Q&A with breezy beatmaker Nate VanDeusen

We sat down with New York producer and musician Nate VanDeusen, who released his latest single, ‘Summer Dreams’ on September 13, 2024, through Nate VanDeusen Music. With over 125 million streams across various platforms and support from outlets like BBC Radio Wales, Mixmag, and T.H.E. Music Essentials, Nate’s music has also featured on prominent YouTube channels such as WaveMusic, Sensual Musique, Tropical House Records, and Supreme. He’s clearly establishing himself in the industry and shows no signs of slowing down. ‘Summer Dreams’, which Nate produced, mixed, and mastered himself, showcases influences from artists like Lost Frequencies, creating a sound that will resonate with fans of Tropical House legends such as Robin Schulz, Alle Farben, and Klingande.

 

 Stream ‘Summer Dreams’ while you read our interview with the artist below.

 

 

Set the tone for us. Why the arts?

I have always had an affinity for music, from listen to CDs on repeat on the bus before school, to my obsession with learning how to play every new song on guitar as a kid. Music has always been a part of my life. After working at a few tech jobs after college, I always came back to music. I would make new music every day after work and on weekends. Eventually I realized that I would never not want to make music and that I needed to really focus on doing what I love.

 

Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?

The idea in my head. Usually followed by playing some chords on my acoustic while hummin and singing some general vocal melody ideas.

 

Does your material feature any collaborations? 

Many of my songs are collaborations. However, the song “Summer Dreams” that I am working with Playy on, is a wholly solo effort on my part. From the conception of the idea for the song, to the performance, producing, mixing, and mastering.

 

What’s on your current playlist?

Diplo, Lost Frequencies, Remi Wolf, Matoma, CYRIL, Troye Sivan, Tiesto, and Elderbrook.

 

What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?

I also utilize something natural in all my productions. Usually by playing my acoustic guitar, or electric guitar. I often use some self recorded percussion and outdoor ambience. On top of that I am always using different plugins and effects to alter those organic, natural instruments to blend them into the electronic space better. All resulting in a unique sound that is fresh, yet recognizable. I also compose movie soundtracks so I am always finding new sounds there that I wouldn’t ever know about so I bring some of those sounds into my own productions as well.

 

Take us through a day in the recording studio.

I imagine it is similar to most anyone in any industry. I start by checking and replying to emails! haha Once I have all the boring stuff out of the way, I pick up where I left off the day before. I always have multiple collaborations and song ideas going at once so that I can jump back into the specific idea that is catching my attention at that moment. Whether that means I am working on a horror movie score, writing on someone else’s song, or starting a new solo song, there is always something to keep me interested.

 

Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?

I think for me it has been a gradual realization that I always come back to music. I have consistently written and produced music for the last 15 years. Before I started releasing music I would just do it for fun, eventually I realized I could actually make a living from it. At that point I realized this was the only thing I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.

 

Any emerging artists on your radar?

The artists I collaborate with! Over the years I have met and worked with so many amazing artists that blow me away with their talent. A few of my close friends that I have worked with include Horizon Blue, Felix Samuel, and Iaco.

 

What gets your creative juices flowing?

I think many artists would agree that it can be tough sometimes to get inspired. I find that somedays I could come up with 10 new songs while other days or even weeks it can be a real struggle. Whenever I run into a creative block I find the very best thing to do is to experiment with completely different genres. Probably why my side alias projects began in the first place, after trying to make some new music in different genres and really falling in love with the new sound.

 

Take us through your collection of gear, tech or software that accompanies your creative expression.

For me most songs start on guitar so I think my Taylor acoustic are crucial. I have 3 for different purposes. With my Gibson and Fender electric guitars and other acoustics I have 12 guitars total. 

Then I record into a tube Manley Reference Cardioid which I love the clean modern sound of.

From there I only have 2 pieces of analog recording gear, I go into a UAD 610B tube preamp, then into an 1176 limiter. Followed by my UAD Apollo twin x and then into my Mac Studio where I use Logic Pro as my DAW.

 

Any side projects you’re working on?

I have a couple alias accounts, VonDeep which has a more emotional heavy, Deep House sound, and Bayshore Court which is a more chill, Tropical House sound. Also I compose music for movie soundtracks so that keeps things fresh as well.

 

How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?

I am always learning new production technique from those that I collaborate with. Always making the process of making music more efficient so that I can spend more time on the actual song writing of new songs longer. Electronic music is ever changing so it is important to keep up with the new techniques and trends, while always staying true to your original vision and sound.

 

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?

I have spent 2024 keeping very consistent with releases and new content. I made it a goal of mine to release a new single every 2 weeks, which has resulted in my audience base continually increasing. I plan to slow down a bit in 2025 to now focus on bigger collaborations and allowing me to create more social media content to support those releases. For the rest of 2024 I have a release planned every two weeks so stay tuned for some new music!

 

Famous last words?

Never give up on your dreams. Always find a way to keep that flame burning.

 

Follow Nate VanDeusen:

Website – Facebook – X – Soundcloud – TikTok – Youtube – Instagram – Spotify