What can fans look Following the release of his Afro House single, ‘Sun Will Shine Again,’ featuring the vocals of Zack Goffe, DJ Dris joins us for this exclusive interview. As we go behind the scenes of the release, delving into the inspirations, his collaboration with Zack Goffe and the processes that led to the production, we gain insight into DJ Dris’ artistic evolution, uncovering more about his creativity and workflow.
With a sound that comes as a unique fusion of his influences, drawing from genres such as Afro Beats, House, Drill, and Tribal House, DJ Dris continues to emerge as a passionate and creatively driven talent on the scene, rapidly gaining momentum as he keeps adding music to his growing discography. So, join us to learn more about his creative world as we present this enlightening conversation with DJ Dris.
Hi DJ Dris, how’s it going?
All is good, going through every day as it comes—really living life in a present state.
What was the inspiration behind ‘Sun Will Shine Again’? Was there a specific event or feeling that sparked the idea for this track?
The inspiration came from the vocalist on the song, Zack Goffe. Regarding the instrumental, I was experimenting with sounds.
How did you come to collaborate with Zack Goffe on this project? What drew you to his vocal style for this particular track?
Well, I’ve known Zack Goffe from a previous life. I heard him singing one day and thought it would be a waste of a connection to not get him in the studio with me for a session or two. We created a track prior to this one which is still unreleased. So, when I created ‘Sun Will Shine Again,’ I could only think of him and his vocal capabilities to match this sound.
How did you achieve the balance between the rhythmic Afro House elements and Zack Goffe’s vocal performance?
It was trial and error. I made sure to give his vocals space by taking out key elements and bringing key elements back in. At the time, I was working out my sound, so this was really another step on the path.
Can you describe the sound design process for the synths and pads in the track? How did you achieve the lush full-bodied sound?
I played in the sounds I chose and really went for a mix that kept his vocals on top of the track, EQ’ing where needed and keeping the vocals euphoric in feeling.
What software and hardware tools were crucial in producing ‘Sun Will Shine Again’? Any favourite plugins or instruments you relied on?
My DAW of choice is Ableton. In terms of sounds, definitely Serum for me, as I love the way it gives additional flexibility to design my pads.
Can you walk us through the creation of the track’s rhythmic foundation? What specific techniques did you use to achieve the punchy beats and driving rhythm?
I used a typical kick pattern, which is metronomic in pattern or 4 to the floor. From there, I included a Tom pattern, which is synonymous with Afro House music. I usually keep my basslines very simple, and the sound that I used was a sub-bass. Then I added a shaker loop over the top. I only used a Glue Compressor to make it as smooth as I could at the time.
How did you approach crafting the structure of ‘Sun Will Shine Again’ to ensure the track maintained its energy and flow from start to finish?
I like to take listeners on a journey, and that really was the idea for me. Even though there aren’t a lot of differing lyrics in the song, I incorporated a breakdown at a certain point, which is what I like to do to ensure the listener continues to enjoy different structures.
How did you approach the mixing and mastering process for this track? Were there any particular challenges you faced in achieving the final sound?
Funnily enough, I found this one easier than previous projects. I was amassing more tools, i.e., EQs, compressors, etc. I already had a standard setup of reverb and a low pass filter chain that I used with Zack prior, and I just tweaked this a bit, used some compression, and that was forward to next? Can you share any insight into your upcoming releases?
Out now is ‘Eternal Flame’ featuring Roxa Damas. Then on the 31st of July – ‘Mystic Man’ featuring Hempress Kango.Top of FormBottom of Form
Our conversation with DJ Dris revealed the creative journey behind ‘Sun Will Shine Again;’ from experimenting with sounds to collaborating with the vocalist Zack Goffe, DJ Dris detailed his unique approach, offering an insight into his process and what fans can expect to hear next. With more releases coming soon, we end our interview by thanking DJ Dris for his time, eagerly anticipating the next singles and excited to see where his journey will take him next. So, be sure to discover the dynamic sound of ‘Sun Will Shine Again’ for yourself and stay connected with DJ Dris via social media to keep up-to-date with his upcoming releases and news.
Listen and Buy ‘Sun Will Shine Again’ Now:
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