Continuing our interview series, dancetoday remains committed to one of its core missions: highlighting artists who are shaping the present and future of the electronic dance music scene, especially in Greece, while giving a meaningful platform to emerging, talented and promising local voices.

This time, we had the opportunity to catch up with SOLR, a Greek DJ and producer we have been following closely over the past period. With his sound moving through melodic, Afro, organic and indie dance territories, SOLR represents a new generation of Greek artists who are not only building their identity locally, but also connecting with a wider international electronic music audience.

Since breaking through in 2021 with releases on Protocol Recordings and Enhanced Music, SOLR has steadily shaped a sound rooted in melody, groove and atmosphere. With music on labels such as Armada, Green Room and Arodes’s Unreleased, and recent releases like “Allè”, the “Obsessed” EP and “Together” with Jamek Ortega on BTRFLY FX, his direction now leans deeper into melodic, Afro and indie dance club sounds.

As a resident DJ at VOID club in Mykonos since 2023, SOLR has also shared stages with names including Maceo Plex, ARTBAT, Adriatique, CamelPhat, Marco Carola, Âme, Dixon, Damian Lazarus and Shimza, while his productions have received support from David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Kryder and Sam Feldt.

With “Together” still fresh and new unreleased IDs available to preview through the videos featured in this article, we spoke with SOLR about his artistic identity, the Greek electronic scene, his evolution as a producer, and what it means to grow as a local artist with international perspective.

SOT_0270 2.JPG

As a Greek DJ and producer now moving between local stages, Mykonos residencies and international musical references, how would you describe SOLR’s artistic identity today?

SOLR is a project I created where I make music from a more romantic, almost cinematic perspective. By cinematic, I mean that my music is heavily inspired by the things I experience in everyday life - my travels, the people I meet, and everything happening around me. The goal of the project is to create music that works on the dancefloor while also making people feel something.

You have played across different dancefloors, both in Greece and abroad. What difference do you feel in the Greek crowd compared to other audiences? Is there something that makes it special, or something that still needs to evolve?

Having played both in Greece and abroad, I'd say the biggest difference is that, unfortunately, people in Greece don't dance as much as they do in other countries. But I think that's something that's gradually changing. As electronic music and club culture continue to grow here, I'm confident that we'll see that change over time.

In recent years, you have been closely connected with Void Mykonos, one of the most important clubs in Greece. What has this experience taught you as a DJ, and what does a booth like that demand differently compared to a more “classic” club set?

This is my fourth year as a resident at Void, and it's truly been a very special and powerful experience. In my opinion, it's probably the most unique club in Greece. Mykonos itself is already a very different place compared to almost every other dance floor in Europe, and even the world, but this venue in particular, with the artists it brings every season, gives you an incredible opportunity to learn. Being around some of the biggest artists from all over the world and watching them perform their music is an education in itself. Just that alone is a huge learning experience. But being a resident at a club like this teaches you even more. You're there almost every night, listening to so many different artists and so many different sets. You see how people react to different styles of music, how they respond to changes in energy, and you absorb all of that. It helps you become a better DJ, evolve your sound, and gain experience that makes you stronger every time you play.

Your musical journey seems to have moved from more big-room/progressive influences, with releases in spaces such as Nicky Romero’s label, toward a more melodic, Afro, organic and indie dance sound. How did this transition happen, and what changed inside you musically?

With SOLR, my music is deeply influenced by what's happening in my life, where I live, and the people I surround myself with. Growing up, I was much more into the EDM scene. I loved festivals and I still do. I also lived abroad for a few years, in both the Netherlands and London, and the first label that discovered me was Nicky Romero's. At the time, that was also the kind of music I was making, more radio-friendly records with vocals, melodic elements, higher energy, and a different sonic approach, not as organic as what I do today. Later, after moving back to Greece and especially after coming to Mykonos, I found myself surrounded by a completely different musical landscape. I became fascinated by the more minimal side of the scene and by the way different styles of music, still melodic in their own way, could affect people.

As I got older, my taste naturally evolved. What excited me as a listener and as a person changed, and that gradually changed the way I approached musicproduction. My sound slowly evolved into what it is today. More than anything, I wanted to create music that I genuinely wanted to play in my own DJ sets, and that's how I arrived at where I am today.

We see melodic and Afro house dominating globally, but at the same time there is a risk of many artists sounding similar. How do you try to maintain your own identity within a sound that is evolving so quickly?

It's true that the Afro House scene has grown tremendously, and it's also true that many producers are starting to sound very similar. That's a natural consequence of so many new people entering the industry. But I believe that, like everything else, things eventually find their balance. That happens when you stop trying to sound like everyone else and instead focus on expressing yourself and making the music you genuinely love. That's when your music naturally becomes more original, more unique, and truly your own instead of being a copy of someone else's work.

So my advice is simple: find yourself. Figure out what you really enjoy making, what genuinely represents you musically, then go into the studio and dedicate yourself to developing that sound. Don't worry about what's happening around you. Block out the noise and focus on your own identity.

What is your view on the Greek electronic/dance scene today? What do you believe it does well, and what should change so that more Greek artists can stand with confidence on an international level?

The electronic dance music scene in Greece is constantly growing, and more and more people are becoming part of it, which is a great thing. That doesn't necessarily mean everything is developing in the ideal way, though. If there's one thing I'd like to see improve, it would be more collaboration between artists, more studio sessions together, more collaborations, and more openness when it comes to working with new people, fresh talent, and fresh ideas. I think that's one thing we're still missing: being more open and willing to support and collaborate with the artists around us. But overall, I genuinely believe the scene is moving in the right direction and getting better every year.

For a new local DJ/producer trying to stand out today, what do you consider most important: production, networking, consistency, personal brand, the right collaborations - or something else that is usually underestimated?

All of these things are important for an upcoming producer. Whether we like it or not, it's not just about the music anymore—but it's not just about networking or social media either. It takes a combination of everything. If I had to choose the foundation, though, it would always be music production. Because even if you have the right connections, you still need something to show. You need to show your identity, your sound, and what you have to say as an artist.

So first and foremost, I'd say focus on making great music. After that, networking becomes incredibly important, and of course social media plays a huge role as well. We all know that by now. At the end of the day, you're building a brand around yourself as an artist.

Was there any difficult period, wrong choice or professional disappointment that eventually helped you evolve as an artist? And if yes, what did it teach you?

There have definitely been moments that slowed me down or made me question things. Sometimes life pulls you backwards, whether it's because of your personal life or simply the circumstances you're living in. But every time, I've always found something that keeps me moving forward instead of staying stuck. I won't point to one specific event because there have been many different challenges, including everyday life and living conditions. But I think the most valuable lesson from all of those experiences is learning how to adapt, keep going, and never lose sight of your ultimate goal.

Watch SOLR’s interview video below to get a closer look into his sound, mindset and artistic evolution, and listen to “Together” by SOLR and Jamek Ortega, out now on BTRFLY FX.

Stay connected with dancetoday - follow us on social media or join our Discord community for the latest stories, insights, and news shaping the electronic dance music world.

About the event

Venue

Hosts

SOLR Talks Mykonos, Afro House, Greek Club Culture & His New Release “Together”

John Summit in Mykonos

MK at FarOut Beach Club

Camelphat in Athens