SimbaSōl is an artist who’s not just making music, he’s building a deeply intentional world around it. With a sound that refuses to be boxed in, his work is driven by raw emotion, creative freedom, and a quiet resistance to modern trends. As he prepares to release his debut album Subject To Change, SimbaSōl reflects on the journey so far, from the healing power of “Open Arms,” to his evolving studio rituals, and how hip-hop, nature, and spirituality continue to shape his artistic vision.

We caught up with him to talk about music as a calling, crying on the dancefloor, and why the best art always comes from the heart.

 Hey Zak! Thanks for taking the time to chat with us. You’ve had some strong releases this year, but let’s start from the beginning. What first drew you to electronic music, and when did you start to feel like you’d found your own sound as SimbaSōl?

 

Agreed, this year has been a really busy in all the good ways. Starting a career from scratch and building brick by brick, refining the process. Music is my DNA, as I believe it is in everyone’s at the core. Eventually, the calling became too strong to ignore, and here I am. My sound is and forever will be evolving and not easy to categorize. I am currently on retreat, composing my first album, which will be called Subject To Change. The meaning is that we, as humans, have the full rainbow of facets and emotions, we are not this elusive “one thing”. As an artist, I will continue to explore all sides of where my creativity leads me. 

 

There’s a strong sense of hope and renewal in your latest release, “Open Arms.” Was there a specific moment or feeling you wanted to capture when creating it? It also included a special cut with Timo Maas, and a vinyl edition with Shanti Mansion. What was the idea behind presenting the track in different forms, and what do you think each version reveals about the song?

 

Thank you for seeing it! From the onset, Open Arms was made to be an Outro song or to be played just as the sun passes above the horizon. To be honest, I have attempted this energy in the past, but nothing to date with this. I knew something special was happening when I played the instrumental version, people would start shedding tears on the dance floor. That was when I started working with my friend and talented vocalist on the storyline. My instructions were simple: “sing as though you are hugging the entire universe”. And that’s how it went down. From there, a call with my mentor and friend Timo. I saw his eyes change when listening, I wasn’t expecting it, given the type of music he usually releases. It goes to show why he is where he is today, thanks to his ear for quality across all genres. We immediately got to work on a more orchestral version that somehow brings out a wide set of emotions along the journey. 

 

All in all, I am humbled that a song can touch so many people and makes me feel warm inside when I listen to it to this day. Shout out to Shanti Mansion for working this release with me. 

 

Your next track “Check The Word” drops soon! What can you tell us about the story or idea behind it?

 

Spot on. This is a SoundCloud-onlyy drop, sampling one of myall-time favouritee hip-hop groupe. Before the current era of my life, I was a hip-hop head through and through, and I often bring that line of interest into the music I produce today. From production to clothing, it’s something that is hardwired into my soul and always will be. 

 

You’ve also got music coming out on The Gardens of Babylon. How did that partnership come about? The label has such a spiritual and community-driven essence; does that reflect your own connection to music and dance culture?

 

One of my core values is to work with groups that align with who I am and what I stand for.

 I would be hard-pressed to find another label that feels more in sync than Garden.. From the music they curate, of course, the fantastic events they organize & most importantly, the humans involved. One of those humans is a long-time friend and artist, “Davian”, who had a relationship with their team. He wrote a beautiful intro message, and the rest is history. These stories inspire me: a web of kind-hearted people working together to help elevate others. 

 

 It will be an honour to release this project in the upcoming months, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone. Hint, there is a dance floor assassin on this E.P. 

 

What’s your typical setup when you’re in the studio, do you have a ritual to get into “creative mode”?

 

My brain and heart are permanently connected to the music, from the moment my eyes open in the morning. Quite honestly, sometimes the urge to hit the studio wakes me up. So over the years, I’ve made a promise with myself that no music or screens can happen until the sun comes up. So most mornings are reserved for contemplation, yoga and writing. 

 

Various types of sessions call for different sides of me. Typically, during weekdays, I am laser-focused on moving projects forward with my Type A personality, while nighttime and weekend sessions are Type B, laid back, and simply having fun in the studio. Dancing between these two polarities is my sweet spot. 

 

What’s something outside of music that’s been inspiring you creatively lately?

 

Somehow, it took me 34 years of existence to honestly look at nature as if it were a movie. Recently, I have gotten into bird watching in the mornings. Thinking about their lives and what it must feel like to fly.

 

How do you balance experimentation with finishing a track that’s ready to release? Do you prefer finishing tracks quickly to capture the moment, or refining them over time?

 

My taste in music changes so fast that I need to wrap up ideas quickly. It also helps me feel more at peace when I don’t have 30 lingering projects up in the air, however, when it comes to fine-tuning the mix and master and minor details about a song, well, that can take months, sometimes years. Playing it out during the set and picking up on little details, like whether the snare picks up the energy or, most importantly, how the low end translates to the club. 

 

If listeners could take one feeling or message away from SimbaSōl’s music, what would you want it to be?

 

Love Life

 

What’s coming up for you in the next few months, new music, shows, or projects that fans should be excited about?

 

As we speak, I am currently in the woods in the most magical studio to write my first full-length album. More to come, but I feel like a kid in a candy store, with music that has no rules except that it needs to come from the heart. 

 

Release scheduled for October 2026.