IN CONVERSATION WITH QUENTYN

Interview by SAMO ŠAJN

Quentyn is a Dutch artist, songwriter, and producer based in Amsterdam, known for blending euphoric festival-inspired melodies with organic indie band sounds. His debut album Enroute garnered over 15 million streams, cementing his status as a rising star. Through his label, Enroute Records, he promotes this unique genre, collaborating with artists like Big Data, Anoraak, and Josha Daniel, while also earning credits on tracks for major pop artists.

Photo by: Juliëtte Aimée 

Your upcoming album, which will be released track by track until July 2025, is an exciting project. Can you share the inspiration behind it and the story you’re trying to tell through the songs?

Thanks for having me! I’m excited to finally announce the album, including the release date, tracklist, and artwork. You can check it out here!

With my debut album “Enroute”, I took the chance to experiment and discover my own sound, after leaving my former DJ/producer duo. That album was about exploration. Now, with this upcoming sophomore record, I feel I’ve arrived at a place where everything comes together.

It’s a refined blend of indie-band vibes, electronic melodies, and festival euphoria– mixing real instruments with my electronic rooted melodies and background. A collection bound by this cohesive sonic palette—staking my claim within this corner of the musical spectrum.

The artwork and title of an album often set the tone for the listener’s experience. What’s the significance of the artwork and the album's title for you?

The title represents a circle, reflecting how my sound has come full circle after years of evolving and experimenting. It’s about reaching a point where everything I love—indie, electronic, and festival energy—balances perfectly.

It also symbolizes a center, which connects to the idea of place and space being important in my music. The album was created entirely in my attic studio in the heart of Amsterdam. I sacrificed my living room to turn it into a big studio and creative hub, a reflection of how my music and personal journey are intertwined.

Photo by: Juliëtte Aimée 

Your latest single, "I Wanna Know," seems to hold special meaning. What’s the story behind this track, and how does it fit into the larger narrative of the album?

“I Wanna Know” was the track where everything clicked for me, marking the start of this new chapter in my sound. At one point though, it almost became a collaboration with a big-name artist. This involvement ended up shifting the vibe and DNA of the song. 

Since the initial idea resonated so strongly with how I envisioned my sound, I thought, ‘Why not try to capture this same essence in new songs?’ This way it wouldn’t matter if my version of that track never saw the light of day. Even though I could eventually release it, it became a blueprint for the rest of the album.

You’re premiering the music video for "I Wanna Know." Can you give us a behind-the-scenes look at how it came together?

There’s a lot of debate about the relevance of music videos these days, but for me, this wasn’t all about marketing—it was about bringing a special track to life visually.

For this video I got creative director Ricardo Teunissen on board. An important element was getting the visual aesthetics just right. The whole crew was an absolute joy to work with—so talented and collaborative. I think that energy and passion really shines through in the final result.

You’re known for blending euphoric festival-inspired melodies with indie band sounds. How did you develop this niche, and what draws you to this fusion?

It all goes back to my early influences. I loved (rock-inspired) electronic acts like Justice, Soulwax and Switch, which got me into DJing. I started collecting vinyl, mastered beatmatching, and then shifted to music production when the sync button came along.

Discovering the piano-roll changed everything for me. Trying to pack as much emotion as possible into a 4- or 8-bar loop soon became my obsession. 

I discovered that if a song works in its simplest form—like a raw midi loop—the foundation is so solid that it's easy to envision the end product, even in different styles. 

Later I got into a producer/DJ duo and we toured the world, performing festivals such as Sziget. While I loved the excitement of that chapter, I also slowly felt a desire to explore beyond the electronic club spectrum. I got into indie, film scores, funk, and 80s sounds, and I wanted to use real instruments to give my music a more human feel.

I believe it's this journey that led to the uncommon blends, such as 'rave lead-synths' paired with 'funk guitars', and enabled me to carve out a unique space in music—a niche that feels fresh and largely unexplored.

