EGGSTA, the trailblazing music producer, vocalist, and songwriter, made a spectacular entrance into the EDM scene with the catchy release of her debut radio smash, "BAE," in 2021. Stealing the spotlight once again, her track "Young Love" not only conquered the airwaves with high rotation playlisting but also secured numerous #1’s on both the Top 40, Top 20 & Top 100 charts in South Africa.
From the age of 6, EGGSTA, with her classical piano training, clinched the prestigious title of "Best National Pianist" for the 18 years and under category, showcasing her extraordinary musical prowess.
After over 3 million streams in 2023 and signing records with renowned labels like Armada Music, Black Hole Recordings, Enhanced, Find Your Harmony, and more, EGGSTA was highlighted as an “Emerging artist to watch”. Her collaborations with extraordinary talents and the consistent unveiling of captivating releases leave her listeners eagerly anticipating each new musical release.
1-Dimitris: It would be nice to start by telling us your 3 most important achievements or goals fulfilled in your career so far that you very are proud of.
EGGSTA: Multiple #1's in the Top 40 on East Coast Radio, South Africa. 3 Million + Streams on Spotify 2023 wrapped. Multiple international record deals with labels including Armada, Enhanced, FSOE Argento, Find Your Harmony, Black Hole Recordings etc
2-Dimitris: Why and under which circumstances did you took the decision to start DJing or producing electronic dance music?
EGGSTA: I've always loved producing music and loved listening to dance music but had never produced it yet. I was challenged by my brother to make a dance track for fun. My first one, was really terrible haha. But I kept at it and finally made something really special. Since then it's just been an incredible journey producing in multiple genres.
3-Dimitris: Can you note down the top 3 producers that have influenced your decision to get involved in the electronic dance music scene and you admire and respect them very much?
EGGSTA: Definitely Kygo, Nervo & Nora En Pure
4-Dimitris: Can you tell us the top 3 tracks from the past that have influenced your sound the most and why?
EGGSTA: I was inspired a lot by Avicii sound-wise in my earlier productions so definitely "Levels" & "Wake Me Up" was where it felt like it all started. I think "Freeze" & "The Way We Were" by Kygo have a huge influence on my sound design but it's generally very difficult to narrow it down to just 3 tracks :)
5-Dimitris: It would be fantastic to talk about your latest release Upside Down with the established producer Mhammed El Alami released on FSOE Argento headed by Dan Stone. Please tell us how this top track came about and what was the idea behind it.
EGGSTA: I've been working extensively with the amazing producer Mhammed El Alami on multiple singles and this release was our follow up release on FSOE Argento to our first release "Left Behind". Both Mhammed and myself have a huge passion and love for this progressive sound mixed with ethereal vocals and the classic piano breakdowns. Lyrically the song touches on the basis of thinking you're on the right path but when putting your faith and trust in God, your world turns upside down in the best possible way, allowing you to feel like you're on the right track again and feeling alive again. It can also be relatable to meeting anyone in life who ultimately just makes things right and gives you a great awakening, bringing you back to life.
6-Dimitris: How long it took you to produce it and can u describe the production process in simple steps?
EGGSTA: It was quite a quick process for us. Mhammed had the original instrumental idea and sent it to me. I sat with it and tracked the vocals in a couple hours, sent them to him, we both jumped on Discord and he pulled the vocals into the track and we started putting everything together. He had already had the beautiful lead melodies and sound design nailed down so it was just about refining everything and making it all sit perfectly.
7-Dimitris: Did you had any particular difficulties accomplishing that particular track or any specific technical challenges or obstacles that you had to overcome during its production.
EGGSTA: I genuinely don't remember any challenges. It was a smooth and stunning process with this release in particular.
8-Dimitris: If you would have the opportunity to change something in your track and maybe to do a new remix what elements are you unhappy with and you are going to change? Is there any artist that you feel would be fantastic to remix this track and why?
EGGSTA: Ah what a question. I could imagine the most beautiful Aly & Fila remix, Above & Beyond remix or something super uplifting that takes the listener on a golden journey. I would love to hear that!
9- Dimitris: Which music composition software or hardware you prefer and why? What is your opinion of the latest movement to produce music with more analogue equipment and with less or without any digital software?
EGGSTA: I personally use Logic. I've used it since I was about 11 years old and I've become extremely comfortable with it. I did a course with Berklee on Ableton which I find great for live but Logic has always just made things simple for me in particular when it comes to live recording.
10-Dimitris: Do you prefer vocal or instrumental tracks? If there are vocals on the track we discuss about tell us about the singer you work with?
EGGSTA: I always love a good vocal on a track and I love to add my own vocals to a track as well as feature vocalists on my releases. On this release, "Upside Down" I am the singer so it was awesome to be involved in that capacity.
11-Dimitris: Are there any vocalists/singers on electronic dance music you aspire to work with?
