Chilsta on ‘Faith’: Connecting Cultures, Evolving Sound, and Staying True to His Roots

South African-born, Shanghai-based Producer and DJ Chilsta has been steadily carving out his sound within the world of Electronic Music, blending the rhythms of his African heritage with global club energy. His latest release, ‘Faith’, reflects this journey — a track driven by groove, percussive details, and a DJ’s instinct for the dancefloor, it offers a glimpse into Chilsta’s creative outlook and vision moving forward.  

In this interview, we sit down with him to discuss the making of ‘Faith’, his influences, and how living between cultures continues to shape his evolving sound. 

Hi Chilsta, how are you doing? Congratulations on the release of ‘Faith’! 

Hi there! I’m doing well, thank you. 

Can you take us behind the scenes of ‘Faith’ — how did the initial idea for the track first take shape? 

It’s an old track that I was feeling again. I started with the drums, and from there, came up with the bass melody on my keyboard. 

What was the most challenging or unexpected part of bringing this track to life in the studio? 

Mixing the drums was the most difficult part. Drums can be complicated, but they are super important! 

The track moves through different sonic dimensions. How did you approach arranging and balancing the immersive grooves, darker textures, and vocal elements? 

I just went by feeling.  

I started the track during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a very dark time for everyone. I take a DJ’s approach to making music, so I tried to make it DJ-friendly. 

Was there a particular moment during production when you felt ‘Faith’ had truly found its identity? 

Not specifically, I guess I was just feeling it in the studio! 

What gear, plugins, or techniques were key in shaping the unique soundscape of the track? 

Really simple – it was mostly Serum, but the main parts of the track, I was the one who did the sound design. 

As a South African artist now based in Shanghai, how has your environment influenced your creativity and approach to music-making? 

South Africa taught me groove. Spending time in Shanghai exposed me to some of the best DJs in the world and an environment with top-tier production values. I’d say the crowds in China really love high-energy music, and that’s definitely had a big influence on me. 

How does ‘Faith’ reflect where you are now artistically, and how do you envision your sound evolving from here? 

I think ‘Faith’ reflects my ability to adapt to different to cultures, globally, and understanding different grooves and how different crowds interact and soak up the music. I see my sound evolving more into Afro House, but more festival-oriented and geared towards clubs. 

I think I can put a unique twist on it, drawing from my experience as a DJ and Producer who works within different sounds and genres.  

Can you walk us through how you build the rhythmic foundations of your tracks? Specifically, how did you develop the beat and percussive layers for ‘Faith’? 

Good question! I wanted to make a Tech House track with a typical House loop, but I wanted to add something to make it feel more African. So, I added some extra percussions and toms (on the off-beats) but I mixed them in, subtly, to make room for other elements, keeping the drums as the driving force behind the track.  

Finally, what’s next for you? Can we expect more releases soon? 

Working hard in the studio and more gigs in China. I don’t want to force anything, but I’m definitely working towards developing a signature sound that reflects the influence of the Shanghai audience I’ve been experiencing at gigs. 

Yes, you can expect more releases. I’m looking forward to that. I don’t want to be a perfectionist, but I want to release my best work. I’ve just settled into the city again. So, I’m back to the music, baby! 

With ‘Faith’, Chilsta takes another step forward in his creative journey, continuing to refine his ability to connect different sounds and audiences, all while staying true to his South African heritage. As he settles back into Shanghai, returns to live performances, and focuses on new material, his goal remains clear: to evolve his signature sound and reach new listeners.  

An artist in motion, Chilsta is just getting started – so, stay connected via social media to follow his upcoming releases, projects, and updates. 

Listen and Buy ‘Faith’ Now: 

https://www.beatport.com/release/faith/5084935

Chilsta Online  

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