Native to Anaheim, CA, AYYBO has emerged as an exciting name in the tech house world. While 90’s nostalgia and disco have been the rage for the last few years, AYYBO is returning dark, addicting grooves with a splash of funk to prominence behind his first original music and viral online presence. Since the second grade, Aaron Bonnema has gravitated towards cinematography and design as well as production, allowing him to fully channel and execute his creative vision for the project with every release. After years of working in the shadows, AYYBO has evolved into what you are experiencing today — viral and engaging social content backed by irresistible beat crafting.
EG caught up with AYYBO to learn more about the release of his latest single ‘Move Like This’, his ties to visual design, his first interactions with electronic music, and more.
EG: Hi Aaron! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. Where are you based right now? How have you been?
AYYBO: Thanks for having me! I’ve been good, thanks for asking. I’m based in Anaheim, California.
EG: Fantastic. So, what has your summer been like? What have been some of your favorite highlights?
AYYBO: It’s been eventful and fulfilling. Going to NYC for the first time and playing a show was my favorite. I’ve felt really inspired since then and created some of my favorite ideas.
EG: Sounds like good times. Congratulations on your upcoming release, ‘Move Like This’! What can you tell us about the track, and why it was the right fit for your next anticipated single?
AYYBO: Thank you! ‘Move Like This’ is one of my darkest house grooves with a heavy-hitting bassline. I feel like it’s different than my normal style and feels like a nice contrast from my last single.
EG: Following the success of ‘Hypnosis’, what can your fans expect to find on ‘Move Like This’? Is there ‘pressure’ to replicate said success?
AYYBO: Expect underground sounding tech house with a dark aggressive bass to get you through a workout. There’s definitely pressure to replicate success but I try to not let it interfere with my creative process. I just try to have fun with making music and do me as much as possible.
“Going to NYC for the first time and playing a show was my favorite. I’ve felt really inspired since then and created some of my favorite ideas”
EG: And ‘Move Like This’ is out via Zeds Dead’s sublabel, Altered States. Why did you decide to release it on this particular label? Do you have a relationship with Zeds Dead?
AYYBO: I actually signed to Zeds Dead’s Deadbeats label back in 2018 under my old project, so I’ve known the team for some time, and naturally happened to be a great fit for my music.
EG: You have a strong connection with cinematography and design as well. How do you incorporate these into your musical facet?
AYYBO: I appreciate that! I love to make promo videos that play out different characters and storylines as well as music videos. Creating content for social media is where it’s mostly incorporated.
EG: How and when did you first come to realize you were interested in visual arts? Did you take any courses? What advantages has this knowledge brought you as a musical artist?
AYYBO: I’ve been interested in visual arts since 2nd grade and would take my mom’s VHS camera and start to make my own videos. I made videos and short films all through my childhood with friends and also got into video eating and graphic design. I took film classes at my high school and college since cinematography was my initial choice of major. I think the advantage of having knowledge of visual arts is you could better execute the creative vision you may have for your visuals that will elevate your music.
EG: And sonic-wise, what were your first interactions with music like? When did you come across electronic dance music? How has your music and sound evolved since you first started out?
AYYBO: Listening to Outkast was my first memory of music, specifically their track ‘B.O.B.’ which was a canon of high energy that I loved. I came across dance music from Daft Punk at an early age and was mind blown. My sound has evolved quite a bit since I first started making trap and bass music before. Now it’s progressing into a more sophisticated, jazzy house sound.
“I think the advantage of having knowledge of visual arts is you could better execute the creative vision you may have for your visuals that will elevate your music”
EG: What are your thoughts on the current state of the scene? What would you like to see more and less of?
AYYBO: I think the current state is great and there are so many new artists pushing unique sounds. This scene is full of diversity and I find a lot of inspiration in it.
EG: What’s next for AYYBO? What particular milestones are you looking forwards to now?
AYYBO: A lot more releases and music videos for sure. And my next milestone is to collaborate with some of my favorite artists and play Electric Forest.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Aaron! We wish you all the best for the future.
AYYBO: Thank you so much for having me!
AYYBO’s ‘Move Like This’ is out now via Zeds Dead’s Altered States. Purchase your copy here.
Follow AYYBO: SoundCloud | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube
