Contributing Writer
Hey Grayson, how has 2025 been for you so far?
Hi! 2025 has been a crazy whirlwind in the most positive way. We’ve been building this music project for 2 years and it’s exciting to finally have the songs coming out!
What inspired you to pursue a career in music production and djing?
I’d always made mixtapes for my sports teams as a kid and into college. In 2010, the catalyst was DJing from a Blackberry at an ASU house party. My best friend said, “You should DJ.” After that, I spent my student loan on DJ gear. A year later, I dropped out of school to pursue music full time.
How would you describe your signature sound and style?
High energy, emotive, and uplifting. I aim to tell a story with every song. I do this through melodies and lyrics. I want listeners to feel a push and pull with each record. On the dance floor, expect a mix of genres. The main theme is an emotional rush that hits all your senses.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
I love dance music from 2009 to 2016. Artists like Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, and Calvin Harris stand out. I also enjoy the heavier sounds from The Bloody Beetroots and Dada Life. The energy of that time drew me into this scene. When writing music, I try to relive those feelings I felt when listening to that music at that time.
How did it feel to receive support from major artists like Tiësto and The Chainsmokers?
Surreal! They both supported a Coldplay remix of “Yellow” I made. Tiesto played it on NYE at midnight one year, I’m hoping to get their support again in the upcoming couple years.
Can you tell us about the creative process behind Heart and Soul?
Heart and Soul has been a ride to say the least. We were able to get an incredible vocal, and off that we made probably 25 different versions of the song. We settled on the final version 2 weeks from the release date. Cutting it close for sure. It was key to showcase my new sound. It has an uplifting energy and modern rhythms. I haven’t released music in 3 years so it was vital to put everything I had into this song.
What has been your most memorable performance to date?
Good question; I was fortunate enough to DJ the FIFA World Cup Final in 2022. That one was in front of 93,000 people live and 1.5 billion on broadcast; that was a special moment. I also play in a kitchen in Berlin every two weeks. The back room of a nightclub. It’s sweaty, smoky, and we rock it until 6 am. Those are clearly different, and I love both to the same extent.
How do you prepare for high-energy, large-scale performances?
Visualization and preparation. I can walk into a 100,000 person stadium and remain calm due to the prep working beforehand. I visualize for days in advance, all the transitions being on point and the energy being high in the stadium. I also do research ahead about the teams music, depending on which club or country is playing. Throwing in their special songs always gets the team and crowd hyped.
What’s one song that never fails to get the crowd hyped?
Hahah great question, can you beat Levels?
What’s next for you after Heart and Soul? Any upcoming projects or collaborations?
The running joke (which actually isn’t a joke) is I’m releasing a song every month to 6 weeks for the next 20 years. That’s the plan and I’m sticking to it. Also, I’ll be music directing the FIFA Club World Cup this summer in the USA.
How do you see your music evolving over the next few years?
The music will develop in a way that feels organic. I want listeners to experience it with intensity each time. As the tours and shows grow, I will turn the song stories into a live experience. I hope people leave saying, “That was the best night of my life.”
Grayson Repp single “Heart and Soul” is out now on Gray Area Recordings
Grab it here
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