From commanding festival stages to dropping genre-defining tracks, SUBSHIFT is shaping the future of electronic music with an unmistakable edge that sets him apart. Performing at renowned venues like Ushuaia Ibiza and London's Ministry of Sound, he continues to grow his international following. Earlier this year, SUBSHIFT headlined in Reggio Emilia, Italy, followed by his debut at Tomorrowland Belgium. His rising profile is evident in his Spotify streams, recently surpassing 10 million total, and boasting a strong listener base of 250,000 monthly listeners. Tracks like "Get Loose," backed by BBC Radio 1's Jess Iszatt, show his ability to connect with audiences and leave a memorable impact.
"Disco Demon" came together when SUBSHIFT and Basura Boyz joined forces in the studio, letting their creativity flow without pressure. The vibe is dark, with a throbbing beat driven by a 16th note bassline, and Nick's gritty acid touches blend perfectly with the vocals. The repeating hook, "I met her at the after's / She's my disco demon," brings a raw, unfiltered energy that's perfect for late nights on the dancefloor. Just before Miami Music Week, the track got its final polish, and the Black V Neck team were some of the first to give it props.
The story of "Disco Demon" began in the studio with a shared creative spark between SUBSHIFT and Basura Boyz. SUBSHIFT crafted a bassline perfect for their style, while Nick contributed unique touches, resulting in an energizing, club-ready anthem. Released under Strangelove, a sub-label of Toolroom Records, this track symbolizes the compelling collaboration between these artists and their daring approach to sound.
Catch our exclusive interview with SUBSHIFT, where he opens up about the moments that shaped 'Disco Demon,' the sparks that fuel his creativity, and what he’s got brewing next. See for yourself below.
Interview
Daily Beat: What do you think sets "Disco Demon" apart from other releases that you have put out in the last 1-2 years?
SUBSHIFT: I think the original vocal hook that Nick laid down is a huge part of why, it’s so catchy and an original vocal can always set your track apart from tracks that might have a Splice sample as the main hook (nothing wrong with that!).
Daily Beat: Collaborating with Nick from Basura Boyz brought something fresh to this track. How did you balance each other’s styles, and what surprised you most about the process, if anything?
SUBSHIFT: I think our sounds are quite similar in the sense that they are bass heavy but also have a lot of groove and catchy synth elements in them. We have been supporting each others music for a while and I know Nick is a really talented producer, so nothing really surprised me! Actually, maybe how quickly he works… It's insane.
Daily Beat: You finished the track right before Miami Music Week. What moments during the event made you realize how much potential this release had?
SUBSHIFT: Whilst at the Retail Records studio day (shout out Black V Neck!) They gave us some great feedback when listening, and the whole room seemed to vibe with the record. We knew then it had great potential!
Daily Beat: Seeing your tracks played by top DJs like DJ Snake and Tchami must be mind-blowing. What goes through your head when you hear your own work on a massive stage?
SUBSHIFT: It’s surreal to be honest, seeing the artists that inspired you to start making music playing your records out is just crazy. I don’t think I will ever get used to that feeling. It just pushes me on to keep going.
Daily Beat: You’ve hit serious milestones with streaming numbers and have a growing fan base. How do you stay grounded and keep your drive to push out fresh tracks?
SUBSHIFT: I don’t really look into streaming numbers too much, I do once at the end of the year, maybe when Spotify wrapped comes around to try and reflect on that year of releases, but I don’t worry too much about it. There are plenty of artists whose streaming numbers aren’t huge yet sell out tours year on year. It’s a nice metric to have and I’m super grateful for everyone streaming my music, and hopefully the numbers keep rising!
Daily Beat: Looking ahead, are there any new genres or unexpected sounds you’re excited to explore that we haven’t heard from you yet?
SUBSHIFT: I think for now I’m going to stick with what I do best, which is the tech house realm. I always try to incorporate other genres into my style to keep things fresh. Recently I haven been experimenting with a lot of UK Garage synths and basses in my music, so maybe that is something to watch out for in the near future! I have also been digging a lot of the new kind of UK Deep House sound, it’s kind of like the 2010 deep house era with a fresh take on it, artists such as Prospa and Josh Baker have been killing it lately!