In a noteworthy chapter for the Lossless imprint, Clavis—an innovative collaboration between seasoned producers Manuel Tur and Adrian Hoffmann (also recognized as one-half of Paskal & Urban Absolutes)- celebrates their label debut with the unveiling of ‘Drifting.’
Photo by Marvin Hoffmann
Drawing on their extensive production backgrounds, which include acclaimed releases on respected platforms such as Freerange and Compost Records, Tur and Hoffmann bring a refined sense of artistry to their latest endeavor. Elevating the track further is Berlin-based vocalist KUBA, whose soulful, nuanced performance lends ‘Drifting’ a distinctive emotive resonance.
Here, we sit down with Clavis to discuss the genesis of ‘Drifting,’ their collaborative process, and their continued artistic evolution within the global house music space.
EG: Hi Manuel and Adrian, it’s great to have you with us. Where are you right now?
Clavis: Hey, thanks for having us! Right now, we’re in the studio, having our morning coffee.
EG: Congratulations on your latest release! What inspired you to create your new track ‘Drifting’?
Clavis: Drifting actually started as a simple piano piece, without a clear direction or purpose. It was just one of those moments where you sit down, play, and let things flow. The inspiration came from that initial feeling of openness, of letting the music take its own course.
EG: Could you share how the idea for “Drifting” evolved from that initial spark into the final version?
Clavis: As we mentioned, it all began with a piano idea. There was no intention to make it a club track at first, but as we started experimenting with rhythm and atmosphere, it naturally took that direction. Once we had a first demo, we sent it over to KUBA who wrote and recorded the vocals, and that’s when everything truly fell into place. From there, we refined the arrangement, added percussions, and fine-tuned the mix until it felt just right. The final result is what you can now hear on Lossless.
EG: What made you decide to bring KUBA on board for this project?
Clavis: We’ve always been drawn to KUBA’s vocal style since working on a remix for one of his original songs a few years back. His vocals have a certain depth and emotional pull that resonated perfectly with the mood of ‘Drifting.’ After we had the instrumental demo, we felt it needed a human element to truly connect.
“We wanted Drifting to have a hypnotic feel but still work well on a dancefloor”
EG: Can you describe your creative process when working on “Drifting”?
Clavis: We usually start with an instrumental idea—a groove, a chord progression—then we let intuition guide us. We build and strip elements until it feels right. In this case, it was that initial piano piece that formed the basis for everything else. From there, we experimented with different rhythmic structures and synth layers to build a deeper atmosphere. Once KUBA’s vocals came in, we adjusted the arrangement to make space for them. It was a very organic process, letting each layer inform the next.
EG: What was one of the biggest challenges you faced during its production?
Clavis: Finding the right balance between the deep, atmospheric elements and the driving club energy was probably the biggest challenge. We wanted ‘Drifting’ to have a hypnotic feel but still work well on a dancefloor. That took a lot of tweaking—especially in the low-end and groove—to make sure it had the right movement.
EG: Was there a moment of creative breakthrough that really defined the direction of ‘Drifting’?
Clavis: The biggest breakthrough was definitely when KUBA sent back his vocal recording. After that, everything clicked, and we knew exactly how to refine the final version.
EG: What has been the most unexpected piece of advice that has shaped your journey as producers?
Clavis: A valuable piece of advice we got is “Don’t get too comfortable with your best idea.” Sometimes, the part you love most in a track might actually be holding it back. Being willing to experiment, deconstruct, or even remove it can open up new creative directions.
“A valuable piece of advice we got is “Don’t get too comfortable with your best idea.” Sometimes, the part you love most in a track might actually be holding it back”
EG: If you could sum up your creative journey in one word, what would it be and why?
Clavis: Flow. Because when things click, the music almost writes itself. We just have to trust the process and follow where it leads.
EG: Outside of the studio, what’s one source of inspiration that continually fuels your creativity?
Clavis: Film scores. The way composers build emotion and atmosphere with just a few notes is something we try to bring into our own music.
EG: Looking ahead, what new projects or directions are you most excited to explore?
Clavis: We’re currently working on new material that pushes our sound in different directions—some deeper, some more experimental. There are also some exciting collaborations in the works, which we can’t reveal just yet. But overall, we’re just excited to see where the music takes us next.
EG: Thanks, Manuel and Adrian. We wish you all the best!
Clavis: Thanks for having us!
Get your copy of Clavis’s “Drifting feat. KUBA” here.
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