SLIMFLO has a pretty cool story, moving from the rave scene in Switzerland to the tropical atmosphere of Central America. Electro Wow caught up with the Swiss DJ and producer to chat about his new music and what it’s like being a regular in the Panama dance clubs.
1. You grew up in the Swiss Alps and are now a regular presence in Panama dance clubs. How do these two very different environments influence your sound?
Growing up at the epicenter of European rave culture, my sound was mechanical, industrial, and often melancholic, carrying a darker spirit. The Latin world taught me how to introduce groove into my music through organic percussion and warmth.
People move differently on the dance floor here, and that energy naturally finds its way into my productions.
2. From the Zurich Street Parade and warehouse scene, what early rave memory still influences how you read a crowd?
When I was young, my DJ heroes weren’t necessarily the ones playing the biggest tracks, but those who truly understood how to manage energy throughout the night. Today, crowds can be impatient and often forget the art of the warm-up.
Reading a room is about mastering energy waves, a skill I developed during my formative years in the ’90s.
3. Moving to Panama in 2013 was a bold step. What culture shock did you face as a DJ, and how did you adapt your sound to the Latin scene?
I left a mature, and sometimes saturated, European scene to discover an underground electronic culture in Panama that was almost clandestine at the time. Electronic music was still being demonized by many.
Over the years, that perception completely changed, and I evolved alongside the scene.
4. How does the title of your newest single, “Cœur à découvert,” connect to the idea of the track?
“Cœur à découvert,” which translates roughly to “heart laid bare,” represents the act of letting go; it is a quiet heartbreak born from the realization that staying would hurt more than leaving.
5. What specific textures or instruments did you use to capture that sensation?
I used Serum to design the melancholic textures. On the French vocal, I applied echo to create a sense of distance and emotional estrangement between the voice and the listener.
6. Is “Cœur à découvert” meant for a sunrise moment or a dark, late-night dancefloor?
As a versatile DJ, I believe a track can live in different moments, where it all depends on the energy, the venue, and the crowd. With its melancholic vocal, I imagine it fitting perfectly into a sunrise set.
7. With your ongoing releases on Beatfreak and Hive Audio, how does this single push your sound forward?
This is the first Deep House track I’ve released. My sound is usually more Melodic or Progressive House, so this record marks a new chapter and a subtle evolution.
8. Do you feel that your aesthetic (how you present yourself as a DJ) is an extension of your music, or are they two separate creative outlets?
Today, artists and DJs need a strong identity. My aesthetic is fully aligned with the music I create; you can’t separate image from sound anymore.
9. Global brands like Red Bull and Corona Sunsets have worked with you. What do you think draws them to SLIMFLO?
I won’t lie, being a European DJ is definitely an advantage on this side of the Atlantic. I imagine those brands saw value in that cultural crossover.
10. When people leave a SLIMFLO set or finish listening to one of your records, what is the lasting emotion or “state of mind” you hope to leave them with?
Happiness and relief. People come to the dance floor to lose themselves, forget daily problems, and discover new sounds. If they go home feeling peaceful and uplifted, then I’m the happiest DJ on Earth.
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Hi, I’m Erick Ycaza — a music blogger with a BA in Advertising & Graphic Design. I created this blog to keep you updated with daily music news. Surprisingly, I’ve been writing about music since 2007. If you’re an artist and would like to be featured, feel free to reach out: info@electrowow.net
