We caught up with Eli Brown at Ultra Music Festival and dove into his new music, the Arcane takeover at Factory Town, and more!
Bristol-bred Eli Brown has been igniting dancefloors with an impressive lineup of energetic releases and captivating performances that consistently elevate modern house and techno. His latest track, “Drip,” featuring Eliza Legzdina, showcases his distinctive blend of pulsating beats and catchy vocals — a style that has become emblematic of his label, Arcane.
Recently, Eli delivered a powerful performance during Miami Music Week, highlighted by a memorable Arcane takeover at Factory Town. He brought that same exhilarating energy to RESISTANCE‘s The Cove stage at Ultra Music Festival, reaffirming his status as a formidable presence in the music scene. With significant performances on the horizon at festivals like Coachella and EDC Las Vegas, 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for him as he continues to gain momentum.
Before he takes the next leap, we had the chance to chat with Eli Brown backstage at Ultra Music Festival about his creative journey, recent touring experiences, upcoming projects, and much more. Read on for our full conversation!
Stream Eli Brown – Drip (feat. Eliza Legzdina) on Spotify:
Thanks so much for chatting with us today. So, you’re back here at Ultra Music Festival. How do you feel right now? And you’re going to take the stage soon, so what’s going through your head?
I’m nervous, as always. I always get nervous before shows, and I think that’s important because it shows you care. I don’t have much of a routine before I play big shows; it’s part of what I do weekly. However, I’ve been working hard on new music, hunting for the hottest tracks and fresh ideas to play tonight. So I have plenty of music ready.
We’re excited. And what have you noticed here at Ultra and the crowd and the energy that sets it apart from other festivals?
Well, last year was my debut, so I can’t say I have a wealth of experience to draw from, but last year was absolutely insane.
You did a back-to-back, right?
Yes, I was amazed by the energy. It was the middle of the afternoon on Sunday, and you’d expect people to be exhausted after a week of Ultra and all the after-parties. But last year’s set was a highlight of my year. I have high expectations for tonight, and I hope they don’t let me down.
I’m sure it’ll be a success. You’ve also played at Miami Music Week, with a performance at Factory Town the other night. We were there for your Arcane stage takeover. Did you have a role in curating the lineup, and how was that process?
Yes, Arcane is my label, so I’m involved in the entire vision. Factory Town is one of my favorite venues; it combines a warehouse vibe with a festival feel, which is quite unique. We did an event there last year in the warehouse that was incredible, and moving to the Park Stage, my personal favorite, was surreal. It’s something I could only dream of a couple of years ago, so to do that was fantastic. I believe the lineup we curated is among the best of the week.
It was pretty mind-blowing. Factory Town feels like its own festival.
I love it too. I was exhausted by the end. [Laughs] The 7am finish took its toll on me.
It’s a long night. Speaking of long nights, you just completed your All Night Long Tour in various European cities, primarily showcasing your own music. Can you describe how you conveyed the story of Eli Brown throughout your sets?
The beauty of an all-night-long show is that I have a rich musical background that I can’t fully express in a shorter set. Playing for six hours allows me to return to my roots, showcasing my influences, some classic tracks that inspire me, and more recent releases, alongside forward-thinking tracks. That broad spectrum is what I loved about the all-night shows.
Touching on your new music, we love your recent track, “Drip,” featuring Eliza Legzdina. Can you share some insights into the production process behind that track?
I prefer having vocals in all of my tracks. I believe my big-room techno sound is defined by memorable and unique vocals. I enjoy exploring rap vocals, with “Diamonds” being a notable example from my past, and “gImmE gImmE” more recently. “Drip” is an evolution of that idea.
Eliza Legzdina is a vocalist I’ve admired for some time, and we had a great chemistry in the studio. The process was seamless. I had the backing track prepared and had started playing it out, so I knew it worked. She came in for one session and delivered incredible verses, leaving me with extras I couldn’t fit into the track. She truly excelled. I have another track with her, “Step Back,” which I’ll be playing tonight and is set for release later this year on Arcane. Our collaboration is thriving.
Returning to your roots, your hometown of Bristol is known for its diverse sounds. How do you bring these underground influences into the spotlight of the music scene?
I don’t consciously approach this; I create music primarily for myself and my DJ sets. However, I learned early on that when attending events, you may hear many tracks over several hours but only remember a few. When writing, I always consider what will make a track stand out among the others played by DJs, focusing on a memorable hook, whether it’s a vocal or a synth sound. My aim is to create something uniquely memorable, which I hope leads to success and crossover appeal.
Looking ahead, what can we expect from you this year? Are there any exciting releases or projects on the horizon?
I have a lot of music coming. “Drip” has just been released, and next up is Dom Dolla’s “Dreamin’” remix, dropping the week of Coachella. Following that, I have a significant track called “Wavy” releasing in May. On the performance side, I’m excited for Coachella and EDC Las Vegas, as well as some major headline shows in New York. Additionally, I have more projects on 92 Thing, including a new capsule collection launching around the time of the New York show, which I’m looking forward to as well.
It sounds like a thrilling lineup ahead. That wraps up our conversation. Thank you for taking the time to chat with us!
Wicked. I appreciate it. Thanks for your time, guys.
