Interview with Levitate about his track Azteca out via FSOE Argento
Hailing from Mexico City, LEVITATE is an established international artist and musician whose unique sound and productions cover all shades of progressive music. His signature sound and music can be heard in all corners of the world, from clubs to festivals, or radio shows to live performances.
As a DJ, LEVITATE's sets reflect the diversity of his releases and are filled with his own productions. He's also shared the stage alongside the biggest names in EDM today such as Paul Van Dyk, Above and Beyond, Armin Van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, Markus Schulz, among others.
Also, his music is supported by the biggest EDM radio shows worldwide such as A State Of Trance, Above & Beyond Group Therapy, Global Radio Broadcast, FSOE Radio, Wake Your Mind, Resonation Radio, Find Your Harmony, and the list goes on.
Not your typical trance producer, LEVITATE brings something fresh to the world of electronic music. With his experience in the EDM scene, there's no telling where this talent will go but we can be sure of one thing, LEVITATE is here to stay.
We are glad to have for 2nd time LEVITATE to discuss with him his latest track Azteca out on FSOE Argento. In this interview, LEVITATE, a renowned Mexican electronic music producer and DJ, shares his journey from a high school DJ to a global artist. He discusses his collaborations with renowned names like Paul Van Dyk and Above & Beyond, and his pride in his music’s reach. LEVITATE also outlines his creative and technical processes, highlighting his latest release, “Azteca,” inspired by Mexico City’s landscapes. He emphasizes his preference for instrumental tracks and candidly discusses the challenges of relying solely on royalties in today’s music industry. Beyond production, LEVITATE runs “Levitation Sessions” to showcase new music and live performances. He also shares his views on social media’s impact on music promotion and the importance of authenticity. LEVITATE concludes by expressing his preference for intimate club performances over large festivals and his dream of performing at Amnesia Ibiza. His passion for music and dedication to his craft are evident throughout the interview, showcasing his significant influence in the EDM scene.
Dimitris: Could you share with us your top three accomplishments or objectives that you are most proud of achieving in your career as an electronic music producer?
LEVITATE: That's a very good question! 1.To have my music signed and released on big labels and reach out millions of people worldwide is the main one. 2.Having my music played on the biggest festivals and EDM radio shows by artists that I admire is another big one. 3.To be able to travel and share the stage with amazing artists is quite rewarding as well.
Dimitris: Could you share the motivations that led you to pursue a career in DJing or producing electronic dance music?
LEVITATE: I became a DJ back in high school because of my love of music and I wanted to emulate a DJ who I heard on the radio that used to play trance music that I used to like a lot! After that the next logical evolution for me was to start making my own remixes and original productions when I started DJing at nightclubs, so that I could have tunes that no one else had. I started naming my remixes 'Levitate Remix' so I took the name Levitate for all of my productions ever since.
Dimitris: Who are the three most influential producers that inspired you to pursue a career in the electronic dance music industry?
LEVITATE: The top producers that mainly have influenced my style and passion for trance music are Paul Van Dyk, Above & Beyond, and Mat Zo, as I though their music was amazing since I first discovered them!
Dimitris: Could you share with me the top three tracks from your past that have really shaped your musical style? I’d love to know what makes these songs so influential for you!
LEVITATE: The most influential songs for me that have shaped my musical style are:
•Paul Van Dyk - Another Way
•Cosmic Gate - Happyness
•OceanLab - On A Good Day
These songs really capture a perfect balance of production skills and imagination that really have resonated with me throughout the years!
Dimitris: Could you tell me about your latest release Azteca on FSOE Argento? I'm curious about what inspired you during its creation and would love to hear more about the thought process behind the track.
LEVITATE: My latest release is called 'Azteca', out on FSOE Argento! It was inspired and written while I was standing on a balcony overlooking Mexico City's historic center. The view of the epicenter where the Aztec empire used to be really captivated me and inspired me to write this song!
Dimitris: Could you give me an idea of how long it usually takes to produce the track Azteca out on FSOE Argento? Also, I’d love to hear a simplified overview of your production process.
LEVITATE: It usually varies and it can take between a month to a year from start to finish, depending on the song. I usually always start by writing the main melody on the piano. After that I start to build the track around it and start playing around with different synths and plug-ins until I get the sound that I'm looking for. Then I play around with the bass line ideas that come after the melody. I usually have an idea of the structure from the very beginning so I try to stick to that. The last thing I do is the mastering and the always required car test!
Dimitris: Could you share more about any specific technical challenges or obstacles you faced while producing that track? I'm really curious to hear about your experiences and how you overcame them!
LEVITATE: I didn't really have any big challenges while making this track. It came out very organic since the very beginning and I thought that the production process flowed very nicely on this one.
