ARKADYAN is a DJ and production collective known for blending organic and electronic sounds, incorporating elements from jazz, reggae, salsa, and Afro-house. In 2024, they secured their first Ibiza residency at Beachouse, a premier beach club in Playa d’en Bossa. Every Sunday from June 2 to September 15, ARKADYAN’s Voyage residency transformed the venue with immersive performances, combining live instrumental elements with deep, rhythmic DJ sets. Their shows, featuring artists like Aaron Sevilla and Eva Voytko, have been hailed for creating an unparalleled musical journey that touches both the body and soul.
ARKADYAN’s fusion of live percussion, trumpets, and electronic beats brings a dynamic energy to Ibiza’s electronic scene, making their residency a standout among the island’s many events. Beyond their Ibiza presence, the group has also released notable tracks such as “Quiero Vivir” on the Scorpios Music label, reflecting their global reach and collaborative ethos.
With their latest single Dark Eyes out now, we caught up with the group for a chat about their past, present and future.
Your music blends tribal, ancestral, and modern instruments with electronic elements. How do you maintain the balance between these diverse sounds to create a cohesive experience?
It comes naturally to the three of us, as we have backgrounds in bands where various instruments are mixed. Electronic music is already amazing, but blending it with both modern and ancient instruments creates a beautiful organic feeling. The crowd feels that, especially when we perform live. Our music isn’t a masterclass of each instrument but rather a balance between electronic and organic elements.
Traveling the world and exploring various instruments sounds like an adventure. Can you share a memorable experience or discovery that significantly influenced your sound?
A few years ago, we played at a big party in the Moroccan desert just before Bedouin. The vibe was incredible, and the elegant music of Bedouin added to the atmosphere. At the end of the night, a Gnawa musician performed with his band while mint tea was served. It was magical. He played a traditional Guimbri guitar, and we fell in love with its sound. We asked him to record a quick melody on our iPhone, along with some vocals. A few months later, we produced “TULILA,” based on the atmosphere of that night and the Guimbri melody. “TULILA” is still played by Black Coffee and many others.
The raw energy of your live performances is a defining feature of ARKADYAN. How do you translate the intensity and spontaneity of a live show into your studio recordings?
In the studio, we try to create build-ups and drops with the same energy we feel live. We often record with our eyes closed, imagining a crowd in front of us (haha), which helps us capture the right intensity at the right moments.
Your music touches on Afro-Balkan sounds and many global influences. How do you approach incorporating these diverse cultural elements into your tracks without losing authenticity?
We maintain authenticity by recording real instruments for cultural or folkloric elements. For example, Benjy insists on recording real percussion rather than using samples or digital versions, which can sound artificial. This commitment to real instruments helps us keep the authenticity in our music.
ARKADYAN has garnered support from a wide array of renowned artists. How has their recognition and collaboration shaped your musical journey and approach to production?
Yes, we’ve had great support from renowned artists, which gives us pride and confidence. While we are influenced by certain sounds and styles, we always produce in our own way. For example, Keinemusik’s style has become very trendy in 2024, with many producers trying to replicate it. However, we don’t follow trends—we produce tracks that often don’t conform to the usual structure or basslines. We’ve received global support and a lot of feedback from fans who appreciate the uniqueness of ARKADYAN.
With releases on prominent labels like ABRACADABRA and Sol Selectas, how do you decide which label is the right fit for a particular track or project?
We consider the recent releases on a label, and whether it aligns with our sound. In the beginning, we hoped signing with a label would lead to playing their parties, but we quickly realized that’s not how it works. We also look at labels run by artists we admire and feel a connection to their energy and music.
Your residency at Beachouse Ibiza this season has been a significant milestone. How has the unique atmosphere of Ibiza influenced your performances and connection with the audience?
We’re thrilled with our first summer residency in Ibiza. Having our own party there is both a good kind of stress and an important step for ARKADYAN. Each time we perform, we feel lucky to be connected to the Ibiza vibe. It feels like the right place at the right time for our career, and we stay focused on enjoying the moment on stage with passion.
What have been some of the highlights or standout moments from your Beachouse residency this season that have defined the experience for you and your fans?
We’ve built a strong connection with our fans during the residency. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how many DJs, producers, PRs, managers, and labels attended our sets and stayed to give us feedback and ask about ARKADYAN. One major highlight has been a club offering us a 2025 summer residency, although we can’t reveal more details yet.
As you look ahead, how do you envision evolving your Ibiza residency at Beachouse in future seasons? Are there any new elements or collaborations you’re excited to explore?
With all the good stress and challenges of this season, we’re definitely planning to return to Ibiza next season. We’ve received offers to continue the ARKADYAN Voyage residency in a club, and we’re currently considering the best options for our music project.
Ibiza is known for its ever-evolving music scene. How do you plan to keep your appearances there fresh and innovative while staying true to ARKADYAN’s core sound?
Music evolves, and so does ARKADYAN. We’ll keep our organic sound but are open to experimenting with new trends. The challenge of adapting to a club residency is exciting, and we’ll aim to incorporate more solid house music elements without being repetitive. Above all, we’ll maintain our identity, even if we explore new styles.
“Dark Eyes” has a haunting yet energetic vibe that resonates with your global sound. Can you share the inspiration behind this track and how it reflects your musical journey so far?
“Dark Eyes” is a masterpiece rooted in Russian, Balkan, and Gypsy influences. Our goal was to recreate the traditional sound of the song using only real instruments. We invited several musicians to our studio and recorded key parts of the track. The original “Dark Eyes” was famously recorded by jazz legend Django Reinhardt in the 1960s, and it’s exciting to bring this song to modern audiences with an electronic twist.
The release of “Dark Eyes” has garnered attention from both fans and fellow artists. How do you plan to build on the success of this single in your upcoming projects and performances?
Our aim with “Dark Eyes” was to create a track that people could feel a part of, which is why we included a clap section in the outro. We often play it at the end of our sets, and the crowd joins in. The track allows us to introduce jazz and gypsy elements into our electronic sets. Moving forward, we’ll continue blending global influences into our house music, staying true to ARKADYAN’s eclectic and cross-cultural sound.
Dark Eyes is out now. Follow ARKADYAN on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/arkadyanmusic/
The post “We’ll maintain our identity, even if we explore new styles” ARKADYAN interview appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.