Many attendees of Burning Man last year will be delighted to hear that Seth Schwarz and Lydgen, together as ARTEMIDES, have finally released ‘Matter of Time (Stars Align),’ just days before this year’s Burning Man begins. Debuted at Burning Man 2023, ‘Matter of Time (Stars Align)’ was an instant hit, quickly spreading across USBs on the playa like wildfire. The track’s undeniable magic is no random occurrence, but rather a testament to Seth and Lydgen’s long standing journey together as both partners and artistic collaborators, and the deep musical synergy it has produced. Known for their innovative fusion of classical violin, singing and electronic music, Seth and Lydgen continue to push creative boundaries with each ARTEMIDES release.

‘Matter of Time (Stars Align)’ is a melodic journey that combines Lydgen’s beautiful voice with the classical elegance of the violin and the rhythm of modern organic house music. The track is deeply personal, reflecting back on the entirety of Seth and Lydgen’s romantic relationship and the wisdom they have gained together. “This track resembles one of the great wisdoms we were able to tap into while considering our long term relationship as soul mates: Some of the biggest manifestations are a matter of time – and now we see the stars align,” the duo shares.

Seth Schwarz and Lydgen’s artistic collaboration extends beyond the recording studio; their live performances are renowned for their dynamic energy and emotional intensity. With its powerful blend of emotional depth and innovative sound on full display, the live performances of ‘Matter of Time (Stars Align)’  at Playground and PlayAlchemist were two highlights of the festival, leaving a lasting impression on attendees. Recognizing the track’s potential, the duo decided to wait and release ‘Matter of Time (Stars Align)’ just before this year’s Burning Man, building anticipation and excitement amongst burners.

You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Matter of Time (Stars Align)’ exclusively on When We Dip. Enjoy!

WWD: Welcome back to When We Dip Seth and Lydgen, and congratulations on an incredible release! ‘Matter of Time (Stars Align)’ was first debuted at Burning Man 2023, and was just released days before Burning Man 2024. Why did you decide to hold off on releasing the track? It must have been difficult to sit on such a wonderful song!

We wanted the track to evolve organically over time. Burning Man 2023 was an incredible test ground where we could feel the energy and feedback from the crowd, but sometimes a track needs to breathe before it’s fully ready. It’s a deeply personal piece, and we wanted to make sure the final version conveyed the emotional depth we intended. Waiting until Burning Man 2024 for the official release allowed us to refine the track and feel like the right moment for it to resonate on a larger scale.

WWD: Seth, you’ve just returned from Burning Man 2024, where ‘Matter of Time (Stars Align)’ once again made an impact. How was this year’s Burning Man experience for you, and how did it feel seeing the track resonate with festival-goers for the second year in a row?

Burning Man 2024 was incredible, and it was amazing to see how much “Matter of Time (Stars Align)” resonated with festival-goers for the second year in a row. The energy from the crowd was electric, and it was clear that the song touched people deeply once again. However, Lydgen, who brings so much to the track with her vocals, wasn’t able to be there in person to perform live, and her presence was definitely missed. Even though the song stood strong on its own, having her perform live would have elevated the experience even more.

WWD: ‘Matter of Time (Stars Align)’ has very intimate lyrics, touching on the lessons you’ve learned as romantic partners and artistic collaborators. Can you share more about how your personal story together is reflected in the track’s composition and lyrics?

“Matter of Time (Stars Align)” reflects the push and pull of our journey together, both as partners and collaborators. The lyrics express a sense of timing and patience—how everything happens when it’s meant to, especially in love and creative work. The music mirrors our story: classical, grounded elements representing stability, while the electronic layers represent the unpredictable and dynamic aspects of life. The song is about trusting the process and each other.

WWD: The two of you have been on an incredible journey, both personally and musically. Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger selves when you first started working together as artists and partners?

We’d tell ourselves to be patient and trust the process. Working together, rather than trying to tackle things individually, has been key. Collaboration allows us to bring out the best in each other, and the creative journey is much smoother when we lean on one another. It’s also important to stay persistent—keep going even when things aren’t easy. Challenges will come, but by sticking together, being patient, and continuously working on our craft, we’ve learned that everything falls into place at the right time.

