Fresh off a breakout year under his new project, Dansyn is proving that sometimes the biggest career moves come from starting over. After spending more than a decade releasing music as DLMT, the producer made the difficult decision to leave behind an established brand and rebuild from scratch.The gamble paid off quickly, leading to releases on major labels, growing festival bookings, and a renewed sense of creative purpose.

During a recent conversation with Dancing Astronaut, Dansyn reflected on the decision to reinvent himself, the challenges artists face in the age of algorithms, the influence of his diverse musical background, and how fitness, family, and authenticity continue to shape both his career and personal life.

Liana: Before launching Dansyn, you had been releasing music for over a decade. Was there a specific moment that made you realize it was time for a fresh start?

Dansyn: I’ve been creating music and playing instruments since I was about eight years old. I was in a rock and metal band around 2010 and toured on Warped Tour before transitioning into dance music in 2015. I had some early success, but I never really felt like I found my true sound or identity with that project.

When COVID happened, I started making music more for streaming numbers than for myself, and I lost what made it special. That showed up in my bookings and throughout my career. Eventually, I started making music I genuinely wanted to make again, but it didn’t fit under the DLMT brand. After talking with my team, we decided a complete reset was the best path forward. It was definitely scary because I had a solid touring career, but I felt like I had reached my ceiling. Looking back now, it was absolutely the right decision.

Liana: What advice would you give to artists who feel stuck creatively or are struggling with the pressure of algorithms and social media?

Dansyn: I think we’re living in a time where there’s so much artificial intelligence and so much content that people are craving something real. They want authenticity and something they can connect with.

Obviously, we all have to play the algorithm game to some extent, but I think it’s about finding a balance. You have to participate in social media, but you also need to stay true to your identity and not completely sell yourself out for quick streams or numbers. The artists who stand out are the ones who remain genuine.

Liana: You have a background in multiple instruments and spent time producing hip-hop before moving into dance music. How have those experiences influenced your sound today?

Dansyn: My records are very drum-focused. I really pay attention to the drums because that’s where the groove of house music comes from. A lot of that stems from playing drums for years and being in a touring band.

Hip-hop also had a huge influence because it’s such a rhythm-driven genre. Drums have always been at the center of how I approach music. At the same time, playing piano helped me understand composition, songwriting, and melodies, which still plays a major role in how I build records today.

Liana: You recently released music on John Summit’s Experts Only label. What did that milestone mean to you?

Dansyn: It was a huge moment for me. I’ve always admired what John and his team are building. They’re doing so much for the community and helping introduce new artists to larger audiences.

Getting a release on Experts Only was a goal of mine. When we sent the track over, John actually DM’d me and said he wanted to sign it. I woke up to that message and honestly didn’t believe it at first. The crazy part is that it happened exactly one year after launching Dansyn. To land on my dream label that quickly was incredibly rewarding, and it’s opened a lot of doors for my career.

Liana: Dance music can be incredibly demanding. How do you balance touring, production, and maintaining your mental and physical health?

Dansyn: Fitness has become a huge part of my life over the last couple of years. Even when I’m traveling, I try to get a run in or hit the gym. Between late nights, lack of sleep, and constant travel, it’s important to take care of yourself.

I walk my dogs every day, spend a lot of time in the gym, and try to stay active because it helps mentally just as much as physically. It keeps me sharp and helps manage stress. I’ve also learned how important it is to maintain balance outside of work. As creatives, it’s easy to be switched on all the time, but learning how to step away and be present in your personal life is just as important.

Liana: Your wife is heavily involved in the project as well. What’s it like building this journey together?

Dansyn: She’s been amazing. She was actually one of the people who encouraged me to take the leap and launch this new project. She’s supported me from day one.

When I’m traveling, she helps keep everything running at home, and she even tour manages some shows. She handles a lot of the backend business operations while I focus on the creative side. Our strengths complement each other really well. Having that support system has been invaluable.

Liana: Looking ahead, what excites you most about this next chapter of Dansyn?

Dansyn: I actually just got an offer for a venue I’ve wanted to play for a long time right before this interview, so that’s really exciting. Beyond that, I’m playing alongside some amazing artists and appearing at festivals I’ve always wanted to be part of.

What’s especially meaningful is that with my previous project, I spent over a decade in the industry and never played an Insomniac event. This month, I’m playing three. It’s a reminder to stop constantly looking ahead and appreciate how far you’ve come. There’s a lot of exciting music coming, some incredible label releases, and I’m excited to keep building on this momentum.

With major festival appearances, new music on the horizon, and momentum continuing to build, Dansyn’s decision to start over is already proving worthwhile. What began as a creative reset has evolved into a renewed sense of purpose, one that is opening new doors while allowing him to stay connected to the passion that first inspired him to make music.

Photo credit: @henryfrxncis