With over 17 years behind the decks, Sydney-born Trent Hadid has carved out a sound defined by dark grooves and peak-time energy.
Photo credit: Trent Hadid – Facebook
From early beginnings in Australia’s underground scene to commanding floors at EGG and E1 in London, his journey has led him back to Sydney with a renewed sense of direction. Along the way, he’s appeared at landmark festivals like Electric Gardens, Festival X, and Defqon, and played alongside techno icons including Alan Fitzpatrick, Layton Giordani, Bart Skils, and Solomun.
Now, Hadid celebrates a major milestone: the release of his new collaborative EP ‘The Game’ with Alan Fitzpatrick on We Are The Brave. Following his well-received ‘Space Kraft’ EP, the new release builds on a refined sound shaped by both UK grit and Sydney soul.
In this conversation, Trent Hadid opens up about working with Alan Fitzpatrick, rebuilding his studio, and navigating the noise of the modern industry.
EG: Hi, Trent! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been?
Trent Hadid: Hi! Thanks very much for having me back, it’s been a while. I’ve been great, thanks—how have you been?
EG: First of all, congratulations on the release of your new collaborative EP, ‘The Game’! You must be stoked to have this one out and about. What has the initial reception been like so far?
Trent Hadid: Thanks for that! It’s been great! The release hit top 2 on the techno release charts and peaked at 27 on the peak-time driving techno chart. It was added to Spotify’s editorial Techno Bunker, which is awesome, and a few other editorials on Apple and Deezer. Alan has been dropping it around the world at festivals and clubs—there’s a sick video of him dropping it at Waagnatie in Antwerp, Belgium. There would have to be at least 12k people in the crowd!
EG: So, what can your fans expect to find on ‘The Game’? Is there a concept or emotional trigger driving these two cuts?
Trent Hadid: They can expect to find a powerful raw energy with a modern approach. Both tracks have that bottom-end power and an emotional lift—definitely something you’d hear in the peak hours of the night. ‘The Game’ was a more modern approach with the rap vocal which connects with the younger generation. ‘Savour the Sound’ was created around a more hypnotic groove with classic techno elements, and a vocal that speaks to the listener from the future, sending warning signals that the fake and soulless are taking over. It reflects how we’re moving very quickly towards a fake and materialistic world, where hard work and passion are being pushed aside for popularity and the more fortunate.
EG: ‘The Game’ sees you linking up with Alan Fitzpatrick. How did the decision to work together come about? What was that process like? How did you guys approach this one?
Trent Hadid: I met Alan years ago backstage at my mate Damian Gele’s festival Electric Gardens. He introduced me to Alan and we did a round of Don Julio and got chatting about music. I asked if it was ok to send him over my music and he said no problem. So for the past five years, I’ve been sending him demos, and when I sent ‘The Game’ he replied back: “This is a bomb! Can you send the stems over for a possible collab?” I was blown away and sent them over. The project was actually broken and some elements were missing, so Alan spent a couple of weeks working on the track and sent it back—even bigger! Alan decided that a release on WATB would be best, and here we are today! It’s been such a great experience and has motivated me to keep pushing my music.
“It reflects how we’re moving very quickly towards a fake and materialistic world, where hard work and passion are being pushed aside for popularity and the more fortunate”
EG: So, what does your studio look like at the moment? Do you have any routines to get into the zone?
Trent Hadid: My studio is bare minimum at the moment. Literally a fold-out plastic table, a Universal Audio Volt soundcard, AUDEZE LCD-X headphones, and a MacBook. I sold my studio setup when I moved to London and I’ve only recently returned to Australia, so I’m kind of still living out of a suitcase. I’m planning to set up a studio in the coming months, though. I’ve got my eyes on some Genelec monitors. All my music is made in the box—I don’t use hardware or anything fancy, but I’d like to explore it one day.
EG: Speaking about releases… is there anything that you can anticipate on that front? What labels would you like to release on next?
Trent Hadid: WATB was always a label that I looked up to, with Alan being one of the OGs in techno, so that was huge for me. Drumcode is definitely one I’ve been trying for years. I love Adam’s sound, which has been a massive inspiration to me, and I’ve developed my own sound around that vibe. I’d also love to release on Diynamic—I’ve always been a fan of Solomun, and I like to make slower, groovier stuff too.
EG: Having made the leap from Sydney to London, how has it “affected” your sound? Do you think these two cities are reflected in the music you make?
Trent Hadid: I don’t think my sound changed, but it definitely matured as London made me work harder. Australia is a little more relaxed in terms of music. DJing here is more of a lifestyle for people and the music often gets left behind. My sound has always been dark, groovy, and emotional.
EG: Given your experience, what are some of the biggest challenges artists will face in the near future?
Trent Hadid: Misguidance. There’s too much propaganda out there now—”do this, do that”—most of the time it’s just a TikToker giving advice without having achieved any of it themselves. Choose your information wisely, and your best bet is to find a good mentor who’s already been through what you’re trying to achieve. Don’t get caught in the TikTok loop.
“My sound has always been dark, groovy, and emotional”
EG: What’s next for Trent Hadid? What milestones are you looking forward to now? Where can your fans catch you next? Any tours planned?
Trent Hadid: July 11th I’ll be playing at Aura, Sydney for Mavic & Oracle, and November 28th I’ll be supporting Claptone at Home, for T1000 & The Crypt.
EG: Thank you so much for your time, Trent! We wish you all the best in the future. Take care!
Trent Hadid: Thanks so much for having me—hope to chat soon!
Trent Hadid’s ‘The Game’ is out now on We Are The Brave. Stream and download here.
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