IN CONVERSATION WITH VINTAGE CULTURE

interview by MARIANA MALHEIRO

From the quiet streets of Mundo Novo, Brazil, to the world’s biggest stages, Vintage Culture has become one of electronic music’s most powerful and visionary DJ’s. Known for his genre-defying sound that fuses house and tech-house with unexpected bits of disco, pop, rock and Brazilian rhythms. With magnetic energy, he’s crafted an identity that transcends borders and eras. Vintage Culture is not just shaping the future of dance music - he’s building a movement.With over 1.5 billion streams, played at Coachella, Tomorrowland and Ultra, collaborations with many global icons. His marathon sets, emotional storytelling, and deep connection with fans have turned his performances into experiences that are both euphoric and intimate.

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His mission is clear: connect people together through sound, authenticity, and shared energy. With a sound that transcends genres and a vision that pushes boundaries, he’s not only representing Brazilian electronic music on the world stage, he’s redefining it! But beyond the decks, Vintage is also a creative entrepreneur and cultural ambassador. So let’s dive into his journey, his latest projects: 

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When did you know music wasn’t just a passion, but your purpose? Was there a specific gig or experience that made you think "This is it—this is what I’m meant to do"?

I remember one of my first festivals where an international DJ canceled at the last minute, and I was asked to step in. When I started playing, the stage was empty—but as my set continued, the crowd grew and grew. By the end, people were jumping and going crazy for the music.Another occasion comes to mind when my remix of “Another Brick In the Wall” began getting attention from DJs around Brazil. It happened so organically. The remix spread across the country until it was being played by DJs at every festival, after that my phone began to ring with offers for shows all over Brazil…

Overall, it is the fans' love for the music and their reaction to the songs that tells me every day, “This is what I’m meant to do.” 

What does it mean for you to be recognized as an icon representing Brazilian electronic music on a global stage?

It is a responsibility I take seriously. Brazilian DJs are now performing side by side with the biggest international DJs in the world. Believe me, it wasn’t always this way. For many years, it was an uphill battle to get the attention of international labels and promoters, but now the gates are open and Brazilian artists are ready to display their talent. If my work over the last decade was helpful in making this happen, I’m proud of my contribution!

What inspires you to break genre boundaries so consistently while staying relevant, such as reaching number one on Beatport with ‘She The Last One’. Can you expand on this for us? 

ARTBAT and I had been playing this track during our sets for quite some time now, gauging the crowd's reaction. Every single time, the energy it created was undeniable, which made us confident that this track had something really special. We have collaborated a lot on remixes of each other's work in the past and often feature each other's music in our sets, so there is a mutual respect there. “She the Last One” was a natural evolution of that connection. It came together kind of effortlessly, but to have it hit number 1 on Beatport was just confirmation of what we had already believed, that this track was something truly unique.

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sunglasses PRADA
pants MAISON MARGIELA
boots SAINT LAURENT

You’re known for your marathon sets. How do you prepare for a six-hour performance, and how do you sustain the energy?

There is nowhere else I would rather be than the stage!

For a long set like that, I use both preparation and intuition. I’ll prepare a pool of tracks – new tracks, remixes, edits, old favorites, deep cuts – but I don’t script every minute. It’s about feeling the room. I watch the crowd, I watch the sunrise, and let the music guide me. The journey has peaks and valleys. The audience and I are taking a trip, and we want to enjoy the ride.

Psychologically, I think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. I feed off the crowd’s energy, these connections with people give life to the show. That carries me through the long hours. By the end of six or eight hours, there’s this beautiful collective high that keeps us going until the very last beat.

How do you feel your musical identity and style has developed over the years? Do you see yourself evolving more in different genres, like techno or trance?

My style has evolved, and this evolution continues.  When I first started playing clubs, I was doing what people expected – big drops and Brazilian bass – but over time, I realized I wasn’t fully satisfied.  The pandemic was a difficult time for the world, but I threw myself into developing my musical talent and skills. I had time to experiment and follow my instincts more freely... I began exploring deeper house sounds, playing YouTube sets to see what resonated with the audience. I like various elements of each genre, but I always try to do my musical transitions between genres smoothly. I don’t want to suddenly switch styles with my fans, instead, I introduce new sounds gradually, track by track. I just make what feels right for me at the moment. I’m not chasing trends, I’m chasing my passion. If that means getting more hypnotic or more melodic, I’ll go there. Music is therapy for me, so wherever the feeling is strongest, that’s where I’ll gravitate.  

Can you tell us about your new releases ‘Cherry Blossom’ and ‘Lost’. What was the creative process behind making them

Cherry Blossom was a special one. I’ve been a fan of Empire of the Sun for a while.  It’s actually a remix of the Empire Of The Sun track, and I wanted to keep the dreamy, ethereal feel of the original even as I infused it with my style. In the studio I focused on blending organic and electronic elements – for example, I treated Luke Steele’s vocals to give them a new texture, but without losing that emotional essence. I tried to fuse my sound with Empire of the Sun’s to create something unique.  We preserved the airy, lush atmosphere of Cherry Blossom but added a more driving beat and bassline, so it works on the dancefloor too. The goal was to pay respect to the original song and also make it feel like a Vintage Culture track at heart.

Regarding the track, Lost, this track is getting an amazing reaction at my shows. It’s the reimagining of a Frank Ocean original, which was recorded in a very different style. The fans are really into this track. I collaborated with an upcoming, talented Brazilian producer called Gabss on “Lost.” He’s super talented and a producer to watch in the future. Gabss and I re-imagined this track in a way that would work in a live performance setting for our audiences.  It is definitely one of the highlights of my releases in 2025. 

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What milestone you haven’t achieved yet but are striving for?

I’ve set my sights on several goals. Many prefer to keep to myself…. Sometimes talking about our dreams, goals, and ambitions too much takes away the passion to achieve them. 

There are venues around the world that I’ve read about since I was a kid. These are on the list.  And other producers, singers, and songwriters that have influenced me from the beginning, it would be amazing to work with a few of these legends on my bucket list. 

What do you consider the most challenging and the most gratifying parts of your career so far?

Touring non-stop around the world can be exhausting. Balancing that with missing home and keeping healthy can be a challenge. But once I’m on stage, it all makes sense.  

Completing my debut album was a challenge. Before Promised Land was released, I was obsessing over every beat of every track. But the rewarding moments always outweigh the struggles.  It’s amazingly gratifying to visit a country for the first time and hear the crowd singing…they already know my songs before I arrive. 

Seeing the crowd at Tomorrowland, Ultra, or even in Brazil come together — that’s why I do it. Those cheers and smiles, the fact that my music resonates with so many cultures, is unbelievably gratifying. Every time my record hits a chart or a fan tells me how a song helped them, I feel it’s all worth it!

Which artists or genres outside of electronic music have influenced your production style?

There are many… I still remember the first time I heard “Blue Monday” by New Order.  Radiohead is a big influence. The Arctic Monkeys' album, AM, is brilliant; it was a game changer for the band. Of course, Depeche Mode, they are true pioneers.

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You're dropping a collection with Von Dutch on June 16th— Very Exciting! What drew you to partner with such an iconic brand, and how does this collab reflect your style and the vibe you bring to your music?

Yeah, it is finally coming around! We have been working on this collaboration for some time now, so it is incredibly rewarding to see it finally come to fruition. Getting to collab with Von Dutch’s new label ‘Von Dutch Loves’ is something that I am incredibly proud of, and getting to present it to the world is a really special moment for me. I’ve always had a deep love for fashion and the culture behind it, and Von Dutch has been such an iconic brand that really resonates with me on that level. I feel like Von Dutch has always pushed the envelope with the style they bring, and I like to think that this is a similar mindset to what I try to do with my music. It’s a natural fit that brings together my enthusiasm for fashion and music in an authentic way.

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Which music style is your guilty pleasure?
I love a bunch of great tracks from the ’80s, but there’s no guilt involved.

All-time favorite track?
My all-time favorite changes depending on the moment or my mood… There are so many. I’ve got a favorite for every situation.

What do you do to feel inspired to produce?
I find inspiration everywhere. We just have to be sensitive and aware and let inspiration find you. 

TEAM CREDITS:

talent VINTAGE CULTURE
photography DANIEL SARS
styling TEUNTJE ASVELD
editor TIMI LETONJA
interview MARIANA MALHEIRO
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN