Flour, SAILØ, ATÉ & SALIN, and Uphoria shared insight behind their tracks on EXHALE’s latest compilation, VA006.
Amelie Lens has been on the top of the techno food chain for years. Not only has she continuously brought banging tunes and incredible performances to the masses, but she’s also helped usher in the next generation of talent through EXHALE. This community-driven brand started as an event series, but in 2020, Amelie Lens set her sights on growing it even more. Since then, showcases have been hosted in cities around the world, along with releases on the label that have showcased some of the best and brightest in the scene.
One of the defining releases that EXHALE curates is the VA compilation series, which began in 2020 and is centered on the future sounds of underground techno. This year saw it reach its sixth volume with 15 cutting-edge tunes produced by artists from around the globe. Among these artists on VA006 were five that stood out—Flour, SAILØ, Uphoria, ATÉ, and SALIN—and they had some time to dive into the backstory behind their tunes, what they have in store for the future, and more.
Listen to VA006 on Spotify or your preferred platform, and read on for some added insight into the tracks from these four artists!
Flour
How did “Galattica” come together, and what inspired its sound?
‘Galattica’ was born from my deep love for the cosmos – the sky has always been my biggest source of inspiration. To me, this track tells one of the most powerful stories I’ve ever expressed through music.
What does being part of the EXHALE family mean to you as an artist?
Being part of the Exhale family truly means everything to me. It was my dream long before I even started producing – I’ve always felt a deep connection to this incredible community as a raver, and now being on the other side, as an artist, is something I can’t even put into words.
What’s coming up for you this year – any more live shows or releases?
This year is shaping up to be a meaningful one – with new music on the way and my first headlining show in Europe coming up next month in Sofia, Bulgaria. There are also a few things in the works that I can’t share just yet, but I can’t wait to tell you more soon.
Uphoria
How did “Rave Dance Drink” come together, and what inspired its sound?
I wanted to create a track that truly reflects who I am, especially since I often struggle to identify with the current industrial hard techno scene. I’m deeply inspired by orchestral, melodic, and euphoric sounds. Melody has always been central to my creative process. I’ve been a musician since the age of 8, starting with classical guitar at the conservatory, then moving on to piano. That’s why harmonies, emotional chords, female vocals, and melodic elements are at the core of my sound. All of this guided me in the creation of my ‘Rave Dance Drink’
What does being part of the EXHALE family mean to you as an artist?
It’s a huge achievement for me. EXHALE is one of the few projects where I truly see myself and feel aligned with the artistic direction. Having Amelie Lens choose my track for this VA is an immense honor. She’s a massive inspiration, and I’m proud to be part of this journey alongside so many talented artists.
What’s coming up for you this year – any more live shows or releases?
I’m really excited about what’s coming. I’ll be premiering my new Live Show 2.0 on April 30 in Montpellier, France. It’s co-produced with REBORN, the collective I co-founded with Emma Ollivary and in collaboration with my agency AMD. This will be a fully immersive hardware live set featuring my machines (Push 2, TR-8S, and APC 40), centered around a full light show with lasers and custom scenography. I’ll also be touring in Asia this year and performing at several festivals, including Verknipt France. With REBORN, we’re also launching our own label to support emerging artists who share our vision, offering a strong, unique direction, far from industrial techno trends. On top of that, I have several unreleased tracks set to drop this year. I can’t wait to share everything with my community.
SAILØ
How did “Nobody” come together, and what inspired its sound?
The track really took shape the moment I found the vocal. As soon as I heard it, I could visualize a story behind it – that’s what inspired the direction Nobody ended up taking. I also had this idea from the very beginning of creating something aggressive yet emotional at the same time, and that contrast became a core part of the track’s identity.
What does being part of the EXHALE family mean to you as an artist?
Being part of such a beautiful label fills me with excitement. It’s home to some of my favorite artists, and being able to join it is something I’ve always dreamed of. This release on EXHALE is an incredible motivation to keep doing what I love. It feels like confirmation that I’m on the right path – and if I keep going this way, I believe I’ll be able to achieve the goals I’ve set for my future.
What’s coming up for you this year – any more live shows or releases?
I have a lot of music I’m excited to share with the world. Right now, I’m in the process of finding the right labels for some of these tracks, but I’ll also be releasing music independently and collaborating
with artists I admire. There are a few upcoming shows I can’t reveal just yet, but I’m working on expanding and growing as an artist so I can share my music in other countries as well.
ATÉ & SALIN
ATÉ: Instagram | Spotify
SALIN: Instagram | Spotify
How did “Mess” come together, and what inspired its sound?
‘Mess’ was the first track we created together as ATÉ & SALIN, and its inspiration came during a time when I felt really confused about my life decisions, often thinking, “I’m a mess.” As I shared these feelings with Salin, it sparked the idea for our hook line. Interestingly, Salin was wearing socks that said “Play With Me,” which tied perfectly into our concept, providing a fun twist to the theme and referencing our B2B sets.
This track beautifully combines our distinct styles, with ATÉ’s vocals merging with SALIN’s explosive lead, reflecting our shared passion for rolling bass and impactful drops. The lyrics “I’m a mess” represent our clumsiness, while “play with me” encapsulates our love for sharing the booth and supporting each other on this journey.
What does being part of the EXHALE family mean to you as an artist?
Collaborating with EXHALE feels like a dream come true, as it perfectly aligns with our vision of exploring new artistic horizons. We are incredibly grateful that Amelie Lens recognized our track and welcomed us into this dynamic community! It’s beautiful that EXHALE hosts events all around the globe, bringing together artists and the crowd to connect. This creates a vast EXHALE family, uniting people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. There is a genuine sense of support among everyone involved, and we are truly excited to see where this journey takes us!
What’s coming up for you this year – any more live shows or releases?
We have some exciting plans for this year! We’ll be performing at Tomorrowland Belgium 2025 on the Atmosphere stage hosted by EXHALE in the summer. We’ll also be taking the stage at the Athens Epidavrus Festival and the Phaex Festival in Corfu, along with many more live shows with Velocity Collective in Athens. Additionally, we are working on an EP that features both energetic and emotional tracks. Stay tuned for what’s to come!
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