Bali-based producer/DJ STAY GOLDEN says that his deep connection with electronic music began long before he became an artist.
"From around 2010, I was going to techno parties, discovering downtempo and traveling to different music festivals and Burning Man-related events around the world," he says. "I was fascinated not only by the music itself, but by the environments and communities that formed around it. In 2019, that interest became much more focused. I started studying DJing seriously and approaching it as a profession rather than simply a passion. At the time, I was still running an AR/VR and multimedia business, where I had developed a career as an expert and regularly was a speaker at industry conferences."
"The real turning point came when I moved to Bali, stepped away from the multimedia business and committed my full attention to music. I brought the same mindset with me: I didn’t want to participate only on the surface — I wanted to understand the craft deeply, become a professional within the industry and create original music of my own. That was when I began spending long hours studying production, experimenting in the studio and learning how to translate my personal vision — the way I experience the world and music—into the sound of STAY GOLDEN."
The artist says that the vision behind STAY GOLDEN is not limited to one genre. "My background in AR, VR and immersive multimedia taught me to think in terms of complete experiences rather than individual elements," he says. "I approach music in the same way: every track should create its own world, tell a story and make you feel something, while still having enough energy to move a dancefloor. Ultimately, I want the project to connect people through moments they can experience and remember together. Lately my sound carries the melodic and introspective qualities of organic house, but with a stronger focus on groove, funk and the energy of indie dance."
STAY GOLDEN's latest release is Silent Covenant, his debut album and his first release on All Day I Dream. "The title refers to the invisible bonds between people—the shared moments, memories and emotions that can connect us without ever needing to be spoken," he says. "Across the seven tracks, I wanted to translate those connections into a musical journey that moves between introspection, atmosphere, rhythm and the energy of the dancefloor. The album carries the emotional and melodic sensibility associated with All Day I Dream, but brings my own perspective to that world through stronger grooves, funk-influenced elements and an indie-dance direction. It begins with four solo productions and then opens into collaborations with Alexey Union, Broken Hill, Kinky Sound, ÜNAM and ANTICALM. For me, the album represents both a summary of everything that has shaped STAY GOLDEN so far and the beginning of a new chapter in my sound."
As for gear: "My studio setup is built around a MacBook Pro running Ableton Live, which is the centre of my production workflow. I use Ableton Push 3 because it allows me to work in a more physical and intuitive way rather than constantly looking at a screen. For sound design, I use a Moog synthesizer, especially when I want to add warmth, movement and an analogue character to a track. My controller setup includes an Arturia KeyLab 49, a KeyStep 37 and a Novation Launchkey Mini. The KeyLab is my main keyboard, while the smaller controllers are useful for sequencing, experimenting and quickly capturing ideas. I monitor everything through ADAM Audio speakers. Overall, I like having a hybrid setup."
Looking ahead, STAY GOLDEN has plenty planned for the coming months.
"I also have a release planned with Armada—a collaboration with KANT and Tube & Berger—as well as an upcoming release on Serge Devant’s label, This Moment, featuring a remix by Serge himself," he says. "On the performance side, shows in Bangkok and Singapore are being planned as well as a performance with Lee Burridge at Savaya Bali. Also hoping to return to Burning Man and play there again. Alongside the releases and touring."
