Skoden, for those that do not know you, can you please describe yourself as a DJ in 3 words?
Raw, driven and relentless.
You play and produce hard techno, has this always been the sound you have played and produced?
Not really. I’ve always made heavier electronic music, but my sound has evolved a lot over the years. My earlier releases were much harder and more aggressive because that’s where I was as an artist. Over the last year I’ve naturally moved towards slower BPMs, less aggression and more fun. It still has plenty of energy, but it feels more musical and authentic to me.
With releases on Rebekah’s Elements Records, NowNow, Sacred Court and BDYRT, you make your return to HEKATE this August with a new EP titled Rave System. What’s new about this one?
Rave System marks a new chapter for me and is the release that best reflects where I am creatively today. Rather than focusing on faster BPMs or making tracks built purely around aggression, I spent much more time developing the groove, sound design and creating energy that feels fun and engaging on the dancefloor. The result is a 3 track EP that feels more intentional and authentic to who I am as an artist today, while still keeping the energy people associate with my music. Returning to HEKATE with this EP feels really special because the label’s direction has evolved alongside my own, so it felt like the perfect home for this next chapter of my sound.
With the ever-changing scene, do you feel this sound will remain popular in years to come, or do you think artists need to re-invent themselves to stay relevant?
The scene is always evolving, and I think that’s what keeps electronic music exciting. Every few years, a different sound takes over, but I don’t think artists need to completely reinvent themselves every time a trend changes.
For me, it’s more about evolving than reinventing. You can stay true to who you are as an artist while still putting your own spin on what’s happening in the scene. That’s how music keeps moving forward. If you simply copy what’s popular, you’ll always be behind the curve. The artists who stand out are the ones who take inspiration from current trends but make them their own.
That’s exactly how I approached Rave System. I wasn’t trying to chase a trend or become a different artist, I just found a sound that genuinely inspired me again and made it my own. I think as long as you’re authentic and your music reflects who you are, people will connect with it.
You openly talk about serving in the Army, how did you transition from this to music?
Music had always been a passion of mine, even while I was serving, but it wasn’t until I left the Army that I was able to give it the time it deserved. After leaving, I got an office job, which gave me a much better work-life balance. I wasn’t working weekends anymore, so I could plan ahead a lot more with gigs, going to events, networking with promoters and DJs, and really investing my time into building a career in music. Looking back, it wasn’t one big leap, it happened gradually. The discipline and organisation I learned in the Army definitely helped me stay focused, but not being in the Army and able to plan ahead with a better work life balance definitely gave me the opportunity to put myself out there and create opportunities. As the gigs and releases started to grow, so did my confidence that music was something I could genuinely pursue as a career.
What’s next for you? Releases, gigs and more?
The main focus right now is continuing to build this new sound. I’m planning to release less music than I have over the last few years, but everything I put out will be held to a much higher standard. Alongside that, I’m hoping to play more festivals and bigger events across the UK and Europe, while continuing to grow the community around my music. More than anything, I just want to keep making tracks that people genuinely connect with and enjoy.
