Exclusive Interview With UK Based DJ & Producer – Donovan

Talented UK based DJ & producer Donovan returns with yet another hit single titled ‘To The Edge’ available now on all music streaming platforms!

Donovan’s latest release ‘To The Edge’ starts with a preset of ‘Reese Bass,’ a signature sound in Donavan’s recent production. ‘To The Edge’ has very futuristic sounds with a slap bass that thumps hard. The vocals just seem to sync perfectly over the beat. ‘To The Edge’ is without a doubt, a very sexy, confident and enthusiastic song that is club ready and bound to get everybody moving on the dancefloor!

With previous releases ‘Lost’ and ‘Favourite’ as well as having amassed more than 400 000 streams across music streaming platforms and garnered support from some of the world’s most renowned DJs & producers, Donovan is showing no signs of slowing down and is setting himself up for success for the rest of 2022. We have no doubt that Donovan will soon be a household name in the industry and he would be glad to have you join him on his musical journey so connect with this talented DJ & producer on social media platforms.

Exclusive Interview

Hi Donovan! Thanks for taking the time to talk with us here at Soundrive Music today. Kindly introduce yourself to our fans, tell us a little bit of what you do and how you got started.

Hi guys, thanks for having me, I am Donovan and I am from Bolton which is right next to Manchester UK. I Funny story but true, I actually bought a box of cereal when I was 10 and got a free demo CD of Magix music maker. I actually wanted to be a rapper and make hip hop beats however, real soon I realised I wasn’t any good and started making dance music.

You go by your first name as your artist alias which is not done often and We find this very original. Why is it you have chosen to do this and do you have an alter ego that comes out to play when performing?

I have tried different names in the previous years. Everybody always asked why I did not just use my own name Donovan. I sat and thought about it, it’s already intrinsically unique.

Tell us about your latest release ‘To The Edge’ that dropped recently and what it was like working on this tune? What was your motivation behind this release?

Basically, I love to make music, all genres especially dance. Since the passing of Lewis (my best friend) I decided to be committed to my music more than anything. He would always tell me to go to the studio, stop wasting time. I made the bassline, and I just knew it would be a great song. I literally hammered the studio all week thinking that lewis would love this song.

Condolences to you and the family of your dear friend who passed recently. Mental health is something that is often overlooked and then swept under the rug, especially among musicians within the electronic dance music scene. What is your take on mental health and depression and what advice would you give to our audience and to fellow DJs and producers reading this?

TALK. There are so many people, especially males taking their own lives. I have been through alot myself. I have good friends around me who are positive people, find those people and be close to them. Whenever I have been down I know I can pick up the phone. It can be especially difficult in the music scene I’m guessing due to drugs and alcohol. I’m pretty sure that a healthy lifestyle when not performing or in the studio can help prevent those negative feelings.

What would be your dream collaboration if you were offered the opportunity by any Dj or producer in the EDM scene today and why?

Oliver Heldens. All day everyday that guy to me is a genius. To be that talented at such a young age is just not real. I must listen to Oliver’s tracks at least once a day. Every song just bangs and he is great to watch live. I’ve seen him over ten times now.

Our team is always looking for new music that hits home here at Soundrive Music. Give us some of your favorites to date and which artists would you suggest we check out?

Ben Hemsley. This really cool Georgie Kid just keeps making hits. Every time I go on his Instagram the guys got a new song out. He’s also adapted to his own style. I can’t explain it!

What golden oldie, no matter how many times you’ve listened to it in the past, is still a favorite and never gets old for you?

This is going to sound bizarre….Hot stuff by Donna Summer, don’t ask why.

One thing we love to ask is, name one thing that your fans do not already know about you and would not know if it weren’t for this interview? Spill the beans!

The car in the video for TO THE EDGE at the beginning was actually my OWN car at the time! Obviously my lifestyle has improved with new contracts and so has the car.

Watch the Official Music Video

What projects do you currently have ‘in the works’ and what can we, as well as your fans, expect from you for the rest of 2022?

I’ve just signed two contracts with major labels one being ‘Blanco y Negro’. I can’t wait for the release date for ‘Feel Good’. I have fallen in love with the TRB 303 and I am currently working on a techno EP. Expect some unusual sounding songs that thump on the dance floor. It’s already been played by numerous Big DJ’s and aired on BBC Radio 1.

How do you get a song started? tell us about your production and creative process that’s involved. Do you get the infamous ‘producer’s block’ and find a need to have to realign with your creative side?

I just literally play around for hours with sounds, all day everyday. no matter what I feel. My moods often vary just like normal so the sounds come out depending on my tone. If I hear something like a bass noise or a synth I like, my ears will perk up. Then I’ll have an idea of a melody and try to create it or something similar then build the song around that. I am lucky now to have a studio out of the way from home. So when I go to my music room I am going to make music, I close the door, the phone goes on flight mode and then to me it’s my time. I have often had the ‘writers block’ I have to admit. I leave the studio, close the door and basically either get food, listen to some pop music or go for a walk and then come back refreshed and it just seems to work.

The last question but one of my favorites! The relationship between a DJ and the audience is a fragile one – how do you find balance between giving your audience what they want and treating them to something new at the same time? 

Very interesting question. I like to play new music during sets towards the end, I feel that you can build the atmosphere with the crowd. I’d say to play your new music when the crowd is already jumping. If the songs bangs they will respond to it well and already be in a good frame of mind during your set.

Soundrive Music continues to go from strength to strength as the most in-depth and global EDM source for everything electronic dance music related. With an audience in over 125 countries, we are fast becoming a valued and trusted source for electronic dance music news, reviews, interviews and features for DJs, Artists and Labels alike.

Listen ‘To The Edge’ on Spotify

Connect with Donovan on Social Media

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