Belgrade-based DJ and production duo Soko & Sev are at the forefront of a new generation of artists leading the notable surge of contemporary, cosmic techno. Launching their debut record label Eternal Lights in April 2023, the pair conceived the Chapter 1 initiative; releasing a collection of their most highly sought-after track IDs. Having delivered a fortnightly stream of heavy techno cuts in line with the project ever since, the duo continues their emphatic run of releases with the compilation’s seventh opus, A Second Chance.
Much like the label’s preceding offerings, A Second Chance displays a menacing web of melodic synth intricacies that ebb and flow between one another; a signature style that we’ve come to know and love from the fast-rising techno outfit. Founded on a slew of hard-hitting percussion, Soko & Sev‘s latest anthemic cut has already been tried and tested on the stages of some of dance music’s biggest festivals and events, serving as another stellar addition to their flourishing peak-time worthy discography.
Congratulations on the launch of your debut record label, Eternal Lights, and the Chapter 1 initiative! Can you tell us more about the concept behind Chapter 1 and what inspired you to release a collection of your highly sought-after track IDs?
Hi, Thank you so much for the kind words and for having us. Chapter I for our label Eternal Lights really came about as we had been working for about 18 months day and night in our studio to create something we really believe is different. We have been fortunate enough to have amazing support from artists early on and realised that although releasing on other labels is great and has its positives, it was time to create something of our own, somewhere we were able to be the judge of our own music.
Your latest release, “A Second Chance,” has already gained popularity and been played at major festivals and events. How would you describe the musical style and unique elements that set it apart from other techno tracks?
We really try our hardest to be original and not necessarily follow the trends at the current time. We think what sets us apart is the fact that we try to incorporate different genres into our tracks with a mix of techno, trance and breakbeat in some of our music. Using a lot of vocals which we find powerful and inspirational also add another element of creativity that we always strive for in order to make our tracks as recognisable as possible.
“A Second Chance” carries a message of creating opportunities and showcasing passion for music without limits or guidelines. Could you elaborate on the meaning behind the track and why this message is significant to you as artists?
The tracks deeper meaning is really explaining how although some may in certain aspects of life receive a second chance, for others a second chance must sometimes be created by yourself. Personally for us the start of Chapter I feels somewhat like a second chance so that our fans can truly see our vision and sound we have work tirelessly to create.
The Chapter 1 releases have gained recognition and support from some of techno’s leading artists. How does it feel to have your music embraced by renowned DJs like Amelie Lens, Joyhauser, Dubfire, Joseph Capriati, and others?
We are incredibly grateful and feel blessed to have some of the most influential artists of the genre supporting our music. It is always inspirational to have your music acknowledged especially with the start of our Chapter I project being only 2 months old.
With the establishment of Eternal Lights and the release of Chapter 1, you mentioned entering a new level of scope for your output. Can you give us some insights into your vision for the future and how you aim to elevate yourselves in the techno genre?
Staying true to ourselves and making music that we ultimately enjoy listening to seems like a good path to follow in order to help us elevate and keep true to our vision. We think that it’s quite easy to follow what’s popular, the problem is essentially creating music that has already been made. Originality for us is always paramount and making music slightly outside the mainstream ‘norm’ we look at as a positive later on down the line.
Soko & Sev, you started your individual paths in South & West London and later formed a techno duo. How has this journey influenced your sound and approach to music production?
We have a very Ying & Yang approach to music and production itself. We both have our own strengths and we always find a way to come to easy agreements with our tracks. The fact that there is two of us also sees the tracks going through two ‘filters’ and is an amazing thing sometimes as techno can become repetitive in the world of production and always having a fresh pair of ears can cut down our working time and allow for more self analysing of our music.
The pandemic presented challenges for the music industry, but you managed to catch the attention of top techno labels with your emotional and hard-hitting tracks. How did you navigate through this difficult period and maintain your artistic momentum?
The pandemic was very difficult however we made it into a positive with the workload that we managed to get through and the focus and dedication we gave to our music. To the best of our ability we tried to utilise the entire situation as an opportunity to further improve ourselves and our music.
Performing exclusively your own discography and unreleased music has been your ultimate goal. How do you ensure that your live performances deliver a unique and captivating experience for your audiences?
Focusing on delivering music to fans at shows that they have never heard before is a must for us. Working hard in the studio means that we are able to play a lot of music during our performances that the audience has never heard before. We feel that this can give us a slight edge in a sense of creating a unique and memorable show.
You’ve had the opportunity to support artists such as Boris Brejcha, ANNA, and UMEK. How have these experiences shaped your artistic growth and allowed you to explore different styles of techno?
These were incredible experiences that we will always cherish and draw some inspiration from. Playing alongside some of techno’s biggest names and showcasing our music is a surreal feeling that we never under appreciate. Earlier on it also allowed us to gain insight into different setups and styles of play in order for us to find what works for us and our sound.
Looking ahead, what can we expect from Soko & Sev in terms of upcoming releases and future projects? Are there any collaborations or exciting endeavors that you can share with us?
With 18 tracks already scheduled for 2023, we are already looking forward to the start of Chapter II next year in terms of our upcoming releases. We’d love to share more about possible collaborations but we will wait until we can speak more about those! Thank you to everyone that has shown any support and love to us and our music and thank you for the interview we really appreciate it.