Quentyn discusses main inspirations, upcoming album release and more: Interview
A fast-rising star within the dance scene, Dutch artist/producer Quentyn discusses main influences, endeavours of the past and present, and so much more in an interview that cannot go amiss.
Looking to leave his own distinct mark within the electronic dance industry, Quentyn is the true embodiment of an act that has dedicated his life into mastering his craft at the utmost of his abilities. Renowned for his innovative approach of blending euphoric festival-inspired melodies with organic indie band sounds, the Amsterdam-based artist/producer is more than set on creating a lasting legacy of his own, and having gained success in the past as part of an electronic producer-duo, it comes to no surprise, that his now solo ventures are garnering support by some of the elite acts within our community. From founding his very own imprint, Enroute Records, to releasing his debut album ‘Enroute‘ back in 2021 with a great success rate, we are joined by the man himself, as he discusses main inspirations and influences, the origin of his style of play, his previous and current endeavours, the goals he has set, what the future holds 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?
“Thanks for having me! Yes, this traces back to my early inspirations. I was always drawn to (rock-influenced) electronic acts like Justice, Soulwax, and Switch, which got me to DJing. I started collecting their vinyls and when I finally mastered my beatmatching skills, the sync button got introduced. This made me transition into music production in order to make my sets more unique. Eventually, I became part of a producer/DJ duo, and we had the incredible opportunity to tour internationally, playing at major festivals such as Sziget, Tomorrowland. While that phase was exciting, I started to feel the pull toward exploring music beyond the confines of the electronic club scene. I dived into indie, film scoring, funk, and 80s influences, incorporating real instruments to give my sound a more organic and human touch. This journey is what I believe shaped my style. It’s the reason behind the weird combinations, like blending rave-inspired lead synths with funk-driven guitars. It’s helped me carve out a distinctive space—a sound that feels fresh and relatively uncharted.“
Renowned for your unique blend of euphoric festival-inspired melodies with organic indie band sounds, we would like to know the origin of your style of play, and how your signature sound came to be?
“Back when I started producing, discovering the piano roll was a turning point. I became obsessed with the challenge of conveying as much emotion as possible in a simple 4- or 8-bar loop. It taught me that if a song works in its rawest form—like a stripped-back MIDI loop—it creates a solid foundation that allows you to imagine the final product across different genres effortlessly. I always loved listening to bands like Empire of the Sun, Phoenix, Nothing but Thieves, MGMT, Tame Impala and I combined these influences with my obsession for progressive house rooted melodies.“
Creating music that is meant for active listening, could you talk us through the thought process behind your productions, as well as your approach towards songwriting and how it may differ in a genre aspect?
“Listening to music is the highlight of my day, especially when I’m biking through the city or traveling by train. It clears my head and takes me to another place. Discovering songs that spark that same rush feels almost addictive— and it’s what fuels my drive to create. My goal is to craft tracks that evoke those rare, powerful emotions. If I can listen to my own music on repeat and feel that same impact, I know it’s ready to share. I’ve come to realize that the emotional core of my melodies often centers on capturing the essence of a ‘plot twist.’ It’s like those pivotal movie moments where the underdog—who also happens to be the main character—seems to be on the brink of defeat, only to execute a brilliant, unexpected comeback. This moment, often referred to as the ‘midpoint’ in film terminology, ties directly into the album title and artwork. My creative process is anything but linear. At times, I’ll spend months crafting 30 melody ideas a day, only to feel like none of them hit the mark. Then, out of nowhere, I’ll enter a creative flow, like last year when I came up with several standout melodies within a few weeks. It’s a mental roller-coaster, but when everything finally clicks, it’s the best feeling.“
Taking charge of your own musical direction and journey with the dance scene, we would like to know the key aspects that direct you towards success, as well as any challenges that you may have encountered along the way?
“For me, staying true to the art is key. I don’t let trends influence my music; strategy only comes after the track is finished. It’s about authenticity—creating first, then finding the best way to share it. The music industry is evolving rapidly. Recently, I took three months off music just to focus on creating and scheduling social media content. It’s a new era where gate-keeping is minimal, and artists have more tools and control than ever before. While this freedom is empowering, it also brings challenges, like balancing authentic content with strategies to attract new audiences. But these challenges force growth, which makes the process exciting and innovative.“
With your latest album going live July’ 25, could you talk us through the creative process behind it, the overall vision shared, as well as your decision of releasing one track each month?
“The album title represents a full-circle moment, sound wise. My debut album, ‘Enroute,’ was my chance to experiment after leaving my DJ/producer duo. It was about creative freedom. Now, with my sophomore record, I feel everything has come together. It’s about finding that sweet spot between everything I love—indie-band vibes, electronic melodies, and festival euphoria. It also speaks to the concept of a center, tying into the themes of place and space that are integral to my music. This album was crafted entirely in my attic studio, right in the heart of Amsterdam. I even transformed my living room into one big studio and creative space, a testament to how my music and personal story are connected. The reason to release track by track is more of a marketing thing, to give every track its own moment.“
On the same note, your most recent single ‘I Wanna Know,’ has gained traction from the offset. We would like to know the main thought process behind this production, as well as the message it portrays?
“’I Wanna Know’ was a turning point for me—a track where everything fell into place and set the tone for this new chapter in my sound. Interestingly, it almost became a collaboration with a big-name artist. That involvement shifted the track’s vibe and DNA, but my initial idea still resonated deeply with how I envisioned my music moving forward. That’s when I thought, “Why not channel this same concept into new songs?” That way, even if my version of the track never saw the light of day (what I did, luckily) , its essence could live on as the foundation for the rest of the album. It ended up being more than just a song—it became a blueprint for the entire project. As this song was important to me, I wanted to create a music video. Getting the visual aesthetics just right was a focus point and the whole crew was incredible to work with. I think the energy we poured into it really comes through in the final result.“
Transitioning from an electronic producer-duo to a one man band, could you talk us through your current setup during your live performances, and how the preparation process may differ to your previous shows?
“Yes, as my music has evolved to sound more like a band, I realized that a traditional DJ setup no longer felt right. This shift inspired me to dive into live-set construction, which led me to pick up the guitar—a challenge I’m genuinely enjoying so far. I’m still in the experimental phase, figuring out what feels authentic to me. Down the line, I might bring other musicians on board, but for now, I’m excited to explore the possibilities as a one-man band. My focus is on creating high-energy performances that foster a genuine, unfiltered connection with the audience. I’m not about pretending to be something I’m not on stage—I’m not a virtuoso guitarist and I can’t sing. My strengths lie in songwriting and production, and that’s what I embrace. I aim to take the audience on a journey, almost as if they’re stepping into my attic studio, sharing the energy and euphoria of the moments when the music truly clicks. It’s about staying true to myself while offering an authentic and immersive experience.“
With 2025 now in full flow, we would like to know what the future holds for Quentyn, always in terms of new music, collaborations and upcoming live performances?
“Yes, I’m super excited about my debut headline live-set coming up in Amsterdam at Cinetol. After spending so much time in production mode creating the album, I’m now shifting focus to the live show and hope to announce more dates soon. Of course, I’m still working on new songs as well, which I plan to test during these performances.”
Remarkable in every sense of the word, we will most certianly be keeping a close eye on Quentyn and all his future endeavours within the dance scene, but for the time being, you can stay fully up to date by following him on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify!
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