Alex Kaspersky, CEO and founder of Dear Deer, has established himself as a prominent figure in Ukraine’s electronic music scene.
Photo credit: Alex Kaspersky – Facebook
As chief A&R manager of this digital label – which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary – Kaspersky has positioned Dear Deer among Beatport’s top 100 indie dance labels and expanded into successful sub-labels with support from Solomun, Innellea, Pete Tong, Massano, among many others. Under his leadership, the label has built a reputation for discovering and nurturing emerging talent, particularly in melodic house and techno, while maintaining a strong commitment to artistic authenticity and innovation.
You can submit your promo to Dear Deer here.
EG sat down with Alex to discuss the label’s evolution, his artist management ventures, and his perspective on the electronic music industry, as he maintains hope and resilience during challenging times in Ukraine.
Throughout our conversation, Kaspersky shared insights into Dear Deer’s journey from its humble beginnings in Kyiv to its current status as a respected force in global electronic music, showing how passion and dedication can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
EG: Hi, Alex! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now, and how did you kickstart the year?
Alex Kaspersky: Hi, EG! Thank you for the opportunity to share my projects with you! Since February 24, 2022, when Russian occupiers attacked my country, Ukraine, my life and the lives of all the people in our beloved country have been shattered. I pray every day for this to end with the victory of my country – Ukraine!
I currently live and work in Kyiv, where I’m producing multiple projects. As a manager, I’m working on the incredible project DAARI. I welcomed 2025 surrounded by close friends, and we celebrated an exciting milestone – the #1 spot on the Beatport Hype chart for a remix by my friend Rafael Cerato for the Ukrainian DJ and producer Masha Vincent!
EG: First of all, congratulations on 10 years of your Dear Deer label! What a milestone. What are your thoughts as you enter your 11th year? Did you ever expect Dear Deer to achieve so much?
Alex Kaspersky: Thank you for the congratulations! Looking back at 2013, I’m proud of the level we’ve reached, especially as a label from Kyiv. Between 2013 and 2015, we frequently topped charts with our releases and artists. Of course, there were ups and downs.
Today, the label is ranked among the top 100 indie dance labels on Beatport and also holds strong positions in genres like melodic house, afro house, and progressive house.
EG: Reflecting on this decade of Dear Deer, how has the label evolved since its first release?
Alex Kaspersky: Everything has changed since our first release. We started in the era of nu-disco and deep house, which were very trendy at the time. Over the years, our style evolved into more of a melodic house sound, which was considered tech house by Beatport at the time.
I decided to launch sub-labels to expand our catalog and give more artists a platform. That’s how we created: Dear Deer Black focuses on techno and melodic techno sound, Dear Deer White specializes in melodic house and progressive house, Dear Deer Dubs centers on indie dance, and Dear Deer Productions features experimental artists and sounds.
By the way, I personally curate tracks for our Spotify playlists. You can check them out here. We feature fresh releases from our family of labels under the Dear Deer Music Group.
Each of our labels is prominent on major platforms like Beatport, Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. My management team carefully selects tracks for upcoming releases. Artists can submit demos by checking the specific styles of each label here.
EG: What can fans of Dear Deer expect from the label in 2025? And how can artists connect with the brand?
Alex Kaspersky: Fans can expect a lot of fresh and exciting releases. In 2025, we’re also strengthening our collaboration with Papillon Promo, a boutique promotion service that has a stellar reputation and an impressive artist roster, including Solomun, Pete Tong, ARTBAT, Miss Monique, 8Kays, Massano, Argy, Innellea, CamelPhat, and many more! You can check them out here.
One of our recent successes is the Beatport Hype #1 track, ‘ID – All Night’, which received massive support from Solomun, Pete Tong, Massano, and more. It’s a perfect example of how good promotion can create magic!
“Today, Dear Deer is ranked among the top 100 indie dance labels on Beatport and also holds strong positions in genres like melodic house, afro house, and progressive house”
EG: Yet, Dear Deer is not the only thing keeping you busy these days, is it? What can you tell us about your collaboration with Papillon Promo?
Alex Kaspersky: Since early 2025, we’ve been working closely with Papillon Promo to bring maximum exposure to our releases. Their network is impressive, and they consistently deliver results. Our partnership has been instrumental in taking our artists to the next level. If you’re looking for effective promo services, I highly recommend checking them out!
EG: And somehow, you also find time to manage artists like DAARI. How do you make it all possible? How did your interest in artist management come about?
Alex Kaspersky: I’ve worked as a promo manager with many top-tier artists, including ARTBAT, so I approach artist management selectively. Currently, I’m exclusively collaborating with DAARI as a manager. Our goal is to establish DAARI as a world-class DJ on the international scene, and we’re making great strides toward that!
This summer, DAARI will present an official remix for GusGus, which will be part of an exciting remix pack. Until then, I invite everyone to check out DAARI’s latest release, ‘Do You Need My Hand?’, available for pre-order on Beatport here.
EG: Let’s go back to your origins. What were your first interactions with electronic music like, and what inspired you to pursue music production and DJing?
Alex Kaspersky: My love for music was instilled in me by my parents, especially my father. I grew up listening to Kraftwerk, Queen, David Bowie, 2Pac, Mobb Deep, The Prodigy, and many more. I explored everything from house to jungle. I also listened to incredible artists like DJ Hell, Thomas Schumacher, Marc Romboy, and Robert Babicz, who I’m proud to now call my friends and residents of my label, Dear Deer. Their influence continues to inspire me and shape the direction of the label.
EG: On to the state of the scene. What do you see as the biggest challenge for the music industry in the next few years, and how can artists adapt?
Alex Kaspersky: Many artists are becoming lazy and chasing trends for quick hype, looking up to industry giants without carving their own paths. My advice is to stay authentic while remaining on-trend.
A great example is the Ukrainian producer Cafius, whose work I admire. He’s signed tracks with top labels like Diynamic, Nervous, and Octopus. He also recently contributed to a big release on my Dear Deer label.
On a similar note, I’m thrilled to share some great news about Kaprin, a rising Ukrainian producer born in Kharkiv and now based in Thailand. She recently entered the top 100 progressive house chart and reached #1 with her track ‘Urban Pulse’, which was released on Dear Deer Productions. It’s a massive accomplishment, and we’re so proud to have her as part of the Dear Deer family!
Additionally, I am also responsible for producing and supporting another exciting young project in the afro house genre – Dark Feel, a rising star from Kyiv, Ukraine. This project has incredible potential and is definitely one to watch in the coming years. I highly recommend checking out her unique DJ set recorded directly from her car: Watch here.
“Looking back at 2013, I’m proud of the level we’ve reached”
EG: Finally, what’s next for Alex Kaspersky? What new milestones are you looking forward to in 2025, and where can your fans catch you next?
Alex Kaspersky: As a producer, I’m awaiting a response from my favorite label, Diynamic, for a demo I sent them. Fingers crossed! I hope to bring you high-quality music from both myself and the artists on my Dear Deer Music Group labels. You can hear my latest track today in this mix, featuring an enchanting Eastern melody. It’s a blend of inspiration and cultural vibes that I hope will captivate listeners. Most importantly, I wish for peace and calm to return to my country, Ukraine. As for my label, I’ll do my best to surprise and delight you in 2025. Follow us on Beatport here to stay updated!
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Alex! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Alex Kaspersky: Thank you! It was great chatting with you. Enjoy the mix! Slava Ukraini.
Alex Kaspersky’s ‘Rusanivka’ is out now on Avanti. Stream and download here.
Follow Alex Kaspersky: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook
