At the end of March, on a very important day when he was not only getting ready to perform at Ultra Music Festival but also releasing his new single, Drip, featuring Eliza Legzdina, we sat down for a chat with Eli Brown. This sonic alchemist, one of techno's most elusive forces, is experiencing one of the best moments of his career. From his Coachella debut last weekend to the nearly three million monthly Spotify listeners who follow every step he takes, his tracks have demonstrated an undeniable energy that commands people's attention. We speak with him to learn more about this exciting stage he's living.
"It's this marriage of a really hard and dark sound but still catchy and memorable. I think Drip really epitomises this ethos," responds Eli Brown when we ask him about his latest genre-defying track and why he thinks his audience loves it so much, igniting dance floors across the globe every time it's played. "Eliza is an incredible vocalist — when I first heard her collab with Sara Landry, I knew her rapping over the techno beat was the perfect fit for what I was looking for. I'm really hyped to finally share this one with you guys," he adds.
Eli, today you'll be taking the stage at Ultra Music Festival. How do you get ready for an intense day like this? Are you excited?
I’m excited; I’ve been preparing for weeks for this one. My pre-show routine is fairly relaxed; I woke up early, hit the gym and worked on music for most of the day. My preparations for my sets tend to go on until the very last minute. I make every set special, especially at Ultra.
Miami Music Week is happening now. This essential event on the international scene brings together the biggest names in the industry for a few days and hosts many very interesting events. Will you have time to enjoy this edition once your show is over? Are you staying here for a few days?
I arrived Wednesday and had my official label, Arcane, take over at Factory Town, which was insane — that venue always has an incredible crowd, and they really go hard all night. We had an amazing lineup, from me to Deborah Deluca, Patrick Mason, Enrico Sangiuliano and Space 92. Other than that pretty massive moment, I’ve kept it relatively low-key, as I wanted to be fresh for Ultra, and I also have a big headline show at Radius in Chicago on Saturday.
Today you're not only performing in front of a huge crowd, but you're also releasing your latest single, Drip, featuring Eliza Legzdina, via your imprint, Arcane. How have you experienced the countdown to this release?
It’s a track I’ve been playing for some time now — I think the first time I used it in a set was around July, so it’s tried and tested. It’s a follow-up to my track from last year, Diamonds On My Mind, and it’s definitely become a fan favourite, so I’m really excited for its release. Eliza is amazing. She really killed the vocal performance and brought exactly what I wanted to the track. Big props to her on this one.
After releasing your single Gimme Gimme last month, you're now once again shattering boundaries, teaming up with celestial songwriter Eliza Legzdina to unveil your new track. When, how, and where did this collaboration come about?
I like working with interesting, out-of-the-box vocals. From Diamonds On My Mind to Gimme Gimme, and now this track — they all showcase my love for rap. I love the raw energy that rap and hip-hop bring, and when it’s combined with techno, I think it's really unique and something I haven’t seen anyone really exploring.
Drip captures the audacious spirit of the famed underground era from which your vision skyrocketed and has already become a crowd favourite, igniting dance floors across the globe every time it's played. Why do you think audiences have liked it so much?
I think most of my tracks have an undeniable energy to them. It’s this marriage of a really hard and dark sound but still catchy and memorable. I think Drip really epitomises this ethos – it’s a sound that commands people’s attention, and it’s truly unrelenting.
“I’ve been playing this track in my sets since last summer, and it always gets an unreal reaction,” you’ve said. How did you feel the first time you played it? Where was it?
The track has had a few different versions as I was ironing it out; I think its first debut was perhaps Hard Summer. I may be wrong; I’m sure some of my fans could probably answer this better than I could, but I do remember the crowd had a huge reaction there.
Turning the rave into a ritual where you leave all your worries aside while you give it your all on the dance floor and recharge yourself, this is a truly self-explanatory track. Could you tell us more about the meaning that raves have had in your life?
It is my entire life… I was ten when I first discovered rave music, and I’ve lived and breathed it ever since. From Bristol’s underground, where I came up, to the massive stages I get to play now — the energy is really just addictive. It’s all-consuming for me; I can’t imagine my life without it.
What would you like listeners to feel when they listen to this track?
Raw, unadulterated energy.
Since you burst onto the scene in 2016, has everything changed a lot? What has remained intact and what has completely transformed in the last decade?
Not that much, if I'm totally honest with you. I have always felt, and still feel that good music prevails; and that good DJs still, and always will exist. The only thing that has changed slightly is how much social media has affected the way we listen to, discover and consume music — there are definitely good and bad sides to this, but it’s completely changed the game in a lot of ways.
In less than two weeks, you will debut at the world's most sought-after festival, Coachella. How does it feel to be part of one of the most powerful lineups in the world?
Kind of surreal, if I'm honest. Even last year, this felt like a total pipe dream. I’m completely here for it, and I’m going to go all in. I’m ready to show people who may not have heard of me who and what Eli Brown is all about. I hope they’re ready because there's absolutely no holding back.
And who are you most excited to see on stage?
Prodigy, no question… icons in my eye.
2025 is poised to be a very important year for you. What can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
All I can say is buckle up… this might get wavy.
What message would you like to send to the world?
The music of the future is techno; the future of techno is Eli Brown.