IN CONVERSATION WITH INNELLEA
Interview by Samo Šajn
Innellea is a German producer, DJ, and live performer who is known for creating emotional and cinematic electronic music. Through his platform Belonging, he brings artists and fans together, turning music into a shared experience. His debut compilation Finding Home showcases 14 collaborators across 12 tracks, exploring connection, creativity, and the idea of finding where we all belong.
Your debut compilation Finding Home is now out on your platform belonging. How would you describe this project to someone hearing it for the first time?
Finding Home is basically the heart of belonging. It’s not just a compilation, it’s the story of how music can connect people who come from completely different places but share the same energy. Every track reflects a step on that journey, from being lost to finding a place that feels like home. It’s emotional, raw, and made by a collective of artists who believe in something bigger than themselves.
Fans helped choose the artwork, singles and more through Telegram. Why was it important for you to let your audience be part of the creative process?
Because belonging is about all of us. I never wanted it to be a typical label that just pushes out releases from the top down. The community should feel like they’re shaping the world we’re building together. When people vote on artwork or help decide what comes next, it becomes personal. It’s not “my” label anymore, it’s our label. That’s where the magic happens.
You worked with 14 artists on 12 tracks. How did you pick the people who became part of your creative family?
All of them share the same vision and heart. It’s not about numbers or names, it’s about connection. I chose artists who create from an honest place, who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable and experimental. Many of them I met along the way, backstage, in studios, or just through mutual respect. It really felt like forming a family that pushes each other creatively and emotionally.
"Inside Your Mind" went viral after Tiësto played it at Coachella. Did that moment change things for you or for belonging?
It definitely opened a lot of doors and gave the project huge visibility. But what I love most about that moment is that it happened organically. The track came from a pure place, and seeing it reach such a massive stage was surreal. It showed that belonging’s message can travel far without losing its soul. Fame or virality are never the goal, connection is.
Your live shows like Distorted Youth and Five Phases feel like stories, not just sets. How do you bring that feeling into Finding Home?
I always try to tell stories through music, whether it’s a show or a release. Finding Home is built the same way, it has tension, hope, release… like a live set that guides you through emotions. When I play these tracks, I want people to feel seen, like they’re part of the same journey. It’s less about me performing and more about us experiencing something together.
You also started the Inclusion Series podcast. What is it about, and what do you hope listeners get from it?
The Inclusion Series is a space where the community takes the spotlight. It’s a podcast of guest DJ mixes that showcase artists connected to belonging, emotionally, sonically, or through shared values. Every mix is a new perspective on what it means to belong.
What makes it special is that even the name came from our community. Someone in our Telegram group suggested Inclusion Series, and it just clicked. It perfectly summed up what we’re about. It’s not about big names or hype; it’s about creating a space where everyone’s sound and story can live together.
Your sound mixes emotional, cinematic vibes with strong percussion. Where does that style come from?
It’s just a reflection of who I am. I grew up between very emotional melodies and raw club energy. I love contrast, light and dark, soft and hard, emotional and ravey. It’s my way of translating human emotion into rhythm. It’s cinematic because I always see music like a movie in my head. Every sound has a visual or story behind it.
You've released music on big labels like Afterlife and Innervisions, and now you have your own platform. Is there a difference in how you create music now?
Not much has changed to be honest. I’ve always followed my feelings without thinking in boxes. I can be ravey, experimental, emotional, or melodic, whatever feels true in the moment. That freedom always brings me back to why I started making music in the first place.
The phrase "We Belong Here" runs through your work. What does it mean to you personally?
It’s a reminder that none of us are outsiders when we’re together through music. No matter where you come from or what you believe in, there’s always a place for you here. For me personally, it’s about community, vulnerability, and being real, whether I’m on stage, skating with friends, or dancing in the crowd after my set. It’s all one world.
With Finding Home and Belonging, you're changing how electronic music can be made and shared. What's next for you?
Next is growth, but in an honest way. I want to keep building belonging into a home for more artists, more ideas, more collaborations. There are also new projects that push my sound into unexpected directions, and I want to explore even more creative formats, from music to visual art to community experiences. It’s about keeping that spark alive and staying connected to the people who made this whole journey possible.
