Interview with Makebo

Barcelona-based producer and DJ Makebo has been steadily shaping his place in the melodic house scene since launching the project in 2018. With releases on Anjunadeep, Lost Miracle, and Shanti Radio, he has developed a sound defined by emotional depth and refined groove. He also co-founded the Rubicunda imprint alongside Amonita, further expanding his creative reach.

Supported by artists such as Lee Burridge, Sébastien Léger, Roy Rosenfeld, Tim Green, and Khen, Makebo has built a strong connection with the global scene. His relationship with All Day I Dream began in 2019 with A Winter Sampler, leading to further compilation appearances and his debut EP Skyline in 2021. Now, with The Universe, he returns to the label once again, continuing an artistic journey rooted in melody, atmosphere, and storytelling.

The Universe feels like a cohesive 32-minute journey rather than a collection of tracks. Did you approach this EP as a conceptual body of work from the start, or did the narrative reveal itself during production?

I have a strong interest in astronomy. I love the scale, depth, and sense of the unknown that the topic of space offers. It's something I'm passionate about, so that atmosphere always subconsciously permeates my tracks.

With this EP, the story unfolded very naturally. I had about ten completed tracks, showed them to Lee Burridge, and he somehow perfectly selected the tracks that eventually became this EP. The most interesting thing is that the concept for the EP arose naturally. The tracks already had their own names, and their combination into one release wasn't the result of a plan, but a graceful coincidence. This is a credit to both my vision and the excellent instincts of the label, which helped bring this story together.

Did you experiment with any new production techniques or hardware while making this record?

I'm one of those producers who's always searching for the perfect sound. For me, mixing and mastering aren't the final stages, but a never-ending process of self-learning. Every week, I discover and test new plugins, trying to incorporate them into my processing chain so that each subsequent track sounds cleaner and deeper than the last. This release is no exception.

But sometimes the most interesting things happen outside the studio. For example, with the title track "The Universe," a funny thing happened. I went to the kitchen for coffee, opened the cabinet, and it emitted a very unique, textured creaking sound. I immediately grabbed my phone, recorded the sound, and immediately returned to the studio. Ultimately, after processing, this creaking became an essential element of the groove. Such "random" sounds from real life add a unique texture to the music that you can't find in any sample library.

You first appeared on an All Day I Dream sampler in 2019 before releasing your debut EP Skyline in 2021 and now The Universe.  How has your relationship with the label evolved since then?

Over the years, my relationship with the label has grown from a purely professional one into a true friendship. We're constantly in touch; every summer, I participate in All Day I Dream showcases in Ibiza and perform with the team in other countries. It's no longer just a label, but a community of like-minded individuals.

Lee Burridge and I have a very trusting connection. I regularly send him fresh material, we discuss ideas, and we maintain a lively creative dialogue. It's gratifying to realize that the journey that began with one track on a 2019 compilation has logically led to full-length releases and the status of an artist whose vision is completely aligned with the ADID family's vibe. We're growing together, and that's the most valuable thing.

Since launching in 2018, you’ve released on labels like Anjunadeep and Lost Miracle and started Rubicunda with Amonita. How has your artistic vision shifted over the years?

For me, music is a living process that never stands still. It's a kind of cycle. Genres mutate, something new emerges, and it's simply impossible not to change in such an environment. Of course, I've grown a lot over the years.

I'm constantly experimenting, mixing different styles and searching for new approaches, not for the sake of following trends, but to find my own unique sound. I believe this is the main goal of any artist to create their own recognizable signature, one that people recognize from the very first moment. I try not to look up to anyone or copy other people's formulas. My vision now is to constantly move forward and search for that one sound that will sound relevant while still remaining my own.

What does it mean to return to the label with what feels like one of your most expansive projects yet?

This is a very symbolic moment for me. Releasing this EP on All Day I Dream, and at the beginning of the year, is a new starting point.

In 2019, this label became a springboard for me, giving my entire career a powerful boost and inspiring me to move forward. Returning here several years later, but with new experience, a new vision of sound, and such a cohesive work as "The Universe," is a special feeling. I'm truly glad this music was released here, because this label understands my aesthetic like no other. For me, it's the best way to show the journey I've taken as an artist since our first meeting.

You’ve earned support from artists like Lee Burridge and Sébastien Léger. How important is DJ support to you at this stage of your career?

Support is important for everyone, and music is no exception. Of course, I'm pleased when my peers play my tracks. There's an important practical aspect to this: you can't physically be in several places at once, but thanks to artists like these, your music is heard in different corners of the world and finds new listeners. This gives your tracks additional reach and life on dance floors you haven't yet reached. So, I see only positives in this. For me, it's a great way to expand the geography of my sound and get confirmation that you're moving in the right direction.

Barcelona has a unique electronic music culture. How does living there influence your sound?

For me, the main source of inspiration in Barcelona isn't so much the club scene as the seaside life itself. The eternal warmth, the unique light, and the sunsets, that's what truly fuels me. Living in such a climate inevitably infuses your music, making it more vibrant and atmospheric. It's this aesthetic and tranquility that give me the strength to return to the studio each time, create something new, and share this energy with others. The sea and the sun are my main co-authors.

What do you hope listeners feel after experiencing the EP from start to finish?

Since the EP is multi-genre, I didn't want to immerse the listener in any one mood. This is music of contrasts. Over the course of these 32 minutes, you can experience a completely different spectrum of emotions: from a sudden urge to break out onto the dance floor to the desire to close your eyes, freeze, and dive deep.

It has it all: pure joy, melancholy, and drive. I wanted the final track to leave listeners feeling a sense of fulfillment. I wanted them to feel like they've lived a whole story in this short time, one that has found room for both dance and contemplation.

If you had to describe The Universe in three words, what would they be?

Deep, Soul, Groove

If The Universe represents a chapter, what does the next phase of Makebo look like?

As I've said before, movement is the most important thing to me. Creative stagnation is the equivalent of silence, so the next chapter of Makebo will be dedicated to even bolder experiments. I plan to continue exploring fresh solutions at the intersection of genres, refining my sound.

My goal isn't simply to release track after track, but to raise the bar each time and find combinations that haven't been heard before.

It's crucial for me not to get stuck in the confines of a single genre. I don't want the Makebo name to be associated exclusively with "Organic House." The next chapter is about completely freeing myself from labels. I will continue to mix everything that captivates me: from deep Progressive and Melodic House to dynamic Afro and Electronica. My goal is to create a multi-genre product where elements of different styles collide and form something completely new. I want listeners to listen to my tracks not for a specific genre, but for the special vibe and quality that stand behind my name. So the next chapter will definitely be about development, freshness and an honest sound that I hope will continue to surprise both me and my listeners.

Are there any collaborations in the works you’re excited about?

I really love collaborations, especially with artists whose sound I find interesting and relatable, yet different from mine. It's at this intersection of different approaches that truly unique and unexpected results are born.

For example, we're currently working on several tracks with my friend from Tel Aviv, Khen. One track is already finished, and we've both been playing it in our sets for the last six months, and the dancefloor reaction has been amazing. We're currently working on a second track to create a full-length EP.

Also, just a couple of weeks ago, we finished a new collaboration with Amonita; it's a very fresh sound, which you'll hear soon. We've also completed a special triple collaboration with Volen Sentir and Amonita, which will be released on their label, Thunderlab Records, and we're currently working on a second joint project with the same lineup for our release on Rubicunda.

Working in synergy with such producers is always about finding new facets and going beyond the familiar. Interview with Makebo