With his remix of Nihil Young’s “Automatic” now out on Magnetic Magazine Recordings, Deviu (@deviumusic) steps into a phase of his work where decisions feel more direct and less managed. The track presents a big extension of his catalog, with a focus on pacing, controlled arrangement shifts, and a steady melodic framework that holds attention without overcomplicating the mix. It also reflects a broader mindset that carries into how he approaches DJing, where structure and instinct operate in parallel.
That connection between studio output and performance approach becomes easier to track when you listen to how this remix unfolds. The phrasing is measured, transitions are handled with intent, and there is a clear sense of direction across the full runtime.
These are choices that align with a producer who has moved away from overthinking small details and toward trusting internal decision-making. The same approach applies behind the decks, where reading the room and staying present carry more influence than sticking rigidly to a plan.
In this conversation, Deviu outlines how he maintains consistency in his sound while adapting to different environments, and how his definition of growth has shifted over time. He speaks directly about letting go of control in order to stay engaged in the moment, and how that shift has affected both his production work and DJ sets. The result is a clearer picture of how “Automatic” fits into his catalog, and how his process continues to move forward with a defined sense of identity.
Interview With Deviu
What helps you stay flexible behind the decks without feeling like you’re compromising your core taste?
For me, it’s about understanding that flexibility doesn’t mean losing direction, it means translating your identity into different contexts. My sound is rooted in melodic, emotional, and atmospheric elements, so no matter where I play, I always come back to that feeling. I can adapt tempo, energy, or groove, but the essence stays the same.
It’s less about genres and more about emotion.
Have you ever played a set that felt technically “right” but emotionally off? What did you learn from that?
Yeah, definitely. There have been moments where everything was perfectly mixed, the structure made sense, but something just didn’t connect. It felt a bit “empty.” What I learned is that a set isn’t about selecting the right tracks, it’s about reading the room and being present.
How do you keep your identity as a DJ sharp while still growing and adapting with the times?
I think it comes down to being very clear about what resonates with you on a deeper level.
Trends come and go, but your taste is something you build over the years. I stay open to new sounds, but I filter everything through my own perspective. If something doesn’t feel like “me,” I don’t force it.
What’s something you’ve had to let go of in order to evolve?
I’ve had to let go of the idea of needing everything to be perfect, in production and in a DJ set. I used to overthink transitions or try to control every detail. Now I trust my instincts more. Letting go of that control allowed me to be more present and actually connect with the moment.
What does growth look like for you if it’s not measured in followers or festival slots?
Growth for me is when my music feels more honest, more refined, and more aligned with who I am.
It’s hearing a track and feeling like it truly represents me where I am at the moment. It’s also in the small moments or details that can feel like real growth.
How do you keep the connection between who you are at home and who you are behind the booth?
I try not to separate those two too much. The music I play is a reflection of what I listen to, what I feel, and what I create in the studio. If I’m connected to myself in my daily life, that naturally translates into my sets.
At the end of the day, it’s the same person, expressed through sound.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
