Aiwaska chats Flora Fauna

For Aiwaska, music isn’t just rhythm and melody—it’s a ritual. With his new album Flora Fauna, he offers a deeply personal and spiritually driven body of work that draws inspiration from wild landscapes, animal encounters, and ancient wisdom. Each track serves as a sonic metaphor for the natural world, echoing his commitment to ecology, consciousness, and connection. With collaborators like Aquarius Heaven and Thomas Gandey, and a signature mask gifted by Peruvian shamans, Aiwaska’s artistic universe blends mysticism and modernity, dancefloor energy and emotional depth.

We caught up with the artist to explore the making of Flora Fauna, the intention behind the music, and how his own evolution is mirrored in every beat.

What did the process of creating Flora Fauna teach you about the intersection between music, spirituality, and nature?
One of the core ideas behind the album—and my project as a whole—is to support nature and wild animals. Each track is more than just sound; it’s a sonic metaphor for a specific animal, natural element, or environment. During the creative process, I would visualise a creature or immerse myself in a particular wild landscape.
For instance, Universal was born after a trip to Mongolia, where I encountered a steppe eagle. It was a powerful spiritual meeting, and I channelled that energy directly into music. Every track is the result of an emotional and intuitive connection with the Earth. This process taught me how to hold a delicate dialogue with the planet through sound.

How did the collaborations on this LP – particularly with Aquarius Heaven, Prana Flow, and Thomas Gandey – shape the overall vision of the album?
These artists are not just collaborators—they’re close friends and spiritual allies. They are deeply sensitive creators with strong energy. Working with them is always a respectful exchange of space and creativity. It’s not just collaboration; it’s alchemy. Each of us brings our truth, and together we create something greater than the sum of its parts. They brought new dimensions to the album.

You’ve described your sound as spiritual and melodic. What does ‘spiritual’ mean to you in the context of production?
‘In the beginning, there was sound…’ That phrase says a lot. When you’re creating music not for fame, money, or likes, but to transmit pure energy, inspiration, and emotion—then you’re practising spirituality. Music becomes a form of service. It’s meditation, a trance-like process where you are the instrument, not the author.

The mask you wear – a gift from Peruvian shamans – has become a signature. How does it tie into the ethos behind Flora Fauna?
It’s not just a mask—it’s the archetypal face of Aiwaska. It symbolises connection to ancient knowledge, to roots, to the spirits of nature. Flora Fauna continues that philosophy. Everything I do serves one purpose: to draw attention to ecology, to the oneness of humanity and the planet. The mask is both a talisman and a reminder that I’m merely a conduit.

Lead track ‘Love to Hate’ really stands out with its basslines and vocals. Can you take us through the production process behind that track?
It all started with a vocal part from Aquarius Heaven. As soon as I heard it, I had a strong emotional reaction. The music followed naturally—I simply entered the flow. The only conscious choice I made was to keep the rhythmic structure rooted in the spirit of analog ‘90s house. The rest was pure inspiration, without pressure or calculation.

What drew you to the idea of blurring the line between singing and spoken word on this release?

I never dictate how the vocals should be delivered. It always starts with a conversation—I share the feeling of the track and describe what I envision. From there, the vocalist finds their own form. It’s an organic process. On this release, the shift from singing to spoken word felt natural—it amplified the mantra-like, trance-inducing quality and deepened the connection with the listener.

You’ve been creating music for over 20 years – in what ways does Flora Fauna reflect your evolution as an artist?

I started DJing in 1996 and producing in 2003. Every day brings new lessons, and every release is a milestone in my creative and spiritual evolution. Flora Fauna isn’t just an album—it’s a reflection of how I perceive the world. It embodies maturity, awareness, and inner freedom.

‍Was there a specific environment or moment that sparked the concept for the album?

There was no fixed plan. But the Mongolian steppes, the jungles of Mexico, the forests, the deserts of Nevada, and the mountains of Tibet became key sources of inspiration. It was the solitude, the encounters with animals in their natural habitats, that gave me the sense of the world I later translated into the tracks.

‍How does releasing this LP on your own imprint, Aiwaska Planet, differ from your previous experiences with labels like Crosstown Rebels and Exploited?

Having my own label means freedom. I’m not bound by aesthetics or format. I can release the music I truly believe in and share the full vision without compromise. It’s like building a temple with your own hands instead of renting a space.

What does the Aiwaska Planet Project represent for you – both as an artist and as a citizen of the world?

It’s a space where music becomes a bridge between humans and the planet. Through it, I speak about endangered species, our spiritual connection with the Earth, and our collective responsibility. It’s not a commercial project—it’s a mission. And the more people join it, the stronger it becomes.

‍You’re known for bringing a lot of intention into your music. Do you approach your live sets with the same mindset?

Absolutely. For me, a DJ set is a spiritual session. I don’t plan ahead—it’s all about flow, improvisation, and resonance with the crowd. As one Indian musician said, “True masters don’t play notes—they play the vibration of the moment." That philosophy speaks to me. I blend genres, rhythms, and moods to create a transcendent experience.

‍How important is it for you to balance dancefloor functionality with emotional and thematic depth?

If you’re honest with yourself and truly love music, that balance comes naturally. It’s within you. People feel that authenticity.

Follow Aiwaska:

SoundCloud | Instagram | Spotify
Watch: Live Stream from Tokyo | Listen to Flora Fauna LP