Exclusive Interview with SERAFIN & Sammy Slade

June 1, 2021

By: Darren Bezuidenhout

UFO Network Is Proud To Present Our Exclusive Interview With SERAFIN & Sammy Slade As They Release Their New Single ‘Play’. Its Their First Collaboration Track From A 4 Track EP Coming Out Later This Year.

Often referred to as one of the top 10 remixers of all time, the Los Angeles-based DJ – Serafin got his first set of turntables at age 12, and has been celebrated for his electrifying remixes and savvy technical style ever since. Serafin is well known not only for his mash-ups, but for the esteemed remix website Crooklynclan.net

A well-known rising star and an established performer in the international DJ community, Serafin’s particular mix of hip-hop, house, pop and rock has been wowing audiences throughout the U.S. and has established him as an elite force in the musical world.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

1. Tell us about the first track that put you on the map in the electronic scene and the journey since. How did you get started?

Serafin – First Original Track was WHUT under Peak Hour Records, then got signed with a Major as part of their Remix Team.

Sammy Slade – The first track that put me on the map, I have to say my track “Reasons” that went out on Housesession Records or shortly after my track “Need Your Love” that went out on 418Music.

2. Tell us about your latest project ‘PLAY’

Serafin – Sammy Slade reached out to me for a collaboration, He sent the files over and BOOM ! magic happened.

Sammy Slade – I had been sitting in the instrumental for a few months and I was following Serafin’s productions on social media. I reached out to him sayin I had a dope beat and basically said have fun with it aha. Overall I’m still in shock of how the track turned out.

Listen on Spotify

3. Tell us something we wouldn’t normally find out about you?

Serafin – I was a pro skater & Actor back in the days.

Sammy Slade – I’m extremely detailed, some would say perfectionist or obsessed. I just sat in thorough lol.

4. What single night out has been most memorable for you as a dj and producer?

Serafin – My first International Bookings. I couldn’t believe i was getting paid to see the world and do what I love.

Sammy Slade – New Years Eve 2014, I had played with some local legends(Goodie Crew) in Philadelphia PA for their Anaya warehouse event. To this day it’s still one of my favorites to look back on.

5. Give us the name of one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you listen to it?

Serafin – I can’t just pick one, but if I have to it’ll be Somebody by Depeche Mode.

Sammy Slade – Doomwork – Favorite pain

Exclusive Interview with SERAFIN & Sammy Slade

6. Dream collaboration and why?

Serafin – Diplo, being able to produce music without limitations, no genres. His bold unique sounds that separates from the rest.

Sammy Slade – EDX/Nora En Pure… aside from being huge fans and releasing on the same labels, I’ve always been a fan of their melodic vibes and what they bring to the scene.

7. If you could play any festival, which would it be?

Serafin – TomorrowLand, UMF, EDC

Sammy Slade – Ultra-resistance, Bpm, burning man.

8. How do you get a track started? tell us about your production process

Serafin – Really depends, but my Drums are the first ones and followed up with the bass lines.

Sammy Slade – I always work on the instrumental first, get my baselines in check. Those to me are the foundation. Ones those seem tuned I head onto the melody and effects are usually edited on the fly. I always save the vocals til last if.

9. Upcoming projects? What are you currently working on?

Serafin – Besides the EP with Sammy Slade, I just launched the first Electronic Record Pool with my Partner Romi Lux. www.pitchthetempo.com

Sammy Slade – Aside from the multiple projects I’m working on with Serafin, my track “Crush” is due to release on Enormous Tunes label “Enormous Chills” June 4th. The track has already been supported by Edx (which had me geeking) lol

10. The relationship between a dj and the audience is crucial, and yet is seems to be a fragile one – how do you see the balance between giving the crowd what they want and treating them to something new?

Serafin – You have to be willing to take that risk when you play out, you can’t play it safe and play the ( known ) I’m known to give them that curveball on my sets.. I think having your own style on how you execute your mix is key, we all have the same tracks, it’s how you play it.

Sammy Slade – I would say from my experience I try to create something the audience didn’t know they wanted to hear. And by that I mean, I picture myself in the audience vibin with them.

From my early days I always believed in a set that took the crowd through progression of sound and basically you’re both along for the ride together.