Emerging from Tel Aviv, Komashov has been a notable figure in Israel’s lively house scene since his debut release in 2022. His profound passion for music has fueled his career from the start.
Photo credit: Komashov – Official
Quickly reaching significant milestones, Komashov has contributed to prominent labels like Abracadabra and Monaberry. His sound, transcending genre constraints, is gaining momentum in the melodic house scene throughout Europe and the Middle East. He has performed alongside esteemed dance music figures such as Marco Carola, Guy Gerber, Blond:ish, Damian Lazarus, and Jan Blomqvist.
His inaugural release on the Miami-based label, Hurry Up Slowly, part of the three-track ‘Wama’ EP, showcases his ability to flawlessly integrate organic and world music elements.
In our comprehensive interview, we delve into Komashov’s creative process, his views on the current state of the music industry, and his future aspirations.
EG: Hi, Komashov! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? What have you been up to?
Komashov: I’m doing very well, thanks! I’m focusing most of my time lately on productions and gigs; this is where I feel the most productive and happy in my life.
EG: Congratulations on the release of your latest EP, ‘Wama’! You must be very excited to share your debut EP with everyone. What has the initial reception been like so far? Do you remember the first time you played these cuts live? (If you have)
Komashov: I have received many great responses so far. A lot of people have approached me or written to me about the music I’ve released, showing me a lot of love and appreciation, so I’m very happy.
EG: ‘Wama’, ‘Podiya’, and ‘Maka’ feel like quite unique names. How did they come about? Is there a thread or concept interconnecting all three cuts on the EP?
Komashov: Well… ‘Wama’ & ‘Podiya’ are keywords that repeat a lot in each of the tracks so it felt proper to name the tracks by those specific words. Maka means “Punch” in my language and I felt ‘Maka’ was a strong punchy track so I named it this way.
EG: How do you approach music production in general? Is there a “blueprint” or some principles that you stick by? Do you work quickly, or take your time?
Komashov: There is no blueprint, but there are signature sounds that I repeat in all of my tracks, that characterize my sound. I mostly start with different ideas every time but always try sticking with a few trademark sounds.
“There is no blueprint, but there are signature sounds that I repeat in all of my tracks”
EG: Where do you go to for inspiration? Do you tell stories through your tracks, or do you view them more like “sonic explorations”?
Komashov: I see every track as a story. It’s always important to tell a unique story in my music and through my DJ sets.
EG: And ‘Wama’ is out now via Miami-based events brand & label, Hurry Up Slowly. What was it that drew you to them? Did you have a prior relationship with the brand?
Komashov: Hurry Up Slowly label owners Gino and Andrew Gomez (Calussa) are first of all good friends of mine, and great people. They’re also very talented artists/producers and have built a great catalogue of releases on their label, so I’m honored to release ‘Wama’ with them.
EG: So, how did you come into contact with electronic dance music? Was there a record or a show that pushed you down the rabbit hole?
Komashov: I’ve been in love with electronic dance music since I was a teenager, listening to Tiesto and EDM music, and going to festivals and shows around the world. This is where I got the inspiration and drive.
EG: What’s your take on the current state of our industry in terms of live shows? Are all these gargantuan LED screens and “futuristic” visuals becoming trite and taking something away from the actual music instead of “enhancing” the experience? And about the incorporation of AI into music?
Komashov: In my opinion yes! These big futuristic visuals take away from the pure music experience in shows. They focus more on the visual aspect than the pure enjoyment of the music itself.
“I see every track as a story. It’s always important to tell a unique story in my music and through my DJ sets”
EG: Finally, can you provide some insights into what’s next for Komashov? What can we expect from you in the coming months?
Komashov: I’m now focusing on creating more new music for the upcoming summer so you can definitely expect more releases for summer 2024. I’m also going to explore new spots around the globe in my gigs, where I will be spreading my music around, so stay tuned.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Komashov! We wish you all the best for the future. See you on the dancefloor!
Komashov: It was my pleasure, thank you for having me!
Komashov’s ‘Wama’ is now available via Hurry Up Slowly. Stream and download here.
Follow Komashov: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
