Interview with Alden Song

Under the pulsing lights and restless energy of Amsterdam Dance Event, we recently sat down with rising DJ and producer Alden Song, whose blend of melodic house and experimental techno has been turning heads across Europe’s underground scene.

Between packed showcases and late-night sets, Alden opened up about his creative process, the evolution of his sound, and what it means to stay authentic in an industry that never stops moving. Talking with Alden revealed an artist who’s not just chasing beats, but moments—intent on creating sounds that move both bodies and emotions.

Hi, how are you doing today?

"I'm doing good. First ADE. Thanks for having me."

Have you got any events planned this week?

"So this week, I’m just experiencing Amsterdam second time in the city. It has been really, really fun. And just going to the conferences, going to the panels, the parties have been really fun. And yeah, it's honestly just such a great vibe."

You’ve done quite a few shows in the US. How does this compare to your experience in Europe?

"So I'm based out of New York and LA, and Europe is honestly so fun. This is my second time in Europe. I did a big trip last year, but, it's just a different energy here. The people are great. And the parties are really good. I'm not going to lie."

Would you say it's quite different to the US, when it comes to the crowd? 

"Yeah, and also, you can see it in the kind of music, like, because I do house music. So the house music in Europe compared to the US is definitely different. But honestly, I think, Europe's got it. I think Europe's got it." 

You've mentioned that you do house music, but how would you describe your signature sound in your own words for those that haven't heard of you?

"So I do like house and tech house, but I think I love incorporating kind of the classic sounds and kind of mixing it with the new because, you know, my background, I love old school New York house music. And I love the new house. So it's like, I love incorporating, that kind of stuff and like, you know, all encompass."

A number of your recent tracks show you pushing into new territory. For example, your recent Afro house collaboration, 'Tekera'. What motivated you to explore that direction?

"So a friend and I, who I went to school with, we were just in the studio and he makes a lot of Afrohouse and I was like, sure, you know, I'm going to explore this new direction. I just love all kinds of music. It was really cool to explore that direction. And I definitely plan to do more kind of outside of the box stuff in the future. So yeah, was a great experience. So excited. I listen to all genres of music, so I pull from everywhere, like R&B, pop, even some rock. It also just kind of comes out of everyday life. Like I'm into fashion, I'm also into nature and art. And so just kind of everywhere that inspires me."

This is your first ADE. What does it mean to you to be here?

"It means a lot, actually, because it is such a centre point for EDM and dance music. And especially now in 2025, we see the rise of EDM is gaining such popularity. So just, you know, it's just a week dedicated to the genre that I love the most, and it's incredible." 

Have you discovered any new sounds or artists here at ADE that are influencing how you think about your next set or production?

"I've been digging a lot of the European DJs, such as Chris Stussy and Josh Baker, and I love their sound. So I can definitely see a little bit of the influence of their kind of music in some of my music, for sure."

Talking about what’s next for you — are there any upcoming releases, collaborations, or a new direction that you’re particularly excited about?

"Yeah, so I just put out a big collaboration with my friend 20XII, a little over a month ago. It was called ‘Spin’ and it was a great experience and I want to be doing more collaborations in the future. So I have a lot of stuff lined up that I can't announce just yet because you know, we're still working on it, but some really, really cool names and a lot of solo projects of mine as well. I have a USB with me that I've been shopping around with just four songs on there. So everyone's going to be seeing that very soon and I can't wait to share it with the world."