88Dubs: "That is the point where I truly understand the music and what it is trying to deliver"

88Dubs is a Hungarian DJ and producer known for an instinctive, genre-fluid approach to electronic music. Active as a producer since 2010 and behind the decks since 2016, he has built a distinctive identity around experimentation, atmosphere and emotional depth.

With releases on labels such as Traum, Secret Fusion, Moodmusic and Urge To Dance, his music has earned support from respected artists including Trikk, Undercatt, Fideles, Brina Knauss and Echonomist. Moving freely between melodic soundscapes, broken rhythms, ambient textures and techno, 88Dubs avoids formulas and trends, allowing each production to develop naturally and retain its own character.

His DJ journey has taken him from major Hungarian festivals including Balaton Sound, Bonusz Festival and Strand Festival to international performances in Amsterdam and Málaga. At the heart of everything he does is a simple philosophy: genre comes second to emotion, authenticity and soul.

"Last Night Was Crazy" is your latest release, and your music has always been driven by intuition and freedom from genre boundaries. What was the initial idea, emotion, or moment that inspired this track?

If I remember right, the bones of this track actually came together like two years ago. But I benched it for the longest time and honestly totally forgot about it. Then I was digging through some old projects and it just popped up. Right away I knew I had to finish it.

The funny thing is I have no clue what was going through my head back then. Honestly it might have been nothing at all because that happens to me all the time. But I just felt this vibe that I had to mess with it because even back then I loved how eclectic it was. It starts building up and then just turns into this super dynamic track. And it is hitting. I have been getting a ton of love from people saying they are feeling it and asking what track this is.

You’ve said that you prefer entering the studio without listening to other music beforehand, starting with a completely blank slate. What are you trying to protect through this approach, and how difficult is it to maintain in a scene dominated by trends and references?

I guess I am trying to protect my own unique sound so that no other music gets in my head. You can totally feel that in my tracks. No two songs are the same and I couldn't even make them identical if I tried. Yeah it might be tough to keep this up for someone who is always chasing trends but for me it has never felt like a struggle. 

Your sound can move between melodic atmospheres, broken rhythms, ambient textures, techno, and everything in between. When you start a new track, how much do you know about where you want to go, and how much do you let the music guide you?

I have literally never had a moment where I knew where I was going to end up. There were times when I had a specific goal in mind but I never actually got there. Most of the time I start with one direction and then I just keep experimenting with things until I tweak most of it and a totally different song is born. 

The title "Last Night Was Crazy" immediately suggests a story or a specific experience. Is there a particular night or moment behind the title, or do you prefer to leave its meaning open to the listener?

You could say I have a few wild nights under my belt and the title is pretty much trying to tell the story of one of those heavy nights out that just turns into pure madness. Luckily I have had my fair share of those moments.

You’ve said that genre comes second to emotion, atmosphere, and authenticity. At what point during the production process do you know that a track has truly got "soul"?

I guess it is right after the first drop when the melody that carries the whole track kicks in or when a rhythm just locks in with the bass. That is the point where I truly understand the music and what it is trying to deliver whether that is a feeling a vibe or a whole story. 

You’ve released music on labels such as Traum, Secret Fusion, Moodmusic, and Urge To Dance, while receiving support from artists including Trikk, Undercatt, Fideles, and Echonomist. How important have these recognitions been in shaping your journey, and how do you make sure they don’t influence your own artistic direction?

These recognitions were super important and they still are to this day. I think for a lot of us what keeps us going is having big name artists backing our work. Even though the massive labels and producers are the ones setting the trends I still have my own lane like I said. Just because house or afro or whatever genre is blowing up right now I try to stay away from all that. Of course a few sounds or rhythms typical of those styles might slip in here and there but I always try to stay true to myself. 

You started DJing in 2016 after winning a DJ mix competition. How much does being a DJ influence the way you produce? When you’re making a track, do you ever imagine how it might feel on a dancefloor?

For sure I party to it at home all the time and imagine it. Being a DJ and producing are completely different jobs that need different skills and knowledge. I don't think it influences me at all because I even have tracks that weren't even made for the dancefloor. 

You’ve played some of Hungary’s major festivals and clubs, as well as shows in Amsterdam and Málaga. What have you learned from playing to audiences outside Hungary, and does your approach change depending on the crowd?

Both are totally different experiences. The crowd is different abroad and it is different back home too. In fact I played a smaller stage at one of the festivals for like 50 people but that might have been the most memorable one because the crowd vibe was just the best. There is something good in all of them none is better than the other and every single party is different but that is exactly why this whole thing is so beautiful. 

You’ve mentioned Innervisions as a long-term dream because of the label’s artistic freedom and depth. What does Innervisions represent to you, and what kind of record would you like to release there one day?

I have always looked at Innervisions as a label that shapes the future. The Ame Dixon duo always blows everyone away with sets that nobody else can pull off. I think they are the best selectors in the game and both them and the label have this unique versatile vibe that just made me fall in love with them. What kind of track? Something like the one coming out on September 25 since I originally made it for them J. (So stay tuned for that)

Looking ahead, would you rather be remembered for developing a sound that is instantly recognizable, or for never being easy to define? Why?

The latter for sure. I don't really know if my sound is instantly recognizable but I would definitely rather be hard to define. Why? I guess just because those are exactly the kinds of artists I love myself.

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