, but there is a reason you are here doing what you are doing. You have a light inside of you, and no matter how many people, and when, but you gotta show the world what you got, what’s inside of this head of yours, each artist is truly special and I think keeping it going and enjoying every moment of it is the most important part.

3. You have played over 300+ shows and festivals across the globe over the last 10 years as Whales. What have been some of the most memorable moments you have had on the road?

I think for sure my first international show in Paris at age 15, it was such a sharp transition from 0 to 100, I have had my career and received a lot of love online, but I never got to see any of it in real life. I never felt anything nearly as impactful as seeing real fans for the first time. These images carry on to this day when I go on the plane to play any shows, big or small, anywhere in the world. There are REAL people looking up to see me do my thing. Nothing is stronger than
that, and I got to give them all of myself!

4. Your latest EP, “Fuckin” is 6 tracks of absolute heat! What were your inspirations and ideas behind this EP when you sat down to write it?

I really wanted to make a mixtape style EP, where all the songs kind of connect and each song showcases a different style/story/theme. They are shorter than usual but hit straight to the point and I wanted the listener to sit at home and be able to listen to all of it without skipping for ones or losing attention.

5. Of all of the 6 tracks on this EP, which one was your favorite and why?

Drowning for sure, really got me going out of my “safe” space when it comes to Dubstep EPs and gave soooooooo much contrast to the EP. I was always a lover of unique things.

6. What is next for the Whales project? What do you have coming up that fans have to look forward to?

Album. Tour. Merch. 😉