donnerstag: "The soul of my work comes from intuition"

In today’s electronic music landscape, few artists embody innovation and dedication quite like donnerstag. A self-made creative and tireless sonic explorer, he has forged a distinctive path that blends technical mastery, melodic sensitivity, and an ever-evolving artistic vision. From collaborations with renowned names such as Olivier Giacomotto and Toto Chiavetta to a string of acclaimed releases on international labels, donnerstag continues to redefine the boundaries of Melodic Techno and Electronica. His productions—widely celebrated and frequently topping the Beatport charts—tell a story of passion, authenticity, and sonic exploration. Yet it’s on stage that donnerstag’s artistry truly comes alive: an immersive experience that connects audiences through emotion and energy in equal measure. “Music is the thread that stitches together all of our hearts and minds into one beautiful, universal work of art.” Guided by this philosophy, donnerstag continues to unite people and cultures across the globe, transforming every sound into an invitation to transcend the limits of music and imagination.

Over the past few years, you’ve collaborated with artists like Toto Chiavetta and Olivier Giacomotto, exploring different styles within electronic music. How would you describe the evolution of your sound, and what do you aim to communicate with each new project?

My sound has always been about tension and release—emotional storytelling through rhythm, harmony, and space. Collaborating with visionaries like Toto and Olivier opened up new perspectives on groove, sonic architecture, and restraint. I started with deeper, progressive roots, but as the years passed, the sound matured into something more cinematic, tribal, and transcendental. With each project, I’m trying to open a portal—something that feels both ancient and futuristic, something that moves your body and your psyche at the same time.

You are both classically trained and self-taught. How do you balance formal technique with instinctive creativity when producing music, and how did a track like I Remember Jakarta come to life?

I grew up with piano and classical theory, so I have that language in my bones—but the soul of my work comes from intuition. I’ll often write progressions or melodies in one take, straight from a feeling or a memory. I Remember Jakarta was born that way—no plan, just a mood. It was late at night, I was missing a city I barely knew but somehow loved. The track is a foggy memory, a polaroid of movement and melancholy. That balance—between the rigor of technique and the purity of impulse—is where my best work lives.

Through your label Descension Recordings, you’re shaping a specific vision of electronic music. What values and guiding principles influence the projects you choose to release?

Descension is a statement. It’s about going inward, down into the layers of sound and self—not chasing trends, but creating timeless, ritualistic art. We look for music that feels inevitable—tracks that don’t just fill space but transform it. Every release has to have a signature emotional depth, something that stays with you after the lights come back on. We believe in storytelling, in artistic risk, and in fostering a global community of producers who are serious about their craft.

Your music is designed for live settings, where audiences often have intense, immersive experiences. How do you prepare for a set, and how do you decide which tracks and atmospheres to bring to a performance?

For me, every set is a live ritual. I don’t just “play tracks”—I build worlds. Preparation starts with tuning into the space: the venue, the time of night, the vibe of the city. I think about narrative arcs, energy waves, and what story I want to tell. Sometimes I’ll prep edits or remixes specifically for that moment. But the most important part is presence—being able to adapt in real time, to read the dancefloor like a living being. It’s a shared conversation without words.

Looking at the global scene, which trends in electronic music excite you the most today, and where do you see the melodic and progressive scene heading over the next five years?

What excites me most is the return of intention. People are hungry for substance again. We’re seeing a revival of long-form storytelling, hybrid live sets, and cross-cultural influences—everything from organic percussion to sacred tuning systems. Melodic and progressive music is evolving into something more spiritual, more immersive. Over the next five years, I see this movement getting deeper and more experimental—more about transcendence than just entertainment. Labels, clubs, and festivals that prioritize artistry over algorithm are going to define the next era.

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