PHOTO VIA ELY OAKS SPOTIFY
Austrian-born, Berlin-based DJ and producer Ely Oaks (Instagram | TikTok) is one of the fastest-rising names in electronic music, fueled by a massive social media following, a string of high-energy releases, and a touring schedule that is taking him around the world. At the recent EDC Orlando, he sat down with Brenda from Bithlo (Instagram) for an open, funny, and oddly grounded conversation about his journey from the Austrian Alps to the main stage.
Q: You grew up in Austria and now live in Berlin. How did that move change your sound and your outlook on music?
Ely Oaks: Moving to Berlin changed my whole life, honestly. In Austria, I wasn’t doing full-time music. I was studying computer science, doing a bit of that, but music was always the thing I loved. Berlin is the center of the industry for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, it’s like moving to L.A. if you’re American. Being there gave me the energy and the resources to finally go all-in.
Q: Did you come from a musical family?
Ely Oaks: Yeah. My dad and my uncle were both into music, so I grew up with it all around me. My parents supported me a lot. They didn’t love the noise, but they supported it. I learned a bit of keyboard, but I was too lazy to keep up with the instruments. Once I discovered production and the tech side of music, that’s when I really got obsessed.
Q: Berlin is famous for its clubs. Did the club scene influence your work?
Ely Oaks: Not as much as people think. I actually didn’t go clubbing much after I moved. I was afraid it would pull me in too deep. I moved to Berlin to work, to make my dream happen. So I focused on making music instead of going out.
Q: You’ve played globally. Was there one venue or festival that shifted something creatively for you?
Ely Oaks: There wasn’t one moment. It’s more the whole journey that keeps changing me. I never know what’s coming next, and that’s the best part.
Q: You’re known for digging through SoundCloud for underground tracks. What draws you there?
Ely Oaks: SoundCloud is where the really creative stuff happens. If someone has 200 followers but the track is crazy good, that inspires me. Those producers are doing what they feel, not what’s expected.
Q: People keep asking about your schedule. Do you have time for other projects, soundtracks,and collaborations?
Ely Oaks: If someone asked me for a movie soundtrack, I’d find time. I produce everywhere now, planes, trains, and hotels. My MacBook and AirPods are my studio. I recently did a remix for James Hype and then a track with Elle King that started as a remix but turned into a full single, which was insane.
Q: Your music has exploded on TikTok. How important is social media for you?
Ely Oaks: Social media is the most important tool I have right now. Two years ago, I decided to take it seriously and post every single day, no excuses. It changed my life. Even if I was sick, I still posted. That consistency is a big part of why things blew up.
Q: With so many followers, do you feel pressure to keep creating content?
Ely Oaks: It’s more of a habit now. Like brushing your teeth. I post every day because I built that routine. And honestly, the community feels real. People care. They’ve been part of the whole journey.
Q: What’s one misconception people have about being a “viral DJ”?
Ely Oaks: People think TikTok DJs can’t actually DJ. I’m definitely not the best in the world, but I’ve been DJing for 15 years. I know how to mix. People come to my shows and say, “I didn’t know you could actually do transitions.” Of course I can. I’ve done it forever. TikTok didn’t make me a DJ, it just finally gave me a career.
Q: As you head onstage for EDC Orlando, what do you want people to feel after your set?
Ely Oaks: Joy. If people come to me smiling and sweating and tell me they had the best night ever, that’s what drives me. Giving people an hour of dancing and screaming to something I created… that’s what keeps me going.
