With a sound that bridges underground intensity and festival euphoria, PAJANE has quickly become one of electronic music’s most magnetic new names. The German DJ and producer — known for global hits like “Back Once More,”“Riverside MF” with Joel Corry and Sidney Samson, and official remixes for Tiësto — now enters a bold new chapter with the release of “Crush,” his debut single on WCD Music. Equal parts hypnotic and high-octane, the track reflects PAJANE’s instinct for crafting music that moves both hearts and dancefloors. We caught up with him to discuss his creative journey, the making of “Crush,” and how he’s shaping his identity in the ever-evolving world of electronic music.
Hey Philip and welcome to Tanzgemeinschaft! First things first, congratulations on the recent release of “Crush,” your debut on WCD Music. What drew you to release with World Club Dome’s label, and how does this moment feel for you personally?
Thanks for having me. I’ve been part of the World Club Dome family since day one, working closely with the team on bookings and artist relations, so there’s already a strong personal connection. When they decided to build their own label it just felt super natural to be part of that. They have a really clear vision and a deep understanding of what connects people on the dancefloor, and with Crush everything just lined up at the right time. I’ve also played several stages at World Club Dome over the years, so joining the label felt like the next natural step in that shared journey.
“Crush” captures that infectious, high-energy groove you’re known for while still sounding fresh. What inspired the sound and emotion behind the track?
The raw idea was made in about an hour. It was one of those nights where everything just clicked and I didn’t overthink anything. I had this bass and lead idea, and within a few minutes the whole groove was there, drums, vocals, everything. I didn’t try to make a radio track or something big, I just followed that feeling, kind of like when I made Back Once More. It’s just pure energy, you know, the kind of track that almost makes itself when you’re in the right headspace. I wanted Crush to capture that moment of tension right before everything drops, that mix of emotion and release that makes people move without thinking.
You first broke through globally with “Back Once More,” which went to number one on Beatport and was championed by the likes of Tiësto, Diplo, and ACRAZE, among others. How did that early success shape your path as a producer?
Back Once More changed everything for me. It was the first time my music really connected on a global level, and suddenly I saw people from all over the world playing and sharing it. The funny thing is, I actually made that track right after an open format club night where I was completely exhausted. I had played the original Pon de Replay earlier that night and somehow that energy stuck with me. When I got back to the studio the idea came together super fast, really simple, just a few elements but super effective. Seeing names like Tiësto, Diplo, and ACRAZE supporting it was crazy, but it also gave me a lot of motivation to push my sound even further. That early success showed me what’s possible when you trust your instincts, it made me more confident to stay true to my own direction and just keep evolving from there. After Back Once More everything changed, from bookings to how people in the scene perceived my name. It opened a lot of doors and gave me the freedom to experiment more.
Over 23 million Spotify streams later, with standouts like “Back Once More,” “Riverside MF,” and your remix of Tiësto’s “10:35,” how do you stay inspired and continue to evolve your sound?
I don’t really force inspiration, to be honest. For me it’s about staying open to what’s happening around me. Traveling, being in clubs, meeting people, all of that gives me ideas. Every release kind of shows a different side of me, but I always try to keep the same energy and attitude. I think evolution should happen naturally. I’m not trying to reinvent myself every few months, I just want to grow with the music and make something that feels honest at that moment.
Many of your productions seem to sit perfectly between underground credibility and big-room power. How intentional is that balance when you’re in the studio?
I never sit down thinking about whether a track should sound underground or more big room or whatever. For me it’s just about what feels right in that moment. I play everything from small club shows to massive festivals, so my sound naturally sits somewhere in between. I usually start with a groove or a vocal that catches me, and from there I just follow the energy. If it feels right in the room, I know it’s going to work. That mix isn’t calculated, it’s just the result of where I come from and where I play my music. I played open format and student nights for a long time, so I’d say I got a pretty good idea of how moving people works and how that energy translates through music, and I always try to bring that into my productions. I don’t really chase trends or algorithms, I just focus on what moves people in real life.
