Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with AFONE
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My first truly conscious memory of music is a cassette by The Prodigy. I clearly remember how it looked and how it felt in my hands — unforgettable, like something incredibly powerful and exciting. I was about five years old. I had heard music before on TV, radio, and in films, but the way The Prodigy sounded sparked an interest in me that much later grew into making music myself.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
About five years later, I listened to tons of cassettes — Depeche Mode, Boomfunk MC’s, Flying Steps, Maxim Reality, and even some psy-trance. I realized that I liked many genres and couldn’t choose just one. What mattered was whether the music resonated. When I was around 12–13, my brother gave me a CD labeled “Fruity Loops 4.0.” I started making things that were barely music — more like noise with strange rhythms — but that was the beginning.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
In 2017, I decided it was time to define myself as an artist and focus on a more specific direction. At that time, I was deeply inspired by future bass and all of ODESZA’s albums. I started the project under the name AFONE — a nickname I had back in school. I had already graduated from university and slowly began releasing EDM music.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
Today I’m deeply drawn to Brazilian funk — even though by age I’m probably supposed to make something more serious. I’m fascinated by its raw yet melodic sound. Any type of phonk that catches me with melody feels like my territory. My main goal as an artist is to evoke emotion — joy, sadness, or something intense and vivid. Melody always comes first for me; rhythm is important, but secondary.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
I realized that distortion and roughness are not flaws — they’re features. In the early 2010s, everything was about clean sound. Now it’s different, and imperfection has its own beauty.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
A few years ago, I finally bought FL Studio, which I couldn’t afford for a long time. As an adult, I felt it was time to invest $500 as a thank-you to the developers. One of my favorite plugins is Serum — especially Serum 2, which feels incredibly inspiring.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I’m not sure how indie this is, but Burial and AL90 often appear in my Spotify recommendations. They feel like artists who don’t adapt to trends — they create them.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
By 2026, my sound became much dirtier. TikTok is partly responsible — short clips where tracks quickly go viral. I listen to them repeatedly, and eventually I start trying to create something similar. TikTok definitely influences my music because I always imagine a visual alongside the track.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I want to give people the emotions they’re missing. Sometimes you need a sad track to emphasize your feelings, sometimes the opposite. The best result for me is knowing someone listens to my music during strong emotional moments.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Be sincere. That’s the most important thing — people can feel it.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Any stage at all!
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Probably ODESZA. They’re still artists I return to regularly, almost like old friends.
Where can listeners follow and support your music?
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lGJafb4Rw0qXKNmIqRpB4
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afonemusic/
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/afone/1389822029
Telegram: https://t.me/afonemusic
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
My main goal is to find my people — my listeners. When will it happen? Hopefully as soon as possible. Maybe even today.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
Music is a soundtrack. It’s not so important who wrote it — what matters is what’s happening on the screen. I hope listeners find in my music what they’re missing.
Representative YouTube video
This track blends Brazilian funk and IDM and truly reflects my artistic vision:
