Topic Interview: Moving to Dubai, Australia Tour + More

With billions of streams under his belt, as well as touring around the world – Topic is one of the hottest artists at the moment. His numbers speak for themselves and are eye-popping by anyone’s standards. The German-Croatian has gold, double diamond, triple, quadruple, and even decuple platinum certifications in 28 countries around the world to his name and holds a steady spot in the Top 10 of Spotify’s Global Top 200. He worked with rapper Lil Baby, Diamond-selling and two-time GRAMMY®-nominated Bebe Rexha, British band Clean Bandit, and DJ-favorite Becky Hill, as well as Fifth Harmony singer Ally Brooke to name a few. CULTR caught up with Topic in Miami, read our conversation below!

You’re from Germany, originally but now you live in Dubai? How long have you been in Dubai? 

I’ve moved to Dubai last summer like July or June. 

Good times over there? It seems crazy!

Yeah it’s very good. It’s kind of actually a little bit similar to Miami and Los Angeles, I think they stole the vibe from [Miami] actually.

What’s your life like right now over there?

Right now I’m in the studio a lot actually, I bought a townhouse there and built my studio in it, I’m just working in there everyday.

What led you over there? Was it love or career? 

It was career, I just liked it there. In Germany, the weather is not like that all the time. It’s just so cold. And for the career, it’s also great because you’re in the middle of the world. And no matter which continent you want to go to, you just have one flight to get there. 

You just announced an Australian Tour. Have you performed there before? 

It’s my first time in Australia. I’ve been there for some promo stuff, but I haven’t played there yet, so I’m very, very excited. 

Where In Australia will you be going? 

I think I’m going to start in the North in Darwin, then I’m going down to Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Sydney, and Adelaide.

The slap house style you have helped guide has seen a lot of success so far, will you continue this style or experiment with other genres of dance music? 

I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’m doing the Slap House thing properly, I definitely have some influences from that or Brazilian Bass. I always call it Melancholic Dance Music because my songs are always a little bit sad. If you strip them down “Breaking Me” is a very melancholic sad song and I don’t think I’m going to change that direction, but the production is always changing, I’m not going to stick to it for the rest of my life. 

Are there other sounds or genres you’re venturing into? 

Yeah my sets have changed so much, I’m even playing melodic techno stuff – not so much tech house – more like underground stuff that I really like, and I produce many ideas in that vibe. 

Let’s talk about “Breaking Me.” Where were you when you wrote that song? 

We were actually like 10 minutes from here in Brickell [Miami]. We were there in October 2019. And I went there with A7S who is singing on it and we wrote it together.  We are always going on songwriting trips. We just go somewhere, rent a nice Airbnb and have a good time and make songs.

What about “My Heart Goes (La Di Da)” with Becky Hill? 

That came from her actually, she or her management initially just sent the song to me and said that they want the production for it. The song was there for like one year and nothing happened. Then they asked “Man, everyone loves that song we think, it’s a smash. Don’t you want to release it together with her?” and I said yeah sure , I’m also a big fan of it. 

“Drive” is another amazing song!

Thank you yeah, that one is with Clean Bandit, we’ve actually become good friends with each other. I think I did first a remix for them and then we did some zoom sessions and then “Drive” and this summer in August or September we will have a new one! 

You’ve collaborated with huge artists. Is there anyone left on your bucket list?

Yeah actually, the one we’re doing with Clean Bandit. James Arthur will also be on it. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say it yet, but he posted on his Instagram, so I think it’s kind of cool.

Talk to me about Ultra. Is this your first time here? Have you played in the past? 

It’s my first time here actually. I have watched it for the past eight years on YouTube and I think it’s one of my favorite festivals. 

What was your schedule like this week?

I just arrived from Mexico from a video shoot. It was a very long video shoot – 22 hours. We shot nonstop and I just arrived here two hours ago.

Welcome! Bienvenidos a Miami 🙂 

Haha yeah I love Miami man, it’s my first time at Ultra but I think 5th time in Miami and I think it’s one of my favorite cities in the US.

Anything else you want to plug for our readers before I let you go and get ready for your day?

Yeah, thanks to everyone who is listening to my music and supporting it. And I really hope to play for you guys soon and see you in person.

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