FREDERIC Gives Us the Lowdown on His Roots and Debut Single

After the release of his debut single, “Reason,” FREDERIC swung by to chat about his earliest influences, his artist journey, and the goals he hopes to achieve this year.

FREDERIC might seem like a fairly fresh face in the scene, having only released his debut single just a few weeks ago, but he’s on a path to quickly become an artist to watch. This Norwegian DJ and producer spent years immersing himself in the music scene as he grew up in Europe, falling in love with the sounds of Swedish house producers who helped shape the current era of the scene. Years later, FREDERIC has turned what became a hobby into a fully fledged career, while finding a home in New York along the way.

DJing was the first step forward for FREDERIC. Formerly holding a residency at IVY in Oslo, he has since found his footing on American soil, taking the stage at some of the scene’s most extravagant nightclubs. Marquee and Nebula in New York, Encore Beach Club and XS in Las Vegas, and LIV in Miami are just some of the hotspots he’s hit over the past year alone.

The next step for FREDERIC began this year, as he released his first single, “Reason.” The track, co-produced by Maarten Vorwerk and featuring vocals from LAUD, has already surpassed 100,000 streams on Spotify, marking a massive milestone for the rising artist. Looking to get some added insight, we caught up with FREDERIC to chat about the track, his goals for the future, and more, so read on for the full conversation!

Stream FREDERIC – “Reason” on Spotify:

Before we dive into your debut single, let’s explore your artistic roots. Who were some of your earliest influences that pushed you to fall in love with electronic music?

Music has always been a big part of my life, both through my family and through discovering electronic music at a young age. Growing up in a very musical household meant that music wasn’t just entertainment; it was something you respected and worked on. Beyond that, artists like Avicii and Axwell were hugely influential for me, especially during the Swedish wave that shaped modern EDM. At the same time, I draw inspiration across genres, and with the sound I’m exploring today, I’m influenced by artists who balance emotion, groove, and club energy in a very modern way, including Cassian, Kevin de Vries, John Summit, and Fisher.

What’s the story behind your journey to becoming a DJ and producer? Was your desire to be behind the decks immediate, or did it develop over time?

It developed gradually. I’ve worked with music on and off for around 15–20 years, but for a long time, it remained a hobby alongside other projects. I spent years playing clubs, making edits and mashups, collaborating quietly, and learning without pressure. Over time, more people around me encouraged me to focus on what I genuinely care about and have a real passion for. Over the last few years, that shift became more serious, and at the same time, opportunities started opening up faster than I expected. That combination made it feel like the right moment to fully commit.

Your debut single, “Reason,” features a strong melodic techno soundscape. You worked in close collaboration with Maarten Vorwerk and LAUD on this one. Can you tell us about how the track came to life?

From the beginning, Maarten and I talked about creating something that felt unique, but still accessible. We wanted a clear identity, something melodic and emotional, yet powerful enough for the club. The idea was to combine a beautiful, uplifting vocal with a heavy drop and a cinematic atmosphere. We focused a lot on balance, making something commercial enough to reach beyond core club audiences, while still translating properly on a big system. Elements like clear stabs and structured energy were very intentional throughout the process.

While you’re originally from Oslo, you’ve made a home in New York City as well. What was your experience like moving to the US? Did you experience any culture shock?

New York has been a natural base for me. I’ve had a close connection to the city for around 15 years, so working from here felt organic rather than dramatic. The energy in NYC is exactly what I thrive on. It’s fast-paced, creative, and very real. The crowds are knowledgeable and open, and the city constantly pushes you forward, both musically and personally.

Last year, you took the stage at Edge in NYC, LIV in Miami, and Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas. What sort of preparation process do you have ahead of sets at major clubs like these?

My preparation is fairly similar regardless of venue. I make sure I have strong material, including exclusive edits and custom mixes, while still keeping enough familiar elements for the crowd to connect. Since I’m still early in my artist journey, I can’t rely on recognizable original records yet, so track selection and flow become even more important. It’s about reading the room and creating moments that feel specific to that night.

Just for fun, if you could play at any festival or club on the planet, where would it be and why?

There are a few clear dream stages. Omnia Nightclub is definitely one. Tomorrowland is a huge goal, naturally. And Ibiza is special in its own way, particularly Hï Ibiza and Ushuaïa Ibiza.

Finally, since we’re in the early days of the year, can you share the goals you hope to achieve in 2026?

The main goal is to continue building the project in a focused and intentional way. I’m hoping to land a few strong collaborations with artists I’m already in dialogue with and establish myself as a serious up-and-coming artist in the EDM space. But above all, it comes down to the music. I want to release records that people genuinely connect with and enjoy. That response is what gives motivation to keep pushing forward. Without listeners, none of this really matters.

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