Exclusive Interview: Demayä on Why the Hunt for Authentic Sound Matters More Than the Algorithm
With a love for eclectic sounds and deep grooves, Demayä is constantly exploring new textures, blending genres, and shaping his own unique musical journey.
What has been the primary driving force behind the music you have been putting out lately?
The primary driving force behind the music that I’ve been putting out lately is that I try not to overthink too much. I enjoy taking risks and exploring new directions. It really helps me in my creative process.
How do you balance staying true to your established identity while exploring new ideas in your latest music?
I balance it by keeping my core elements intact while allowing myself to experiment.
Whether I’m producing something more Afro, more House-driven, or more Melodic, there are always the core signatures elements that define me.
How do you make sure your digging process as a DJ doesn’t get too dependent on algorithms and recommendations?
I don’t rely much on the algorithm when digging for music. I take time to revisit older records. We consume music so fast, but a lot of them still feel fresh. I play a lot of demos and promos, I love testing new stuff, including my own, and I listen to sets from artists I like. I check the charts sometimes, but I don’t pay much attention to them.
Do you still believe in the value of “the hunt” when everything’s so accessible online?
When you find a big track on your own, after digging for it, it has a different taste obviously.
The hunt is part of a DJ’s identity. Because everything is accessible, the real value lies in how you search.
What’s a track you found completely outside of digital systems—maybe through a person, a moment, or a record store?
A few years ago in Berlin, my friends and I went to a small club to see Johannes Albert. There were four artists playing vinyl-only sets, and he was the only one we knew.
That night, I discovered a German DJ, Robert Drewek. He played the closing set for the last two hours and at the end of his set, he handed out the vinyl records he had just played to people on the dance floor. We all went home with one record each. Mine was ‘Believe’ by Orlando Voorn. I found that gesture exceptional. He was giving away a piece of his own collection, letting it go and passing it on to us. You go home with a physical piece of that memory.
Have you ever noticed how different it feels to play a track you hunted for versus one that was served to you?
Definitely. A track you hunted for carries a story. When you play it, you’re sharing a discovery.
Do you think new DJs are losing something by skipping the process of real digging?
Every generation has its own tools. Vinyl has made a strong comeback. So, the art of digging physically is still alive.
Where do you still find value in physical digging—in record shops, thrift stores, flea markets?
I love sharing discoveries, and it’s always more fun when there’s a story behind them. Sharing something new with people is the best part.
But at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter how I discovered it. If it feels right, it feels right. With the guys from the label, we’re constantly sharing music on WhatsApp, and I don’t have to dig for it, but I still love playing it in my sets. We’re super supportive of each other and we really believe in what we make.
What’s your favorite way to stumble on something completely unexpected?
I don’t really dig for physical records anymore. I’m not part of the vinyl generation, unfortunately. I was born in 1996, and when I started digging and mixing in my bedroom, I used to buy CDs in the shops, rip them on my computer and mix them. When I was out of budget, I’d even take pictures of the tracklists on the back covers in the shop just to find new tracks. I’ve always loved having new music.
Lastly, how has the reception of your latest music shaped your vision for what you want to create next?
To never expect anything, that’s when the best surprises happen. Some of my recent releases are a bit more on the House side, and the reaction has been great. I just want to keep producing things that I genuinely vibe with; tracks I truly love and that I’ll also enjoy playing out. No matter the genre.
Whether behind the decks or in the studio, Demayä continues to push his own limits, blending styles and sounds without rules, always following the music where it takes him.
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