WWD: Your blend of classical and electronic music is truly unique – please tell us more about your unique musical backgrounds! How do you merge these diverse influences to create ARTEMIDES’ signature sound?

Seth’s background in classical music, specifically in violin and piano, is foundational to his approach to composition. He has a long history of performing with orchestras and brings a deep understanding of classical arrangements to the electronic world. However, he started with hip-hop-music, where he began as a rapper and producer. This early experience gave him a strong foundation in rhythm and production.

Lydgen has a strong foundation in classical violin and voice, and she also works as a music teacher. Her expertise in both performance and teaching allows her to approach music with technical precision and creative expression. Together, we blend these classical roots with electronic production, combining live instruments like the electric violin with synthesizers and vocal effects to create the unique sound of ARTEMIDES.

WWD: You both have very cool interests outside of your careers in music, from Seth’s background in radiation oncology to Lydgen’s background in performance art. How do these other pursuits influence your approach to making music?

Spontaneous improvisation is a core part of how we create music. We often let the moment guide us, especially during live performances, allowing our creativity to flow without rigid structures. In addition to that, encounters and emotions from our daily lives—our human experiences—play a huge role in shaping our music. Whether it’s joy, challenges, or relationships, these emotions find their way into the melodies and soundscapes we create. Seth’s work as a radiation oncologist also brings a unique perspective. His deep understanding of life’s fragility and resilience influences the emotional depth of our music, reminding us to infuse our compositions with both intensity and sensitivity.

WWD: Were there any standout pieces of gear or production methods that played a key role in bringing “Matter of Time (Stars Align)” to life?

One key element was Seth’s NS-Design CR-5 electric violin, which allowed us to blend classical strings with electronic textures seamlessly. We also used a Moog synthesizer for its rich analog warmth, paired with vocal layering techniques that Lydgen developed through experimentation. The combination of organic and digital production gave the track its distinct emotional intensity.

WWD: Your live performances have become known for their dynamic emotional intensity, with “Matter of Time (Stars Align)” epitomizing this. How do you approach translating your studio work into a live setting, and what was special about performing it at Burning Man?

Performing live is all about capturing the emotional core of the track while allowing room for spontaneity. We always try to reimagine our studio work for the stage, adding live elements like Seth’s violin improvisations or new vocal dynamics from Lydgen. Burning Man is special because it’s such an immersive experience—there, the audience becomes part of the performance, and that interaction feeds back into the energy of the music.

WWD: You’ve had the opportunity to perform in some extraordinary venues – do you have any favorite places to play? And is there a dream venue or festival where you’d love to bring the ARTEMIDES project in the future?

There are so many incredible festivals, and we feel fortunate to have played at some amazing ones. Looking ahead, there are a few dream stages we haven’t performed at yet, but would love to. The “Boom Festival” in Portugal is one of them—its focus on art, music, and consciousness would be the perfect setting for our music. Another dream stage is the “Palapa Stage” at Fusion Festival. This massive circus tent with such beautiful artistic stage construction really speaks to our creative approach. These festivals, among many others, represent the kind of transformative environments where our sound can truly connect with people. We’re excited about the possibility of playing these stages in the future, alongside continuing to explore other amazing festivals around the world.

WWD: Looking ahead, what can fans expect next from ARTEMIDES? Do you have any new projects, collaborations, or shows lined up that you’re excited to share?

We’re excited about the future! In addition to the release of “Matter of Time (Stars Align),” we have more collaborations in the works and are already thinking about our next festival season.
One highlight is that our PlayAlchemist-Set from Burning Man 2023 is soon available on the new music streaming platform WeR1, which offers a more transparent and rewarding ecosystem for artists. Seth is a co-founder of WeR1, and he’s been heavily involved in its development. The platform is launching with a major event at ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) in October featuring some great artists. You can download the app and sign up using Seth’s invite code: SETH07.

Release Date: August 23rd, 2024. Buy Here

Seth Schwarz: Facebook // SoundCloud
Lydgen: Facebook // SoundCloud
NASAJA: Facebook // SoundCloud