INTERVIEW : Midwest Meets Talent: Zaandr & Dylan Delato Collaborate for a Banger

The Midwest music scene is thriving with fresh talent, and two of its newest members are ZAANDR and Dylan Delato.

Zaandr, known for their unique sound design, has teamed up with the rising star Dylan Delato, formerly known as DJ Dill Pickle. The young producer, who is only 15 years old, has gained a lot of attention for his vast talent and ability to create music that is ahead of his time.

The duo’s collaboration is a powerful blend of emotions and big room house & bass, which can be felt in their latest track, “Techtonic.” Inspired by their trip to last year’s Electric Forest, Zaandr and Dylan Delato were moved by the loud floor-stomping sound and were determined to create a banger that would rock any club or festival. “Techtonic” is a perfect blend of mainstage energy with grimy club house style, making it a must-listen for fans of both genres.

Listen on YouTube

Zaandr and Dylan Delato are passionate about sharing their experiences with their fans through their music, and it shows in their work. The two have been working hard towards this release and are proud to finally share it with the world. Their future is bright and full of potential, and we can expect to see more collaborations between the two in the near future.

Be sure to keep an eye on these two upcoming artists, as they are sure to make waves in the music industry. Their talent is abundant, and they are only getting started. With Zaandr’s unique sound design and Dylan Delato’s vast talent, there is no limit to what they can achieve. Get ready for a musical journey that will leave you feeling inspired and moved.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

How did you first get into DJing and producing electronic dance music?

Zaandr : My first introduction to Electronic music was in high school when I first discovered deadmau5. After attending my first rave where he had headlined I went head first into the world of production.

Dylan Delato : At a very young age I had the opportunity to meet and watch artists that came through my hometown. I was very inspired by the music and the whole dance music scene. After seeing other artists take the stage, I was determined to be just like them. Later I would start Djing at the age of 8 and I have loved it ever since.

Who are some of your biggest influences in the industry?

Zaandr : My biggest in the electronic scene are a few artists. Deadmau5, skrillex, joyryde, flume, Dillon Francis to name my biggest.

Dylan Delato : By biggest inspiration is Martin Garrixx. Growing up listening and watching Martin Garrix really pushed me at a young to do what I love most music.

Can you walk us through your process for creating a new track?

Zaandr : Creating a new track takes on a few different avenues. Sometimes it may start with a melody and vocals or it may begin with the drop and percussion. It really just depends on the track im trying to create at the time.

Dylan Delato : When I start a new track the first thing, I do is brainstorm ideas on what type of vibe I’m going for. After that I build on my ideas with making my own sounds and adding samples and other instruments and influences.

How do you prepare for a gig? Do you have any pre-performance rituals or routines?

Zaandr : I don’t really have any specific prep for any show of mine. As long as I know my playlist and have faith in the tracks I’m going to play. I’m good to go.

Dylan Delato : When I prepare for a show, I like to get in the studio before and work on any of the projects I have been working on. Then about 2 hours before the show I love to get dinner with my team.

What has been your favorite gig or event to play at so far in your career?

Zaandr : I can’t say I have a favorite gig that I have played. But I know what my biggest shows have been. Opening up for Rezz two years ago I would say would be at the top of my list if I had to choose.

Dylan Delato : One of my most favorite shows was getting to play at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here I was direct support Gryffin. This has been my favorite show so far because I got to do this at the age of 12 and still have so many good memories of this festival.

What do you enjoy most about performing as a DJ?

Zaandr : What I enjoy most about being a DJ is the fact that I am able to touch a crowd through the power of music. Impacting people on a personal level is something so primal and beautiful it’s the reason I do it and have a passion for it.

Dylan Delato : What I enjoy most performing as a Dj is the energy I can give to the crowd. I always love seeing people happy and having a great time during my set.

Can you share any memorable experiences or anecdotes from your time as a DJ and producer?

Zaandr : I would say Any show that has made me look up and just smile would be the best story. And there have been so many of those moments I can’t choose just any one.