Dimitris: If you could remix your current track, what would you change to make it even better? Are there any parts you’re not quite happy with right now? And if you could choose any artist to create a remix, who would it be and why do you think they'd do an amazing job?
LEVITATE: I wouldn't remix my track as I'm happy with how it came out. If I had to choose someone to remix it, it would have to be Tinlicker as their style is different enough, plus their musical talent would sure end up in something special!
Dimitris: I'm curious to know which music composition tools you like to use. Do you have a preference for certain software or hardware, and what makes them your favorites? Also, I've noticed a trend where more people are producing music with analogue equipment and minimizing digital software use. What do you think about this shift?
LEVITATE: For me, I'm all about analogue equipment as I like the sound and touch of it over using digital ones. The main issue with that is that analogue synths tend to be more expensive, so that's why I use digital ones instead! The good thing about the digital ones is that they typically have more features, parameters, and sonic options. Regardless, I still think analog equipment has a warmer and more satisfying sound overall!
Dimitris: Let us know your musical preference – do you lean more towards vocal tracks or instrumental ones? If we're chatting about a track with vocals, I'd love to hear more about the singer you work with!
LEVITATE: Personally, I like to make more instrumental tracks because they don't put an idea of how you should feel while listening to the song. Vocals usually predisposition the way you feel or the mood you feel, while instrumental ones let you feel different things in a subjective way! I also think it's lazy to produce vocal tracks as the voice covers big gaps/flaws that the song has or that the producer lacks on skill. That's the reson I rarely produce vocal tracks myself.
Dimitris: Are there any electronic dance music vocalists or singers you dream of collaborating with?
LEVITATE: If I ever have to collaborate on a vocal track, I guess I would have to go with Emma Hewitt, Jes, and Zoë Johnston!
Dimitris: Pick your favorite dance track lyrics that have deeply touched you. Share how these words resonate emotionally with you and why they hold a special place in your heart.
LEVITATE: It would have to be 'Above & Beyond - Happiness Amplified' because the words really resonated for me as I met my wife right after listening to that track!
Dimitris: Do you think the artwork for your latest track is eye-catching and likely to grab the attention of listeners or record buyers? If yes, could you share an example of what you consider to be the most impressive artwork ever designed for a track?
LEVITATE: I don't think that the artwork really has any effect on a song's performance. Especially if a label used the same logo/colors on all of their releases.
Dimitris: Could you share your top three favorite record labels in your preferred music genre?It would be great if you could also explain why these labels hold a special place in your heart and how they impact the electronic music industry. Thanks!
LEVITATE:
1.FSOE Argento - great quality and it fits my sound perfectly
2.Anjunabeats - great quality and legendary status
3.Elliptical Sun - great quality and great development of their artists
Dimitris: What's your all-time favorite album or compilation, and why does it hold a special place in your heart?
LEVITATE: Paul Van Dyk's 'Out There And Back' is my all time favorite album, as it is the one that introduced me to Trance music!
Dimitris: How much time do you spend promoting yourself on social media? Do you find it an essential tool for both getting your name out there and managing bookings? Also, which platform do you think works best for your business?
LEVITATE: I don't do a lot of social media but i do think it's important nowadays to succeed in the music industry. I usually do Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook, as those have been the main ones for everybody for a while now.
Dimitris: Do you have your own radio show, podcast, Twitch stream, or vlog? If you do, I'd love to hear more about it! Could you share some details, like how much time you spend preparing and how excited you are about making it?
LEVITATE: I do! The name of my show is 'Levitation Sessions', and it is my outlet to showcase new music and test out some of my own. I'm always excited to produce it because I do it live so it's an actual recording of my live set!
Do you share any videos on TikTok and if yes, which one is your favorite? Also, how do you feel TikTok has impacted the promotion of music releases? Have any fans made TikTok videos with your music that you'd like to highlight?
LEVITATE: I do share videos on TikTok, and my favorite one to share was the recap of the 'Anjunafamily Meetup ABGT600 Pre-Party' that I was part of. It was a very special event that featured the Mexican artists whose music have been played on ABGT Radio by Above & Beyond! Plus the event helped out Mexican kids living in poor areas to have access to music classes and musical instruments for free.
I think TikTok has had more influence on artists nowadays because of how videos are attached to songs. I have also seen and increase of people that use my music to make their TikTok videos, which is fun to see!
Dimitris: Could you share any confirmed gigs or festivals you’ll be playing at in 2025? Also, I’d love to know which ones you’re most excited about and the reasons why. Thanks!
LEVITATE: I have a couple of gigs coming up, and I will also be opening up for a couple of big time trance artists as well. Sadly, I cannot give any further info at the moment as I haven't been authorized to do so yet, but be on the look out on my social media for the upcoming announcements!
