Dennis, the UK-based DJ and producer behind the new alias Night Waves, steps into a new creative phase rooted in memory, instinct, and sonic freedom.
Photo credit: Dennis / Night Waves – Official
Drawing from three decades of dancefloor experience, his new project merges house foundations with progressive, disco, and tech-infused textures—releasing two new originals each week until the end of 2025.
With early support from Fall From Grace, an opening slot for Deep Dish, and a growing catalogue that spans genres and emotions, Night Waves is less about reinvention and more about reclamation.
In this conversation, Dennis reflects on creative risk, collaborative process, and the deeper purpose behind the music.
EG: Dennis, welcome to Electronic Groove. Where are we catching you today, and how are you feeling as you step into this new chapter with Night Waves?
Dennis: Firstly, thank you for having me. I have always been a huge fan of what you guys have done for the international scene and how you have shaped culture and allowed unheard DJs to tell a story. Now the bum-licky bit is out of the way. I feel really good. Slightly like an accidental tourist that’s been wandering just a little too long without any stable foundation.
Night Waves was always a loose concept of a fantasy night—being an only child helps with this! After experiencing what I do and don’t like to hear on the dancefloor for 30 years, I found it harder to go out when the time was convenient and hit the jackpot with the music all night. This led to my best friend making a soundproof studio at the bottom of his garden. This is where it really came alive. The idea came from him to start making my own records as tests, rough copies that we could test out late at night at the bottom of his garden. Since then, something made sense instantly.
EG: Launching a fresh alias is no small move. What inspired you to create Night Waves, and how does it differ from your work under your own name?
Dennis: I love that every part of the day has its own specially reserved time for specific music that just works perfectly. I had been putting on nights at small back-street East London boozer-type venues with nothing more than 100-200 capacity. The night grew and was a beautiful mayhem inspired by the people that were there and letting their shit go. Night Waves was born, and after that lockdown happened, it became a mix series on SoundCloud. That was great because it opened up so much more time for self-discovery whilst in a journey of insatiably seeking out new material.
Night Waves presents the frequency waves that resonate after the sun goes down. Energy switches, as does human behaviour. It’s a positive message, though. For me, a big part is nostalgia and the sounds that can put me back to where I want to be. Whether it’s that track with the heartbreaking chord that never leaves you, or a gritty soundtrack-like record that reminds you of a location.
EG: You’ve set quite an ambitious pace—two originals released every week until the end of the year. What emotions do you hope listeners will feel as they discover a new song from you this often?
Dennis: We have a wonderful process that’s been in place for a long time, and some of the artists that the label is currently working with are amazing and all have a sense of purity but no loyalty to any one sound. Working at the speed we both do, we can put together many ideas, and that works for us because it keeps the fridge fresh for us both. As we’re working across the electronic soundboard, anything is a possibility. And the creative freedom without any pressure is beautifully inspiring—if you can motivate yourself.
Some records will be more emotional than others, some will be devoid of any true emotion as their purpose is to be a filler or just slightly more sterile… but there is still some soul in there. Every week that it became an issue as no one was listening to it, and it had no real intent for its future. I am so lucky to have a team around me that: A) can be bothered to listen to another song I’ve sent, B) give me a Y/N, and that’s it. All the other pressures are removed. Just create the song in say 70-80% completion.
I hope some of the listeners will find some tracks that make them feel the way I felt while making them. It’s niche music, of course, and it’s a reflection of music that stems back 50 years. I’m not trying to be clever or any of that; it’s just straight records that are sprinkled with elements from all of the sounds I love. A house beat, with a tech house hat, a proggy bass, a disco guitar, hypnotic rhythms, and phrases. Emotions are everything to me now—they tell me I still have a soul.
EG: In your track ‘Midnight Frequencies’, there’s a distinctive synth texture that really stands out. How did you craft that sound, and does it represent the overall direction of Night Waves?
Dennis: It just sounded sweet. I had no idea I’d stick that bendy funky bassline, but with the acid, it works in that druggy way! In terms of musical direction, there won’t be one area of sound that I will focus on. I don’t care for being labelled in a genre—dance music crosses all the boundaries, so that’s where I wanna be.
“Night Waves presents the frequency waves that resonate after the sun goes down. Energy switches, as does human behavior”
EG: The music you’re shaping is rooted in house and underground grooves but layered with melody and emotion. How would you describe the sonic DNA of Night Waves in your own words?
