As the year winds down, Passenger 10 delivers a show-stopping finale with his latest melodic house track, Druids, released on Enormous Tunes. This electrifying production not only marks the artist’s final release of 2024 but also serves as a powerful crescendo to the label’s stellar year of standout music.
GRAMMY-nominated producer Christian Beat Hirt, better known as Passenger 10, is celebrated for his sophisticated sound and melodic finesse. With Druids, he has created an anthem that weaves together powerful beats and enchanting melodies, setting a new standard for the progressive and melodic house scene. As both a reflection of the past year’s achievements and a vision for 2025, Druids reaffirms why Passenger 10 remains a cornerstone of today’s melodic house music.
‘Druids’ is your final release of the year. How do you reflect on 2024 as a whole for your music career? What were some personal highlights for you this year?
2024 was an incredible year for me personally. I deepened my connection with myself, gaining greater clarity and understanding, which brought a profound sense of peace. I also cherished spending more time with my family, for which I am deeply grateful. Watching my son turn five and reach an age where we can have meaningful conversations and explain the world to him – something he absorbs so eagerly – has been a true blessing.
On the professional front, we successfully elevated our business to the next level, achieving most of our goals. This progress has positioned us for another promising and exciting year ahead. On a musical level, I believe I experienced significant growth as a music producer, creating a collection of truly beautiful and meaningful tracks.
Having a GRAMMY nomination under your belt is a huge achievement. How has that recognition impacted your approach to music production and your goals as an artist?
Indeed, this was a huge reward for my hard work over the past 30 years. I don’t think it will change how I approach the process of creating or understanding music, though. However, it has certainly given me credibility and recognition for what I do, which makes me feel more accomplished. That said, the struggle remains real, and every day I strive to deliver the best music possible – to excite and surprise not only the music landscape but also myself.
With the music industry constantly evolving, what do you think are the biggest changes or trends in the melodic house scene right now, and how do you adapt to them?
The definition of “Melodic House” music can be perceived differently. If we are talking about Melodic House from a club and DJ perspective, the trends will naturally arise from the clubs and from what DJs find works best in their sets. On the other hand, if we are referring to “Melodic House” in the sense of beautiful, captivating melodies and sophisticated arrangements, then the trends may also emerge from producers and their visions – finding new ways to create music, blend genres, and combine musical elements in innovative and melodic ways.
You’re known for creating tracks that blend energy with emotion. Is there a particular moment in your career when you realized this was the direction you wanted to take with your sound?
Yes, very much so. I have always been a lover of beautiful and emotional melodies – whether as a music producer or simply a listener and consumer of all kinds of music. From an early age, it was clear to me that my music would often be rooted in emotions evoked by melodies, chord progressions, and harmonic sound design. It’s what comes most naturally to me and I’ve never wanted my work to feel forced or to confine myself to a corner where I couldn’t fully understand the authentic meaning of this kind of music.
How do you balance your creative instincts with the expectations of fans and labels? Is there pressure to stick to a particular style, or do you prefer to experiment freely with each release?
Of course, I don’t want to create music solely to please myself. It’s important to me that the music I produce also connects with people. Positive feedback is often the driving force that motivates me to keep going and strive to become even better. I don’t feel much pressure from labels, as I serve as the A&R of my own label, where I typically release my music. However, I’m certain that I judge my own music more critically than most of the music I consume and listen to.
As someone who’s been in the industry for a while, what advice would you give to up-and-coming producers who aspire to have their music heard on a global scale?
Be genuine and focus on discovering what you excel at in music production. Don’t force your music to fit a trend – trends come and go. If you’re truly good at something, people will eventually find and connect with you. Your music will inspire them because it’s authentic and true to who you are. But it might take time – a lot of time. It requires perseverance and a strong belief in what you’re doing.
What’s your studio setup like when you’re working on a track? Are there any specific tools or techniques you rely on to bring your ideas to life?
My studio setup isn’t particularly fancy; I try to keep it simple. I rely on my favorite go-to plugins and soft synths. I believe it’s especially important for new and young producers to focus on mastering a single EQ, one compressor, and one synth inside and out before trying to use ten different ones. Using too many tools early on can be confusing and hinder your ability to get the best results from your tracks. If you can navigate an EQ of your choice to the point where you can perform all possible maneuvers and achieve the exact sound you’re aiming for, that’s far more valuable than having 20 EQs you don’t fully understand or know how to apply to your music.
Beyond producing music, do you have any other creative outlets or hobbies that inspire your work in the studio? How do you find inspiration outside of music?
Well, I essentially turned my hobby into my profession. When I decided to pursue a career as a professional music producer in the field of dance and house music, I knew I had to give 200% of my effort just to have the slightest chance of succeeding. During my childhood and youth, I played soccer, but I gave it up to fully focus on improving my music production skills. Nowadays, I deeply appreciate spending time with my family, which gives me a lot of energy. I also love being in nature, where I often find peace and inspiration.
Looking ahead to 2025, are there any new collaborations, projects, or styles you’re excited to explore in your music?
I’m really looking forward to 2025 because we, as a label and team, have some exciting things planned, and I can’t wait to present them soon. As an artist, I’m also currently working on some collaborations that will see the light of day next year. So, I’m sure 2025 will be an amazing year.
As someone deeply embedded in the electronic music scene, how do you see the role of live performances and studio-produced music evolving in the future? How do you stay connected with your audience without performing live?
I think people who enjoy my music appreciate my effort to regularly release the best music possible. I know I owe it to them to start doing some live performances here and there. But as of right now, I’m not set up to deliver a live performance on the same level as my studio-produced music. I wouldn’t want to do live performances just for monetary or selfish reasons. Once I feel ready, I will consider some live gigs here and there.
