Vel C. is a Serbian Producer and DJ working to determine himself on the scene, introducing Exhausting Techno as a device for storytelling, reflection, and expression. Fusing gritty basslines with textured atmospheres, his music dives into quite a lot of themes, each social and private, providing extra than simply high-impact membership tracks.
With a string of charting releases and the launch of overHAUL – his personal label and occasion collection – Vel C. is constructing a community-driven platform that prioritises freedom, collaboration, and a return to rave’s inclusive roots.
On this interview, he joins us to discover the evolution of his sound, the story behind overHAUL, and the way he’s carving out house for authenticity and connection in in the present day’s Digital Music panorama.
Hello Vel C.! How are you?
All the time properly, pun meant.
What first led you in direction of Digital Music? Had been there specific substyles that resonated with you early on?
I’ve been listening to Digital Music for the final 10 years – began with EDM, Trance and Home, then Melodic Techno, Peak Time Techno and Exhausting Techno.
Producing-wise, I had a brief enterprise into producing Electro Pop for enjoyable over a decade in the past. After I picked up producing 10 years later, I began with Techno within the model of Charlotte de Witte. Through the time of writing my second monitor – “Company” – I found Alignment’s music and someway ended up within the 150 BPM vary for that music. The more durable, sooner, and extra energetic vibe caught with me for the remainder of my songs.
Connections with the subgenres have been primarily influenced by my optimistic rave experiences and have developed with the completely different locations I’ve visited and the music I’ve been uncovered to.
Are you able to inform us a bit about your background in music? The place did you study to provide and DJ, and the way has that formed your journey?
As a mix of inventive child and science child, I’ve explored many alternative types of performing arts and music for enjoyable. I used to sing in a choir, skilled road model dance for eight years (Hip Hop, Home), and even acted on some events. As my profession after faculty progressed, I missed my artistic aspect, and making an attempt music manufacturing once more felt like an apparent interest – one thing you are able to do at residence with only a laptop computer and a headset.
I began studying from YouTube tutorials. Three months in, these turned overwhelming – a lot info, and also you’re by no means certain what’s dependable. As a scientist who thrives on knowledge, info, reasoning and rationale, I began introducing construction to my studying. I vetted sources earlier than committing to them. A number of innate scepticism kicked in, and it was a problem to distil proper from fallacious on a topic I had no clue about. Ultimately, I selected the sources that felt grounded in reality and stable reasoning and targeted solely on these – for my very own sanity.
I met just a few individuals alongside the best way who I reached out to for suggestions and recommendation. The optimistic suggestions I obtained on my first tracks motivated me to maintain going. I took classes to enhance my sound, labored with completely different tutors – some resonated totally, some partially, and a few in no way. Finally, I used to be fortunate to search out just a few good mentors who helped me form my very own logic and considering round music manufacturing by giving me a peek into their very own views.
DJing solely got here after I produced my first two tracks. Initially, I wasn’t drawn to it, but it surely felt like a pure step. Ultimately, I assumed it’d be good to be again on stage – simply with a distinct medium to inform tales: my very own music.
How would you describe the emotional or conceptual core of your sound?
Most of my tracks are reflections of my very own ideas, insecurities, life experiences or easy observations. A number of the time, it’s simply an trustworthy “remedy session” – from me to me – whereas writing a music within the nook of my front room. A few of my songs have explored internal doubts and insecurities, making an attempt to resolve them. Some have been meant to easily empower myself. Others are emotional reactions to particular occasions round me or in my residence nation.
Inform us about overHAUL — what impressed you to launch it as each a label and an occasion platform?
In essence, overHAUL wasn’t deliberate in any respect. It simply occurred as a approach of me making an attempt to create my very own alternatives as a substitute of regularly chasing them – so I might deal with creating music.
