ZUEZEU hails from Hawaii, but he’s taking over the world with irresistible tech house talent. Hear about his come-up in our chat!
Whether he’s riding the waves around his home island of O‘ahu or away on the mainland manning the decks, ZUEZEU is a wonder to watch. His infectious, interactive energy was put on display last year as he traveled the world on a massive 33-stop tour. If you missed out, you can make up for it at Breakaway Tampa this April or at his upcoming shows throughout the US.
ZUEZEU makes it a point to capture memories along the way and has become active in the vlogging realm, kicking off his More Life series last month. When he’s not jetsetting and moment-making, he excels in the art of music production. His playful remix of Billie Gillies‘ “DNA (Loving You)“ featuring Hannah Boleyn is a testament to his lighthearted essence.
But a remix wasn’t the only thing to emerge from his studio this year. He kicked off 2024 with “Rage,” officially putting his dark side on display. It seems as if we’ve merely scratched the surface of what this driven beat-maker can do, so we simply had to catch up with him.
Continue on for our chat about life in Hawaii, his recent studio work, what he has on the horizon, and more. While you’re reading, let your ears have some fun and wrap them around ZUEZEU’s exclusive guest mix on SoundCloud.
Stream EDMID Guest Mix 410 || ZUEZEU on SoundCloud:
Hi ZUEZEU, thanks so much for taking time out to chat! You’ve gone from surfer to music maker. Can you tell our audience about your history and what life was like when you transitioned?
I grew up spending most of my time in the water surfing with my dad in Hawaii. I used to make little surfing and travel videos, and I would edit them to house music, which is what first introduced me to the genre. As my life progressed, I started falling deeper into the house music scene, finding new artists to listen to, and clubs and festivals to attend.
You just remixed Billy Gillies’ track “DNA (Loving You)” featuring Hannah Boleyn. I’d love to tap into your thoughts about the original and what made you want to place your stamp on it.
The first time I heard the track, I was immediately hooked by the catchy vocal and synth lead, and I was so excited when I was given the opportunity to put my little spin on it. The main changes I made from the original were changing the BPM and bassline to give it a bit more of a housey groove and swing with the percussion.
For those who haven’t experienced the scene in Hawaii, what’s it like compared to what you’ve experienced on the mainland?
Surprisingly, the majority of the artists that play and sell out shows in Hawaii are old-school or nostalgic electronic acts and dubstep acts — which is so funny because you would think house music would be the most popular.
Can you share how growing up in the scene there has impacted your career? Have there been any significant hurdles because of how detached Hawaii is from the rest of the US?
The Hawaii scene is unique. Because so few artists play the market, there were very few support show opportunities. Due to the limited shows and artists coming to Hawaii, there are very few opportunities to connect and network with other artists.
Speaking of shows, you just completed a massive fall and winter tour. What was your biggest takeaway from that experience?
It’s really fun for me to visit new cities! I love being able to introduce house and electronic music to new people. Meeting fans in these cities always make the grueling travel worth it! It’s so cool meeting fans who tell me they traveled three to four hours to see me play.
When looking at the future, what are some major things you’d like to accomplish this year or are currently working toward?
My main goal is to continue to put out music monthly and eventually collaborate with some of my favorite producers and vocalists like HAYLA, John Summit, and Dom Dolla!
Finally, what is one interesting fact about yourself that would surprise your fans?
I’ve got a couple of random, interesting facts. [Laughs] I’m left-handed, colorblind, and have a tattoo of a surfing T-Rex on my thigh.
