Just before the release of Finding Home, Innellea talked to us about the ideas behind his most ambitious project yet: a twelve-track compilation released through his newly launched imprint, belonging. More than a showcase of collaborations with names like Rafael Cerato, Ubbah, Goom Gum, and Yubik, the record reflects a philosophy: music as a shared space, built with and for the community that surrounds it.
For him, Finding Home is about more than tracks; it’s about friendship, trust and the power of giving up control. Letting fans vote on artwork and singles wasn’t a risk but a way of showing that this journey belongs to everyone. The result is a project that feels both intimate and collective, balancing raw rave energy with moments of quiet reflection, and proving that connection can be just as powerful as sound.
Where are you answering us from today, and how’s life been treating you lately?
Hey guys, I’m in Egypt at the moment. Touring this summer has been really intense, and to be honest, the end of the year looks almost the same. But I’m grateful for every moment. To spread love and connect with people around the world is a privilege.
There are only a couple of weeks left before the release of Finding Home. How are you feeling as the date gets closer?
It feels like infinity has passed, and now a vision finally comes to life. I’m proud of this compilation, and even more proud to share it with so many amazing artists and souls who shaped it with me.
What was the initial spark for this project? Did you know from the start you wanted to involve your fans so deeply in the process?
The spark was community. When I first connected with music, it was never just about the DJ. It was about everyone creating that sacred space together. That’s why I wanted to hand over part of the process to the people who follow me. It felt natural to bring them closer and let them decide on artwork and singles, because it’s their home as much as mine.
How different does this record feel compared to The belonging?
The belonging was more of a transition, a bridge between the Distorted Youth era and where I am now. Finding Home feels like arriving, personally and artistically. It’s about friendship, trust and the community that has grown with me.
You’ve worked with Rafael Cerato, Goom Gum, and Script on this album. What’s the most important thing you look for when deciding who to collaborate with?
It always comes down to the soul behind the music. Of course, the artistic quality has to be there, but for me, collaboration is about trust and friendship. If the human connection is right, the music flows naturally.
Do you ever feel nervous about letting the community vote on decisions like artwork or singles, or does that freedom inspire you?
Honestly, it inspires me. It’s not about perfection; it’s about honesty and togetherness. Sometimes the community chooses something I wouldn’t have expected, but that’s the beauty of it. It forces me to let go of control and trust the process.
Finding Home is being described as something unprecedented: a twelve-track album fully shaped by fan democracy and collaborations with your creative family. Do you see this model as an experiment for now, or as a blueprint for the future of electronic music?
I’d call it both. For me, it’s an experiment because it’s the first time I’ve tried it this way. But I also see it as a blueprint for how electronic music can evolve: more democratic, more connected, less about ego and more about community.
Alongside the album, you also launched belonging inclusion series podcast. What role does it play in expanding the community beyond the dance floor?
The podcast allows us to go deeper. On the dance floor, emotions are raw and immediate. In conversation, we can reflect, share stories, and explore the philosophy behind the music. It’s another way of making people feel seen and heard.
On stage, how much does Finding Home shape the way you build your current sets?
A lot. Many of the tracks are part of my sets now, and they give the whole night a different flow. It feels more personal, more connected, like I’m not just playing music but telling a story that we all belong to.
How is your tour going? What’s the next show?
It’s been amazing but also very intense. The next show is North Coast, Egypt tonight, which I’m extremely excited about. Egypt and the whole Middle East have always had a special place in my heart.
You’ll be playing in Buenos Aires in early October. How does the energy of a Latin American crowd compare to a European one?
The energy is unmatched. In Europe, people often listen very carefully and go deep into the music. In Latin America, it feels like an explosion of pure passion. Both are beautiful in their own way, but Buenos Aires crowds really make me feel at home.
Let’s talk about the dance floor. You’ve called it a sacred space. What do you think makes a great crowd, beyond just the size of it?
A great crowd is one that is open: open to emotions, open to each other, open to getting lost in the moment. It’s not about numbers, it’s about the collective energy we create together.
Your sound has always blended intensity and melody. Is that contrast something you consciously seek out, or does it just happen naturally when you produce?
It happens naturally. I love extremes: heavy energy on one side, deep emotion on the other. For me, music feels complete when those opposites meet and balance each other.
When Inside Your Mind blew up after Tiësto played it at Coachella, did your perception of the track change at all?
Not really. I was just grateful. I already loved the track because it felt true to me, and seeing it resonate on such a massive stage only confirmed that honesty works.
belonging isn’t just a label but a wider community. What’s the most unexpected way someone has connected with the project?
Over the years, I’ve become friends with so many people through music, but the most heart-warming story is about a couple who met at my belonging show in New York. She didn’t want to go alone from Jersey, so she commented under my post asking if anyone else was going by themselves. A guy replied, and they decided to meet. She was a bit nervous and actually wrote to me to ask if I knew him. I did, because I had seen him at many of my shows before, so I gave her my green light. Now they’re engaged, and I feel a deep connection to both of them. Kisses to you guys! For me, that’s the most beautiful and unexpected outcome: music becoming the reason lives connect.
The mantra We Belong Here has become central to your work. Do you remember the moment those words first resonated with you?
It came to me on tour, when I realised how much these nights mean to people. No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’ve been through, on the dance floor, We Belong Here. That’s when it clicked.
Outside of music, do you see yourself telling stories in other ways? Maybe through film or visual art?
Definitely. I’m fascinated by visuals, film and even fashion. Music will always be my main language, but I’d love to expand storytelling into other forms of art.
And finally, once Finding Home is out in the world, what’s the next thing you’d like to challenge yourself with?
The challenge is to stay honest, to grow without losing the roots. Musically, I want to keep exploring new directions – maybe more rave energy, maybe something completely unexpected. But the core will always be the same: creating connections through music.
