The other day, I was watching the Summer Vibes Melodic House Mix on YouTube, and as a big fan of melodic house music, I have to say, compliments to Motry for curating such an incredible mix featuring Ben Böhmer, Lane 8, RÜFÜS DU SOL, EMBRZ, and Helsloot. I hadn’t heard of Motry before, but after discovering a few more of his mixes on YouTube, I quickly fell in love with his sound. It’s the kind of music I can put on at work, allowing me to get lost in the rhythms while designing flyers and answering emails.
I was so impressed by his work that I decided to reach out to him via Instagram, and we quickly became friends. He kindly agreed to do an interview to help promote this release and share more about his projects. Even though I’ve only known about Motry for a few weeks, I’m already hooked and beyond excited to help tell his story. This interview was an exciting one for me, and I’m absolutely honored to introduce you to Motry.
I recently discovered your Summer Vibes video, and it immediately caught my attention. It inspired me to reach out, and I’m thrilled we connected. After hearing another one of your mixes, I was totally captivated. Thanks for making time for this interview—I’m really looking forward to our chat!
Thanks alot! I really appreciate you took that deep dive into my music/artist career.
What inspired you to start creating music, and how did you develop your unique sound?
That’s a tough question to start with! (Laughs.) I think what really sparked my interest in music was when my father bought me a CASIO keyboard when I was around 6 or 8 years old—I can’t remember the exact age. I was so fascinated by the fact that, just by pressing buttons, I could create something that made an impression and triggered emotions. By the time I was twelve, I had started playing piano and took lessons from a really kind teacher. I did that for three years, but then playing electric guitar seemed cooler. When I was sixteen, my friends and I formed a death metal band, which later evolved into melodic hardcore/hardcore. Around that same time, I started experimenting with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) like Reason Studios, Ableton, Cubase, and FL Studio. That was really when my journey of learning and discovery began, somewhere around 2010.
Your mixes, much like the ones mentioned earlier, have a captivating flow. How do you go about curating the tracks for your sets?
The tracks in my sets consist of songs that trigger emotions and vibes within me—songs I resonate with and can listen to repeatedly without them feeling repetitive. Every Monday, I actively listen to my Spotify Mix of the Week, saving any tracks I like to my favourites. If I find myself enjoying those tracks over and over, they make their way to my Melodic House Playlist on Spotify. Most of the tracks in my sets come from this playlist, or occasionally from Spotify’s recommendations. Every song you hear in my mixes is part of this playlist.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your style over the years?
The artist that truly gave me shivers and pulled me into this kind of music was RÜFÜS DU SOL with their track “Innerbloom.” I first heard it in a friend’s car at night while driving through a forest. I was blown away by the vibes the song created, and I think that was the moment I became 100% hooked. It was also the first time I realized how organic and beautiful synths can sound.
Can you walk us through your creative process when you’re producing a new track or mix?
First, I need to be in the right time and mood. It’s really hard for me to force myself into producing. Sometimes, creativity and inspiration just hit me, and that’s when I start producing and get into the flow. That inspiration can come randomly or from an interesting idea in a song I hear while driving. When that happens, I’ll record a voice memo of myself humming or talking about the idea so I can remember it later.
Arrangement-wise, I always start with the first drop, usually focusing on the chord arrangement, sometimes on the melody. From there, I’ll develop everything else around it. I always keep in mind that I need to leave space for vocals, so I make sure not to overcrowd the track. Once I’m happy with the rough arrangement, I’ll add some ‘dummy vocals’ to get a sense of the vibe it creates. I also like to add some ear candy to give the track a bit more sparkle. Over time, I’ve gotten really fast with the arrangement and conception of songs, but I find myself spending more time on the mixing side of producing. I’m still learning a lot about mixing and mastering!
For my DJ sets, I typically analyze the tracks I choose (usually between twelve and sixteen) and see which ones blend well together. I guess that’s where the magic happens. (Laughs.)
How do you stay current with the latest trends in electronic music while maintaining your distinct sound?
The thing about music trends is that you don’t have to follow them 100% as long as you stay up to date. What I mean is, I have my signature synths that I use in all of my tracks, and I blend in some sounds that align with current trends in a way that feels right to me. I know there are a lot of producers who fully embrace trends, but I prefer to create music that resonates with me and my community, rather than chasing more clicks by following trends I don’t connect with.
