Part 1

Name: Ari (be)
Nationality: Belgian
Occupation: Producer, DJ
Current release: Ari (be)'s new Decide To Be EP is out via Vibe Me To The Moon.  

If you enjoyed this Ari (be) interview and would like to stay up to date with his music, visit him on Instagram, Soundcloud, Facebook, and bandcamp.



What were some of the musical experiences which planted a seed for your interest in electronic music?

I grew up during the 90s, when electronic music was constantly evolving and new genres seemed to appear every year.

I was naturally curious, so I listened to everything I could find—from House and Techno to Trance, Eurodance, New Beat, and many other underground styles. Rather than following a single genre, I was fascinated by the endless possibilities electronic music offered.

As I discovered more artists and attended festivals such as Dour Festival in Belgium, my perspective became even broader. Dour introduced me to some of the most experimental and underground sounds I'd ever heard. It taught me that electronic music had no real limits—it could be emotional, cinematic, hypnotic, or completely unexpected.

What really planted the seed, though, wasn't just the music itself. It was the realization that electronic music was my way of telling stories without writing a single page. A track could make you feel like you were travelling through space, walking alone through a city at night, remembering someone you loved, or imagining a place that only existed in your mind.

I think that's why, even today, every track I produce begins with an image or a story before it becomes music.

Most genres of music make use of electronic production means. What does the term "electronic music" mean today, would you say?

Today, I think the term electronic music is much broader than simply referring to the tools we use. Almost every genre relies on electronic production in one way or another, so for me, electronic music isn't defined by synthesizers, drum machines, or software anymore.

It's defined by the freedom to create worlds that wouldn't exist otherwise. Electronic music has no physical limits. You can create sounds that have never existed before, blend cultures, travel through time, or build imaginary places using nothing but rhythm and emotion. That's what fascinates me the most.

I also think we're living in a time where genres matter less than they used to. House, Techno, Afro House, Minimal, UK Garage, Melodic Techno ... they're not boxes I try to fit into. They're different ways of expressing an emotion or telling a story.

That's why I rarely start a session thinking, "Today I'm going to produce a House track." Instead, I ask myself, "What do I want people to feel?" Once I know the emotion or the story I want to tell, the music naturally finds its own direction.

For me, electronic music is not a genre—it's a language. Every style is simply a different dialect, and every track is another way of communicating something words could never fully express.

Disco, house, techno, drum n bass, IDM and many other genres were about a lot more than just music. For you personally, is electronic music (still) a way of life – and if so, in which way?

Absolutely.

For me, electronic music has never been just about listening to records or playing DJ sets. It's been part of my life for more than twenty years, influencing the way I think, create, and connect with people.

It led me to organize events, discover incredible artists, spend countless hours digging for music, and build friendships with people who share the same passion. It has also taught me to stay curious. Every genre, every label, and every artist has something unique to offer if you're willing to listen with an open mind.

But above all, electronic music became my way of expressing things I sometimes struggle to put into words. Every track I produce reflects a moment in my life, an emotion, a memory, a person, or even a place that exists only in my imagination.

That's probably why I don't separate music from everyday life. A conversation, a movie, a sunset, a journey, or a personal experience can all become the starting point for a new track. Inspiration is everywhere—you just have to be willing to see it.

For me, electronic music isn't something I do. It's simply part of who I am.

Debates around electronic music tend to focus on technology. What, though, were some of the things you learned by talking to colleagues or through performing and/or recording with other musicians? What role does community play for your interest in production and getting better as a producer?

Technology is important, but I don't think it's what makes someone a better artist. The most valuable lessons I've learned have always come from people.

Over the years, I've had the chance to exchange ideas with DJs, producers, label managers, sound engineers, and artists from different backgrounds. One thing I quickly realized is that there isn't a single "correct" way to make music. Every producer has a different workflow, a different way of listening, and a different way of translating emotions into sound.

Receiving feedback has also been essential. Sometimes it's a technical suggestion, sometimes it's simply someone hearing a detail that you've become blind to after listening to the same track hundreds of times. Those conversations help you grow, not only as a producer but also as a listener.

Collaborations are another great example. Working with other artists means stepping outside your comfort zone and discovering ideas you might never have explored on your own. It's a constant reminder that creativity grows when it's shared.

For me, the electronic music community isn't about competition—it's about inspiration. Every conversation, every collaboration, every DJ set, and every release I discover teaches me something new. I think the moment you believe you've learned everything is the moment you stop evolving as an artist.

I've also been fortunate enough to receive encouragement from artists I've admired for years, such as Hot Since 82 and Mr. V. Those moments don't make you feel like you've "made it"—they simply remind you that you're moving in the right direction. They give you the motivation to keep learning, keep creating, and keep pushing yourself further.

What are examples for artists, performances, and releases that really inspired you recently and possibly gave you the feeling of having experienced something fresh and new?

Rather than chasing what's new, I'm more inspired by artists who stay true to their identity while continuing to evolve.

One artist who has always inspired me is Hot Since 82. I admire his ability to create timeless records that combine groove, emotion, and elegance without ever feeling like they're following trends. His music reminds me that simplicity, when it's done well, can be incredibly powerful.



I've also been a long-time admirer of Franck Roger. His approach to House and Deep House feels honest and effortless, and I've always appreciated how he lets the groove speak for itself.

More recently, discovering his releases on Vibe Me To The Moon also introduced me to a label where I immediately felt my own music could belong.



Lately, I've also been listening a lot to artists like Visage Music, Sean Munnick, Joyce Muniz, Butch, and especially Kolter.

[Read our Joyce Muniz interview]

Kolter's productions are probably the closest to the direction I'm naturally drawn to. I love the way he blends minimal grooves, deep atmospheres, and subtle details while keeping the music incredibly danceable. That's the kind of balance I'm constantly trying to achieve in my own productions.



More than individual tracks, what excites me today is hearing music that has personality. In a world where it's easy to follow trends, I'm always drawn to artists who sound like themselves. That's the kind of producer I hope to become.

What kind of musical/sonic materials, and ideas are particularly stimulating for your own work right now?

Lately, I've been drawn to music that creates atmosphere before anything else. A simple vocal phrase, an organic percussion loop, a warm bassline, or a melody with just a few carefully chosen notes can spark an entire track in my mind.

I'm also fascinated by sounds that don't immediately reveal where they come from. Blending electronic textures with organic instruments, ethnic influences, cinematic ambiences, or field recordings allows me to build worlds rather than simply writing songs.

More than ever, I'm interested in contrast. I love combining deep, hypnotic grooves with emotional melodies, or pairing minimal arrangements with rich atmospheres. I think leaving space in a track is just as important as filling it. Sometimes the silence between two sounds can be as powerful as the sounds themselves.

Inspiration also comes from outside music. Films, architecture, travel, conversations, memories, and even dreams often become the starting point of a production. Before opening my DAW, I usually have a scene in my head. The music simply becomes the soundtrack to that scene.

At the moment, I'm not trying to create the biggest drop or the loudest record. I'm trying to create music that people can see as much as they can hear.

Where do most of your inspirations to create come from – rather from internal impulses or external ones? Which current social / political / ecological or other developments make you feel like you need to respond as an artist?

Most of my inspiration comes from within. My emotions, memories, imagination, and state of mind are usually the starting point of every track I create. That doesn't mean the outside world has no influence on me. Films, books, architecture, travelling, conversations, or simply observing people can all spark an idea.

But instead of responding directly to political or social events, I tend to transform those experiences into emotions and stories. I don't see myself as an artist who writes protest records or tries to comment on current affairs. There are many artists who do that brilliantly, and I have great respect for them.

My role is different. I want my music to offer people a moment where they can disconnect from everyday life. Whether it's through a dancefloor groove, a cinematic atmosphere, or an imaginary journey, I hope my tracks give listeners a space where they can dream, reflect, or simply feel free for a few minutes.

If there's one message hidden in my music, it's probably this: no matter what's happening around us, we should never stop imagining, creating, and staying true to who we are.

Tell me a bit about the sounds & creative directions, artists & communities, as well as the colleagues & creative hotspots of your current hometown, please. How do they influence your music?

I live near Mons, a city located about 50 km south of Brussels. Mons has a passionate community of DJs, promoters, and electronic music lovers, and I spent many years organizing events there. Those experiences allowed me to connect with local artists and better understand what makes a dancefloor truly special.

That said, if you want to experience the heart of Belgium's electronic music scene, Brussels is where most of the action happens. Clubs like Fuse have become iconic, and the city hosts a wide variety of electronic events throughout the year. Belgium is a relatively small country, which makes it easy to travel between regions. Flanders is also home to several renowned clubs and major electronic events, meaning you're never very far from a great party.

Compared to Brussels or Flanders, organizing events in Mons has always been more challenging. The opportunities are more limited, and event organization is often subject to stricter administrative requirements. In a way, that pushed me to be more creative and to build concepts with a strong identity rather than relying on the size of the local scene.

Another huge influence on me has been Dour Festival, located just a few kilometres from Mons. For me, it's easily one of the top alternative music festivals in Europe. Over the years, it introduced me to countless underground and experimental artists from all over the world. It taught me to stay curious, to embrace diversity, and to understand that electronic music has no boundaries.

Today, I think my hometown gave me my roots, but the international electronic music community gave me my wings.