After more than a decade building momentum as part of Local Dialect, Sam Perricone returns to his original alias, New Wing, with a clearer sense of direction and intent. What began as his first production project over twelve years ago now re-emerges with experience behind it and a sharper understanding of where he fits in today’s ecosystem.
New Wing reflects a shift away from external validation and toward internal clarity. Perricone speaks candidly about adapting behind the decks without chasing trends, learning that imperfect technical moments can sometimes create stronger connection, and redefining growth beyond numbers. The project is rooted in instinct, presence, and trust in his own taste.
In this conversation, he reflects on rebuilding identity, managing energy, and making decisions in real time when the room demands it. The throughline is simple: stay adaptable, stay honest, and let the crowd respond to intention rather than formul
Interview With New Wing
What motivated you to start a new project?
I had something new to say.
The music I was making and the feelings behind it pushed me to start something fresh. New Wing is about bringing back that old-school festival energy — real community, collective release, and joy. That shared moment when everyone locks into the same frequency.
New Wing was actually my first DJ/production project, and twelve years later it felt right to bring it back with clarity and experience behind it.
How do you stay adaptable behind the decks while remaining true to your taste?
To me, that’s the difference between a good DJ and a great one. A great DJ reads the room and acknowledges trends without pandering.
The line between underground and mainstream has blurred so much that it gives you freedom — you can introduce records people don’t know as long as the flow makes sense, and you can drop something recognizable into a deeper set without losing the mood. If the journey feels intentional, the crowd stays with you.
Have you ever played a set that felt technically solid yet revealed something new to you about connection?
Definitely, although more frequently it’s the opposite situation – the technical side being a bit rough reminding me what’s really important.
There have been nights where everything wasn’t tight technically, but what made them memorable wasn’t the perfect mix — it was the moment I stopped focusing on control and started responding instinctively.
You are reminded that connection with the crowd isn’t about flawless transitions, it’s about being present enough to move with the room, and a couple of rough transitions can be part of the ride.
As the culture shifts, how do you continue evolving without losing clarity in your identity?
I’ve wrestled with this for years.
It’s tempting to copy what’s working, and it’s just as tempting to stay in your comfort zone. I’ve found the best results come from staying curious while filtering everything through my own taste. I pay attention to what’s happening, but I only bring something into my music if it genuinely resonates with me.
I try not to create from other people’s opinions – I create from how the music makes me feel. That’s what keeps the identity clear.
What’s something you’ve intentionally moved away from as your style matured?
Caring too much about outside opinions.
Feedback from a few trusted people is valuable, but trying to follow everyone’s advice only creates confusion. Over time I’ve learned to trust my instincts first and use outside input as refinement rather than direction.
This applies to production, DJing, socials, everything! At the end of the day if you don’t believe in what you’re doing in any of those facets
How do you personally define growth at this stage of your career?
A few years ago, growth meant numbers — streams, followers, momentum.
Now it feels more internal.
Am I getting closer to expressing what I actually want to say? Do I feel confident in the sound and aesthetic of New Wing? If the answer is yes, then I’m growing. The growth comes from clarity, not the other way around.
What keeps your offstage self and your onstage presence aligned?
They feel like different energies, but they come from the same place.
Onstage I’m more animated and intense, while offstage I’m more measured. If I operated at performance level all the time, I’d burn out. What connects both sides is the passion. Whether I’m producing at home or playing to a packed room, I care deeply about what I’m doing and I want it to land.
Can you recall a moment where adjusting in real time strengthened the exchange with the crowd?
Last summer I played at my friend Tone’s “Anything Goes” party.
I planned to play a classic house set, which isn’t usually what I do for my artist project. As the room filled up, though, the energy shifted and it was clear people were ready for something bigger. Instead of sticking to the plan, I pivoted, moving from Kerri Chandler into Chris Lake and then ripping a couple of New Wing originals.
The crowd loved it! It was a reminder that the crowd doesn’t care about your blueprint; they care about how you make them feel.
The post Sam Perricone on Reclaiming Identity Through New Wing appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.