From his roots in the vibrant late ’80s Madchester scene to his current status as a chart-topping producer, Desyfer has consistently pushed the boundaries of electronic music. His portfolio features releases on labels like Black Hole Recordings, Magik Muzik, and Ministry of Sound, earning support from Sasha, John Digweed, and Paul Oakenfold.
Photo credit: Desyfer – Official
His latest single ‘Do You Believe,’ a collaboration with vocalist Emma Konnanov, demonstrates his innovative spirit—reaching #1 on Beatport’s new releases chart and catching BBC Introducing’s attention. Working from his Cheshire studio, Desyfer not only crafts compelling electronic music but also runs his own label, Komal, showing his dedication to nurturing the scene he loves.
EG sat down with Desyfer to discuss his recent success, creative process, and the journey that has shaped his artistic vision.
EG: Hi, Spencer! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now? How did you kickstart the year?
Desyfer: Thanks for having me! I’m doing great, currently in my studio in Cheshire. It’s been a busy start to the year. I’ve been heads down in the studio working on new music and planning releases, and I’m really excited about the direction things are heading. Kicked things off with the ‘Do You Believe’ release, and a new track ready to be released on Grinchiest Records in March, which has been a fantastic way to start 2025.
EG: First of all, congratulations on the release of your latest single, ‘Do You Believe’! You must be stoked to have this one out. What has the initial reception been like? Do you remember the first time you played this one live?
Desyfer: Thank you! It’s always a buzz to release new music, and ‘Do You Believe’ feels particularly special. The reception has been incredible so far, hitting number 1 in the new releases chart on Beatport and also being featured on BBC Introducing. And I’ve had some great feedback, which is really heartwarming to see people connecting with it. I’ve been playing it on my monthly radio show and guest mixes, and a lot of other DJs have been messaging to say how much they dig it, which just confirmed that we had something special with this track.
EG: So, ‘Do You Believe’ sees you linking up with Emma Konnanov, who delivers a captivating vocal performance. What was the collaborative process like? How did you guys connect?
Desyfer: Working with Emma is always an absolute pleasure. Her vocals are stunning, and she always brings so much to the music. We actually connected through a post I put out on Indeed looking for a singer. We connected straight away and I had a good vibe, just from a few emails from her, that she was serious and a good person to work with. The collaborative process is super smooth. We shared ideas back and forth, and she really understood the vibe I was going for. It was a very organic and creative experience.
Emma Konnanov: We actually met online. Ironically, I was looking for a new job and I saw an advert for a vocalist/topliner and sent him some vocal stems and ideas. He got back pretty quickly and was very interested in working together. That was just over a year ago. This is the fifth single that we’ve released and I feel we have got the formula down. Spencer will send me an idea for a track and sometimes a brief of what he wants the song to be about/some lyric ideas and we’ll bounce things back and forth for a while until we’re both happy.
EG: And what’s ‘Do You Believe’ all about? What can your fans expect to find on this cut?
Desyfer: ‘Do You Believe’ is about personal choices and inner strength and if we believe something strongly we can do anything. Musically, the captivating vocal performance blends seamlessly with a deeply grooving bassline, creating an immersive sonic experience rich in melodic flavor. I wanted to create something that was both energetic and emotional, and connect with people on a deeper level.
Emma Konnanov: The track is about inner belief, trusting your instincts and not being afraid to go for what you really want in life, which is a good mantra that everyone needs to hear.
“Do You Believe is about personal choices and inner strength and if we believe something strongly we can do anything”
EG: Having previously worked with Emma, what advice can you give to other artists looking to collaborate? What is a ‘successful’ collaboration?
Desyfer: Communication is key. Be open to ideas, be respectful of each other’s creative vision, and don’t be afraid to experiment. A successful collaboration, for me, is one where both artists bring their unique strengths to the table and create something that is greater than the sum of its parts. Also, make sure you’re both on the same page in terms of goals and expectations.
Emma Konnanov: It’s going to be different every time you collaborate with another artist but that’s what makes the process so interesting. I feel a good collaboration starts with trust and respect and being open to learning new things. Spencer has taught me a lot about the industry and it’s been an honor to be able to work with him on so many successful projects.
EG: By the way, you’re also behind your own Komal imprint. Where is Komal at the moment and what can we expect from the label in this new year?
Desyfer: Komal is my way of regularly sharing new music with the world. It’s my own imprint, giving me the freedom to release tracks whenever I want. Komal is more than just a label; it’s a deeply personal project. The name combines two words that are very meaningful to me, and I wanted Komal to be exclusively distributed via Proton, separate from my other label affiliations.
EG: Now, let’s go back to your origins… what were your first interactions with electronic dance music like? What was it that drove you to music production and DJing?
Desyfer: It all started back in the late ’80s in the North West. The rave scene was exploding, Madchester was happening, and I was right in the thick of it. I was hooked on the early sounds of acid house from mixtapes, but I was also really into bands like James, 808, New Order, The Mondays, and The Roses. That mix of alternative rock, acid house, and dance music – that was the sound of Madchester that first got me hooked and profoundly shaped my musical taste. It was an incredible time; the music scene was buzzing with energy, with amazing clubs and nights everywhere.
By the early ’90s, I was putting on my own nights and started DJing. My interest in production was growing, but I had no idea where to start. Then, in 1994, I met Scott Latham, a DJ and producer, and we instantly became friends. That same year, Solid Silver Recordings approached us to make a track for Sasha! We called ourselves Phoenix, and our first EP, ‘Rise Up’, ended up on Radio 1’s Essential Mix! It even got a special red vinyl release because it was selling so well. Sasha was playing it constantly; it became his signature tune for opening his sets for a while in 1995. It was massive for us. But tragically, we lost Scott in 1996. He was a true pioneer, a great guy, and way ahead of his time. He’s still missed, even now.
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 do you think artists can adapt?
Desyfer: One of the biggest challenges is definitely discoverability. With so much music being released every day, it’s harder than ever for artists to cut through the noise and reach new audiences. I think artists need to be more creative with their marketing and promotion, build genuine connections with their fans, and really focus on creating high-quality music that stands out. Collaboration and supporting each other is also crucial. Ultimately, it’s about staying true to your artistry and finding your unique voice in a crowded landscape.
“It’s about staying true to your artistry and finding your unique voice in a crowded landscape”
EG: Finally, what’s next for Desyfer? What new milestones are you looking forward to in 2025? Where can your fans catch you next?
Desyfer: Making music and sharing it with others is my passion. So, my focus going forward is simple: keep creating and keep performing. I want to release new music regularly and start playing out more in clubs and festivals. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of connecting with people through music, and I’m excited to experience more of that magic in the future.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Spencer! We wish you all the best for the future. Take care!
Desyfer: Thank you for having me, it was a pleasure speaking with you!
Desyfer’s ‘Do You Believe’ is now available on Komal. Stream and download here.
Follow Desyfer: Spotify | Instagram | Soundcloud | Facebook
