Interview • Rave Colony

Justė Talks Career, Sound and “Turn The Lights Off”

Rave Colony — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Lithuanian DJ and producer Justė is steadily shaping her place in the electronic music scene.

Now based in Denmark, she continues to refine her sound while balancing studio work and live performances.

In this interview, she reflects on her musical journey, the story behind “Turn The Lights Off,” and how her artistic identity continues to evolve.

Hi Justė. So nice to talk with you! Can you introduce yourself to the Indonesian audience? Where do you come from and what have you been working on?

Hi! So nice to talk to you too. My name is Justė, I’m a Lithuanian DJ and producer currently based in Denmark.

Lately I’ve been fully focused on building my sound and identity as an artist.

I spend a lot of time in the studio, but also practicing DJing and playing shows.

Right now I’m in that phase where everything is growing at the same time, my music, my confidence, and also my direction.

It’s a lot, but in a good way!

Tell us about the music you were listening to growing up. How does that music shape your career?

Growing up in Lithuania, I was listening to a lot of local pop music, but mostly lyric songs.

When I moved to Denmark, I kind of changed my identity and started listening more to neutral electronic music like techno and melodic psytrance.

But once I started producing, my way of listening changed again.

Now I pay much more attention to the production, the sounds behind the vocals, the details.

Because of that, I actually started to enjoy mainstream music more again.

At the moment my taste is very mixed. I listen to techno, psytrance, speed garage, drum and bass, and also pop.

For me, it’s not about the genre anymore, it’s about a certain feeling or element that connects the track.

I usually know in the first seconds if I like something or not, so I trust that instinct when it comes to my music too…

Your version of “Turn The Lights Off” has been streamed nearly 40m times on Spotify. What made you say “yes” to the project with Jon and Jaxstyle?

I had already worked with Jon before, so there was already a level of trust.

When he brought me this project, he told me he really believed in it and that it was going to work.

And I trust him 100 percent, he’s a real professional. So for me it was an easy yes.

I trusted his vision, we did it, and everything just came together naturally!

What was the mindset you had when you’re working on “Turn The Lights Off”? How did you approach your part in the creation of the track?

Well, my mindset was to keep it simple and honest, because I didn’t want to overcomplicate anything.

I knew we have to make it into modern version and so we all had one and the same goal.

It was still very collaborative as we were all involved in shaping the final result, making decisions together and building the track step by step.

Do you predict that “Turn The Lights Off” received so much love from the audience, both in streaming and dance floor?

Well, not absolutely 100%. You always hope people will like it, but you never really know.

The reaction it got was honestly a surprise. It was really special seeing it work both online and on the dance floor!

Let’s talk about your career. What made you decide to be a DJ/ producer?

It wasn’t really a long process for me, it was one moment. I got an opportunity, and when it happened, I just knew.

It felt like this is exactly what I’ve been looking for, even before I fully realized it myself.

And since I started DJing and producing, things began to move very naturally for me. It just feels right, like I’m in the place I’m supposed to be.

Do you remember the feeling of performing at your first gig? Tell us about it!

Before my first performance, I was a bit stressed!

It felt like I didn’t have enough time to prepare and I kept thinking how am I even going to do this, not knowing what to expect?

But at the same time, I was preparing a lot, not only technically but also mentally.

And then when I actually stepped on stage, I realized it’s not as scary as I thought.

It was actually not scary at all. I started to enjoy it, and I felt really good in that moment!

If we see your personal playlist, what songs can we find in it?

I have some John Summit, Anyma and R3HAB new releases that I like very much.

If you can describe Justė in 3 words, what would they be?

Sensitivity, curiosity, happiness

The post Justė Talks Career, Sound and “Turn The Lights Off” first appeared on Rave Colony.

Welcome 2 Da Westside: When DnB Meets Hip-Hop

Rave Colony — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 03:30:00 +0000

Indonesian drum and bass veteran Muztang has released his latest single, “Welcome 2 Da Westside”.

For this song, he collaborated with rapper Mister Nobody.

The song marks their first joint project and serves as a tribute to Westwew Studio.

It is their creative home located in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta.

The Creation of “Welcome 2 Da Westside”

In an interview, Muztang shared that the idea for the track started in 2023.

He had wanted to create a DnB anthem that represented Westwew Studio.

As the idea evolved, he emphasized a sound he defines as “speedsoulmusic”.

It is a mix of deep, soulful drum and bass that still hits hard on the dance floor.

Muztang revealed that he aimed to create a track that felt anthemic but not noisy.

He shaped the music around a simple yet powerful vocal loop consisting of four lines written and performed by Mister Nobody.

Although the production moved quickly at first, it eventually stretched over a year and a half as Muztang refined the sound.

He explored different sonic directions for months before finally settling on the final version earlier this year.

Collaboration with Mister Nobody

From the start, this track was always meant to be a collaboration.

Muztang had envisioned working with Mister Nobody since 2022.

He explained that they had finally aligned in musical frequency, and he began tailoring the track around Mister Nobody’s vocal range.

Their mutual appreciation for soulful music also helped the project click effortlessly.

Interestingly, “Welcome 2 Da Westside” is Mister Nobody’s first time recording vocals for a DnB track.

While he had long enjoyed listening to the genre, he never felt a deep connection—until he heard Muztang’s beat.

Despite the temptation to fill the track with lyrics, Mister Nobody chose to keep it minimal and serve as the ambience of the song.

Muztang had given him full creative freedom, yet both agreed that less was more.

Muztang shared that he retained 51% control over the musical arrangement to ensure the track remained DJ-friendly for drum and bass events.

Their goal was to create an anthem not just for Westwew Studio, but also for everyone who understands the idea of “home.”

Real Meaning of The Song

The track coincided with a time when Westwew was transitioning into a more professional operation, giving the song additional emotional weight.

Although the song is rooted in their West Jakarta background, Mister Nobody explained that “Welcome 2 Da Westside” also speaks to a broader idea of returning to your origins.

Whether you come from the north, east, south, or west, everyone ultimately comes home.

Muztang added that the music video reflects the gritty beauty of life in Jakarta—a “beautiful struggle,” as he described it.

When asked about public expectations, Muztang said he no longer focuses on them.

Instead, he values honest reactions from listeners—positive or negative.

Mister Nobody, on the other hand, hopes his lyrics bring good energy to anyone who hears them.

International Responses for The Song

So far, the track has gained international traction.

Though official streaming data is still pending when this interview was conducted, it has been played on radio stations in the UK and the Netherlands.

Surprisingly, the most enthusiastic responses have come from China.

These reactions have boosted their confidence that their music can resonate beyond Indonesia.

What’s Next after “Welcome 2 Da Westside?”

Looking ahead, their next project is Mister Nobody’s upcoming album, with several tracks produced by Muztang.

Unlike their current DnB collaboration, the album will lean heavily into hip-hop and storytelling, with Mister Nobody taking full control of the musical direction.

At one point, Mister Nobody had been stuck creatively, unsure how to complete his album.

But “Welcome 2 Da Westside” gave him the push he needed to reignite his passion.

Muztang wrapped up the conversation by saying, “There is time for everything,” referring to the long but meaningful journey of their collaboration.

Mister Nobody agreed, recalling how Muztang had been sending him DnB beats for years—none of which felt right, until this one did.

As Muztang said at the end of our talk, “It’s a process.”

The post Welcome 2 Da Westside: When DnB Meets Hip-Hop first appeared on Rave Colony.

Andrew Rayel Shakes Jakarta with “Trance Reborn” Debut

Rave Colony — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 02:04:00 +0000

Jakarta can never get enough of Andrew Rayel. He returned to the city for the third time and performed at Colosseum Club on 9 March 2018.

His shows have always attracted Trance fans from across Indonesia, as well as from Malaysia and Singapore. This visit proved no different.