Collaboration is key in the music industry. Who have you enjoyed working with the most, and why?
Yes, it really is key! One of the collaborations I’ve enjoyed the most recently was with RAMMOR. Even though we’ve only released one project together, I loved how we connected and shared the same vibes. At that time, my music taste was a little different—it was the beginning of my journey as ‘Motry,’ and I was exploring a different genre of House music. Meanwhile, he stuck to his own style, which was great. He’s now a very successful DJ and producer, which is 100% deserved. Despite his success, he remains a really kind and down-to-earth person, which is something I truly value in him.
Your mixes seem to resonate deeply with your audience. What do you think makes your music so relatable and impactful?
I pour my emotions, thoughts, and love into my tracks. I believe that people can feel that, and if they connect with the vibes and emotions, they resonate and think like I do. I think that creates a very special connection, one that’s not bound by space or time. A few months ago, I found myself questioning why I love music and creating it so much. It took me a while to figure it out, but in the end, I think I discovered my purpose.
I create music to bring a moment of peace and unity to a world filled with hate and division, even if it’s just for the duration of a single song.
And I believe people feel that, which is why they love it—at least, that’s what I hope. (Laughs.)
How do you maintain your energy and enthusiasm during long sets?
That one’s simple—it’s all about love and passion for the music. I can DJ for hours without any problems, simply because I love it so much.
In what ways do you think the electronic music scene has evolved in recent years, and where do you see it heading?
Well, it has become harder and harder to earn money with music, even though it’s easier to reach people and easier to produce music—especially with AI. I believe those who have a truly unique sound, element, style, or performance will stand out in the massive flood of music, which will only grow in the future. In the end, I think it’s really important to connect with your audience and create a space around your music that goes beyond just the music itself, involving shared values, morals, messages, and meaning.
Are there any genres outside of melodic house and electronic music that you draw inspiration from?
Absolutely! I still listen to hardcore bands like thrown or Knocked Loose, as well as pop-punk like State Champs or even metalcore. What I love about all these genres is that they share a distinct vibe—it’s interesting, melodic, and rhythmic. There might also be a bit of nostalgia involved.
How do you manage the business side of your music career, from marketing to branding, while staying true to your artistic vision?
Besides making music, I also work as a Marketing Manager, which is something every artist needs to be unless they outsource it to another company. Right now, I’m not tapping into my full marketing potential because I’m focused on producing and DJing, but I do a little marketing—like building Spotify playlists and spending some money on Meta ads to reach more people. I used to believe that if you make good music and are passionate about it, you’d naturally gain reach, but that’s not true. You have to actively promote your music to get heard. Ten years ago, it might have been possible to get more views on YouTube than subscribers, but now only a small percentage of your subscribers even see your videos. You have to engage with them directly to make sure they notice when you release something new.
How do you unwind and recharge when you’re not working on music or performing?
Spending time with friends and family, taking trips into nature, or surfing with my best friends.
Your work frequently highlights natural landscapes with a minimalist touch. What techniques do you use in composition and lighting to create the mood or atmosphere you envision?
One of my best friends, Felix Wiedemann, is my cameraman and video editor. Whenever we record a set, we look for a cool spot, and he decides how to frame the video. I trust him 100% and love going on adventures with him, like the last live mix we recorded. That one was an exhausting but amazing experience—we almost got lost in the Black Forest in Germany!
Can you share the story behind your remix of “Genesis?” I’m also curious—how did Late Night Therapy react when they first heard your version?
Actually, we were already in the collaboration process when he released “Genesis.” I told him I’d love to do a remix of the song, and he was instantly hooked by the idea. He loved the first version, and we only made a few small tweaks until we were both satisfied.
Your vocals on “Numb” are incredible. When did you first realize you had that kind of vocal ability, and how many takes does it usually take to nail the perfect performance when recording a song like that?
Thanks a lot! As a producer who loves tracks with vocals, it’s always a challenge to find vocals that fit well. I used to rely on Splice for vocals, but those samples are often overused, and many labels won’t sign your track if it contains overused samples. I started singing on my own tracks to give vocalists an idea of what I wanted, and I kept getting feedback like, “Bro, that’s nice! Why don’t you sing yourself?”
