Maike Depas on finding inspiration at the harder end of the musical spectrum

Hailing from Milan, Maike Depas is fast developing a reputation for hard, uncompromising beats, blending techno, psytrance and rave on recent EPs such as Tokyo Nights, Circle Of Life, and the newly-released Sexy Devil Horse, on his own The Innovation Studio Records. 

The classically-trained musician – he studied composition and piano at the Milan Conservatory before turning his attention to the electronic scene – is also a visual and conceptual artist, developing a series of 3D-rendered music videos for tracks like Midnight Ride, Dark Room, Voyager, and Berliner, adding an extra dimension to his sonic experimentation.

Following collaborations with the likes of Amstra, Mattia Trani, and Matasism, a partnership with cyberpunk designer Demobaza, and countless live sets and DJ performances, Maike Depas is all set for a stellar 2025. 909originals caught up with him.

Hi Maike, thanks for talking to us. For those unfamiliar with your music, you’ve described your sound as a blend of 90s rave, hard techno, and psytrance. In what ways do you balance these genres?

Thank you for having me! My music is deeply connected to my musical background. From a young age, I experimented with different electronic music styles, and these genres were among my first influences, even though they were far less mainstream at the time compared to today.

Hard techno, psytrance, and rave sounds form the foundation of many of my tracks. A significant example is the title track of my latest double EP, Sexy Devil Horse. In this track, the driving force of the groove is the relentless psy bass, a signature sound of psytrance, while the hypnotic melody recalls 90s rave atmospheres. Finally, the screeches that emerge at the track’s climax are clearly inspired by the contemporary hard techno scene.

The year 2024 was a particularly notable one for you – what were your personal highlights?

2024 was a major year for me as an emerging artist in the international techno scene. Looking back, I achieved milestones I never thought possible, and for that, I want to thank everyone who has supported me through these years of complete dedication to my musical project.

One of the biggest highlights of the year was releasing several EPs on The Innovation Studio Records, my label. I had the honour of collaborating with extraordinary artists like Mattia Trani, Amstra, and Matasism, who supported my project with a series of remixes, generating hundreds of thousands of streams.

Additionally, for each release, we created a Special Edition on 12” vinyl, a tribute to true fans of the physical format.

It was incredible to see many of these tracks played live in clubs and at some of the world’s most prestigious festivals by some of the most respected artists in the international scene.

Sexy Devil Horse is being described as a pivotal moment in your career. How does it define your current artistic direction?

Sexy Devil Horse is undoubtedly the most important project of my career so far. It’s a double EP consisting of ten tracks, including five remixes by Oguz, Luca Agnelli, CHRS, Michael Katana, and Gianni Di Bernardo. 

Receiving support from these artists for such an ambitious project, bringing together some of the biggest names in contemporary hard techno in a single EP was a real challenge. But this bold move resulted in a successful product on the international market, earning the support of many key artists in the scene.

My upcoming releases will be on various labels that I’m extremely proud to be a part of. At the same time, I will continue to release and distribute new music through my label, The Innovation Studio Records, both digitally and on vinyl.

I have some incredible collaborations planned with techno artists who have chosen to join the growing TIS Records family. I’ll keep developing the sound of my latest release, exploring new forms of hard techno and psytrance while also introducing more mainstream elements. 

What inspired you to launch The Innovation Studio Records?

The Innovation Studio Records was born out of the need to create a unique reality within the techno scene, a true talent boutique, supported by the biggest contemporary names and, most importantly, a family of artists.

In 2025, the label will open its doors to young talents and established artists who share and enrich this vision. Our artistic direction will not be limited to a single subgenre, we want to push innovative sounds beyond current techno classifications and define a new musical frontier.

Where do you get your inspiration when producing?

My studio production process is usually divided into two main phases: improvisation and arrangement. By following this method, I have developed different templates that help me optimise my workflow and production approach.

Sound is the driving force that sparks inspiration for my next track. For me, sound defines the foundation of the arrangement, much like a painter playing with different shades of colour. I have the ability to explore and create different sonic textures, which in turn determine the emotion and direction of the track.

You describe yourself as a multidimensional artist. How do you integrate music, visuals, and immersive experiences into a unified concept?

Maike Depas is an ever-evolving artistic project, and 2024 marks the consolidation of my aesthetic within the techno scene. I have always conceived my music as a catalyst connecting different art forms, particularly 3D art.

A great example of this is the videos I created for my past singles like Berliner, Dark Room, Voyager and Midnight Ride, where sound and visuals merge to create an immersive experience that aligns with my artistic vision.

Your music videos have a distinct dystopian, cyberpunk aesthetic. What is your creative process for bringing these visual elements to life?

Creating a 3D video in collaboration with a metaverse artist always starts with writing a script, a process where I take on the roles of both set designer and director. My goal is to translate my vision into detailed sequences, almost as if I were sketching the world I want to bring to life with pen and paper.

My classical background taught me to structure time in a precise way, an essential aspect when synchronising music and visuals to create a perfectly harmonised audiovisual experience.

Milan has historically been known for fashion and more mainstream sounds. How has your underground approach been received in your home city?

When I first started playing hard techno, this genre was practically unknown in Milan. There were no spaces in traditional clubs for it, except within underground collectives.

Today, things have changed: several Milanese collectives are bringing techno back to its roots, embracing its fundamental principles. I had the opportunity to perform at some of these events, and among them, I believe Plasma Dimension best embodies the culture and energy of hard techno. With a mix of new talents and established international artists, it is redefining the city’s underground scene.

Hard techno is surging in popularity at the moment. Why do you think this is happening, and how do you see it evolving in the near future?

Every era has its own distinctive sound, shaped by the artists who embody its message. I believe this is the main reason behind the growing popularity of hard techno: it is a musical language that resonates with today’s audience, reflecting the energy and intensity of our time.

The genre is already evolving, and the artists carrying its legacy forward are continuously pushing its boundaries. Hard techno today is strongly influenced by trance and early 2000s Eurodance sounds, often intertwined with the hard bounce movement. This fusion of past influences and innovation is ushering in a new era for the genre, making the scene increasingly vibrant and international.

How important is the sense of community within the hard techno scene, and how important is audience engagement for you?

The community is the most important element in every successful artist’s career. Without passionate fans who eagerly embrace every new release or performance, the music industry wouldn’t exist.

For a DJ, connection with the audience is everything: every set is a journey where empathy is the real driving force. Creating an authentic bond with listeners is essential to conveying sincere emotions and making every performance unique.

You’ve worked alongside a number of notable artists – what do you look for when planning a collaboration?

I never actively seek out artists for a collaboration, connections happen naturally. Most of the artists I’ve worked with are friends and colleagues I met through my gigs in Italy.

For me, the key to a successful collaboration is not just musical affinity, but human connection.

What are your biggest ambitions for the next phase of your career?

2025 will be a crucial year for my career. I’ll be releasing new music on some of my favourite labels, more details soon, but trust me, there are big surprises coming!

I’m also excited to announce that my track Eyes On Me has just been released on Warhouse IX by Scuderia Records, another major milestone in my musical journey.

Thanks to Maike Depas for talking to us. The Sexy Devil Horse EP can be downloaded/streamed here.

The post Maike Depas on finding inspiration at the harder end of the musical spectrum first appeared on 909originals.