As we set sights towards the end of a year like no other, Luka Sambe graces us with a prime showcase of his indelible groove through his Bloodline EP with XYZ. The Australian veteran is no stranger to efficianados of progressive, deep, and melodic sounds; projects on the likes of Lost & Found, Manjumasi, and Sudbeat detail a career teeming with quality.

For his debut on the XYZ imprint, Sambe blends the classic and innovative. A cohesive sound of off-kilter synth rhythms is woven throughout the trio, harnessing percussion and sturdy basslines for a heady affair.

Bloodline teases Afro character, with a vocal hook resting in the background. Ominous synth stabs steal the melody, while a firm backbone carries the A-side into dancefloor territory.

Frolic represents the perfect middleground of the EP; continuing melodic themes from Bloodline, organic textures start to ease the ear towards more natural spaces.

Luka connects with Eisenzahn to close out the EP. Vanilla hosts a stellar guitar melody, and will inevitably tease a smile on any consumer. A playful vibe is ever present, with easy-going drums comforting a groove that never relents.

To celebrate the debut of Luka on the XYZ imprint, we caught up with the Sydneysider to recap how the project came to fruition.

WWD – Luka, many thanks for joining us today! Congrats on the Bloodline EP – a huge favorite of the Dip team over the last few weeks, and we’re so glad to see it out there.

Luka – Hey guys, thanks for having me on your great label.

WWD – How is life in Sydney these days?

Luka – Life in Sydney is good. Despite the obvious challenges of 2020, I think it has been one of my most productive years in and out of the studio. It’s summer in Australia right now, so lots of beach time and good food with the people that mean the most to me this holiday season.

WWD – We all know the nature of the times for artists at the moment, but what have been some silver linings of the global situation for you thus far?

Luka – I think the silver linings have been a recalibration of what each of us truly value in our lives. When we realise how precious life and our choices are, then I think it really forces you to hone in what is important. Music wise, the global situation has allowed artists much more time in the studio, so we are getting a lot of great new music and also the live streams can be quite entertaining.

WWD – As we edge slowly (but surely) towards a return to music events, what are the cities, venues, or festivals that you are itching to get back to?

Luka – Everywhere. I love Sydney, so I am definitely looking locally first. I would also love to get down to Melbourne soon to play some gigs. Internationally, I would love to play in North America, South America, Europe and every city inside these beautiful continents. ADE is definitely on my radar too as I have never been.

WWD – Onto the music – If you had to summarize the Bloodline project in three words, what would they be?

Luka – Warm, intricate, emotive

WWD – You seem to have built a lovely partnership with Eisenzahn, as we see on Vanilla. Tell us about how you guys got started in the studio, and what the back & forth is like on your projects together.

Luka – Eisenzahn and I worked together every day for a while and although we have quite different tastes in music, we both love creating music. So our conversations were dominated by music talk. Then one day I sent him a track I’d been working on and asked if he could jam over the top with whatever he liked. He sent me back a bunch of ideas that we pieced together and that was our first track. Since then we have completed a lot of music which ranges from really experimental to more dance floor oriented.

WWD – Through a really sturdy and diverse career, you’ve been rooted in progressive-leaning music, yet also exploring different sounds and influences as well. How do you keep yourself motivated to test new ideas in the studio?

Luka – I try to live a full life, full of positive things and good people and as a result of this, inspiration is constantly flowing around me. My motivations come from my everyday happenings, my senses dictate how I feel in any given moment and that translates to emotions that are stored somewhere inside me to be used next time I am in the studio.

WWD – What studio gear or software is absolutely essential to a Luka Sambe tune?

Luka – Ableton.

WWD – Australia has an absolutely thriving electronic music scene, harvesting some of dance music’s best acts, both big and small. What is it about your homeland that supports such a knack for grooves?

Luka – I think Australian’s attitudes are our strongest trait. The beautiful cities and abundance of nature definitely helps, the access to many cultures absolutely influence us and the want to always be pushing boundaries create a fantastic cocktail of energy.

WWD – Sydney has been fighting to preserve its local scene through a tumultuous period of lockout laws and government interference. How have the issues over the last few years in your city affected the dance community there?

Luka – The issues have meant that many clubs have had to close and rules have disturbed a once thriving nightlife. The scene is slowly coming back to life, events are popping up around the place and there are a good bunch of people getting creative and booking quality artists

WWD – Which artists have been most crucial and influential to your career?

Luka – Guy J, Robert Babicz, Joris Voorn, Filter Bear

WWD – Which labels and producers have been keeping your toes tapping over the last couple of months?

Luka – Lost & Found, All Day I Dream, Souksonic, When We Dip XYZ

WWD – What do you look for in a label when considering partners for releasing your music?

Luka – Firstly, I need to love the music they are releasing and then once contact is made, I need to feel positivity and a common motivation for the music. If the connection is good and I believe in the label’s vision, then I know it will be a good fit.

WWD – What can you say about the strength of the dance music community when considering the rebuild that is ahead of us?

Luka – I think the dance music community is better than ever. Although the events are on hold at the moment, the music itself is at an all time high. We are here for the music, the strength of that is a solid foundation to rebuild our community and all come together to pull through this.

WWD – We hear you have a new alias to unveil in a few weeks time. Can you give us a small teaser about what might be in store on that front?

Luka – I do yes. I have felt lately that Luka Sambe has released some fun and delicate stuff, which is cool, I love it, but I don’t want to stray too far from what I truly love and keep my music serious and mature. My new alias will allow me to explore different emotions without affecting the core of the Luka Sambe sound.

WWD – Are there any other exciting projects we can look forward to?

Luka – Lots of releases next year including my first studio album which I am extremely excited about

WWD – Luka, thanks so much for the lovely chat. We hope to see you soon in Montreal. Take care mate 🙂

Luka – Thank you for having me and once again for releasing my music on your quality label. See you soon 🙂

Luka Sambe – Bloodline EP [XYZ026]
Release Date – 12.11.20
Stream – https://xyzlabel.lnk.to/Bloodline

Connect with XYZ – https://linktr.ee/wwd.xyz
Stream releases in full via Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2uDd07z

Follow Luka Sambe
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/luka-sambe
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/luka_sambe/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/lukasambemusic