Artist Interview: The What If Mix
TheWhatIfMix is the moniker of a London-based producer known for blending deep house with soul, rap, and experimental sounds. His music is driven by a powerful philosophy: "What if my mix could change everything?" Following the release of his single "Next To Me," a deeply personal track inspired by the comfort of intimacy, we chatted with him to discuss his creative process, his commitment to independence, and how a personal feeling translates into a powerful dancefloor journey.
Q. "Next To Me" was inspired by the intimate feeling of sleeping next to someone you love. Can you delve deeper into how you translated such a personal, safe, and connected feeling into deep house textures and dancefloor production?
A. I’ve been living outside of Italy for 12 years, far from my family, and about a year ago I moved in with my girlfriend. That experience gave me a real sense of safety and comfort, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. I wanted to take that personal feeling and expand it into something bigger through music. I know many people have gone through similar experiences, so translating that intimacy into deep house felt like the right way to create a vibe people could connect with not only on the dancefloor, but also at home with their loved ones.
Q. "Next To Me" is available as a radio edit and a 6:05 extended mix. What was your approach to crafting both versions, and what makes the extended mix "a perfect journey track for peak-hour or closing sets"?
A. For the radio edit I wanted to keep it simple and straight to the point, something easy to listen to and that works well on the radio or in a playlist. The extended mix was built more for DJs and the club. I got inspired by the times I’ve been out partying, completely lost in the music and the groove, and I wanted people to experience that same feeling through my track. That’s why I gave it a proper progression, where the energy grows and then opens up, making it a real journey track, perfect for peak-hour or even as a closing track to leave the crowd with a strong emotion.
Q. You produced, mixed, and mastered "Next To Me" entirely yourself at LCCM and Pirate Studios in London. How does having full creative control over every step of the process shape the final sound and feel of the track?
A. It makes me feel better because I’m fully in control and can really follow my vision and my gut feeling all the way through. Having that freedom means every detail reflects exactly what I had in mind, and the track ends up sounding and feeling true to me.
Q. Can you tell us about the vocal performance on "Next To Me" and how it contributes to the emotional storytelling of the song?
A. The vocal is actually a sample, but funny enough it came at the perfect moment. I had already started working on the instrumental, and one day I was talking with my girlfriend about how easy it is for me to sleep next to her, as I sometimes struggle with insomnia. Not long after, I came across this sample and it just clicked, I thought it was like magic. It felt like it was meant to be and fit perfectly with the story I wanted to tell.
Q. How do you balance the technical demands of a dance track with the need for emotional depth in your music?
A. For me it’s all about finding the right balance between feeling and technique. I always start from the emotion I want to express, and then I use the technical side to bring it out in the best way possible. Dance music has to hit physically, but if it also carries real emotion, that’s when it really connects with people.
Q. The track is heavily influenced by acts like Disclosure. What specific elements of their style did you aim to capture in "Next To Me"?
A. I discovered Disclosure when I moved to London and felt a connection with their sound straight away. What I’ve always loved about them is the way they mix catchy grooves with emotional depth. With “Next To Me” I wanted to capture that same balance—tight drums, a strong groove, and clear production, but also keeping it soulful and intimate so it carries real feeling behind the beat.
Q. As a London-based producer and artist, how does the city's diverse music scene influence your signature blend of technical precision and heartfelt creativity?
A. Living in London has a huge influence on me because the music scene here is so diverse and full of energy. You’re constantly surrounded by different sounds, cultures, and people, and that inspires me to push both the technical side and the emotional side of my music. I have recently seen an interview where Daft Punk said that house music isn’t supposed to have many rules. I totally support that. I love experimenting and bringing ideas from my mind to reality. For example, in my previous release I blended house and rap, which shows how much I enjoy pushing boundaries and mixing influences.
Q. Your releases are described as a testament to the motto: "What if my mix could change everything?" Could you explain the philosophy behind TheWhatIfMix as a name and how that mantra guides your work?
A. TheWhatIfMix is all about limitless possibilities. I’ve always liked asking myself “what if?” because it opens the door to creativity and new ideas. The name reflects that mindset. What if a mix, a track, or even just one sound could change the way people feel, think, or connect? At the same time, it’s not just about music but also about inspiring people, almost like a motivational speaker would. What if you can achieve your dreams? What if you take that risk and go after what you really want? I strive to see people going after their dreams. That’s the philosophy behind TheWhatIfMix, and it’s what guides me every time I create.
Q. Beyond deep house, your project bridges house, soul, rap, and experimental pop. How do you decide which genres to pull from for a specific track, and do you plan to explore more of those influences in upcoming releases?
A. There are many factors that play a role when I decide which genres to pull from. Sometimes it’s something that inspires me in the moment, other times it’s about pushing myself to see how capable I am of approaching different sounds. It can also depend on who I’m collaborating with. As I mentioned before, possibilities are limitless, so I try to stay open to whatever my inner voice guides me toward. I love creating music, but I also feel a bit restless because of the amount of ideas I get. I’m currently working on 6 or 7 projects at the same time. I often finish and release something, but instead of stopping to enjoy it, I’m already deep into something new. I’ll definitely keep exploring more of those influences, and my current projects already reflect a mix of these genres.
Q. Who are some of the other artists, besides Disclosure, Paul Kalkbrenner, and Jeff Mills, that you find yourself listening to for inspiration lately?
A. Lately I’ve been really inspired by an upcoming talent in the London scene called Twan. He’s got great potential, and even though you might think I’m biased because I know him personally, I honestly believe he has a bright future ahead. I’ve also been listening to Kimik, who brings a really unique energy that I connect with.
Q. Could you describe your typical starting point for a new track? Do you begin with a beat, a melody, a vocal hook, or an emotional concept?
A. As they say in football, every match has its own story, and I see tracks the same way. I don’t really follow a fixed rule, each one has its own unique starting point. But if I had to pick one, I’d say the emotional concept is usually what comes first for me.
Q. What specific piece of studio gear or software was essential in achieving the warm pads and deep house textures heard in "Next To Me"?
A. For the warm pads and deep house textures in “Next To Me,” I used RetroSynth in Logic Pro and built the chords myself. From there I shaped the sound to give it that warmth and depth, making sure it blended smoothly with the rest of the track.
Q. What are some of the challenges and rewards of maintaining independence in the electronic music industry today?
A. One of the main challenges of being independent is low exposure. Without the backing of a big label it’s harder to reach wide audiences, and with limited budgets every step has to be strategic. Another big challenge is that DSPs pay very little per stream, so it’s almost impossible to live only off music. That means I need to keep a full-time job on the side, which makes it even harder to balance everything such as producing, promoting, creating content, and managing all the different aspects of being an artist. On the other hand, the rewards make it worth it. I get to keep full control of my vision, all the royalties, and my publishing rights. There’s also a strong sense of freedom in knowing that every achievement comes directly from my own work and dedication. It can be tough, but it makes the journey more authentic and personal.
Q. Having just released "Next To Me," what's next for TheWhatIfMix? Are there plans for an EP or an album in the near future?
A. For now my focus is on building an audience through a series of singles and collaborating with other valuable artists in the industry. Once I’ve grown that audience and created a stronger connection with listeners, I’ll definitely move towards releasing an EP or even an album.
Q. Do you plan to perform "Next To Me" live soon, and if so, how do you approach translating your studio-produced tracks for a live audience?
A. Honestly, I’m not too sure yet because I’ve never really approached myself as a DJ. I see myself more as a producer. Also, with “Next To Me” the vocals are a sample, so that makes it a bit more complicated to perform live. On the other hand, a track like my previous release “Sun Is Out” is much more achievable to perform, since I could run a backing track and have the artists perform live on top of it.
Q. For those new to your music, what track, other than "Next To Me," would you recommend they listen to that you feel best represents the "TheWhatIfMix" philosophy?
A. I’d recommend starting with my first release, “LET GO.” It’s a short instrumental track that really carries the philosophy behind TheWhatIfMix. What if you live in the moment, let go of beliefs and boundaries? Also understanding that as humans we’re creators who can achieve anything we want in life. For me it’s all a matter of frequencies. And spoiler: the track will soon be released with vocals performed by me under my rapper profile.
Q. In the span of electronic music, where do you see TheWhatIfMix fitting in, and what do you hope your unique sound contributes to the scene?
A. I see TheWhatIfMix as something that doesn’t need to fit into a strict box. It is about blending deep house with other influences like soul, rap, and experimental sounds while always keeping an emotional core. What I hope to bring to the scene is a mix of technical precision and real feeling, music that can make you move on the dancefloor but also connect with you on a deeper level. More than just sound, I really want TheWhatIfMix to inspire people to believe in possibilities and go after their dreams.
Q. You're constantly pushing boundaries across deep house and electronic music; what "What If" question are you currently exploring for your next project?
A. What if the next project goes worldwide, helps me build a really big audience, and gives me the chance to make music my only job? What if I can build my own studio and use that platform to inspire thousands of people to follow their dreams? That is the question I am exploring right now.
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