Australian producer Doppel has quietly built a sound rooted in deep house and progressive music while drawing inspiration from jazz, blues, and the subtle emotional spaces that exist between genres.
Photo credit: SJPPHOTOGRAPHY
Guided by instinct rather than formulas, his productions balance warmth, groove, and intricate musicality, resulting in compositions that feel both carefully crafted and naturally fluid.
His latest album, ‘Harvest,’ arrives via Stone Seed after three years of transition, growth, and reflection. Rather than documenting a single moment, the record gathers ideas shaped over time, moving through joy, melancholy, intensity, and wonder while embracing the full spectrum of human experience.
In this conversation, Doppel reflects on the making of ‘Harvest’, trusting instinct, preserving artistic identity, and why creating from a place of genuine expression matters more than ever.
EG: Hi Doppel, welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here. How have you been, and where are you speaking to us from today?
Doppel: Hello! Thanks so much for having me. I am currently speaking to you from a small town near the beach on the east coast of Australia.
EG: Congratulations on the release of ‘Harvest’. The title suggests gathering the results of a long process rather than documenting a single moment. Why did ‘Harvest’ feel like the right name for this album?
Doppel: Honestly, it’s a name I’ve had floating around in my head for years. Similar to the name ‘Doppel,’ it’s definitely something that was considered, but ultimately came down to a gut feeling rather than anything super strategic or intentional. I think that within that gut feeling lies that intention and all of the things that it represents, part of which is exactly as you describe – the results of a long process. I have definitely been reflecting a lot on my years in the music industry, all of the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had and what has come from all of that time, energy and nurture both given and received.
EG: Throughout the album, there’s a feeling of movement between different emotional states, from joy and wonder to melancholy and intensity. Was that emotional breadth something you consciously wanted to capture?
Doppel: Yes and no, I don’t think there was any ratio of all of those emotions that I was aiming for; I just really like to explore and express that full spectrum within myself and try not to feel too much pressure to stick to one state when writing. That approach changes a little when it comes to a dancefloor – I don’t generally force melancholy or joy on people in a live environment if they aren’t willing to go there with me.
EG: Your music balances deep house and progressive influences in a way that feels organic rather than formulaic. How did you arrive at the sound that now feels distinctly your own?
Doppel: Not sure how that happened, but I appreciate that analysis; it’s nice to hear that’s what it sounds like! I think I have definitely intentionally tried to write music that doesn’t sound formulaic just because, through years of listening to electronic music, I have always searched for stuff that tickles my brain in a new way. Developing the tools to try to create that myself seemed like a good way to go, but I’m not quite there yet.
“If you’re in it for the joy of creation rather than any specific outcome then anything else that happens is a bonus”
EG: There are traces of jazz and blues woven throughout the album, not necessarily as obvious references but as a feeling embedded in the music. What have those traditions taught you as a musician?
Doppel: So much, and exactly like you describe. The way those genres use space, texture, simplicity, and dance around the edges of time, rhythm, and the conventional ‘rules’ of music while still being rooted in storytelling and emotion are core concepts that inform my music despite generally not being explicit references.
EG: The title ‘Harvest’ also carries ideas of patience and timing. Are you someone who naturally trusts the creative process, or do you find yourself wrestling with it along the way?
Doppel: Both in equal parts, but in different contexts. When I’m writing for the sake of it, I trust the process completely, and something generally comes out of it that I can go and play at a gig, but when I’m writing to a deadline or with the intention of a release, it’s often a bit more of a struggle.
EG: After spending three years immersed in these pieces of music, did you learn anything unexpected about yourself through the process of making this album?
Doppel: I think I grew technically as a producer, and grew in my confidence and capability in many ways personally, but I think the process was probably more of a reflective one than anything, which has been nice. To look back and appreciate the journey to this point.
EG: Looking at the electronic music landscape today, what do you think artists should be protecting or preserving as the scene continues to evolve?
Doppel: I definitely feel as though nurturing anything that feels like a true expression of yourself as an artist should be prioritised. It’s hard to escape the overwhelming tide of sample packs and AI that is bearing down on our airwaves, but I think that that’s just more encouragement to reflect on why you’re making the art you’re making. It’s a little cliché, but it is true – if you’re in it for the joy of creation rather than any specific outcome, then anything else that happens is a bonus.
“I think I have definitely intentionally tried to write music that doesn’t sound formulaic just because through years of listening to electronic music I have always searched for stuff that tickles my brain in a new way”
EG: Finally, when listeners experience ‘Harvest’ from beginning to end, what do you hope they take away from the journey?
Doppel: I hope it makes them feel something or just helps them have a little boogie with their body, mind and soul wherever they may be listening.
EG: Thank you so much for your time. We wish you all the best with ‘Harvest’ and everything that lies ahead. Take care!
Doppel: Thank you for your time and for the lovely questions. Cheers!
Doppel’s ‘Harvest’ is out now via Stone Seed. Stream and download your copy here.
Follow Doppel: Spotify | SoundCloud | Instagram
