Burnin Music is proud to present part 2 of label head Pegasvs’ ‘In Search Of’ release trilogy, in which the producer continues his exploration of dance floor soundscapes via inventive, incisive, and emotive house-laden cuts.

Building upon the infectious sounds contained within the ‘Extend and Play’ EP, ‘Music Not Numbers’ contains a strong series of thematic elements that run through its core, with a concise focus on mood, rhythm, and feel.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Pegasvs to talk about the ethos of the EP, how it was made, how his sound has evolved, and more!

WWD: Hi Pegasvs, How are you today?

I’m very good, thank you! How are you?

WWD: Great, thanks! Let’s start with the new EP — ‘Music Not Numbers.’ What’s behind that title?

The title is a small statement about where I stand as an artist. I feel like the music industry has become so focused on numbers — streams, followers, metrics — and I wanted to push back against that a little. ‘Music Not Numbers’ is a reminder that music is a shared human experience, NOT a spreadsheet.

WWD: The EP definitely feels personal. How did the tracks come together? 

I didn’t plan the EP as a part of a trilogy at first — it happened naturally. Each piece carries a bit of where I was mentally and physically at the time.

WWD: There’s a real warmth and space in your production which sounds authentically old school. Who or what shaped your sound?

I’ve always been drawn to warm sounds— that human element that early House and Disco had. Kerri Chandler, Larry Heard, Ron Trent — those artists taught me that electronic music can be deeply emotional. At the same time, I grew up in Marseille with early French hip-hop, which gave me a love for sampling.

Later on, the raw cuts of artists like Danilo Plessow (MCDE at the time), Session Victim and Medlar really resonated with me. 

And then, playing disco 12” vinyl,  week after week at my DJ residency at Chiltern Firehouse in London completely changed how I listen. It taught me subtlety — that you don’t need to shout to move people. I think that balance of warmth, depth, and restraint defines my sound today.

WWD: Talk us through how it was made and any notable gear or plugins?

Most of it comes from my small studio setup. I use a mix of old and new — my Roland TR-707 handles the drums, while my MPC 2000XL is my main brain for chopping and sequencing samples. I also have a few synths (Behringer MS-1, Roland JV-1080, Yamaha DX7, Korg Poly-800) ). Finally I like running things through an old Mackie mixer to add that slight crunch and glue everything together. 

I LOVE the process of sampling — vinyl, YouTube rips, old recordings from my gigs or travels — anything that adds character. 

I’m not chasing perfect sound design; I’m chasing feeling. Some plugins help with the polish, but the magic usually happens in the accidents — the slightly off timing, the texture of an old machine, the hiss that sneaks through. That’s what gives the music life.

WWD: How has your journey been so far? Was it a straight path into Deep House? How has your sound evolved as you’ve grown as a person and artist?

Definitely not a straight path. I started in Paris working a nine-to-five in an insurance company (!) — a job I REALLY didn’t like. Music was my escape. I’d DJ at night, organize parties with friends, and we even rented boats for events on the Seine. That’s when I realized this was more than a hobby.

Eventually, I quit my job, started a booking agency called Burnin Music, and got my first club residency. Then I moved to London in 2014, which was a huge reset. It took years to find my place, but it pushed me to refine my sound and really focus on my craft.

WWD: When you think back to your earliest projects, what’s something you would do differently now?

I’d probably take more time. In the beginning, I was impatient — I just wanted to release music and get it out there. Looking back, I realize how valuable it is to sit with an idea, to let it evolve and mature before releasing it.

That said, those early projects were necessary. They were part of the learning curve — how to trust my instincts, how to build an identity. Every mistake helped shape what I do now.

WWD: What does Deep House mean to you in 2025? Has it changed?

For me, Deep House has never been about a specific tempo or formula — it’s about feeling.

In 2025, I think Deep House is coming back to its essence. After years of overproduction and algorithmic trends, people are craving something REAL — warmth, imperfection, soul. The genre has evolved, but the spirit is the same: music that connects you to something human.

WWD: Why do you think that some sectors of the music industry consider numbers more important than the actual music?

Because numbers are easy to measure and emotions aren’t. It’s simpler to say “this track has a million streams” than to explain why it made someone feel something. But the downside is that when you start chasing metrics, you stop taking creative risks. The best music — the timeless stuff — was never made to fit an algorithm. It came from being outside of the comfort zone, being innovative. I think we need to protect that spirit. That’s what ‘Music Not Numbers’ is really about.

WWD: Any standout moments or turning points in your career so far?

Moving to London was definitely one. It forced me to start over, but it also opened doors I never imagined. Another turning point was launching my label, Burnin Music Ltd, in 2017. It gave me freedom — a platform to release what I believe in, without compromise.

And more recently, seeing artists I respect like Bradley Zero, Eliza Rose, or Glenn Underground support my tracks — that’s been really special. It’s a sign that the music is connecting, and that’s the best reward.

WWD: What’s the hardest part of maintaining a music career that people don’t often talk about?

The emotional side, without a doubt. The uncertainty, the self-doubt, the constant reinvention — it’s a lot to handle. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, especially in a world driven by social media and stats.

But I’ve learned that the only thing that truly sustains you is passion. You have to keep that spark alive, even when things are quiet. The moment you forget why you started, it becomes just another job.

WWD: What’s the most unexpected lesson you’ve learned throughout your career?

Those things fall into place when you stop forcing them. Every time I tried to chase an opportunity, it didn’t feel right. But when I focused on making music I truly loved, good things happened naturally.

WWD: Finally, feel free to plug anything!

Support independent labels and artists! If you like a musician or DJ, the best way to support them is to buy their music on Bandcamp, and/or go to their live shows 🙏

WWD: That we can do! Thanks for the chat 🙂

The ‘Music Not Numbers’ EP is available here