Exclusive Interview with Italian Hardstyle legend Davide Sonar for Defqon.1 Weekend Festival 2023

Davide Sonar is a renowned Italian DJ and producer celebrated for his significant influence in the hardstyle music genre.

Emerging in the early 2000s, Sonar has carved a distinctive niche characterized by high-energy, melodic compositions that seamlessly blend elements of trance and techno. His impressive body of work, which includes chart-topping tracks and electrifying performances at major electronic music events, firmly establishes him as a respected luminary within the hardstyle music community. Explore the captivating world of Davide Sonar’s music and contributions to the evolution of the genre. We got to look back at Davide Sonar’s 2023 performance at Defqon.1 Weekend Festival with him:

Exclusive Interview

Hi Davide, thanks for taking the time to talk to me today! I’m Anna from Soundrive and excited to look back on your performance at Defqon. 1 this year!

Hi Anna, and hello there everyone in Soundrive! It’s a pleasure to answer you with the emotion of the Defqon. 1 Weekend Festival 2023 still running through my veins!

As one of the pioneers of early hardstyle, how does it feel to see your music still being celebrated by fans around the world about two decades after releasing it?

To be considered one of the pioneers of early Hardstyle among so many great and talented artists is already very special to me, but now after two decades, it’s like a dream! Being tagged every weekend because someone is playing my music somewhere in the world…it’s a strong and warm emotion even difficult to explain!

Your set this year was at the same time as one of Defqon. 1’s most popular shows, the Power Hour at the Red stage, yet the Magenta stage was packed with fans that chose your performance – what did you think about playing during this particular time slot?

Talking about emotions… I’m sure every DJ would like to play at the best moment of the day, in the best area, with too many fans around! I guess that’s a real goal, and in my career I’ve been lucky enough to perform on so many big stages! So I accepted the challenge to play during the crazy POWER HOUR…and I have to confess it was one of my best sets ever! I loved it.

MAGENTA was kind of a big Hangar and I thought “Okay, let’s start, and I will understand and accept if the visitors want to see the big show at the Mainstage”. But minute by minute people came, following my journey into those early hard sounds and classic Hardstyle melodies, until I saw a packed crowd sing my song “natural”. What a vibe! Those people who chose me over a great show at the Mainstage are truly my Heroes! I love you guys!

It’s fascinating to see your hardstyle tracks being played by DJs like Charlotte de Witte in their techno sets. What are your thoughts when you witness your music crossing genre boundaries and reaching new audiences?

From Charlotte de Witte with Alignment, Farrago, Gabry Ponte…to…Rooler! I think it’s not even necessary to talk about the “genre” of music. I created “Go Go Go together with my friend Julian Dj in the past without even knowing the name “hardstyle” well. It was about experimenting with sounds to make people jump on the dancefloor! It’s amazing how that track blows up every dancefloor even nowadays! Mission done!

Your artist name, the labels you released music on, … your music has always been closely linked with your home country Italy. What makes the Italian sound so distinct and how did you and your Italian colleagues shape the international scene?

Scantraxx Italy, Italian Hardstyle…and yes, also my name Davide is written in italian, instead of just Sonar: Oops, I guess that’s really something in my DNA then! Speaking of sounds, making music is a natural process for me, I approach things driven by instinct, curiosity and passion, and I’m sure that my Italian colleagues do the same, each with its own sound. Probably these sensations are conveyed in the music by magic and therefore many people all over the world can recognize when something is “Italian”! How cool is that?

Davide, what are your thoughts on the future of hardstyle? Do you see any potential for a resurgence of early hardstyle sounds or a blending of the classic and modern styles?

That’s easy, the answer is already in the question! Producers always take inspiration from the past giving it a new shape, a new sound, so I think we will really hear the rebirth of some old Hardstyle sounds together with the fusion of classic and modern styles!

Thank you so much, I can’t wait to see your next show!

Thanks a lot to you too Anna, see you next time then!

Connect with Davide Sonar

Facebook | Instagram