I was very insecure about my voice at the time, but I kept hearing positive feedback. So, I decided to get feedback from Leo Lauretti and Bound to Divide during their livestreams. The response from them and their community was great, which gave me the confidence to explore my own vocals. Now, I can use my own vocals in my tracks, which gives me a lot of freedom and uniqueness. Plus, I’ve discovered a passion for singing.
You’re based in Wiesbaden, Germany, which is great! We have some good friends in Berlin. I’m curious, what’s the music scene like in Wiesbaden? Do you often find yourself visiting other cities in Europe, given how convenient public transport is over there?
Well, I have to admit that the music scene in Wiesbaden is pretty much dead. Frankfurt is a little better, but I feel like music trends in Germany, in general, are somewhat delayed. It’s only this year that I’m seeing more melodic house and techno clubs and festivals popping up here, which I love. I frequently visit Portugal, Croatia, and France—beautiful countries. Portugal and France also have great surf spots that I love to visit. To be honest, I’ve never been to Berlin, which is a shame, but I plan to go because my step brother lives there, and I know it has an amazing scene. I’ve been to many capital cities in Europe and countries outside of Europe, but never to the capital city of my own country.
What inspired you to choose PayPal as your platform for fundraising, and how has it helped you achieve your donation goals?
PayPal offers a convenient way to transfer money globally. I don’t have any specific donation goals, and I certainly don’t want to pressure anyone into giving me money. However, I truly appreciate it when people choose to donate to support my work. I invest 100% of the donations back into the music creation process, which can be quite expensive.
Can you share some success stories or impactful outcomes that have resulted from the donations made through this campaign?
Yes, I recently received a generous donation from a very kind person, which allowed me to buy a new DJ controller for my live performances.
I noticed you have a Melodic House playlist on Spotify, which I’m absolutely hooked on. I see you also have a Melodic Techno playlist—I’m curious to learn more about both of these. How frequently do you update them with new tracks?
I’m glad you’re hooked on the playlist! As I mentioned before, I only include my favorite songs and add new ones whenever I find something really good and interesting that resonates with me. Recently, I became an official playlist curator on SubmitHub, where artists can pitch their songs for placement on my playlists. It’s a great way for me to discover new artists, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for them to gain more reach through the playlist.
I’m really impressed by the artwork you use—it’s a perfect complement to your melodic sound. I’m curious, do you manage the visuals yourself, or do you work with a designer to achieve that cohesive look?
I used to hire designers for my artwork, but I also designed some of them myself. Now, I use a combination of AI and my own design skills to create artwork that matches the vibe of the song. While it might sound easy to use AI, it actually takes a lot of effort to make everything perfect, and I spend hours on these artworks.
Are you working on another single or maybe an EP? Any plans for a tour this fall or winter? I’d love to catch one of your performances!
I have a lot of open projects that I plan to release this year, either independently or through labels, so keep your ears peeled. I don’t have a tour planned for this fall or winter, but I’ve just started working with a manager, who is a close friend. He’s taking the lead in booking gigs for me in the future. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to do more gigs or even a tour next year.
What advice would you give to aspiring DJs and producers who are just starting out in the industry?
Get feedback from other artists and producers, especially those with bigger names in the industry. Try to reflect on your music objectively, especially when it comes to the mix, and be open to advice from others. Engage with your community—be kind and supportive. And most importantly, keep going. There will be many highs and even more lows when building a career as a music artist, but if you stick with it, you’ll find your way!
What can your fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or performances you’re excited about?
We’ve only just begun this journey, and I can promise everyone: I will never stop making music. As long as you stick with me and enjoy what I create, I’ll be here, making new vibes and connecting with everyone who wants to reach out. You can expect better live sets in amazing locations around the world, new music with fresh ideas, and the growth of a kind, loving, and supportive community.
We’ve covered a lot today, but is there anything we haven’t touched on that you’d like to share? What else should fans know about Motry and what’s on the horizon for you?
Yes, of course! I’d like to say thank you to every single person who supports me, even if it’s just by listening to my songs. I regularly receive private messages that fill my heart with joy, and sometimes I’m overwhelmed by the kind words you send me. It makes me so happy to hear that listening to my music brings you as much joy as I get from creating it.
Thanks for doing this, man. I really enjoyed our time together. In all the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
There is one message that is so important to me and hopefully for my community, too:
There is no space for hate on this planet. Only love. Peace.
For more information about Motry, go to:
Linktree | Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Beatport | X
