Reflecting on your musical journey, what were some of the key influences that shaped your sound and artistic identity?
I would probably say the diverse genres I was exposed to growing up in Beirut, the party capital of the Middle East; my dedication to becoming an artist from an early age and pursuing a career in music & undertaking studies at a university online, the many collaborations I had with people in my studio along with learning from my peers & mentors, and finally the amount of time I spent digging, listening & discovering music.
Connect with Rabih Bardawil on Instagram | Soundcloud
Music often requires a balance between passion and discipline. How did you navigate the challenges of honing your craft in the early days?
I have been passionate & dedicated from the age of 8 when I used to write hip hop music in my room for years, till I eventually discovered electronic music at the age of 18 and decided to leave my home country and find the right place to settle and fully focus on my music career.
I honestly don’t think I ever struggled when it came to discipline, as I always knew that I wanted to take my music on a professional level. It requires a lot of practice and work to be able to live a sustainable lifestyle out of it, and so I took it seriously to get there, and pushed myself.
The partnership with a record label can be pivotal. What were the most important factors for you when deciding to sign with CoolKidz Records?
Knowing that I am a new & emerging artist, I researched up & coming labels that feature the sounds that I am currently producing for a better chance of being accepted and that’s simply how it happened. I emailed Coolkidz my EP and they were happy to have it released on their label and work closely together.
Your latest EP is an exciting milestone. How does this project represent your evolution as an artist compared to your previous work?
In the past I was more drawn to psychedelic techno music and managed to make a few releases as well but as the genre evolved, I wasn’t quite happy with the way the sound was going as it was getting closer to the Afterlife sound with plenty of melodic elements & synths dominating the track.
My musical approach reflects more on darker psychedelic elements & atmospheres, and with my background in hip hop music for a few years and my time spent digging and discovering music, I found hypnotic techno & hard groove a year ago and instantly fell in love with the sound & direction.
Hypnotic techno is quite psychedelic, trancey & fast which fits me perfectly & hard groove is on the same speed and pace as hypnotic and some of it includes vocal manipulation & chops which I really started to enjoy, considering my musical background.
The creative process can be both exhilarating and exhausting. Were there any unexpected hurdles or breakthroughs during the production of your EP?
I took a course with an artist a while back that really elevated my workflow & how to approach finishing music quickly and with my disciplinary skills, it didn’t take much time to start finishing tracks on a day to day basis, and focus my creativity on those moments I was creating music.
Artists often have a personal connection to their work. Is there a particular message or emotion you hope listeners will take away from your EP?
The EP offers a glimpse into the euphoric highs and introspective moments experienced on a dance floor.
“Emotional Currents” symbolizes the array of feelings and emotional states of listeners as they immerse themselves in the music.It paints a picture of emotions moving like currents in water sometimes calm and steady, other times turbulent and swift.
The tracks are distinguished by their rich percussive elements, melodic basslines, playful and intricate lead sound design with exceptional clarity and impact, and finally, drawing inspiration from 2000’s hip hop by infusing looped lyrical elements into the techno framework, lending a unique texture to each track.
Looking ahead, how do you envision your sound and artistry evolving, and are there any dream collaborations or venues you aspire to in the future?
As a DJ & Producer, I would like to see myself always learning, evolving & pushing the boundaries of what I can do in order to keep growing as an artist and stay inspired.
My favorite venues at the moment are KitKat, Sisyphos in Germany, Bassiani in Georgia, Radion in Amsterdam and a few others but I definitely aspire to play in all the venues if I get the opportunity to. The 3 things I really enjoy in life are music, traveling & cats so I won’t say no to discovering countries, their cultures & traditions, and finally to perform there and get a sense of their nightlife scene.
Thank you.
