Emerging from the intersection of cinematic emotion and underground rhythm, pizzaaftersex steps into a new chapter with Unheard Music, the freshly launched collective-driven label devoted to artistic freedom and uncompromising sound. Known for amassing tens of millions of streams through his evocative, genre-blurring compositions, pizzaaftersex now channels that same depth into the electronic realm, bridging atmospheric storytelling with dancefloor sensibility. As one of the co-founders behind Unheard Music – alongside Far&High and Mona Chrome – he plays a key role in shaping the imprint’s vision: a home for raw, unpredictable, and truth-driven creativity. With the label’s debut release ‘Rabbit Hole’ (featuring remixes from Sasha Carassi and Gorge) already making waves, pizzaaftersex joins us to discuss the inspiration behind his transition into dance music, the philosophy powering Unheard, and what listeners can expect from his upcoming releases.
Hello pizzaaftersex, thanks for chatting with us here at PLAYY. Magazine!
Your imprint Unheard Music is launching as a label built on artistic freedom. What does that concept of “freedom over formulas” personally mean to you, and how does it shape the kind of music you want to release?
For the past 15 years, I have been creating different kinds of music. My main success is connected with cinematic music under a different name, but electronic dance music has always been very interesting to me. When I faced the current reality of the dance music scene, I strongly disagreed with what I saw. There are too many rules and conditions an artist must follow just to get their demo heard, not even signed. Being a good producer is not enough anymore. What matters more is how big your audience already is and how similar your style is to what a certain label already releases. That is when I first thought that I want to build a label with a fundamentally different approach.
You’ve already built a global following in cinematic and mood-driven electronic music. What inspired your transition from that world to something more underground and club-oriented with Unheard?
Actually, I was already there for a long time; I just did not fully understand how exactly to act so that the music would be released and heard. I wrote a lot of music that stayed on my hard drive. After I met Maksim from Far&High, a plan appeared how to release it, but I was still not completely happy with the result. One of the strongest engines of creativity is the desire to do it your own way, not the way you heard it from someone else. If you do not like something, create it in a way that you will like. That is how Unheard Music started to grow, and I have been behind it from the beginning and will continue to be.
‘Rabbit Hole’, your collaboration with Far&High, is the first release from the label. Can you talk us through the creative process behind the track and what it represents for Unheard’s sound?
It was born in a classic way through searching for a sound in the studio, an experiment that led to the main idea that you can hear now. When Far&High took the track for finalization, it was almost finished. They removed some parts, added something new, and it took the final form it has today. Of course, there were debates and creative discussions. It was a fully alive and real collaboration where each of us put a lot of ourselves into the music.
The label’s manifesto speaks about rejecting algorithms and trends. How do you maintain authenticity in an age where music discovery is so tied to data and digital platforms?
Let us see how it will work. I feel that society is asking for this. For something more free, something that lets you step outside of the recommendation bubble where algorithms decide what you see, when, and in what quantity. Feel our idea and it will resonate in the heart of anyone who wants real or new emotions. There are too many limits and parameters around us, and I believe humans always strive for some kind of freedom. In my projects, I want to give people a choice to go where their heart calls. If you feel comfortable in an algorithmic world, it is okay, but if you want more freedom, then I have something to offer.
You’re launching Unheard alongside Far&High and Mona Chrome; three artists from different corners of the scene. How did this partnership form, and what connects you creatively?
We come from different musical generations, our tastes are very different, but there are a few things that connect us. A love for freedom, the desire to bring something new to the world, to make it a little better, to not exist in a world where everything sounds the same. We are looking for something new, something that inspires us, and we really do not like to exist within strict borders, especially those created not by us. The absence of such borders gives incredible creative potential, not only to us but also to those who share our philosophy.
The Unheard movement extends beyond music releases, with events, video mixes, and sessions around the world. What kind of atmosphere or experience do you hope to create through these gatherings?
We want people to relax while connecting with our content or at our parties. We want them to understand that there is no point in wasting time filming on their phone because no video can capture the beauty of the moment, and by filming it, you might miss exactly that moment. We want a community around us that can find a point of pleasure without expectations, without limits, without programming the situation. We will be happy if, at some point, Unheard Music becomes associated with something real, sincere, and pleasant.
You’ve mentioned before that your music balances emotion and experimentation. How does that philosophy come through in your production approach, whether you’re composing cinematic pieces or club tracks?
Music must tell a story; it must evoke emotion. I do not mind modern trends where everything important has to happen in the first 30 seconds. It is a natural result of the speed of our world. But if you find three or four minutes to listen to my story, I believe it can bring you much more pleasure. Imagine you go to a restaurant for a five-course dinner. If the chef throws all the dishes on the table at once, yes, you will taste them and save time. But imagine how it feels when you take your time and enjoy each dish slowly. Everyone chooses what brings them more joy. I am the second type of person. I prefer to enjoy things longer, and it is the same in music. The story matters to me.
From your perspective, what does the “underground” mean in 2025, and how does Unheard Music aim to redefine or revive that spirit?
Why revive it? It never left. It is small communities of people who create for passion and self-expression, not for money. And here is an interesting point. If underground means music or DJing that is not your main income but something you do out of love, then underground today is bigger than ever. The royalties that ninety percent of artists receive are not even enough for one trip to the grocery store. I exaggerate a little, but you understand. The modern dance music industry is commercial only for a small number of artists and DJs. Everything else is basically underground.
Having achieved tens of millions of streams already, you’ve proven that experimental music can still connect on a wide scale. How do you reconcile underground ethos with such a widespread reach?
It is actually not experimental in a closed or complicated way; it connects with people. The reason is that this music is incredibly diverse. It can absorb many styles, moods, and emotions. It can be live or electronic, tender or aggressive, danceable or calming. That is a huge spectrum. I do not want the word underground to sound pretentious or snobbish. Underground is simply music for the minority, for people who search for something specific. Yes, we consider ourselves an underground label, but we are like Janus; we are open to anything we like, without any fixed direction, except one rule: dance music has to be danceable.
Finally, looking ahead: What do you hope listeners feel when they first step into the releases of the Unheard world, and where do you see this label evolving over the next few years?
Into an atmosphere of freedom, without prejudice, without genre limits. I want people to understand that Unheard is about creativity in all its forms. Society has become very separated lately, and we want to unite, to bring something kind, to support young artists, and to give experienced ones space without pressure or expectations. We want people at our events to dance, not film with their phones. To feel a moment they want to keep in their memory. It will not be easy, but is the game not worth the candle.
Follow pizzaaftersex:
Soundcloud – Beatport – Instagram
Follow Unheard:
Website – Instagram – Beatport
