SAMOH on Defining Success Beyond Numbers as Changing Worlds Lands on KNTXT

SAMOH (@samoh.live) is stepping into a bigger spotlight with Changing Worlds, his four-track debut on Charlotte de Witte’s KNTXT imprint. Built around acid pressure, trance drive, and high-impact club energy, the EP marks a clear step forward for the Rotterdam producer, DJ, and live artist, and it arrives with visible support from de Witte herself, who has been playing his tracks for some time.

For an artist whose early goals once felt as distant as hearing his music played at a festival like Tomorrowland, the release represents a meaningful shift in scale without losing sight of the foundations that got him here.

That tension between momentum and perspective runs through this conversation.

SAMOH speaks openly about redefining success beyond followers and streams, learning how milestones change once they are reached, and trying to stay anchored in substance while the wider industry often rewards visibility first. The result is a thoughtful look at ambition, gratitude, and artistic identity at a moment when Changing Worlds is pushing his sound further into the global techno conversation.

Interview With SAMOH

When you strip away the numbers – followers, streams, gigs – how do you personally define success?

For me, success was never really about making money, becoming famous, or earning as much as possible. That was never the main reason.

Success is about discovering what you truly love and actually being able to do that every single day. And I am so glad I found that in music.

Success means waking up and getting to make music every day. It means spending hours creating, experimenting, and getting completely lost in a melody or a feeling.

But it’s not just about the music itself. If I can do what I love while having my close friends and family around me, that’s real wealth to me.

And maybe the most meaningful part of it all is connection. I hope my music can make someone feel understood, help someone cope with something they’re going through, or if it inspires them in any way.

If I can make people feel what I feel through my music, then I consider myself successful.

What feedback or moments have meant the most to you that had nothing to do with stats?

Some of the moments that have meant the most to me are when DJs play my tracks at big parties and festivals, and I get to see a crowd of people dancing to my music at the same time. That feeling is hard to describe.

I never imagined that so many people would actually move to something I created. Seeing that happen, for example when Charlotte de Witte played my track at Tomorrowland, was surreal. Watching thousands of people dance, completely in the moment, to a track that once started as an idea in my studio, is something I will never forget. Every time it happens, it still feels unreal.

Another thing that really means a lot to me is getting feedback from other artists. When they tell me what they think of what I am doing, especially with my live performances. It motivates me to keep pushing and refining what I do.

But maybe an even bigger compliment is when someone who normally does not even like this kind of music tells me that my set or my track changed their perspective. I love if I can make someone appreciate electronic music, or discover something new within the scene through my own sound.

I also really value honest critical feedback. When I’m playing, I’m constantly reading the crowd, watching how they move. But it is always helpful to hear afterwards if something felt too fast, too slow, too hard, or not hard enough. That kind of feedback helps me improve.

Have you ever had to actively reframe your mindset around success to keep going?

Definitely. When I had just started, it already felt like the ultimate dream if my track would be played at a festival like Tomorrowland. That alone felt almost unreachable. So when it actually happened, it was a huge milestone.

But then you naturally start asking yourself, what’s next?

I think that’s something very human. Of course I want to play more shows, see more of the world, and grow even further. In the beginning, it already felt insane if my music could take me outside of the Netherlands. The idea that my tracks could create opportunities abroad felt almost unreal.

And now that some of those things are happening, the perspective shifts again.

I also think society plays a role in that. We are constantly encouraged to aim higher, move faster, achieve more. There is always another level to unlock. So yes, in that sense, I’ve definitely reframed what success means to me.

At the same time, I’m consciously trying to stay grounded. I don’t want to constantly chase the next thing without appreciating what I’ve already achieved. I’m learning to pause more, to acknowledge the milestones, and to feel grateful for them.

Success is not just about growth. It’s also about balance. It’s about staying hungry, but at the same time staying humble and genuinely appreciating the journey I’m already on.

How do you stay grounded when the industry rewards visibility over substance?

Sometimes I do struggle with that, especially in an industry that can feel more focused on visibility and followers than on the music itself.

There are moments when it seems like numbers matter more than sound, and that can be challenging. But I try to deal with it in my own way. I focus on what I actually want to create. I make the music that feels right to me. Instead of chasing every trend or getting caught up in hype, I try to stay aligned with my own taste and vision.

Of course, I understand that visibility is part of the game. I also put effort into growing online and reaching more people. But for me, that will never be the main reason why I do what I do. I want to make music that feels authentic to me. Music that people can connect with.

Another thing that really helps me is the people I surround myself with. I try to be around people who share that same mindset. People who are passionate, down to earth, and genuine. In this industry, you meet a lot of personalities. Some people carry themselves very highly and I’d rather not have that kind of energy around me.

At the end of the day, I just try to keep doing what I love. I try not to let external pressure, hype, or ego-driven environments have too much impact on me. Staying true to myself and my music is what matters most.

Are there personal milestones or rituals you use to track your growth?

Not really. I mean of course, I reflect. I look back sometimes, and I definitely think about where I want to go in the future. But I’m not someone who constantly tracks progress in a calculated way.

That said, there have absolutely been meaningful milestones along the way. My first vinyl release, for example, is definitely a big one for me. Holding my own record in my hands felt symbolic. It made everything tangible in a different way. My first release on a bigger label was another important moment. And playing for large crowds, reaching a certain number of people with my music, those moments definitely count as milestones too.

I just don’t consciously use them as a way to measure my growth or define my worth.

When I really think about growth, I see it more in the evolution of my craft. In how my live setup has developed and in how much longer and more confidently I can play live sets. Also in the places my music has taken me or the experiences I’ve had because of it.

So even though I don’t keep a checklist or formal markers of progress, there have definitely been many milestones.