Image credit: Doros Theodorou
Stream “On & On” (feat. Pinwheel Valley)
“Working on different dimensions, KAIS pushes himself further and further, tapping into uncharted emotions.” — Clash Magazine
“The beauty of this triumphant single is in its honesty and persuasion. One can’t help but fall back in love with the story and the musical delivery from Pinwheel Valley as a collective group. This tale of triumph through tragedy is sure to resonate with new fans and avid listeners alike to anticipate what happens next in the musical narrative.” — NOTION
“Canadian singer-songwriter Pinwheel Valley (formerly KAIS) delivers poetic number ‘Willow,’ sharing the deepest fears and pains of human existence through an ethereal and immersive sonic experience led by his seamlessly melded trademark fusion sound.”— Earmilk
Bold producer Nativalien, the electronic alias of Qais Khoury, is gearing up to share a new track titled “On & On” featuring his other project Pinwheel Valley (formerly known as KAIS), on July 18th via Hot Soap Records. Nativalien is a passionate DJ and producer specializing in immersive Deep and Melodic House, as well as driving Techno. With a wealth of knowledge and experience, Qais Khoury is a renowned singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, whose diverse musical output is shaped by a cross-cultural upbringing that spans Amman, London, Vancouver, and now Cyprus, where he runs Hot Soap Studios.
With over 2 million streams across platforms, features in Clash Magazine, NOTION, Earmilk, Billboard Argentina, as well as airplay on BBC Radio London and BBC Radio Sheffield, Pinwheel Valley has built a reputation for emotional depth and sonic ambition. The latter is expertly translated into the essence of Nativalien, who has quietly built a formidable presence in the electronic music scene. Since graduating from London’s Point Blank Music College in 2014, he has remained intentionally low-profile, honing his craft behind the scenes. Drawing inspiration from artists like Cubicolor, Durante, and Elderbrook, Nativalien’s soundscape is sure to ensnare fans of his inspirations, as well as those of Camelphat and Lost Frequencies.
A vibrant slice of deep vocal house, “On & On” brings together bold piano lines, tight rhythmic grooves, and flashes of urban grit. Built for movement and emotion, it blends sun-drenched elegance with dancefloor urgency, topped off by dynamic vocals that channel pure emotional energy.
Qais told us: “I created this track to shape Nativalien’s bold sonic identity — a vibrant blend of piano-driven, vocal-laced house music made for the dancefloor. Centered on a soaring grand piano melody, the soundscape builds with rhythmic shakers and gritty police sirens, evoking sunlit beach parties straight out of a Slim Aarons photo. As Pinwheel Valley, I performed the topline vocals, aiming for the emotional punch of Years & Years’ ‘Desire.’ The focus was to achieve something both rhythmically charged and melodically rich.”
For more information about Nativalien, go to:
Website | Instagram | Beatport | SoundCloud | Spotify
For more information about Pinwheel Valley, go to:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | SoundCloud | TikTok | YouTube | Spotify
Echoes in the silence 🛸
I had the pleasure of connecting with Nativalien, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer whose music blends emotional depth with dancefloor energy. Under the Nativalien persona, he creates Deep House, Melodic House, and Techno Music that leans heavily on lush, piano-driven soundscapes and layered vocal textures. His sound is cinematic, often carrying a late-night pulse designed to move both body and mind.
In July, he released “On & On” featuring the vocals of his alt-project Pinwheel Valley. The single has been described as a deep vocal house gem with piano stabs, propulsive rhythms, and urban textures. It balances sophistication with raw emotion, offering listeners a chance to lose themselves in the moment while also reflecting on the story told through the lyrics.
Beyond his latest release, Nativalien continues to refine a style that bridges his global background, his formal training in music production, and his passion for crafting songs that resonate long after the final beat fades. This feature and interview was a lot of fun, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to Nativalien.
What led you to enroll at Point Blank Music College in London, and how did that formal education help shape your career path?
After initially being compelled to study Pharmacy and Business Administration at university to meet my parents’ expectations, I made a promise to myself: I would one day pursue my true passion—music. I’ve always dreamed of studying music in London, a city known for shaping some of the world’s most influential sounds. That dream came true when I was accepted into Point Blank Music College, which marked a turning point in my journey. It was there that I discovered my love for electronic music production.
You have stayed intentionally low-profile over the years. What motivated that approach, and what made you decide the time was right to share your work more publicly now
I’ve always wanted to build a strong foundation in the Indie/Alternative rock world first — I’m an avid guitar player, and there’s something about the raw energy of live instruments that’s always drawn me in. Bands and songwriting were my first love. They shaped my identity as an artist early on.
On the electronic side, things started to shift after I attended Point Blank Music College in 2014, where I discovered a new passion for dance music production. I kept that part of my journey under the radar at first, choosing to wait until I felt my sound was truly ready. Although some of my earlier tracks were signed — one to Speedsound Records (Buddha Bar) and later to Plasmapool under DUBTRXX — I ultimately took those releases down. At the time, I didn’t feel the music reflected the standard I was aiming for.
Today, I can confidently say I produce dance music at a world-class level and DJ as well. Now feels like the right time to bring that side of my artistry into the light — to start playing at notable venues and fully lean into what I’ve been building as Nativalien. More importantly, I’ve reached a place where I can finally bridge the gap between my Indie roots and electronic sound, and that’s made me feel more grounded, authentic, and confident than ever in what I’m creating under both identities.
You operate under two creative aliases: Nativalien and Pinwheel Valley. How do these projects differ creatively, and how do they inform one another?
Nativalien is the name I use for my House and Dance music, while Pinwheel Valley represents my Indie/Alternative rock side. For a long time, these two projects existed in completely separate worlds — different sounds, different energies. But recently, I decided to bring them together in a collaborative track that blends Pinwheel Valley’s vocals with Nativalien’s electronic production.
Can you tell me more about the cover art? Who designed it, and where is that scene depicted?
The cover art was created by visual artist Will Toulan, known for his epic, fantastical work using AI. Ever since I came across his page, I’ve been a dedicated follower of his art. I always felt his style would be a perfect match for my electronic music, and this project finally gave me the opportunity to collaborate with him.
Your music has earned support from CLASH, NOTION, Earmilk, and BBC Radio. What has that recognition meant to you as an independent artist?
The recognition looks good on paper — and I’m proud to have been featured by major blogs — but the truth is, none of it translates into something that can actually sustain me or my family. I’ve been grinding away at this music thing for years, and as much as I love it, it’s incredibly disheartening to still feel like it’s not something I can rely on to support the people I care about in a real, tangible way.
What sort of feedback have you received from fans and early listeners so far, and what do you hope new listeners take away from this track?
My fellow artist and producer Lonely in the Rain really liked the track and encouraged me to send it to some of the labels he’s signed with. I did hear back from one of them — while they mentioned they weren’t currently onboarding new artists, they expressed interest in hearing more of my work. So far, the feedback from early listeners has been overwhelmingly positive.
I hope the track gives people a sense of that summer feeling — it carries an upbeat, dreamlike energy that’s meant to evoke a warm, sun-soaked soundscape.
What’s on the horizon for you after this release? Are there new singles, collaborations, or live performances coming soon?
I’ve got a couple of singles lined up for release, along with a few collaborations in the works — one with Lonely in the Rain and another hopefully with Tobias Bergson. On the live side, though, things have been slower. I haven’t found much support from the scene yet, so it’s hard to say when (or if) that’ll evolve into something more exciting.
Thanks for doing this. I enjoyed our time together and getting to know you. In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Last words are for deathbeds. I’ve said enough.