Dylan Delato : One of my most memorable moments as a producer was the making of my collab track “Techtonic”. Me and my good friend Zaandr made this banger in less than 12 hours. What makes this so memorable is all the excitement we had while making this track.

How do you stay current and find new music to play at your gigs? 

Zaandr : Staying current is a huge part of being able to keep a crowd going and it all starts at crate digging for the freshest new music. Following record labels is a huge benefit for doing that as well as spending endless amounts of time on sites like soundcloud and beatport.

Dylan Delato : When I’m trying to find new music there’s a few things I like to do. First, I like to see what type of venue I’d be playing and what music the crowds going to enjoy. After that I try to find what’s trending and see if there are any good remixes of it.

What’s next for you in terms of new projects or goals?

Zaandr : There is a lot to come with my project ZAANDR. Not to sound so vague but I have a lot that is about to change with my image and sound overall for my project in terms of style and sound that I can’t wait for everyone to hear in the coming year.

Dylan Delato : Right now, I’m focusing on making more solo singles to keep building and growing my catalog. I also have a few collabs that I’ve been working on with other Midwest artists that I’ve very excited about.

In your free time, what do you like to do outside of music? Do you have any hobbies or passions outside of the industry? 

Zaandr : I have a lot of other passions that i like to do in my freetime. I love cooking and creating new dishes. I also love to workout and stay in shape for my mental health. ANd i love hanging out with my amazing group of friends and going on trips with them and experiencing the world.

Dylan Delato : Since I’m still in high school in my free time I’m usually practicing for sports or in class. Out of school I spend a lot of my own time with my friends having fun on the weekends.

How do you adapt your sets to fit the energy and vibe of the crowd at each gig?

Zaandr : This is a very important question to be asked. My style of making sure I am fitting the vibe of the room is making sure I have many many songs in my arsenal to ensure I am able to meet the needs of the crowd at any time. Having as many new and fresh tunes ensures that I can make that happen.

Dylan Delato : Each show is different. Depending on what venue I’m playing at I like to change up my sets and add new music. No matter what though you will always be felling energy at any of my shows.

What are some challenges you’ve faced as a DJ and how have you overcome them?

Zaandr : Most of the challenges I have faced are purely from a technical standpoint. Maybe the flash drive isn’t loading properly or the cdjs are not working as they should be and you just need to stay calm and be able to access the situation with a cool head so that you can maintain the vibe and energy of the room.

Dylan Delato : Growing up around CDJs has helped me a lot in my Carrer. A big challenge that I realized growing into an artist was producing. I would get very frustrated because I felt that I’d never be able to do it. I never gave up and I’m still learning lots of new things every day.

How do you think the electronic dance music industry has changed since you first started out?

Zaandr : The electronic music scene is always changing. The intensity of the production is always something I point to in terms of how the scene is progressing. There are so many new talented artists making waves in the scene now and it always makes artists strive to be the best and makes us all want to work harder and improve our craft.

Dylan Delato : Ever since I’ve been in the EDM industry I do not think a lot has changed. The only changes I have seen were during the pandemic. I now feel everyone views live events differently and I believe that hold more value than they did before.

What do you hope to achieve with your music in the long-term?

Zaandr : My biggest goal is to have my music transcend me after i am long gone from the world. As long as people are still enjoying my music and it’s making them smile in the future. That is all I can ask to achieve in this world of electronic music.

Dylan Delato : In the long term I strive to keep creating tracks and remixes every day. I recently signed my collab track “Techtonic” to LFTD records. This the first of many goals that I have achieved.

Can you share any tips or advice for aspiring DJs and producers who are just starting out in the industry?

Zaandr : My advice would be just be yourself and stay true to yourself with whatever it is you’re making. Never let anyone try to persuade you to change what you’re doing. And if it makes you happy and people like it. That is the greatest goal you can achieve

Dylan Delato : If I’d have to give any advice to anyone that is just starting out my advice would be to never compare yourself to other artists. You keep doing you and with hard work and dedication you can do whatever you hope to achieve.

Listen to Techtonic on Spotify

Connect with Zaandr

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

Connect with Dylan Delato

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify