With a career spanning more than three decades, D-Nox has built a lasting presence in electronic music as a DJ, producer, label head, and one half of the celebrated D-Nox & Beckers duo. Now, he returns to Sprout Music alongside Elan Myles with ‘Everglades,’ a warm and groove-driven collaboration born from their first-ever studio session together.

We caught up with D-Nox to talk about the track, his creative process, the evolution of Sprout, and what continues to keep him inspired after 35 years behind the decks.

WWD: Your track, ‘Everglades,’ with Elan Myles comes out very soon! What made the reunion feel like the right time? 

I was booked to play a show in Orlando and Elan invited me to stay a few days in his house in Fort Lauderdale, we both have been releasing music before but never sat together in the same studio. This was a great opportunity for us to explore our creativity, we felt the right chemistry right away and managed to write 2 tracks in those few days we spent together.

‘Everglades’ has a warm, melodic quality while still carrying a strong progressive groove. What were you looking to capture when you first started working on the track? 

We didn’t look for anything at the beginning as it was our first time being in the same studio together, this was actually a great opportunity to go beyond our own boundaries and create something fresh. We like to make our crowd dance and that was the only thing we knew we needed to do. So the track became what it is.

WWD: There’s a real sense of space and atmosphere in ‘Everglades.’ When you’re in the studio, what usually comes first for you: the groove, a melody, a mood, or something else entirely? 

We both are DJs and therefore we are very rhythm oriented and groove based, the musical part often comes on top of the groove. We could make tracks with groove only but we know the importances of hook lines and samples that stick to the mind of our audience.

WWD: Sprout Music has been part of your journey for many years now. When you look at the label today compared to when you first started it, what are you most proud of? 

I am proud of every step it took since I formed sprout in 2003. It was a natural process of growing together with the label but it was never as good as it is now. I think I finally arrived where I always wanted to be with the label. Thanks to a great team working for me and with me!

WWD: You’ve spent more than 25 years navigating an industry that has changed dramatically. What’s one part of electronic music today that you think is better than it was when you started, and one thing you miss from the early days? 

I wouldn’t look at the history like this. Every phase has its peaks and downs, I always loved being a DJ at first place and became a producer because I knew I needed my own music to get my name around the world, then I started the label and now its been 35 years since I started this whole journey which is still not over and therefor I am grateful and happy.

WWD: You and Beckers have been making music together as D-Nox & Beckers since 2004. What do you think has made that partnership so enduring? 

That we both had totally different musical backgrounds and views of how to make music. Plus his patience and tranquility. We never had arguments or fights. He is a pro when it comes to writing music, his ears are sharp and he doesn’t miss a tone. It’s amazing to work with him and I always learn new things.

WWD: Between your solo work, D-Nox & Beckers, and running Sprout, you have several different sides to your musical identity. Do you enjoy moving between those different worlds or do they all ultimately feel like parts of the same thing?

I love making music alone but much more with someone else that can take me to new sides and fields. Seeing all the output I have lately with different projects makes me proud as I am standing 100% behind the music I release. But as I said above, before I start to write music I don’t thing of styles or of with whom I am in the studio. I enjoy the creative process – it’s like cooking a meal for friends and then enjoying it together once it is done and seeing the smiles on their faces when the dish is tasting good, same with making music. There is no better feeling seeing a dancefloor moving to your beats and melodies.

WWD: After 25+ years of DJing, you’ve probably collected your fair share of wild stories from the road. Is there one night, gig or travel experience that still makes you laugh when you think about it?

 It will be 35 years soon. Oh yes there are many wild ones, but we don’t have the time to go through them. Maybe one day I will write a book about playing in over 70 countries on all continents, waking up with lions screaming in Kenya or scorpions in hotel rooms in Mexico or seeing in jail in Japan because of a drunken driver and so and so on.

WWD: You’ve played everywhere from Europe and the Americas to Asia, Africa, and Australia. Is there a place you’ve played that completely surprised you or still continues to do so? 

No more surprises as I only go to those places nowadays that I trust in and know as I can’t bother anymore with stepping into dog shit (as they say). I walk carefully and plan my dates the way that it pleases me, so there will always be shows in Argentina, Brasil, Israel, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Portugal, Colombia among other countries.

WWD: After such an illustrious career, is there anything you still want to explore or achieve musically that you haven’t done yet? 

I just want to continue doing what I love most and this is making people happy and dancing to my music selection. I was born to be a DJ.

WWD: Yes, you were! Thanks for the chat 🙂 

‘Everglades’ is available here