Before he took the stage, we spoke with Andrew Rayel for a short interview.

You released a second album. You have record label, inHarmony. Did 2017 worked out as you planned or initially that is not your plan?

It never worked out as I planned. There’s always too many things to do and there’s never enough time to do all the things that I have in my mind. Definitely some of the things were planned or done really well. Like second studio album “Moments”, was a great success. Worldwide tours sold out so many shows.

The record label, which took a lot of time to plan and start, but it finally got launched September last year. Since then, we’ve been killing it with pretty much every single. I’m very happy about 2017. I think this year (2018) is going to be better because a lot of the things are settle down. Everything is rolling faster now, so there is even more music coming from me and from my label.

You premiered “Trance Reborn”, a collaboration with David Gravell. Can you tell us the process?

We actually wrote the song long time ago. I mean, it’s been last summer while I was touring in US with the “Moments” tour. It was finally for the first time, a really proper plan tour. Three months in USA. Three months in Europe. Two months in Asia.

For those 3 months in USA, I rented a place to stay between tours. When David Gravell came for the shows and stayed at my place, we’re just chilling for few days and decided to do something. We made this track in pretty much two days, almost the whole thing.

We started to think what should we do with it and when to release it. Then I saw that we were approaching episode 100 of Find Your Harmony. It was like perfect match, let’s make it the anthem. It sounds like something very euphoric and melodic. Something that can represent the anthem for the radio show. We’ve done it and it’s actually release today (this interview took place on 9 March 2018 – ed), few hours earlier. Now everyone can have it.

This is your third time came to Colosseum Club. What is so special about this place so you keep coming back?

Oh man, the venue is incredible. The production is incredible. The fans are amazing. I heard that I’ve set a record here, the last time I was here, that so far nobody broke in terms of how many people in the club. I didn’t even know that and just found out recently. That was crazy. Only facts like that make me want to do more and more, and comeback to the place that I really like and enjoy. The fans also like it as well.

Last question. Three words about Andrew Rayel!

Energetic. Euphoric. Melodic.

His performance that night lived up to those three words.

With constant energy behind the decks, he kept the crowd engaged from start to finish.

The audience danced and sang along, especially when he played “Trance Reborn” for the first time after its release earlier that day.

Jakarta once again became part of Andrew Rayel’s musical journey.

We look forward to his return and the new music he will bring.

The post Andrew Rayel Shakes Jakarta with “Trance Reborn” Debut first appeared on Rave Colony.

Cosmic Gate Bring Wake Your Mind Sessions 003 to Jakarta

Rave Colony — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 14:50:00 +0000

Cosmic Gate returned to Jakarta once again. On 2 March 2018, they performed at Colosseum Club.

Their visit came right before they released Wake Your Mind Sessions 003.

Before the album launch, they sent an announcement to fans that immediately sparked our curiosity.

Creative Process from Wake Your Mind Session 003 from Cosmic Gate

In their message, they shared a story about an early listener.

The person said CD1 felt perfect to play while working.

Meanwhile, CD2 felt ideal for a drive before heading out for the nigh

Bossi shared that this reaction matched exactly what they wanted to achieve.

Nic Chagall and Bossi later expanded on this idea.

Bossi noted that they designed the album like a DJ set, starting slower on CD1 and gradually moving into a groovier flow.

Nic added that CD2 carried a faster and more intense energy, similar to what they usually deliver in a long performance.

Through this structure, they hoped fans who had never seen them at clubs or festivals could still experience a full Cosmic Gate set from home.

Bossi also said they wanted listeners to close their eyes, play the CDs, and imagine how a long set from Cosmic Gate would feel.

With this approach, they aimed to give people a deeper sense of their musical journey.

They shaped the album this way for a reason.

Nic explained that many people stay too rigid about genres, placing Trance, Progressive, or House into strict categories.

Cosmic Gate wanted to challenge that mindset and show what Trance could become when listeners stay open.

This idea became the foundation for the album title Wake Your Mind.

