Congratulations on your latest release “These Waters” alongside GRAZZE and vocalist Afnan Prince, out on Beatfreak Recordings. The track beautifully blends atmosphere, melody, and emotional vocals.
- Can you tell us how this collaboration came together in the first place?
GRAZZE:
Thank you! This one came from a very organic place. Dimas and I have worked so many times together before, and every time we step into the studio, it just clicks. We had discovered Afnan Prince a while back — his voice has something hauntingly sincere that instantly caught our attention.
D-Formation:
Exactly. When we checked some initial ideas by Afnan’s vocal tone, immediately we heard potential. We started building the track from a melodic sketch we had, and then developed it into something more cinematic and emotionally driven with Afnan’s presence at the core.
- Working with a vocalist in electronic music can bring a whole new dimension to the track. What was it like working with Afnan Prince on this project?
D-Formation:
It was inspiring. Afnan has an incredible sensitivity. We gave him a lot of creative freedom, and he responded with something honest and raw. His voice doesn’t just “sit” in the track — it guides it.
GRAZZE:
He understood the emotional atmosphere we were trying to create right from the start. That connection made it really easy for us to shape the track around his performanc
- How did the songwriting and vocal direction process unfold? Did you give Afnan Prince a specific theme or emotion to explore?
GRAZZE:
Yes, we had some conversations about what “These Waters” could represent. For us, it was about emotional transformation — diving deep into yourself, going through chaos, and finding clarity on the other side.
D-Formation:
He really connected with that metaphor. The lyrics came together quickly, and you can hear how personal his delivery is. There’s vulnerability in his voice, but also a quiet strength that lifts the whole piece.
- This isn’t your first time collaborating with GRAZZE, what makes your dynamic with him work so well in the studio?
D-Formation:
It’s mutual respect, honestly. There’s no ego between us. We both listen to each other and allow space for new ideas to emerge.
GRAZZE:
I think we also complement each other musically. Dimas brings that deep, groove-driven energy with a lot of precision. I tend to focus on melodic textures and atmospheres. We each push the other to go further, but we’re always on the same page.
- From a technical standpoint, were there any challenges or special production techniques involved in integrating the vocals with your signature sound?
GRAZZE:
Definitely. Afnan’s voice is very expressive and intimate, so preserving that while making it sit well in the mix was a delicate process. We worked with a lot of layered reverbs and stereo delays to give it space.
D-Formation:
We also used detailed EQ shaping and dynamic processing to make sure the vocals had room to breathe alongside the synths and drums. The goal was to make it feel immersive — like the voice is floating inside the soundscape, not just placed on top.
- Thanks for your time! Any final words about the release or what’s coming next?
GRAZZE:
We’re really proud of this one. It’s a track that feels personal and honest, we expect an amazing response from listeners.
D-Formation:
Yes, and there’s more coming. We’re working on new collaborations, also an special new artistic project that we will be announcing very soon. Can’t wait to share what’s next.
Interview by Esteban Lara
‘These Waters’ is available here