Dennis: I hope some of the listeners will find some tracks that make them feel the way I felt making them. It’s niche music, of course, and it’s a reflection of music that stems back 50 years. I’m not trying to be clever; it’s just straight house music in all its forms that are sprinkled with elements from all of the sounds I love. Emotions are everything to me now. They tell me I still have a soul—that record that used to grip you and wouldn’t let go on the dancefloor. You left the club thinking about it, got into bed thinking about it, and still couldn’t shake it off 35 years later. The DNA is extracted from my personal experience of the dance floors between 95-’10 and what I needed to hear.
The DNA is heavily contaminated with the residue of disco, deep house (Charles Webster, Timewriter), progressive house (Sasha, Digweed, Danny Howells), and tech house (Wiggle sound).
EG: Night Waves debuts on Fall From Grace. What makes this label the right home for your project, and how do you see it helping to shape its identity?
Dennis: It’s the perfect label for Night Waves—creative freedom, wonderful communication, which quickly made us good friends. He has the system set up. It’s an efficient monster, and I’m proud to be part of it. He works with some big dons! And what’s even better about him: he’s humble, kind, no ego, and a genuinely straight-up decent bloke! That’s all I need—someone to listen to, advise, make adjustments, and watch the machine start working.
EG: You’ll soon be opening for Deep Dish in the UK, which is a milestone moment. How are you preparing for that performance, and what can the crowd expect from a Night Waves set?
Dennis: I remember not long after passing my driving test, every week I would treat myself to a new CD album—every week with whatever change I had left. I’d pick off the “little-known” section. That section was so inspiring: labels like Toko Records, K7, and all these new albums.
Deep Dish’s ‘Yoshiesque’ then became a huge part of our life for the next few years. Warming up for them is surreal and something I thought would never happen. It’s an honour. A true bucket list situation. I’m blessed. And I can’t wait.
In terms of music: energetic warm-up, being respectful to the main artists—no faster than 123-126 BPM and no big breakdowns. Rolling energy with a positive sound rather than melancholy.
EG: With so many artists releasing music today, what do you think it takes to stand out, and how does your rapid release schedule play into that?
Dennis: Integrity in your art. Some people are gonna love it, and more will hate it or be indifferent. If you are looking at a specific genre, then you stand a much better chance of creating an identity that the fans expect. Our social media side is terrible. It’s barely operational—something I don’t like doing is self-promoting.
At this stage, we are hoping the music will stand out over the next 6 months.
There is something still very appealing to me in seeing a DJ who isn’t flashy, has his head down, and does his business. We’re releasing a truckload of new music over the next 12 months, and consistency is key for engagement.
“Emotions are everything to me now”
EG: Collaboration seems central to this project. How has working closely with your creative partner pushed or reshaped your sound?
Dennis: It’s a really special space between two like-minded individuals who express themselves. You have to get on, you have to understand the vision. What I love about working with Glenn & Alpine Studios is that even though he is thousands of miles away, we are like robots. His diligence and professionalism are unmatched, and we’ve created so much in 3 months. When you have someone in your corner that is humble and has nothing to lose or gain from you, who still has the enthusiasm every day for what you’re doing, it’s a rarity. The record goes in, gets cleaned up, and leaves Alpine shiny and smelling like fresh pine.
EG: Beyond the music itself, what’s the larger vision for Night Waves? Do you imagine it as a purely studio-driven project, or do you see it evolving into a strong live and touring identity?
Dennis: At this stage, it’s building a huge catalogue of work of all genres. We can then start pairing for the next release run. I’m a big believer in creating—keep creating, especially when you’re riding through a particularly interesting creative wave. After Club77 Deep Dish warm-up, I will be actively hibernating towards Christmas.
EG: If you could describe Night Waves in just one word—one that captures its essence—what would it be, and why?
Dennis: Feelings.
EG: Finally, looking ahead, what do you hope listeners and the industry will take away from Night Waves as this first wave of releases rolls out?
Dennis: The first release did well on the Beatport charts, and the others are dropping soon. A multi-genre-sounding house music. Using the elements of all the records and eras that made a difference to me growing up.
Night Waves ‘Midnight Frequencies / Simple Things’ is out now on Fall From Grace Records. Stream and download here.
Follow Night Waves: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram
