ZHANGYE is a DJ, producer, and the founder of Cyanhill Music. As the initiator of the CHINA EDM compilation series, he actively works to present Chinese electronic artists to a broader international audience. A graduate of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, his productions often blend classical music foundations with electronic sound design. Focusing on styles across dance, house, and electropop, he has collaborated with established international acts including Steve Aoki, Bassjackers, and Ummet Ozcan. His newest single, ‘Dreaming’, sees him teaming up with Skylar Grey. His releases frequently chart within the region, and his track ‘Own Way’ has gathered billions of plays on TikTok China.
With a background that spans multiple continents, ZHANGYE is the latest artist to feature in our Around The World series. Stepping away from the studio and the festival circuit, he takes us on a journey through three distinct places he has visited across the globe. From exploring the cultural nuances that inform his creative process to sharing his favourite memories on the road, ZHANGYE discusses the destinations that have made a lasting impact on him. Read on to discover the locations that inspire this dedicated electronic music producer.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is a city that holds a special place in my journey with electronic music. It has such a well-developed electronic music culture, with a unique ecosystem built around clubs, festivals, and the music industry. At the same time, there’s also a strong artistic energy throughout the city. You can feel different forms of art and creativity just by walking through the streets.
In November 2024, Cyanhill Music hosted CHINA EDM NIGHT at Escape deLux, one of Amsterdam’s well-known clubs. It was a special event following the release of CHINA EDM Vol.1, where we brought electronic music from Chinese producers to Europe. For me, it was more than just a show. It felt like an important moment. Being able to share music from China with international audiences in a city with such a deep electronic music culture gave me a much clearer sense of how Chinese electronic music can connect with the international scene.
Outside of performing, I also like to leave some time for myself whenever I’m in Amsterdam. I might spend time in the studio writing and producing music, or just walk around the city, looking at the architecture and street art. Those simple moments often give me new ideas. I don’t think inspiration always has to be something you actively look for. Sometimes, simply being in a different environment and slowing down a little allows something new to come naturally.
I think Amsterdam is a great city for musicians. You can be on stage one moment and then go back to the studio and work quietly the next. Music, the city, and everyday life seem to blend together naturally here. That’s probably why I always leave Amsterdam feeling inspired in some way.
Los Angeles, USA
Los Angeles is a city that has always been closely connected to both my music and international collaborations. There are musicians from all over the world here, as well as a very established music industry. One thing I really like about LA is that there isn’t a clear boundary between everyday life and working on music. You might spend the morning in the studio, meet another artist in the afternoon, and continue talking about a song somewhere else in the evening. Music just becomes a natural part of your everyday life.
Whenever I’m in Los Angeles, I usually spend quite a lot of time in the studio working with different artists. Working with Steve Aoki on “Where Do We Go” was a very special experience, and later I worked with Skylar Grey on “DREAMING.” The initial writing for “Don’t Say Sorry” with Libianca also started here, and we later finished the song together. I also worked with Justin Jesso on “Growing Up.”
I’ve always found it really valuable to work with people who come from different musical backgrounds. A song doesn’t always start with a complete idea. A lot of the time, you discover where it should go through conversations, experimentation, and creating together.
Some of the more relaxed memories are actually the ones that stay with me the most. When I was working on “DREAMING” with Skylar Grey, for example, we spent a lot of time in the studio, but we also practiced Tai Chi together on the streets of Los Angeles. There are these very natural moments outside of music that become part of the experience too.
In 2025, I also attended a number of Grammy-related events. For me, that period wasn’t only about the music itself. It was also about meeting new people and connecting with artists and people from different parts of the industry. Sometimes you meet someone in the studio while talking about a song, and sometimes you meet someone at an event, and that conversation eventually leads to a collaboration. To me, all of those experiences are part of making music too.
Dubai, UAE
I had a very special performance experience in Dubai at Untold Dubai, where I performed “Where Do We Go” with Steve Aoki.
For me, that song has a very complete journey — from the initial idea and the writing process to eventually performing it on stage.
What I remember most about that show isn’t necessarily how big the stage was. It was standing there and thinking about how the song originally sounded, and remembering the process of building it piece by piece in the studio. At the beginning, it might have just been a melody or a very simple idea. But after all the changes, conversations, and collaboration, it eventually made its way onto a stage.
That’s one of the things I love about making music. You never really know where a small idea might take you. Sometimes it stays in the studio. But sometimes, it ends up in another city, on another stage, coming back to you in a way you never expected.
