Big things are happening on Enhanced Recordings this year. As the label showcases more and more emerging talent, its veterans continue to release quality EPs and even a studio length album. One of those veterans is Estiva, a producer turned DJ who was had steady releases on Enhanced for over seven years. This humble and incredibly talented artist has a serious dedication to his craft; one that results in a constant fight for perfection on all levels. I had the honor of chatting with Estiva last week ahead of his stellar remix EP for “Voices” featuring The Spacies, which drops today.

“Creating the right atmosphere in a song is the most important thing. “

Your current single is called Feels Right with Sarah Russell . How did you work with Sarah on this track? Did you start with the vocal and then build the track around it, or did the vocal come after Sarah listened to your instrumental?

She sent me this demo and then I wrote the track around it. It was the easiest writing process I’ve ever done, her voice is perfect.

What’s the one thing you enjoy about being older?

When you’re grow older you or wiser and…uh…that’s about it. You get stronger? I honestly have no idea. What the hell is good about being old?! Maybe the younger people look up to you because you’re older. But I don’t know why anyone would look up to me just because of that.

Has anyone/anything ever inspired you to become who you are (to follow your dreams)? Have you ever inspired anyone directly?

No one in particular. I don’t really have hero’s I guess. Of course I do respect people for their beliefs but I will always follow my dreams, even though I realize you have to adjust those dreams from time to time.

Have you done any major upgrades in your studio recently, and can you describe the kind of equipment and software you have at the moment?

Actually, I’ve just bought a massive sound and instruments back called Komplete by Native Instruments! It’s like buying 15 pianos, 35 guitars and a hangar full of samples!
I have KRK RP6 studio monitors and I’m using FL Studio 9 and Ableton 7 respectively for production, mixing, edits and mashups.

What is your DJ Dubstep name on Hammarica.com?

DJ Faderlove Loop Bass Wobbler! Hilarious! I hope it’s still available.

Your biggest success?

Being able to live from DJ’ing!

Toughest thing you had to overcome to do what you do? And what/who helped you?

Finding the right balance between my social life and my passion and seeing my passion from the business side of things. My friends and family are still helping me out, probably without even knowing it.

What’s the best piece of advice someone has given you about your career?

It wasn’t just from one person, I kind of phrased it myself after collecting advice from several people. When it comes to creating music, the best things and the most creative things come out where you’re having fun. Forcing things in a creative process can kill your inspiration. I’ve found myself plenty of times in the position that I felt like I was forcing it. Don’t pressure yourself, start creating exactly what your mind and gut tells you. Even though this doesn’t help you immediately, it will bring back the joy of creating something from nothing. This puts you in a different mindset that allows you to do what you wanted to do in the first place, but couldn’t because you were forcing it. As a bonus, you’ve learned so many things while doing crazy stuff in the studio that you often find out you can use some of it later on for the serious stuff!