Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Raimond Lige

Founded in early 2019, Raimond Lige has been building a unique voice in Estonia’s electronic music scene. He first gained attention through local projects and quickly developed a style that mixes emotional depth with strong, rhythm-focused production. His 2025 EP Dullness was a big step forward, showing a very personal side of his music and featuring collaborations with talented Estonian artists like lilith valley and yshiroma.

Raimond makes music that connects with listeners from more emotional, melodic tracks to energetic garage- and DnB-inspired productions. He enjoys exploring contrasts in sound while keeping his own clear style. His work shows a dedication to creating music that feels real and personal, inviting listeners to experience both the emotions and the energy behind each track.

What is your earliest memory connected to music?

I was drawn to music from a very early age. When I was around 7 or 8, I was deeply into popular YouTube channels such as NCS, MrSuicideSheep, and Proximity. One of the first tracks I remember having a strong impact on me was “Mirage” by Armin van Buuren.

My real interest in music production and in the more immersive side of the electronic music scene developed after attending an Armin van Buuren show in Tallinn in 2018. I had listened to Armin’s music before, but after that show I felt a genuine connection to electronic music, and more specifically to trance. Following the show, I began regularly listening to Armin’s weekly radio show, A State of Trance, and even curated a YouTube playlist with over 300 tracks that I would listen to while gaming.

How did your passion for creating music begin?

My passion for creating music began in 8th grade, when I was about 14. I made my first track, “Horizon”, which was a trancy (trance-influenced) track for a school project. At the time, I was heavily inspired by the sounds of Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten, and Gareth Emery. The track was well received, and I received a grade of 5 for it.

I didn’t know anything about music theory or music production back then, but I listened to a lot of trance music. I mainly relied on YouTube tutorials; however, they weren’t very advanced at the time, so achieving great results was difficult. The same applied to learning the basics, I relied on basic FL Studio sample packs and stock plugins.

What’s the story behind your current music project?

I have always approached music as art (like an artist to a painting), I do it to take my mind off things and create something special, something that relates to me. As I mentioned already I started doing music as a school project, but It stuck to me and I’m really thankful for that, because it is a hard thing to get into, develop the skills, make something that actually sounds good.

How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?

From a technical standpoint, granular synthesis has become a central part of my production workflow. I actively implement it in many of my tracks, especially in my most recent productions and demos, using it to reshape source material into complex, evolving textures and rhythmic elements.

In recent years, my main sources of inspiration have shifted toward artists such as IMANU, Buunshin, Camo & Krooked, and other drum and bass producers whose work emphasizes sound design, contrast, and high-level production detail. Before this phase, I would have described my sound as more mellow and somewhat restrained. At the time, I was mainly producing progressive and future house. While that genre is by no means inherently basic, it often leans toward more mainstream structures and aesthetics, which eventually felt limiting to me creatively.

What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?

In terms of production techniques, granular synthesis has become particularly important to me. It allows sounds to be broken down into tiny fragments and reshaped in creative ways, which adds a wide range of interesting textures and details to a track. Granular synthesis has the potential to completely redefine a sound’s character, turning even simple audio material into something atmospheric, evolving, and unique. Because of this flexibility, it can significantly transform the overall mood and direction of a track, often leading to unexpected and inspiring results. I use it a lot to start a demo/track, to get my mind in the zone. 

What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?

My main DAW from the very beginning has been FL Studio. In my opinion, it is one of the best DAWs for beginners, which is also why I chose it when I was starting out. At the same time, it offers a wide range of advanced features that continue to make it my preferred DAW today.

From an instrumentation standpoint, I don’t rely on traditional instruments; instead, my entire workflow is built around VST instruments and audio effects. My favorites are Serum 2 and Arturia Pigments, as both provide a high level of creative freedom and flexibility without feeling restrictive. Serum, in particular, has become even more powerful and inspiring after its recent update.

From the effects side, I frequently use Output Portal and the Soundtoys suite. Both are highly versatile and play a significant role in my sound design process, allowing me to manipulate audio in creative and unconventional ways. These tools are especially useful for adding movement, texture, and character, and they greatly enhance my ability to experiment and refine ideas during the sound design stage. 

Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?

Lately, I’ve been really into Ivy Lab and their more underground, experimental sound. It’s honestly a shame they’ve stopped making music, because it feels like they were still evolving and pushing boundaries. Beyond that, I mostly gravitate toward my main inspirations and idols, especially IMANU and other forward-thinking DnB artists who constantly challenge the genre. One track that really stood out to me last year was “Tessellate” by Frequent and Evoke the sound design and atmosphere on that track are incredible. Overall, Frequent’s album felt like a complete masterpiece and has been a huge source of inspiration for me.

How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?

My last EP, Dullness, was a really personal project for me. At the time, I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and uncertainty about my music, and I felt a strong need to release those bottled-up emotions through sound. Looking back, I think I managed to translate that headspace quite well. I was also lucky enough to collaborate with incredibly talented artists like lilith valley and yshiroma, which added even more depth to the project.

Overall, I’m drawn to making emotional tracks that truly connect with the listener, or at least leave them with something meaningful. I don’t just want my music to function as a club banger, I want it to feel personal and resonant. That’s why I really love my approach to making tracks and telling stories through them.

What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?

My tracks vary a lot, so there isn’t one concrete emotion or message that defines my work. What matters most to me is that each listener finds something that resonates with them, or at least connects with the thought and intention behind the music.

What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that the music industry is tough and often unpredictable. Hearing “no” doesn’t mean your music is bad, it often just means it wasn’t the right fit at that moment. I’ve dealt with a lot of rejection, and there were times when it made me question whether I was even doing the right thing. But I’ve learned that chasing trends for validation only leads you further away from your own sound. To truly stand out, you have to keep doing what feels right to you, trust your vision, and stay consistent. In the end, just keeping true to yourself matters more than any temporary approval.

What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?

Fourteen-year-old me would have said Armin’s big ASOT show in Utrecht without even thinking. While that era was important for me, my focus has shifted a lot since then. Nowadays, I’m much more drawn to DnB-centric venues and festivals that feel raw, immersive, and deeply connected to the scene.

Places like Bootshaus in Cologne and Melkweg in Amsterdam instantly come to mind because of the energy, the sound system, and the crowd it attracts. Festivals such as Hospitality and Let It Roll also feel incredibly special to me. Hospitality in particular means a lot, since I’ve been to every event in Estonia in recent times and it really shaped how I experience drum & bass culture, it’s like a big happy family.

I’m especially inspired by spaces where people come to fully engage with the music, not just for a spectacle, but for that shared, emotional intensity. Playing in an environment like that, where the connection between the artist and the crowd feels real and focused, would be a true dream.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Honestly, an easy answer would be any of my idols, I’ve drawn so much inspiration from their work. But from an Estonian perspective, I’m especially inspired by EiK and boipepperoni. Their creativity, sound design, and unique approach really resonate with me, and working with them would be an incredible opportunity to explore new ideas and push my own music further.

Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)

My music is available on any major streaming service, but social media-wise I’m most active on Instagram: @raimondligemusic. I also have a Linktree where you can find all my music, socials, and more information: linktr.ee/RaimondLigeMusic.

Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?

I’ve thought about creating a full album, but right now I feel it’s not the right time, I want it to be meaningful and fully represent where I am as an artist. In the meantime, I’m focusing on playing more gigs and exploring the idea of starting an event series or even a label that highlights underground and indie electronic music. I really feel the scene in Estonia is underrated; there are so many talented artists here who deserve a bigger platform, and I’d love to help create spaces where their music can be heard and appreciated.

On top of that, I’m very interested in diving deeper into audio-visual projects, creating experiences that capture the essence of underground electronic music in a visually compelling way, where the sound and visuals come together to fully immerse the audience.

What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?

I hope listeners discover that, at the core, I just want to make music that truly resonates with them. Even if one track or two connects with someone, I feel like I’ve succeeded as an artist. It’s all about creating moments and emotions that people can relate to and if my music can do that, even in a small way, it means everything to me. :))

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latest release :))