Hailing from Glasgow, CADZOW is making waves in the hard dance scene with his high-energy performances and razor-sharp productions. With a back catalogue spanning hard techno, schranz, and hard dance, his debut EP Sweet Lies on Lee Ann Roberts' NowNow Records delivers a powerful statement of intent. As the release date of 12th December approaches, CADZOW reflects on his journey, inspirations, and the raw energy that drives his music. Pre-order his 'Sweet Lies' EP here: https://www.beatport.com/release/sweet-lies-ep/4833089.
Growing up in Glasgow's rich musical culture shaped CADZOW's dynamic approach to DJing and production. "I really had a broad music taste," he explains. "From listening to Makina and UK Hardcore at house parties to going to Indie and Rap concerts, I've always drawn inspiration from everything I listened to. For as long as I can remember, I've been listening to music every single day. That's what made me want to create my own music to share."
His tracks have already caught the attention of industry heavyweights like Alignment and Sara Landry. CADZOW recalls the surreal feeling of seeing his bedroom-crafted beats reach massive crowds: "To have such massive artists play my tracks is still mind-blowing. From creating a track in my bedroom to seeing them play it out in front of tens of thousands of people is crazy. It shows if you put the effort in, it will always pay off."
The Sweet Lies EP exemplifies CADZOW's ability to balance melody and intensity. "I love blending softer and harder elements together to create a wild mixture of sounds," he says. "I like to gradually bring up the energy of the track and create a big drop. My inspiration for these tracks was to create a story around the vocals I used. They were brought to life with psy-trancey basslines, hard screeches, and driving drums."
Each track on the EP brings its own brand of ferocity. The opener, "Sweet Lies," explodes with rave-ready melodies and restless percussion, while "The Ritual" intensifies the journey with frenzied drum patterns and pulsing basslines. Closing the EP is "Give It To You," a whirlwind of thumping drums, hoover synths, and rapid-fire vocals that leaves no dancefloor untouched.
CADZOW's work places him firmly within the new wave of artists redefining hard dance. "In this scene, you have to have a bit of character," he notes. "Engaging with the crowd, cameras, and fans is so important because if it wasn't for these people, I wouldn't be where I am now. Building relationships with labels and artists shows you've got what it takes to take it to the next level."
Known for his relentless DJ sets, CADZOW thrives on the connection between himself and the crowd. "When I play, I feel like a different person," he shares. "I feel in the zone and buzzing to perform the set. I can't help but dance along and interact with the crowd as I drop some bangers. You feel free up there, and it's the best feeling in the world to make people dance."
With hard dance evolving at a rapid pace, CADZOW is excited to push the boundaries of his sound. "It's hard to tell where the genre is going, but in a good way," he says. "With so many talented producers making new bangers with unique sounds, it's evolving fast. I want to keep making hard and fast energetic tracks to fit into my sets and keep making people dance."
For CADZOW, the journey has already been filled with unforgettable moments. "My most memorable moment has got to be playing Terminal V," he reveals. "I first attended the festival in 2019 with some friends before I even started making music. If you had told me I'd be playing it five years later, I would have laughed. But it was unreal to play locally in front of 3,000 people, and I can't wait to see what the future holds."
As CADZOW's Sweet Lies prepares to drop on 12th December, fans can expect nothing less than a thrilling, high-energy ride. With his unique blend of influences and his relentless passion, CADZOW is poised to become a defining voice in the future of hard dance.
CADZOW
NowNow Records
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