We Speak Music

ION Shares New Single ‘Surface Tension’

Published

4 months ago

January 12, 2024

Emerging talent ION is the moniker of London-born Jon Sadiku, whose origins are in Kosovo. His music seeks to express in abstract ways the thoughts and feelings he has towards the world and himself, culminating in art that is lush in soundscape and sentimental in theme.

ION, an indie-trap artist, makes a comeback with his energetic song ‘Surface Tension’. The song is a lively offering that displays his range as a vocalist and lyricist whilst being surrounded by atmospheric synthesis, resulting in a beautifully frenetic listening experience that touches on themes of societal restriction.

Its concepts are further magnified in the music video, with his performance being inspired by the psychological profile of Joaquin Phoenix’ ‘The Joker (2019)’ to deliver an intense depiction of the mental constraint and instability created by society.

He keeps establishing himself as a rising star under the imaginative alias ION, driven as much by his innate inventiveness as by high production value and elaborate instrumentation.

On the song, ION says, “This is the first single from an EP that is immersed deeply in themes of insanity. ‘Surface Tension’ contributes to this as a frantic documentation of how one can feel ‘suffocated’ trying to live under the confines/control set by society, consequently being deemed as ‘going insane if we fail to adhere. The music video visually magnifies these concepts, using the imagery of a psychiatric ward as a raw mental representation of this ‘suffocation’ and ‘trapping’.”

ION spent a large amount of his upbringing in the Kosovan mountains, with this pure environment helping him develop his abstract way of thinking and creating material as an artist. His afflatus stems from this connection he has to the natural world, which is something that he is proud of and passionately honours not just through his music but also in his way of life. His current artists’ influences include the likes of JPEGMAFIA and HOMESHAKE.

We Speak Electronic

ASPEN Talks New Song, Working with JWild, Performing with Lil Jon, and More

Published

13 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Meikhel Philogene

With his single, “Sweetest Mistake,” out now, we took some time to hear more from ASPEN. Read below to learn more about ASPEN, the story behind his latest single, and what’s to come.

Hi ASPEN! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

It is just my first name. I have an interesting name, so I thought that it fit well as an artist name as well.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I am originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, but I live in Miami now.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I went to Ultra a few years back, and I knew that I loved electronic music, but I didn’t realize how much I really loved it. Once I went there, I just had an overwhelming urge to pursue music myself.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Absolutely, my upbringing has been instrumental in shaping both who I am and my sound. Being in Miami, a melting pot of cultures and musical styles, exposed me to a variety of sounds. This diverse musical environment instilled in me a love for blending different genres and influences, which is evident in tracks like ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ The emotional depth and eclectic beats of my music are reflections of the vibrance.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

My sound can best be described as an emotive journey through soundscapes that blend electronic beats with soulful melodies. It’s about capturing both the highs and lows of the human experience, packaged within compelling rhythms that invite you to both reflect and dance. With each track, like ‘Sweetest Mistake,’ I aim to create a unique auditory experience that resonates on a personal level with listeners, drawing on elements from downtempo to more upbeat electronic vibes.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Outside of music, I enjoy exploring the vibrant art scene here in Miami, from street art to gallery exhibitions. These visual experiences often inspire the textures and layers of my music. I also stay active with lifting, which not only keeps me physically fit, but also mentally sharp and creatively fluid. Engaging with different environments and activities helps me to maintain a fresh perspective and brings new ideas into my music production.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Martin Garrix, Gryffin, and Tiesto.

What are some of your future music career goals?

Music for me has been about following my passion. So, as I progress in my career, I want to share my passion with others. For me, I just want my crowd to be engaged, and I want to make the lives of the people that listen to my music just a little bit better.

Now onto your release, ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ What inspired this song?

I was listening to ‘High on Life’ by Martin Garrix and just came to the conclusion that I really want to make a song like that. I love the message and the euphoric feeling that the song creates, and I wanted to recreate that.

What is ‘Sweetest Mistake’ about in your own words?

‘Sweetest Mistake’ is a captivating blend of introspective lyrics and dynamic melodies. Featuring the compelling contributions of JWild, this track explores the bittersweet journey of embracing imperfections and finding beauty in unexpected turns.

How did the collaboration with JWild come about?

We have some mutual friends, and I just DMed him on Instagram because I listened to some of his stuff and really liked his voice.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Sweetest Mistake?’

Go find love and put yourself out there. You will get hurt in life, but all of those experiences build you up as a person and make you into who you are.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

I played for a crowd of almost 10,000 people in a basketball arena with Lil Jon. Everyone really enjoyed the set, and I was just so happy that I could share the stuff that I was working on with all these other people.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

You have to be patient. In this industry you have to pay your dues, and you have to be patient in terms of your growth. Also, in life as a whole, you have to be patient in terms of your career growth. There is no such thing as instant success.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I am going to continue grinding and releasing music. I have been working really hard, and I have a ton of projects that I am waiting to roll out. I’m excited for everyone to hear them. I also have a headline show on June 15th at Hyde in the SLS in South Beach.

Where can we follow you on social media?

https://www.instagram.com/aspenofc
https://www.tiktok.com/@aspen.dj
https://soundcloud.com/aspenrg

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!