Photo by: Juliëtte Aimée 

You’ve mentioned having a specific way of songwriting, starting with a piano. Could you walk us through your creative process from that first melody loop to a finished track?

Listening to music is the best part of my day, especially when I’m biking through the city or riding a train. It clears my mind and transports me to another world. Discovering tracks that spark that same rush feels addictive—and it’s what drives me to create. I want to contribute songs that evoke those rare, intense emotions. If I can listen to my own music on repeat and achieve that same impact, I know it’s ready to share.

I’ve realized that the emotional core of my melodies often revolves around capturing the feeling of a ‘plot twist,’ referring to those typical scenes in movies where the underdog—also the main character—appears to be on the verge of defeat but then, against all odds, executes a brilliant master plan to turn the tide. This moment, often referred to as the ‘midpoint’ in cinematography, is another reference that ties back to the album title and artwork.

My process can be unpredictable. Sometimes, I’ll work for months on 30 melody ideas a day, only to find none of them work. Then suddenly, I’ll hit a creative streak, like last year when I created several ‘winning’ melodies in just a few weeks. It’s a mental rollercoaster, but when a melody finally comes together, it’s euphoric.

Coming from a DJ background, you’re now a one-man band incorporating synths, guitar, and a drumpad. Why did you choose this setup, and how does it enhance your live performances?

Since my music sounds more like a band now, I felt that a DJ setup didn’t cut it anymore. Transitioning to live-set construction pushed me to learn to play the guitar—a challenge I really enjoy so far. Right now, I’m experimenting to find what feels right. At one point, I might eventually ask more musicians to join. But for now, I’m excited to explore the possibilities of this one-man band performance.

You’ll debut this new live setup in April 2025. What can fans expect from that show, and how does it represent your evolution as an artist?

Yes, I’m very thrilled to announce my first ever headline live show at Cinetol in Amsterdam on April 4. You can grab early access tickets here!

I’m all about high energy and real, unfiltered connection through music, without pretending to be more than I am on stage. I’m not a virtuoso instrumentalist or a singer, my strength lies in songwriting and production. Therefore, I like to stay true to myself and take the audience on a journey through my attic studio, offering a glimpse into my production process, along with the energy and euphoria of those moments when my melodies fall into place.

For this show, I’ve also invited Josha Daniel to open and join me on a few tracks. We’re musically very much aligned, and it’s always fun collaborating. I can’t wait to share this experience!

Photo by: Juliëtte Aimée 

As an independent artist running your own label, you have full control over your musical direction. What are the biggest challenges and rewards of going independent

There are so many pieces to the puzzle: social media, contracts, artwork, playlist pitching, radio and more. It’s overwhelming, but having full creative control is so rewarding. Knowing every decision reflects my vision is worth the extra time.

Keeping the creative process pure is key for me. I don’t let external factors like trends influence my music. Only when a track is finished do I think about strategy. It’s about staying true to the art and then finding the best way to share it authentically.

Social media plays a huge role in music promotion today. How are you navigating this landscape to connect with listeners and share your music?

It’s fascinating how the music industry keeps changing. For instance, I recently took three months off from music just to focus entirely on creating social media content and scheduling videos to maintain consistent output.

We’re in a new era where everyone has an opportunity to get their work out there. Gatekeeping feels like it’s at an all-time low. Thirty years ago, reaching a wide audience was nearly impossible without the backing of a label—promotion was heavily reliant on insider connections. Now, I feel we’re on the opposite end of the spectrum, with artists having more control over their careers than ever before. The barriers to entry are lower, and the tools to build a career are more accessible.

That said, this new freedom comes with its own challenges. My current focus is finding the right balance: creating content that feels authentic to my brand while incorporating the elements necessary to engage and attract new audiences. It’s not always easy, but it forces you to step outside your comfort zone, which often leads to growth. I think that’s one of the most exciting aspects of working in today’s landscape—the challenges push you to explore and innovate in ways you might not have considered before.