EGGSTA: Becky Hill would be an absolute dream. She's just got it all! The voice, the energy, the feeling, the good vibes!
12-Dimitris: Please choose the most powerful lyrics ever included in a dance track and why these lyrics have touched you so deeply and have a special meaning for you?
EGGSTA: This is a really good question. And once again so hard to just find one track. But the first one that comes to mind that I love is "Tinlicker & Nathan Nicholson - Always Will".
13-Dimitris: Do you believe that artwork on your latest track is good and do you believe that artwork can attract listeners or record buyers? Can you mention the best artwork of a track ever released?
EGGSTA: For sure. The artwork for "Upside Down" is in line with how FSOE Argento present their releases so it's more of a pattern with artist titles. I think artwork can definitely attract listeners but I think that's what's been great with features like "Spotify Canvas" for example. We can utilize a video loop that's catchy and engaging whilst someone listens to the song to get some type of a visual of what the artist was feeling or inspired by.
14-Dimitris: Can you pick your favorite top 3 record labels including the one released the track that we discuss in this interview and give us a short comment about why these labels are important to you and the music scene too?
EGGSTA: I think it's great to have a good team behind the label and we enjoy releasing with FSOE Argento because Dan understands the sound and vision Mhammed and I have created. I'm obviously a huge fan of Find Your Harmony & Deeper Harmonies but I've had great experiences with a large amount of the labels i've released with :)
15-Dimitris: Do you have your own record label? if yes tell us when did you set it up, the reasons behind this decision and your top 3 releases on the label so far plus 2 or 3 releases that we should look after from your label.
EGGSTA: I have an independent label called EGGSTA Entertainment that currently I only release my independent releases and collaborations under. But I am part of the A&R team of Deeper Harmonies with Andrew Rayel and am excited to be building Deeper Harmonies with the amazing team there.
16-Dimitris: Are you planning to complete an album or mix compilation soon? if yes please give us all the details about regarding tracks and how will look and sound like?
EGGSTA: I definitely would LOVE to release an album soon and it's something I'd like to look into doing towards the end of 2024, early 2025. I will definitely keep you informed on this ;)
17-Dimitris: Can you pick up your all time favorite album or compilation and tell us why you adore it so much?
EGGSTA: I may get some hate in this answer but it would have to be Avril Lavigne's "Under My Skin" album. Still love it to this day.
18-Dimitris:How much time do you spend promoting yourself in your social media and you see this as essential tool for self promotion and getting bookings too? Which social media is the one that seems to work better for you?
EGGSTA: I definitely think it's a useful tool for promoting new releases and trying to get your music out there. My bookings have always personally come from word of mouth or through commercial radio but I know TikTok has been great for many artists (this is a platform i'm hoping to be more active on in 2024).
19-Do you post videos on tiktok? If yes please reference for us your favourite? What is your opinion about the power of tiktok to promote music releases?Is there any tiktok video created by fans of you with your music worth mentioning?
EGGSTA: I have recently started posting on TikTok. I definitely think it's a powerful tool for music promotion however you need to be very active on the platform from what I've seen and within the dance community, most producers genuinely just want to make music haha
20-Dimitris: Are you happy about the quality of the tracks released in your preferred music genres? Please justify your answer with your opinion about it!
EGGSTA: I'm loving the quality of releases so far. I definitely think there's always room for improvement but I treat each piece like a work of art and I admire the pieces put together to create it into what it sounds like once it's released into the world.
21-Your current Top 3 tracks with short comment:
EGGSTA: Currently 1. Aname - Anywhere with You (This song just gives all the feels)
2. Amanda Cook - Hell Or High Water (This song reconnects me to God when I am feeling a bit lost)
3. Dubvision - The Horizon (This was my anthem for 2023) What a tune!
22-Dimitris: Please note for all the new talents that read this interview to get some inspiration from you any technical tips in relation to your DJing or music productions. Also any piece of personal or music business' advice that has helped you to progress even further and is worth telling to the new upcoming talents.
EGGSTA: I think consistency is key, and learning to let go of your music and not holding onto it and keeping it in a folder because you think it may not be good enough for the world to hear. Sometimes the tracks we think aren't worth the release, the listeners love the most so keep making and keep creating!
23-Dimitris: Do you prefer small clubs or huge festivals to perform? in which festivals or clubs you aspire to play in the future?
EGGSTA: Festivals are great because there's this incredible energy and the audience are extremely open to new sounds and new releases whereas a club has a specific kinda pressure personally but both are fun in their own way.
Dimitris: Your message & wishes for Flux Bpm Online readers.
EGGSTA: Thank you for the amazing support, hope you like our new single "Upside Down". I'm really excited for Flux Bpm readers to hear all the upcoming releases of 2024.
Thanks so much to EGGSTA for her very inspiring answers.
Thanks so much to Stuart at FSOE for arranging this fantastic interview.
Find the track here: https://fsoe.streamlink.to/upsidedown