His sets feel as raw as they are refined. Born in Beirut, raised on contrasts of chaos and beauty, and now rooted in Florida’s warmth, OVAN’s story carries a rare balance of grit and optimism. With a SoundCloud following built purely through consistency and vibe, and a cinematic YouTube series ‘The Green Room’ placing decks in unexpected wild locations, he is shaping a sonic world that’s entirely his own.
Photo credit: OVAN – Official
This month, as his EG Spotlight was just released, we caught up with OVAN to talk secret teenage gigs, remixing Breach with respect, and why getting eaten alive by mosquitoes was worth every note.
EG: OVAN, welcome! First off, congrats on the EG Spotlight mix. Where are you in the world today, and how does it feel to finally have this mix out there for everyone?
OVAN: Thank you for having me, really excited to be part of this. I’m in Florida right now, focused on making music. It feels great to finally share this mix. It’s the first time I recorded with my full setup including vinyl, and I’m really happy with how it turned out.
EG: That’s amazing to hear. Recording with vinyl adds such a distinct touch. Looking back at your early days DJing at 14, literally hidden in the booth, do you think that experience influenced the way you approach mixes like this today?
OVAN: Hiding in a booth on the second floor at 14 teaches you to really lock into the room’s energy. You’re not just playing songs, you’re watching people’s reactions closely and learning how to shift the vibe in real time. Some people were 30, others were 18, so I had to figure out how to play music that made everyone want to dance. That taught me early on how to blend different styles and read subtle shifts in energy.
EG: That ability to blend styles is probably what makes your sets so unique today. Growing up between Beirut and DC, what’s one lesson from each place that still shapes your sound now?
OVAN: From Beirut, I learned the power of emotion in music. That city is full of contrast, beauty and chaos, and it taught me how to channel feeling into sound. From DC, I learned work ethic. I was working corporate AV jobs and doing music after hours, and it showed me how to stay committed to the vision no matter how tired you are.
EG: That work ethic clearly paid off. You built a 12K SoundCloud following without label support, which is impressive. Back then, when it felt like no one was listening, what kept pushing you forward?
OVAN: Honestly, it was pure passion. I wasn’t making music to impress anyone, I was doing it because I couldn’t not do it. Every comment, every repost, even one message saying “yo this track hits” felt like fuel. I just kept going because I knew something would click if I stayed consistent.
“The scene feels so alive and connected. People really want to share good vibes and have experiences together.”
EG: And now people really are listening. Your “The Green Room” series is such a vibe, filming in wild locations. What’s been the most challenging spot so far, and did being in that environment change the energy of your set?
OVAN: One of the craziest was near the Florida marsh. This one time I forgot my bug spray and mosquitos ate my whole body, but it was worth it for the love of music.
EG: That’s dedication right there. Speaking of love for music, you recently remixed Breach’s ‘Jack’, which is a huge classic. How did you find your way to reimagining such an iconic track while keeping its essence?
OVAN: This song actually isn’t released yet! EG got the scoop. I first made the beat, and I kept hearing the vocals from ‘Jack’ in my head. I had already done a completely different version before that never made the cut, so I’m happy with how this one turned out. It feels like a real blend of past and present. Keep an ear out for it!
When I remix something iconic, my rule is that it has to feel honest. I never want to remake a track just because it’s recognizable. It has to genuinely fit the world I’m building sonically. With ‘Jack’, the original has such a distinct groove, so I focused on honoring that energy while flipping the context. I didn’t try to outdo it, just reimagine it in a way that feels like me.
EG: That honesty definitely comes through. If you could go back and give 13-year-old OVAN one piece of advice before that first sneaky gig, what would you say?
OVAN: I’d say, ‘This is going to take longer than you think, but it’s going to be worth every second, so don’t rush it, just enjoy the journey.’
EG: Wise words. Looking at the dance scene today, what’s one trend that excites you, and one you think is overrated?
OVAN: The scene feels so alive and connected. People really want to share good vibes and have experiences together. All the festivals I’ve attended recently, the vibe has been unmatched. I’m loving that energy. As for overhyped trends, I think the pressure to constantly go viral online can sometimes take away from the music itself.
EG: That’s so true. Collaboration seems to be a big part of your journey too. Tell us about a recent collab that pushed you creatively.
OVAN: It was with my good friend and cinematographer Ian. It was so creative and empowering to work together, and the final videos looked amazing. It taught me the importance of good communication and how far teamwork can take a project when everyone’s aligned.
“I never want to remake a track just because it’s recognizable. It has to genuinely fit the world I’m building sonically.”
EG: Outside of music and filming, what keeps you grounded these days? And do those passions feed back into your music?
OVAN: I enjoy learning new skills or a new language. I’ve been learning Spanish for the last 250 days. I also really value spending time with my partner and taking walks on the beach. We love traveling and visiting friends. We recently went to Philly to see close friends, and it was such a great time, a reminder of how inspiring it is to be around people who uplift each other. I always come back home with new ideas for songs after those trips.
EG: That inspiration is priceless. Before we let you go, what should listeners watch out for in your Spotlight mix, and what’s next for you this year?
OVAN: Thank you so much for having me. Just press play and enjoy the ride. This year, I’ve got more Green Room sets on the way, new original music, and I’m especially excited to be playing the main stage at Elements Festival in Pennsylvania. That’s a huge moment for me, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone.
Follow OVAN: Spotify | Instagram | SoundCloud
