IN CONVERSATION WITH SIAN
Interview by Samo Šajn
Sian is an Irish-born, Spain-raised and now Miami-based artist known for his hypnotic DJ sets and striking visual art. As the founder of Octopus Recordings, he blends sound and imagery into a cohesive, minimalist aesthetic that’s earned global acclaim. With roots in club culture and a vision that spans music, photography, and design, Sian continues to redefine the edges of electronic artistry.
You’ve built a reputation not just as a DJ and producer, but also as a visual artist and photographer. How do those creative outlets influence your music or vice versa?
My visual art and music are deeply intertwined, each informing and melting into the other. The surreal and symbolic elements in my artwork often inspire the atmosphere of my tracks, creating a cohesive aesthetic across both mediums. Conversely, the rhythms and structures in my music can influence the composition and flow of my visual pieces. Both are always driven by raw, impulsive ideas.
A lot of artists talk about needing multiple outlets to stay inspired. For you, do visual projects serve as a kind of creative reset, or are they more of an extension of your musical mind?
For me, visual projects are definitely an extension of my musical mind. Engaging in both forms allows me to explore ideas from different angles, maintaining a continuous creative flow. When I’m immersed in a visual project, it often sparks new musical concepts and vice versa, keeping everything dynamic and interconnected.
You’ve recently dropped a new release that’s already making waves. Can you tell us about the emotional or visual world you were channeling when making it?
In my latest release with Hiroko, we aimed to evoke a sense of otherworldly, trippy energy blending hypnotic rhythms with dark electro sounds. It was very much inspired by what we play in a raw club environment. Visually, I was channeling grimy warehouse vibes to mirror that ecstatic, driving atmosphere we wanted the music to convey.
Whether it’s behind the decks or behind the lens, there seems to be a deep connection to mood and energy in your work. How much of what you create is driven by raw instinct versus detailed planning?
My process is a balance between instinct and precision. I rely heavily on intuition to capture the initial energy or mood, but I also spend time meticulously tweaking and structuring the final piece. It’s always fast and immediate though. That speed helps preserve the raw emotion before my analytical brain can overthink it.
You’re now based in Miami, surrounded by sun, color, and constant movement. How has that vibrant environment shaped your recent work, both musically and visually?
Miami has definitely infused my work with a renewed sense of color and vibrancy. The tropical environment inspired me to bring in brighter tones and more rhythmic diversity, both in the sound and visual palette. That energy just naturally seeps in.
Octopus Recordings has always stood out with its bold, art-forward identity. How involved are you in the art direction and aesthetic decisions for the label?
As the founder, I’m deeply involved in every aspect of the label’s art direction. A strong visual identity is crucial for expressing Octopus's avant-garde take on club culture. We’re literally the only label working exclusively in black and white minimalism across artwork, socials, photography, and marketing. We will never break form.
Do you have any daily rituals or creative habits like photography walks, sketching, or crate-digging that help keep you grounded and creatively fueled?
Daily rituals are essential for staying grounded and productive. I break the day into sections for admin, email, and creative time. I set time limits for each block to avoid overanalyzing and to stay in flow. That structure helps me work faster and keeps the self-doubt at bay. It’s all about moving quickly before your inner critic catches up.
What’s your perspective on the current intersection of art, fashion, and electronic music? Do you see yourself stepping further into those worlds?
That intersection is super exciting. I think electronic music is evolving into more audiovisual immersive experiences and fashion is becoming a standalone expression of that, not just merch. These are all opportunities to create deeper, more sensory environments. I’ve actually started a small boutique design agency to explore that crossover more seriously.
If you weren’t making music at all and just focused purely on visual art or photography, what kind of stories or concepts do you think you’d be exploring full-time?
I’d be diving into the surreal and symbolic side of club culture, creating work that reflects altered states, dreamlike scenes, and alternate realities. Just like with my music, I’d aim to capture those atmospheric, emotionally charged moments that blur the line between real and imagined.