Collaboration Between Cosmic Gate and JES

The duo also reunited with JES on the track “If Not Now.”

JES has become one of their most consistent collaborators, and Nic and Bossi both agreed that their chemistry remains strong.

Sometimes they create music first and JES writes to it; other times she sends vocals and they build the track around her.

Bossi shared that even when other collaborators drift apart over the years, the connection with JES always feels natural.

To them, her voice carries a unique emotion that continues to inspire their work.

Bossi emphasized that they only pursue music they genuinely feel.

Highlighting New Talent

When they revealed the album’s tracklist, many names were new to us.

Bossi said their main criteria focused on artists who could spark something in their hearts and minds while still working well on the dance floor.

This instinctive reaction helped them filter through submissions.

Nic added that most promos they received sounded too similar, as if producers kept copying each other.

For Cosmic Gate, a track must stand out, or at least touch listeners deeply, to make the cut though standing out is always better.

Cosic Gate and Connection with Colosseum Club

Their first performance at Colosseum Club happened in 2015.

Bossi remembered seeing the entire room glowing in white from the DJ booth and described it as stunning.

They consider Colosseum a unique venue with a special atmosphere in every corner.

Nic mentioned that visiting Jakarta for ten years shows how meaningful their connection with the city has become.

Playing here always feels exciting for them.

During their 2018 show, they performed music from Wake Your Mind Sessions, Materia, their club classics, and their personal favorites.

The night became even more memorable when the Colosseum team surprised Bossi with a birthday cake.

He blew out the candle as the crowd cheered, creating a magical moment for everyone.

We hope Cosmic Gate return again in the future.

If you haven’t heard Wake Your Mind Sessions 003 yet, we highly recommend giving it a listen.

Stream or grab the album now and enjoy the journey.

The post Cosmic Gate Bring Wake Your Mind Sessions 003 to Jakarta first appeared on Rave Colony.

Hernan Cattaneo Reflects on His Music Identity and Journey

Rave Colony — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 12:05:00 +0000

Hernan Cattaneo stands as one of the most respected figures in the underground scene, and speaking with him is an opportunity we could not miss.

We sat down with him right after his energetic set at Jenja Club Jakarta.

During his second appearance at Jenja Jakarta, we noticed a clear shift in his musical approach.

Hernan Cattaneo admitted that he played a bit of House last year.

This time, he focused on Progressive sounds with darker tones.

In the first hour, he tried to build a connection with the room.

“I called it lock the room,” he said, and the crowd responded surprisingly well.

The Difference Situation Now and Then

As the popularity of Techno and Progressive continues to rise in Jakarta, Hernan looked back on his early days in the city.

He remembered how different the scene felt 15 years ago, when he first came to Indonesia.

“Probably they need more exposure for this kind of music,” said Hernan.

Because of that, he gave major credit to Jenja Jakarta for pushing the scene forward.

One reason is the strength of Jenja’s resident DJs.

After traveling to many countries, he noticed that some crowds enjoyed the music and others did not.

“Most of the time, it was because the DJ didn’t play the right stuff,” he said.

He added that such a situation never happened at Jenja Jakarta.

For him, all of Jenja’s residents maintain top-level quality.

“International DJ come with certain amount of time, but the local (resident DJ) are the one that expose the music to the crowd every week,” said Hernan.

He continued by praising Angga and Alex, who performed as residents that night.

Hernan Cattaneo Reflecting on His Career

When reflecting on his career, Hernan shared that he started at the age of 12.

“When I was started, it was a completely different world. Not only the music scene, but the whole world was different!” said Hernan.

Over the years, technology also evolved. DJs once played with vinyl, and now most artists use flash drives.

“One thing that never change is your music identity. That will take you everywhere,” said Hernan.

In the past, only a few people chose to become DJs.

Today, millions can start the craft because the internet provides easier access and visibility.

He believes every major DJ has a signature sound that sets them apart.

“Trends change every year. If you follow it, you won’t be a star. Nobody is going to take you seriously. Musical identity is important because it’s what you do best,” said Hernan.

To wrap up the interview, we asked him to describe himself in three words.

“Passion. Hard work. Little talent,” said Hernan with a big smile.

We wish him the best in everything ahead.

The post Hernan Cattaneo Reflects on His Music Identity and Journey first appeared on Rave Colony.

Gabriel & Dresden Bring “The Only Road” Tour to Jakarta

Rave Colony — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 13:41:00 +0000

The last time we saw Gabriel & Dresden was at Djakarta Warehouse Project 2015, where Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden dropped a long list of classic tracks and remixes.

The night stayed with us for years.

On February 2, 2018, the duo finally returned to Jakarta for The Only Road Tour at X2 Club.

Before their set, we had a short conversation about the making of their album The Only Road.

New Album from Gabriel & Dresden In The Making

During Amsterdam Dance Event in 2016, Josh was in Amsterdam while Dave was in Austin, Texas.

Josh recalled, “We knew we need to do something, but we don’t know yet.”

He said he called Dave after visiting someone and listening to a lot of music.

“It reminded me of why people like our music,” Josh explained.

That moment, combined with ADE’s energy, pushed Josh to suggest launching a Kickstarter campaign.

The duo had considered several options, but eventually committed to crowdfunding.

Dave joked, “Well, he (Josh) made the decision that we’re gonna do it.”

Josh said they always saw their studio sessions as experiments.

They realized they had enough material and wanted to shape it into an album.

However, Josh noted a challenge in today’s industry: “The problem is these days record companies don’t give people enough money, so they can take 4 months off and not work.”

Kickstarter solved that problem by giving them dedicated time to create without touring.

They launched the campaign on November 21, 2016 and reached their goal in less than four days.

More than 700 backers supported the project.

Decision to Release with Anjunabeats

Josh said they had no idea that one of the supporters worked as an A&R staff member at Anjunabeats.

“After we finished the album, they (Anjunabeats) asked the album to be sent,” he said.

Kickstarter offered various reward tiers.

One included access to the Advisory Board, where backers could listen to song previews and leave comments.

Dave explained, “We posted musical samples of the songs and you can comment on that. I think that person chose that.”

They also created a private Instagram account to share daily snippets.

Dave added, “From Instagram and Advisory Board, he already got a good idea on the project.”

At first, they planned to release the album independently and share it with all the Kickstarter backers.

But one factor convinced them to sign with Anjunabeats.

Josh said, “We didn’t have enough time to mix it properly to our liking and one of the thing they said was they will help us find somebody to mix it.”

The duo appreciated the label’s support throughout the process. “It’s a great process!” Josh said.

Among all the tracks on the album, “Waiting For Winter” proved to be the most challenging.

Dave said, “It’s also the most popular song.”

They created 50 versions before landing on the final one.

Dave added, “That was the first song we work on. It’s slowly took shape in course of months.”

Josh explained the difficulty came from balancing two contrasting styles: the lush opening and the techno-inspired ending.

“Getting those two things to feel like they work, that was the hardest part,” he said.

Memories of Jakarta

The duo has visited Jakarta several times and always feels at home.

Dave shared, “Everybody is nice and the food is amazing.”

For their X2 performance, they planned to read the room.

Dave said, “If the crowd came to see Gabriel & Dresden, we will play more the album tracks. We will also play the classics, new stuffs, and bootlegs.”

He added that they had finished a new bootleg at the hotel and would debut it at X2 that night.

When the show began, Gabriel & Dresden gave everything they had.

They played both new releases and beloved classics.

The crowd cheered, sang along, and lifted the energy higher with every track.

That enthusiasm inspired the duo to extend their set by a full hour.

It was a night worth remembering.

Huge thanks to X2 Club Jakarta for bringing Gabriel & Dresden and to the duo for delivering such an unforgettable experience.

The post Gabriel & Dresden Bring “The Only Road” Tour to Jakarta first appeared on Rave Colony.