Dutch artist Mees Salomé returns with ‘Let It Be (Real),’ his new single with Chris Howard, out now on Lane 8’s label This Never Happened. Marking the first taste of his upcoming EP, the track leans into a more instinctive and collaborative approach to making music.

We caught up with Mees to talk about the story behind the release, working with Chris, and the mindset shaping this next chapter.

WWD: Your new single ‘Let It Be (Real)’ with Chris Howard has just landed on This Never Happened, congrats! What inspired the track and how did the collaboration first come about?  

Thank you! The track actually came from a really spontaneous moment. We had spent the whole  day working on something else, and at the end Chris suggested we just start fresh, no pressure.  What followed was one of those rare sessions where everything just clicks. Within about thirty  minutes, the track was basically there. It felt very instinctive and natural, like we tapped into  something that was already waiting to come out. 

WWD: Chris Howard’s vocal brings a really emotional tone to the track. What was it about his voice that felt right for this record?  

Chris has this very honest and vulnerable tone in his voice that immediately connects. It doesn’t  feel forced or overworked, which fit perfectly with how the track came together. Because  everything happened so quickly, his vocal captured that exact moment emotionally, and I think  that’s what makes it feel so real. 

WWD: What was the creative process like when building the track – did the instrumental come first, or did the vocal idea shape the direction?  

It kind of happened all at the same time, which is pretty rare. We did lay down some chords and an initial sound. While I was building the foundation and experimenting with some more of the  sounds, Chris was already writing and recording vocals. It was more like a conversation where  both elements shaped each other in real time. 

WWD: ‘Let It Be (Real)’ is the first single from your upcoming EP. How does it set the tone for the rest of the project?  

It really represents the core feeling of the EP. It’s honest, unforced, and built on connection rather  than overthinking. That mindset runs through the whole project: letting things happen naturally  instead of trying to control every detail. Well, maybe not entirely true for the final song of the  record, as Thysma and I can be huge perfectionists and dwell on every small little detail. But  overall, it is all about sitting down and see where the music takes you.  

WWD: The EP rollout continues with collaborations with Robby East and Thysma. What made you want to approach this project in a more collaborative way?  

Before starting this project, I had trouble creating meaningful music and felt like I was stuck in a  loop, worrying about the end result and giving up before I even started. For a while, I told myself I  had to push through and figure it out by myself, but I got a bit stuck in that mindset. Working with  others completely changed that. It brought fresh energy and perspective into the process, and it  made creating music fun again. That’s really what pushed me to make this EP more collaborative. 

WWD: How did working with other artists change the way you approached songwriting or production on this EP?  

It made everything feel more open. Instead of overthinking ideas and getting stuck, we could build  on each other’s instincts and keep things moving forward. It also helped me let go of the  expectations a bit and trust the process more, which made the music feel more genuine. 

WWD: Looking at the EP as a whole, what themes or emotions connect the tracks together?  

This EP isn’t just a collection of tracks to me. It’s the result of asking for help, letting go of  expectations and finding joy in the process again. It reminds me that asking for help, isn’t always  that bad. It’s about letting go of expectations, pressure, and the idea that you have to do  everything alone. It’s also about rediscovering joy in the creative process and allowing things to  unfold naturally. There’s a sense of vulnerability in that, but also a lot of freedom. 

WWD: You grew up playing piano, guitar and drums. How do those musical foundations influence the way you write electronic music today?  

I don’t necessarily think the technical skill of playing those instruments directly translates into  what I do now, but it definitely shaped how I listen to and feel music. It makes everything feel  more organic for me. I still think in terms of melody, sound and emotion rather than just  production techniques. 

WWD: Your Distant concept has grown from a podcast into sold-out concert experiences where you play open-to-close sets. What originally inspired that idea?  

It started from wanting to create a deeper musical journey, something more immersive than a  typical set. The podcast was the first step, just sharing music I loved. From there, it felt natural to  translate that into a live experience where I could tell a longer story and create an environment  where people can truly feel and hear the music.  

WWD: What makes an open-to-close set different for you compared to a traditional festival or club slot?  

With an open-to-close set, you have the time to really build something from start to finish. You’re  not just playing peak-time tracks to prove yourself in one short hour. Once you get into the  groove, the set is already over. A longer set give the time to create a full journey and really let the  music speak. That’s something I really value. 

WWD: As you prepare to release the full EP in May, what excites you most about sharing this project with listeners?  

I think it’s the honesty behind it. This project came from a very real place, both creatively and  personally. I’m excited for people to feel and connect with it in their own way. 

WWD: Looking ahead, what can fans expect next from you in terms of upcoming shows? 

I’m really focused on continuing to evolve the live experience and finding new ways to present the  music in a more intentional way. I’ve learned a lot from the open-to-close shows, and I want to keep building on that foundation. At the same time, I’m slowly working towards something new. It’s still developing, but the goal is to create something that feels more immersive and gives my  music space to be experienced in a deeper way.

WWD: We can’t wait! Thanks for the chat 🙂 

Thanks!

‘Let It Be (Real)’ is available here.