All of the challenges I confronted with my first label launch pushed me to dig deeper into the best way to efficiently launch and promote music independently – I turned obsessive about issues like correct Meta advert setups, triggering Spotify’s algorithm, and so forth. Trying to find the suitable label took a lot time away from truly making music, so I made a decision to self-release “Golden Cage”. Whereas on the lookout for a distributor, I examined many by contacting their buyer help to see how they’d deal with widespread streaming points (like bots). Ultimately, I discovered a distinct segment distributor with an important help workforce – however they required me to have a label. So, I picked a reputation and went with it. On the time, there have been no actual plans to run a label.
The thought of turning into a platform for rising artists from my nation and area got here naturally as soon as I began assembly the local people. I met just a few youthful artists with actual ardour for music, community-building power, and powerful unreleased tracks.
Since I hadn’t carried out a lot in Serbia, I shared my imaginative and prescient for an inclusive rave – one which wouldn’t segregate individuals based mostly on ticket sort (VIP, on-stage, and so forth.) – with the group I’d met. That resonated, so we organised the primary overHAUL occasion. All of us play completely different subgenres of Techno, and we noticed that as a power: it allowed us to construct the power and vibe of the night time progressively.
As overHAUL evolves, how do you see its function within the wider scene – and what sort of group are you aiming to construct?
For the reason that first occasion, individuals have expressed curiosity in supporting overHAUL solely due to the way it made them really feel. That makes me pleased. I consider you’ll be able to’t do a lot alone – you want a group to empower one another. I’m excited to welcome extra artists and individuals who share the values and imaginative and prescient behind overHAUL.
The thought is to create an inclusive rave expertise the place everyone seems to be equal. That’s what drew me into raving within the first place. I’ve by no means felt like an outcast at a rave — which I can’t say about different elements of life.
All of us agree an important factor at our occasions is how we curate the vibe – particularly, the order of the lineup, guaranteeing every artist builds on the depth and power of the one earlier than. At many occasions in the present day, the lineup order feels disjointed. We’re dedicated to crafting a clean trip from sundown to dawn.
Ultimately, how overHAUL evolves is right down to everybody concerned. The place it goes remains to be a giant query mark – however with the individuals already on board, I’m assured it’ll develop into one thing significant.
Which artists — previous or current — have been significantly inspirational or influential to your growth?
My absolute favorite, and high of the checklist, is Alignment. I really like his mix of distorted and clear — it’s excellent for my style — and the emotion in his music and manufacturing model.
I just like the manufacturing kinds of Byorn and Storm, and the melodies of Mr. Machine. I additionally recognize the emotional layers Kuko and In Verruf convey to their work. On the Acid Techno aspect, I’d say Joey Risdon is an affect. Lately, I’ve been entering into numerous Exhausting Psy and Psy Techno. Sara Landry, Alex Farell, Sikoti, Sopik – simply to call just a few –
are new inspirations.
What does “success” appear to be to you proper now? Are there any moments or milestones to date that stand out?
With the ability to do issues at my very own tempo and beneath my very own management – that makes me pleased. Being affected person with outcomes (in the event that they occur) and sustaining low expectations is one thing I see as success, personally and mentally.
The largest milestone must be our first overHAUL occasion, which drew an surprising 600 ravers. We anticipated perhaps 200. The suggestions we’ve obtained after the occasion has been overwhelming – I see that as an enormous achievement.
If somebody is listening to your music for the primary time, which monitor would you level them to as a place to begin?
“Golden Cage.” It’s arduous, melodic, uncooked, and carries an uncontrolled outburst of emotion. I wrote the hook and melody in 10 minutes. These songs at all times prove greatest.
Lastly, what’s coming subsequent – each for you and for overHAUL?
Enjoyable instances with the group, extra raves, extra authentic music, mutual help, and collaborative development — hopefully.
Whereas nonetheless early in his journey on the scene, Vel C. is striving to make his mark – each via his personal releases and his overHAUL platform. With a deal with creating house for actual connection, artistic freedom, and a stronger sense of group, he stands out not simply as a Producer and DJ however as a dedicated member of the style’s tradition and a supporter of its development.
So, remember to sustain with Vel C. and his subsequent chapter by following him throughout social media in the present day.
Vel C. On-line