Dimitris: Could you share both the funniest and the most serious moments that you've experienced during one of your DJ or live performances?
LEVITATE: I guess the funniest one for me was when I got distracted by the manager of Above & Beyond when I opened for them not too long ago. He came into the booth unexpectedly and I clicked on the queue button on the CDJ by accident, and had to keep my finger on it the whole song until I was able to mix the next one. It was quite funny for me!
Dimitris: Could you share your current and latest top three tracks with us, and maybe add a short commentary on each? Thanks a bunch! 🎧🎶
LEVITATE: 1. Levitate - Azteca > This one's special as it was made by the inspiration of a particular moment I experienced in my city CDMX!
2. Paul Van Dyk - For An Angel (Kolonie Remix) > The original is one of my favorite tracks of all time, and the amazing skills from Kolonie brought a fresh take on an all time classic!
3. Darren Tate & Solarstone feat. Julie Scott - A Long Way From Home (Alex Sonata & TheRio Remix) > This one is a great tune that has great lyrics and a hypnotic rhythm, perfect for a peak time set!
Dimitris: Are you happy with how royalties are currently handled for your music, especially when it comes to streaming income? Do you think you’re getting a fair deal from streaming platforms, DJs playing your tracks at events, radio broadcasts, and retailers selling your music in physical and digital formats?
LEVITATE: I don't think that artists can really make a living just with the royalty revenues. Sadly I see it as in the not too distant future, music is going to be free and we will have to switch to other types of revenue.
Dimitris: Could you share with us any technical tips or personal advice from your DJing and music production journey that have been crucial to your success and might inspire or help new talents?
LEVITATE: For all of the new talents out there, my advise is to never give up! The journey is a long one and you have to continue by improving yourself and by being open to take criticism and learning from it. Never stop learning and never stop enjoying the process!
Dimitris: Many producers and DJs offer online masterclasses or courses on music production and DJing. Do you think participating in these is crucial for improving your skills? Are you currently offering any courses or related services like ghost-producing or mastering? I’d love to hear more about what you’re up to!
LEVITATE: I don't offer masterclasses but I do recommend to do a lot of research on the so called artists doing those if you're going to take one from them. There are a lot of people that cannot even make a decent song or that pay DJ Mag to put them on the Top100 list that are giving classes or giving advise about the business. Do not fall for these fakers that are just trying to make money off of innocent people. Make sure to take masterclasses from a well respected and proven artist, not just anybody pretending to be one.
Dimitris: Are there any club classics you’re excited to remix or rework this year? Also, do you often create your own unique versions of those timeless tracks?
LEVITATE: I been doing my own bootlegs for a while now, but if I had the change to remix a classic it would be 'Above & Beyond - Happiness Amplified'!
Dimitris: How important is fan approval to you when creating your music, and do you find it challenging to understand how your tracks are received? Does this impact your stress levels or motivation?
LEVITATE: I don't make my music having in mind what the fans will think of it. I think that the fans approval comes from creating meaningful and true to yourself music that inspires you and has a deep connection with them!
Dimitris: Can you tell us if your music fits into a specific genre like trance, house, or techno, or do you prefer to break the mold? Also, what do you think about artists mixing different styles to create something new and unique?
LEVITATE: My music usually fits in the realm of progressive trance, but it does have some parts of it or influences that come from different genres. I think mixing different styles is a fun way to get inspired and come up with new and forward thinking tunes!
Dimitris:Is making music your main job, and do you have the freedom to step away from it when needed? If not, what other work do you do to help support yourself?
LEVITATE: I've been lucky enough to be a full time musician for the past few years now!
Dimitris: Do you think it's a good idea to limit constant photo or video-taking during DJ sets from fans, or are you okay with it?
LEVITATE: I really don't mind at all either way!
Dimitris: What kind of venue do you enjoy more for your performances: intimate club settings or big festival stages? Also, are there any particular festivals or clubs where you dream of playing one day?
LEVITATE:I like both as they are very different, but I rather be doing performances at intimate club settings. I think the level of connection is deeper on these type of settings as the fans come to see you specifically. At festivals, the fans are just there for the main 2-3 acts and really don't care about the rest of the other 50 acts. The dream club I would like to play someday is Amnesia Ibiza!
Can you share your top pick from these choices: your favorite hobby, pet, or movie/TV series?
LEVITATE:
Favorite hobby: making music
Favorite pet: Betta fish
Favorite movie: It's all gone Pete Tong
Favorite TV series: Squid Game
Dimitris: Could you share a message and your best wishes for the readers of Flux BPM Online?
LEVITATE: Thank you Flux Bpm for the great questions and I wish your readers to continue to be inspired by all of the great electronic music that it's out there!
