David Labeij discusses return to Volumo

Volumo’s twelfth exclusive release welcomes back Dutch producer and DJ David Labeij, a long-time presence in Amsterdam’s underground and co-founder of Polder. Known for his hypnotic blend of minimal, deep house and techno, he brings a focused, free-flowing energy to this new two-track EP.

‘Star Duster’ leads with a tight rhythm, fluid percussion and shadowy bass, built partly on the Electribe he first adopted in the mid-2000s after seeing his early heroes use it. ‘Surya’ shifts into a deeper, more atmospheric space, shaped by soft chords, dubby echoes and the cosmic themes that often guide his work. Its title, meaning ‘sun’, also reflects the influence of his regular travels to Asia.

While Labeij keeps some distance from the wider scene these days, he remains committed to making music that feels true to his own path. This EP marks another clear step in that direction. We caught up with the man himself recently to learn more...

Your new EP marks the twelfth instalment of Volumo’s exclusive series. What drew you to this project, and how does this release reflect where you are creatively right now?

I sent Volumo a demo with several tracks after listening to their previous exclusive series EPs, which I really loved for their sound and vibe. I’m thrilled they selected these two tracks, as they perfectly capture the free-flowing creativity that has shaped my music over the past few years.

You’ve been a key presence in the Dutch underground since the late 90s. How have those early years shaped the sound and ideas you’re exploring on this EP?

Those early years still play a huge role in my music—now more than ever. The parties I went to, the shows I played, and the producers I looked up to have all left a lasting imprint on everything I create. For example, on the track Starduster, I used my Electribe,  I bought it around 2005, for many of the sounds. I picked it up back then because I saw some of my heroes—like the Perlon guys—using it.

Your work often blends minimal, deep house and techno into something hypnotic and fluid. What were the core sonic inspirations or concepts behind the tracks on this release? 

It’s almost always the same for me—I’m endlessly fascinated by planet Earth, the Sun, and the universe. I get so much inspiration simply from looking up at the sky and wondering about the space surrounding us. Traveling with my wife and kids to Asia every year  is another huge source of inspiration for my music. Surya means “Sun” in Hindu :) 

From co-founding Polder to releasing on Remote Area and Intacto, collaboration and evolution seem central to your career. Did any past projects or methods resurface during the making of this EP? 

Past collaborations and the methods I’ve used over the years always find their way into new tracks. You learn from those experiences and carry them forward—and you can definitely hear that on this EP as well. Another big part of my process is that Laurens (DJ Lauhaus), the other half of Polder and still my best friend, mixes almost all of my tracks. He’s much better at it than I am.

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You also helped shape Amsterdam’s scene with the Berlin Underground events, bringing artists like Richie Hawtin, Villalobos and Magda to the city. How has that curatorial role influenced your perspective on where underground music, and your own sound, is heading next? 

To be honest, I’m not really up to date anymore with everything happening in the underground scene or the music world in general—it’s a lot to follow, and my interests have shifted over time. But I still genuinely love making music, and that’s not going to change. So you can definitely expect more true David Labeij–sounding EPs coming from me.

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Keep up with David Labeji on Instagram

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