You’ve also remixed for Tiësto and Joel Corry and collaborated with BIJOU and Sidney Samson. What have those experiences taught you about collaboration and maintaining your own identity within it?
Working with people like Tiësto, Joel Corry, BIJOU or Sidney Samson really showed me how much discipline and professionalism it takes to deliver at that level. In collaborations you always have to make compromises, sometimes you have to let go of an idea you love to make the track work as a whole. It’s a constant balance between creative freedom and understanding the other person’s vision. What I’ve learned from that is to stay flexible without losing my own identity, you grow a lot through that process, and it teaches you to make decisions that serve the music, not your ego. Especially when working with artists like Joel or Tiësto you realize how structured everything is, from vocal direction to sound design. It’s a different level of focus that really sharpens your own workflow.
2023 saw you named one of Tomorrowland’s “20 Artists to Watch” and recognized by 1001Tracklists as one of the most influential emerging producers. How do those accolades impact your motivation or creative confidence?
Being named one of Tomorrowland’s Artists to Watch and getting recognized by 1001Tracklists was honestly crazy because I used to look up to those names and follow the nominations every year. Suddenly being part of that list felt unreal. It was a huge moment but also a reminder that things can really change when you put in the work. It gave me a lot of motivation to keep going, stay focused, and prove that I’m here for the long run. At the same time it can create pressure, but I’ve learned to take it as motivation instead of expectation. What those moments taught me is that recognition is great, but it only matters if you use it as fuel to stay consistent and keep evolving.
From “Back Once More” to “Crush,” your sound has always carried a certain energy and emotion. What message or feeling do you hope listeners take from your music in 2025?
Looking at everything from Back Once More to Crush I think the main message people can take from my music in 2025 is about connection and presence. Over the past years I had to learn to stop overthinking and just trust my instincts again, both in life and in music. That mindset completely changed how I create. I don’t plan long ahead or try to make something that fits a certain trend. If people can hear that honesty and take a bit of that energy with them, to let go, to be in the moment, to feel alive, then that’s exactly what I want. I think people need real emotions more than ever, especially in a world that often feels filtered and artificial, so if my tracks can give them something genuine, that’s all I’m aiming for.
You’ve played to both intimate underground rooms and massive festival stages. How do these different environments influence your approach to producing and performing?
Playing in small clubs and on massive festival stages are two completely different experiences, but both have a huge impact on how I make music. In small rooms it’s all about connection and details, reading the crowd and feeling every reaction up close. On big stages it’s about energy, power and creating moments that bring thousands of people together at once. Switching between both worlds keeps me grounded and helps me understand what really works everywhere.
Looking ahead, what’s next after “Crush”? Can fans expect more releases, collaborations, or perhaps even label projects in the near future?
Yeah, there’s a new single coming that I’m really excited about. It’s a bit different from what people might expect because it leans a bit more into a pop direction, but it still has that techy groove underneath that keeps it in the club world. The idea actually started really randomly from a hookline that I couldn’t get out of my head. It had this super catchy vibe and I knew I had to build something around it. I wanted to see how far I could push the balance between something people can sing along to and a track that still hits properly in a set. It feels like the next logical step for me, still club-ready, still me, but with a bit more emotion and accessibility. There are also a few collaborations in the works and some ideas for future label projects, but right now I just want to keep that creative flow going and see where it takes me.
As PAJANE continues to carve out his space among the new generation of dance innovators, “Crush” stands as a statement of intent — energetic, focused, and full of character. It’s the sound of an artist stepping confidently into his next era, driven by both precision and passion. With his unmistakable groove and growing global following, PAJANE’s journey is only just beginning, and if “Crush” is any indication, the dancefloor is in very good hands.
PAJANE – “Crush” is out now via WCD Music.
