DOSSA Interview: New Chapters. Jungle Drum & Bass

DOSSA Interview: New Chapters. Jungle Drum & Bass

Dossa : JDNB Interview July 2026

DOSSA is stepping into a new chapter, and it feels like the timing could not be better. After years of building a reputation for sharp production, colourful energy and forward-thinking Drum & Bass, his current era feels more personal, more open and more emotionally connected than ever.

With the release of “Love Letters” on Soulvent, a track that sees him recording his own piano and vocals, DOSSA is showing a deeper side of his artistry and one that is less about fitting into a lane and more about creating from an honest place. Alongside recent collaborations with Suune and Elipsa, a growing solo journey after Dossa & Locuzzed, and a fresh creative phase he describes as “Phase 2”, this feels like a defining moment. Jungle Drum & Bass caught up with DOSSA to talk personal music, creative independence, niche subgenres, collaboration, the state of Drum & Bass in 2026, and what is coming next.

You’ve just released “Love Letters” on Soulvent, and it feels like a really personal track. Can you talk us through the story behind it? It all started when I was jamming on a friend's old piano. The riff sounded really cool with its slightly crooked tone - it reminded me of the old piano in my parents' home. We recorded a little video just so I wouldn't forget what I played, and a while later I stumbled across it in my camera roll and it just clicked.

You recorded yourself playing piano and added your own vocals on “Love Letters.”

Was that a scary step creatively, or did it feel natural once you started?

It actually happened very naturally: While trying to recreate the piano from the recording, I realized it lost a lot of its personality through polishing, so I ended up sampling the far-from-perfect audio straight from the video to keep its character.

At some point this topline popped in my head. I always record ideas as quickly as possible because they can disappear as fast as they arrive. So I grabbed a mic, sang it in, and realized my own voice was actually the perfect fit for the track.

You’ve said this might be the most personal track you’ve ever made. What makes it

feel so close to you compared to previous releases?

Making music is always a learning process for me, so what makes this track special is my takeaway lesson: Trust your instincts and follow your feelings.

This is me building gnarly basslines, playing piano, and singing without any formal training - and somehow it all came together in one track that still sounds good. I loved that challenge, and I love the outcome.

Soulvent has always had a strong reputation for musical, emotional and forward-

thinking Drum & Bass. What did it mean to release this track with them?

It means a lot to me. I've been following Soulvent since the early days and have always loved what they do. Their recent releases have been incredibly versatile.

So when I was looking for a home for Love Letters, they were one of the first labels that came to mind. They loved it straight away and signed it.

Over the last year, you’ve been working on a lot of collaborations. How does

collaborating bring out a different side of you as an artist?

The best thing about collaborating with other artists is how much you learn from each other. That process can take you somewhere you never expected. It's like a playground where different creative approaches meet - and that's where beautiful things can happen.

Your recent track with Suune and Elipsa brought together different energies and

styles. How did that collaboration come about?

I met Suune online and we started talking about production. One thing led to the other and we suddenly were working on a track together.

At the same time, Elipsa and I had already been working on a few ideas, so I sent her the demo and asked if she'd be up for jumping on it. A few days later, we had a tune.

They're both from New Zealand and actually met for the first time through our collaboration, which they performed live together just a few weeks later. I love that.

When you work with vocalists or other producers, do you usually go in with a clear

idea, or do you prefer to let the track reveal itself naturally?

It depends. Most of the time it's good to have at least a rough idea when starting a collaboration, but in the end it's really about catching a vibe during the session.

Having an idea as a starting point definitely helps, but holding onto it too tightly can kill the magic.

You’ve described this period as “Phase 2” of DOSSA. What does Phase 2 mean to you personally and creatively?

My first batch of releases was written with a completely different mindset than my current music.

Phase 1 was about putting myself out there. Then I took a break from releasing music and focused on letting go of expectations. That led to some amazing studio sessions and a lot of great collaborations.

Phase 2 is about putting the process above the product. My recent releases - and everything that's coming next - grew out of that approach.

Does Phase 2 feel like a reinvention, a reset, or more of an evolution?

It's all an evolution really. Being an artist is about constantly learning - not just about music, but also about mindset, and understanding your own strengths and flaws. So I guess Phase 2 is simply a name for the stage I'm at right now.

Since the Dossa & Locuzzed era, how has your solo journey changed the way you see yourself as an artist?

Working as a duo was always about balancing two creative minds. That could be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. Working solo gives me complete creative freedom. It comes with different challenges, but now I can simply follow what feels right without overthinking it.

After being known as part of a duo, was it difficult finding your own solo identity

again, or did it feel freeing?

A bit of both. I loved working with Rene Locuzzed, and there will always be traces of Dossa & Locuzzed in my music. At the same time, I really enjoy the solo journey. It gives me more freedom, but also more responsibility. I think that's a great foundation for growth.

You’ve mentioned wanting to put more of yourself into your music now. What parts

of yourself do you feel people are starting to hear more clearly?

I'm becoming more confident making music that doesn't necessarily fit anywhere.

We live in a very product-oriented world. I actually enjoy not fitting neatly into it. That perspective goes beyond music. Even though it can make life harder sometimes, it's also given me a lot of mental freedom.

As an artist, I want to encourage curiosity. I think there's always something new to discover and explore, and that's one of the most valuable things music can offer.

Your sound has always sat in an interesting space... energetic, musical, sometimes

playful, sometimes emotional. Do you ever feel pressure to make Drum & Bass that “fits in”?

I definitely felt that pressure at certain points in my career, and honestly, it almost made me quit. At the end of the day, I think it's about finding your drive from within rather than chasing what's expected of you.

I really don't care whether a track ends up fitting into a certain subgenre or not. I'd rather follow my instincts and see where it takes me. That's usually where the interesting things happen.

How do you survive as an artist when you are making music in a more niche lane,

especially when the wider scene can sometimes reward trends over individuality?

I try not to judge myself too much. We're constantly surrounded by media and it's so easy to compare ourselves to others, but that's a really destructive mindset.

I believe the people who are meant to connect with my music will find it sooner or later. So I'd rather focus on my creativity than on trying to make my music fit into playlists.

Do you think going against the grain has become harder or more important in Drum

& Bass right now?

I think it's a yin and yang situation. There wouldn't be an "against the grain" without the grain. Both sides have their place.

For me, though, Drum & Bass has always been about breaking boundaries and pushing things forward. That's never the easy path - but it's definitely the one I enjoy most.

What is your honest view on the state of Drum & Bass in 2026? Are we in a healthy

place creatively, or does the scene need a shake-up?

What feels a little underwhelming to me right now is that if you listen to a Top 100 playlist, a lot of the tracks sound very similar. I'd love to see more outside-the-box thinking - and more promoters supporting that - because I feel a lot of sets have started sounding alike. The genre has so many different facets to

explore if you're willing to dig a little deeper.

With Drum & Bass getting more global attention than ever, do you think that growth

is helping underground artists, or making it harder for niche sounds to be heard?

The global growth is great because it brings more exposure and gives Drum & Bass the recognition it deserves.

At the same time, it feels like a lot of attention is gravitating towards one particular sound, which naturally makes it harder for more underground artists to cut through. That said, I'm convinced everyone can fall in love with at least one Drum & Bass track - they might just not have heard the right one yet. It's up to artists, labels and promoters to show people just how wide this genre really is.

What keeps you excited about making Drum & Bass after all these years?

I've always been fascinated by groove in all its shapes and colours, which has led me to explore and love many different genres. For me, Drum & Bass is the pinnacle of that fascination. There's an entire universe to explore at 175 BPM. A lifetime quest.

Liquicity Festival is coming up soon. What does Liquicity mean to you, and what can

people expect from you there?

It's been a while since I last played Liquicity with Dossa & Locuzzed, and one of my goals after going solo was to come back with my new sound.

I still remember the incredible vibe & people there, so I'm beyond happy to finally be back. Over the years, the Liquicity crew have also become good friends, and I've had the chance to sign a few tracks with the label as well. That makes this one feel even more special. For the readers who will be there, join me at 15:15 on Saturday @ Galaxy!

Liquicity Festival: https://festival.liquicity.com/

Looking ahead, what do you want people to understand about DOSSA in this new

phase: not just as a producer, but as a person behind the music?

I'm really just trying to share my own journey through this crazy world.

Whether it's teaching, mentoring, producing or performing, it's all about staying curious, putting in the work and becoming a little better every day.

Or as we say in my dojo: Kung Fu. Dossa Linktr.ee Dossa Instagram Dossa Facebook Interview by Missrepresent - July 2026