Isse Maraà discusses main inspirations, latest single ‘Bound To Break’ and more: Interview

Leaving no doubt to the imagination, Isse Maraà is cementing himself amongst the elite of our community. A truly versatile act, this is one interview you most definitely do not want to miss out on.

Taking the dance scene by storm with each of his endeavours, Isse Maraà is the epitome of an act that has not only been mastering his craft to the utmost of perfection, but at the same time, has been ensuring nothing less than the most euphoric of vibes. Pushing boundaries when it comes to music production, the Croatian DJ/Producer leaves no doubt to the imagination, whilst his unique look, and of course his truly versatile nature, help him stand out from all the rest. A true pioneer within our community, we could not be any more thrilled to be joined by the man of the moment, as he discusses main inspirations and influences, the origin of his signature sound, making waves through his Dekova alias, his latest single ‘Bound To Break‘ alongside Xerxes-K, and so much more.

Hello and thank you for joining us! Could you provide us with an insight on the main inspirations/influences that led to your chosen career pathway in music?

“My journey in music began over 20 years ago when I discovered my love for it, heavily influenced by the underground scene. I remember getting my first cassette in 1999, a “Love-parade” set by Carl Cox and Sven Väth. Listening to it for the first time was a transformative experience, changing everything in my life from that day forward. After finishing high school, I decided to move from a small city in Croatia to the capital, Zagreb, where many aspects of my life evolved significantly. Over the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to listen to and perform alongside many renowned artists, which has greatly shaped me as a DJ, producer, and the person I am today.”

Traversing the realms of progressive house, melodic techno and techno, we would like to know how your signature sound came to be?

“That’s a very good question indeed. I think the most pivotal role in finding my signature sound has been listening to all kinds of genres, from jazz and opera to soul, house, disco, and more, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. Experimenting with these diverse sounds on my own has been incredibly helpful for my inspiration, and it continues to influence me to this day.”

Incorporating your own unique style for each project, could you talk us through the overall look of your identity, and the ways in which you have set out to portray yourself in the dance scene?

“I believe that music and appearance are very important parts of each of my projects, and my goal is always to make them function as one. Visuals can create a bond and evoke emotions, just as music can. That’s why both music and image are crucial—together, they make a lasting impression, making it easier for the crowd to remember you.”

With versatility a key element in the dance industry, could you talk us through the variation of genres in your productions?

“Both of my projects, Isse Maraa and Dekova, have different paths and musical styles. With an enormous amount of daily inspiration from listening to various styles, I’ve developed a passion and love for different genres. I felt that some of the great ideas that came to my mind would be wasted if I didn’t put them somewhere. That’s why I found the perfect balance: Isse Maraa focuses on producing progressive house and melodic techno, while Dekova focuses on tech house. These are my two biggest passions, and no matter how hard and challenging it can be to manage both completely different projects, I still really enjoy it and look forward to creating.”

On the same note, your Tech House / Take Bass project, ‘Dekova,’ has been making waves in recent times, thus, could you provide us with on overview on this alias and what you have set out to achieve?

“Yes, the Dekova project has recently had some pretty amazing stuff going on, and the story is the same for the Isse Maraa projects. These projects mean the world to me, and I truly work hard on both of them, aiming to reach the highest and brightest stars.”

Performing at some of the biggest venues and festivals worldwide, we would like to know how you prepare for each live performance, as well as the experience gained from sharing the spotlight with some of the biggest acts in the underground scene?

“Preparation is always pretty much the same. The most important part is to give your best, your maximum, which starts months before the set and includes the energy you bring to the crowd. Before stepping on stage, you need to leave all your problems and worries at home. The crowd deserves to witness the best version of yourself.”

Teaming up with Iranian vocalist Xerxes-K on the release of ‘Bound To Break,’ we would like to know the main thought process behind this production, as well as the message it has set out to portray?

“That is a fascinating story. I created a demo for this track and was searching for a vocalist. I used a website where you can find and hire vocalists from around the world. I came across Xerxes’ profile and immediately recognized his potential. After sending him the demo, everything fell into place. His first take on the vocals was perfect. The song itself is a blend of beautiful chaos, raw emotion, and unbridled energy. It took several months to finalize the track, but the effort was unquestionably worthwhile. It’s remarkable how music can connect people through an online forum, and through this collaboration, we’ve developed a strong friendship.”

With 2024 in full flow, we would like to know what the future holds for Isse Maraà, always in terms of new music and live performances?

“From the current standpoint of the project, I couldn’t be more excited about the future. There are dozens of new, unreleased tracks set to be released, and I continue to work on new music in my studio every day. Some significant shows will be announced soon. However, at the moment, my primary focus is on creating music that will ultimately open up more opportunities for me to tour and connect with fans worldwide.”

Remarkable in every sense of the word, we will most definitely be keeping a close eye on Isse Maraà and all his future endeavours within the dance scene, but for the time being, you can stay fully up to date by following this artist to watch on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.