HOW2FLY
how2fly is an artist who builds his universe from scratch. Rooted in the dreamlike headspace of early 2000s video games, dusty MP3s, and the emotional rollercoaster of growing up online, his music blends pulse-driven dance rhythms with a deep sense of feeling. With a palette that pulls equally from childhood memories and the soft ache of emotional growth, every track he releases feels like a personal diary entry wrapped in a club-ready beat.
His latest single how2feel, explores vulnerability as a form of power. Rather than writing a love song in the traditional sense, he created a track for anyone brave enough to open their heart, mind and soul—to themselves, to others, to the bittersweet mess of feeling it all. Through lyrics like “Show you how to feel,” he encourages listeners to lean into discomfort and discover freedom in emotional clarity.
In our conversation, we talk about where that depth comes from—GameCube nostalgia, the influence of ambient dance producers like Duskus and SWIM, and why he believes real connection starts with honest storytelling. Whether you've been following his journey since Only1 or just discovered him through Twitch, one thing is clear: how2fly is someone to keep your eye on.
For those who do not know you yet, who is how2fly, and what defines your music?
how2fly is about reconnecting with the sense of wonder we had as kids. It is about dreaming and feeling through music. When I was a kid, I was always amazed by flying. What if we could actually do it? Life carried on, but one day I dusted off my GameCube and played Kirby Air Ride again. That feeling of gliding through the sky, chasing something limitless, all came rushing back. I told myself I would never give up on that dream again, and that is what started this journey.
Some call my music dreamcore or hopecore, but for me, it is about making people feel something. It is nostalgic but also hopeful, pulling from memories, video games, and those moments when music becomes more than just sound. There are songs that stay with you long after you hear them because of where you were, what you felt, or the way they opened something inside you. That is what I try to create.
How did your upbringing in the 2000s influence your sound and the themes in your music?
I grew up with the internet. Chatting on forums, watching live streams in 2012-2013 on Dailymotion and JustinTV before Twitch even existed. Dance music was making its way into the mainstream, and video games were my way of escaping everyday life and dreaming before I started making music.
I played a lot of Pokémon, Kirby Air Ride, and so many other Nintendo games. First on GameCube and GameBoy Advance, then on Nintendo DS and beyond. I have so many vivid memories from the games I played, and their music never left me. Even the low quality MP3 files I used to listen to shaped the way I think about the sound of the 2000s. I want my music to capture that same feeling I had back then, but also find ways to make it exciting and relevant in today's world.
When did you first start making music, and what led you to develop this unique blend of emotional dance rhythms and storytelling?
Remember when I told you I was scrolling through forums and watching YouTube in 2013? It was around that time I started playing around with music production software. To me, it all felt like another video game, just putting loops together and seeing what worked. The more I delved into it, the more I discovered my passion for music production.
At the same time, just living life made me feel and process emotions in a way I was then able to transcribe into my music. I am a product of the internet, that is where I learned how to write and produce my music. The emotional side of electronic music always spoke to me the most, so I started blending both elements. Something you can dance to, but also something that moves you.
When did you first start making music, and what led you to develop this unique blend of emotional dance rhythms and storytelling?
Remember when I told you I was scrolling through forums and watching YouTube in 2013? It was around that time I started playing around with music production software. To me, it all felt like another video game, just putting loops together and seeing what worked. The more I delved into it, the more I discovered my passion for music production.
At the same time, just living life made me feel and process emotions in a way I was then able to transcribe into my music. I am a product of the internet, that is where I learned how to write and produce my music. The emotional side of electronic music always spoke to me the most, so I started blending both elements. Something you can dance to, but also something that moves you.
You cite influences like SWIM and Duskus. What drew you to their music, and how have they shaped your artistic direction?
Both of them have a way of making dance music feel alive and emotional. Duskus is an incredible producer. His tracks are intricate and detailed while keeping emotion at the core. I absolutely loved opening for him back in November.
SWIM’s album In Circles has been a huge inspiration for me, especially the ambient soundscapes on the record. Chord progressions and melodies are everything when it comes to making people feel, and I think SWIM just has that instinctively. I could also cite a lot of other inspirations such as Mall Grab, Pretty Girl, and so on.
How does ‘Hold You’ differ from your last releases?
There is a moment when you just exist with someone, no words needed. That is what Hold You is about. But the more you try to hold onto that feeling, the more fragile it becomes. I wrote this song from that place, wanting something to last forever but knowing that it cannot.
It feels warm and reassuring, like a hug, yet fleeting. It has that nostalgic feeling, like childhood memories you do not realize are precious until they are gone. Hold You captures that moment of presence before it slips away.
What about this latest track symbolizes you as an individual and artist?
I have always been drawn to emotions that exist in between, between nostalgia and hope, between holding on and letting go. I think that is because I have felt it so often myself. There have been times in my life when I wanted to freeze a moment, knowing it would pass. Whether it was a song playing in the background during a perfect night or a memory I wished I could relive, I always found myself chasing that feeling over and over again.
Your previous songs explore themes of love, nostalgia, and emotional discovery. Do these themes come from personal experiences?
Yes, everything comes from something real. Even if a song is not tied to one specific experience, the emotions behind it always are. Living life and growing up inspired my sound, going through different phases naturally as I changed. The music I listened to, the emotions I felt at different points in my life, they all shaped how I create now. There were times when I was obsessed with one style of music, only to find myself drawn to something completely different a year later. That shift, that natural evolution, is why my music blends different influences today. It reflects that feeling of discovery,when you find a sound that speaks to you in a new way.
Now that I have released a couple of singles, some people come up to me at my shows or message me on Instagram to tell me how they relate to the songs and how it helped them going through something. This is exactly why I started this project, and hearing that means everything to me. It is also why I started live streaming on Twitch, to have that immediate exchange with people who share similar interests.
What is next for how2fly? Should we expect an album, a tour, or more singles in the near future?
My first EP ever is coming early June. It marks the beginning of my journey to learn how to fly. It will have six songs that I have been playing out in my DJ sets.
I just wrapped up a show in Paris opening for Megra, and it was incredible to hear people singing along to Only1. At one point, I even saw someone in the crowd opening a Pokémon Pocket pack, which felt very fitting for my project, ahah… The full recording of my set is now up on my SoundCloud for the curious people out there. More shows are coming up, including Madame Loyal in May alongside Swimming Paul. I hope to see you there.
Interview by IZABEL ROSE
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