Contributing Writer
Hot Creations welcomes Dubai-based producer Bridvog for his label debut with ‘Activated’ EP. After years of refining his sound and releasing under various aliases, he steps forward with a clear artistic identity and two peak-time cuts shaped by his club experiences. We catch up with Bridvog to talk about finding his direction and what this new chapter means for him.
How did you first get into making electronic music, and what made you stick with it?
From early childhood, I was exposed to a wide range of music thanks to my father, a true music enthusiast. Artists such as Pink Floyd, Jean-Michel Jarre, Yellow, and The KLF were constantly playing at home. The first DJ performance I ever saw was Tiësto – it was a long time ago, but it left a deep impression on me. Naturally, I began dreaming about a similar path and started looking for ways to create my own music in order to reach the heights of DJing.
For many years I was involved in professional sports, and as soon as that chapter ended, I immediately dedicated myself to music production. I started writing music four years ago.
Music production is a rather demanding and meticulous process, yet the occasional satisfaction from achieving a strong result keeps me going. Sometimes I create something so good that I can listen to it for days on repeat. At the same time, half of my sketches are simply unlistenable – absolutely terrible.
During my time performing under the alias Amber, I tried to follow trends. My circle was obsessed with releasing on Solomun’s Diynamic label, and about a year after I began producing, I achieved a release there. Soon after, I wanted to release an album on the label, so I started writing music tailored specifically to the Diynamic sound. I sent them many tracks — Solomun played them regularly but did not release them. Eventually I asked Axel (Label manager) why. He told me: “The main thing is to be yourself.” That made me realise I was fundamentally about tech house, not indie dance or melodic house and techno — although at the time I did not know whether tech house would work for me.
What was it like finding out you’d be releasing on Hot Creations for the first time?
I consider the UK music industry to be the most influential in electronic music. If top DJs and labels from that scene recognise my work, it is a clear sign that I am moving in the right direction. Three months after changing genres, I released on Glasgow Underground, which confirmed that I was on the right path. I no longer wanted anything to do with the Amber persona that was chasing trends. Six months later, I received my first feedback from Jamie Jones – an artist whose mixes I had listened to for five hours a day for many years. His recognition of my music was a major personal milestone.
You’ve said these tracks were inspired by seeing the reaction in clubs – how often do live sets influence what you make in the studio?
Audience reaction during live performances is not always a definitive indicator, as it depends on many factors, but it is certainly encouraging. I do notice consistently positive responses to my tracks, which is highly motivating.
When you’re working on new music, do you usually start with drums, bass, or a melody?
When starting a new project, I always begin with the bassline over a prepared kick drum.
How important is it for you to test your music on dancefloors before releasing it?
I believe music carries a specific energy – much of it coming from the person who created it, as a significant amount of personal energy is invested in the process. If a track is played everywhere or shared widely before release, that energy dissipates, and external feedback can alter the original concept. As I said, I want to remain true to myself. Therefore, I prefer to send tracks first to industry leaders, and only after a couple of weeks do I start playing them in my own sets. That is my philosophy.
What’s been the biggest learning experience for you so far in your career?
The most important experience in my career came during the preparation for a release on Hot Creations. It is an exceptional team, and it showed me how a label should truly operate. They revealed to me the artist I could become. Now I understand why so many producers aspire to release on Hot Creations and why it remains so difficult to get there, even for highly accomplished artists.
Who or what has influenced your sound the most over the years?
Over the past year of working in my new genre, I have not been influenced by anyone in particular. I simply extract ideas from my mind and try to realise them.
What are you most excited about working on next?
I plan to continue in the same direction and hope to receive more invitations to perform in different countries.
Follow Bridvog
Instagram – Spotify
