SUBSHIFT talks artistic direction, performances at Ushuaïa Ibiza & new track ‘Disco Demon’: Interview

“I think what I’m trying to do is fuse the UK tech house sound with the US sound, and be somewhere in the middle rather than be in one box,” says SUBSHIFT.

Specialising in his own type of energetic and sinister tech house, UK based DJ & producer SUBSHIFT has been steadily making a name for himself both in his local and international scenes respectively. Signed to labels such as hau5trap, Insomniac Records and now Strangelove (a subsidiary of Toolroom Records), he’s hit the ground running and is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Levelling up his career further, SUBSHIFT has now combined his talents with Marshmello supported artist Basura Boyz for the alluring new track ‘Disco Demon.’ An unforgettable listening experience to state the obvious, its dark and eerie vibe is what makes it special. Made for the pulsating, late night dancefloor, this track will have any listener turning into a true ‘disco demon.’

To get further insight into the track and who he is as an artist, we spoke with SUBSHIFT.

What inspired the dark vibe of ‘Disco Demon,’ and how did Nick from Basura Boyz contribute?

“From the get go I wanted this to be a dark after-hours type of record, and I knew the bassline had to be acid. Nick then added to the record with his signature synth work as well as the vocals which just fit the vibe perfectly, both lyrically and tonally.”

How has releasing on Strangelove influenced your artistic direction or the way you perceive your growth as an artist?

“I have been following the Strangelove catalog for a while now, and have been loving their releases. Even though I am from the UK, my sound resonates more with the US audience, and I feel like Strangelove is a great fit for me in that sense.”

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Was there anything surprising about working with Nick from Basura Boyz on this track?

“I know Nick is a super talented artist, so nothing surprised me with what he came up with, because I knew it was going to be sick from the get go. However the thing that surprised me most is how fast he works and how easily ideas come into his head, it’s crazy!”

How have your performances at Ushuaïa Ibiza and Tomorrowland inspired your music-making after the shows?

“Those were my two bucket list venues when I first started making music, so managing to tick them off my list in one summer was an unbelievable feeling. The few weeks after playing both those shows I just couldn’t stop making music, I wish I could play there every week, haha!”

How do you make your tracks stand out in the busy tech house scene?

“I just try to be myself really, and stick to what I love making. In the past I have maybe started a session trying to make something that is the ‘in’ thing right now, and those sessions are always the worst ones. I think what I’m trying to do is fuse the UK tech house sound with the US sound, and be somewhere in the middle rather than be in one box, hopefully people dig it!”

What has been the biggest challenge in growing your fan base, and how do you stay motivated?

“I think the biggest challenge is keeping listeners/fans interested and wanting to stick around. There is always the new thing and someone who is the hot topic, so trying to not fall into the shadows is really hard. I think consistently releasing music helps with that though. Motivation wise I listen to a lot of house music, every single day. I live and breathe house music so it’s easy to keep myself motivated!”

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What’s next for you in general, both creatively and professionally?

“Creatively I’m going to keep plugging away and trying to fuse the UK & US sounds into one. I have been loving UKG & Speed Garage recently, so you’re definitely going to be hearing some of those influences in my upcoming music. Professionally, I am planning to hit the US on some tour dates at some point next year, so keep in tuned for that!”

Stay up to date with SUBSHIFT, and follow him on Instagram here.