Spartaque presents As Ide: I grew up around classical music — my dad was a choir conductor and my grandmother was a conservatory professor.

What’s the story behind this new project? Why’d you decide to dive into a more melodic and commercial sound when you’ve already made a name for yourself in the techno scene?

This project wasn’t easy for me to kick off, and it took some time to commit. This August marks 19 years in electronic music, and over that time, my sound has changed a lot. I started with electro house, then moved to minimal, which took me to the top of the DJ rankings in Ukraine from 2008 to 2013. Over time, I shifted toward techno, and now I play Peak Time with Hard Techno influences.

To understand why I’m now exploring more melodic music, we need to look back at my roots. I grew up around classical music—my dad was a choir conductor, my great-grandmother ran a music school, and my grandmother was a music, conservatory professor. Music, melody, and harmony have always been part of me. Techno has given me the raw energy I love, but melodies are in my blood.

I’ve always loved techno, but I’m also drawn to creating music with more emotion and vocals. I was nervous about how my followers would take this shift, so I launched a new project, As Ide, to explore this other side of my sound. This interview with Tune In Mag is a way to introduce it to those who follow my techno persona, Spartaque.

Why did it take so long to finally pull the trigger on this side project? What’s been holding you back?

That’s a great question, and I still ask myself that even after making the decision. I don’t have a clear-cut answer. Maybe I just needed to go through this internal process and give myself the green light to create something new. Maybe I was afraid of judgment and unsure how long-time followers would react. Or perhaps I simply want my music to leave a deeper mark on the culture.

I’m also looking to expand my horizons, explore new collaborations, and experiment more. There are many possible reasons, and the truth is likely somewhere in the middle. Either way, the decision is made, which starts an exciting new journey. I invite everyone to join me on this path with my new music. I’m confident it’s going to be a thrilling adventure.

Where’d the name “As Ide” come from? What’s the vibe behind it?

When it comes to choosing the name, I tend to make decisions quickly and avoid overthinking. I knew I wanted the project’s name to start with an \”A.\” From my experience in the industry, I’ve noticed that festivals often list artists alphabetically, and those with names starting with \”A\” usually end up at the top—just a little insider trick.

So, I played around with different names until I landed on \”Aside,\” which perfectly captures the concept. It literally means something off to the side, which felt spot-on for a side project. However, \”Aside\” was already taken by many artists, so I broke it into two parts and called it As Ide. And that’s the story behind the name of my new project!

So, what kind of music can we expect from this project? What’s the sound you’re going for?

Honestly, I don\’t want to box myself into any specific genres with this project. It could be house, melodic techno, afro-house, or progressive house. The most important thing for me is that the music feels good to listen to. I want it to be the kind of music that makes you want to sing along, lifts your mood, and gets added to people’s playlists. Whether you\’re driving, chilling at the beach, at a party, or just vibing with headphones on, I want the music to fit any moment when you need to boost your mood or tap into some good memories.

I’m not focused on having the music fit into a particular style—it’s more about the emotions behind it. When I’m creating these tracks, I’m pouring my heart into them, and I hope the listeners feel that same energy when they hear the music from this project.

You’ve got a lot on your plate—running businesses and all. How are you planning to juggle this new project with everything else you’ve got going on?

That’s a great question. I’ll admit that my schedule is packed. Between the business operations, my company runs, various side projects, and my constant drive for new ideas and challenges, my days are always full. However, I believe my ability to manage time will allow me to carve out slots for working on this music and project.

I’ve also got to give credit to my amazing team. They know exactly what they’re doing and handle things like pros. Thanks to their dedication, I don’t have to spend too much time on administrative stuff, and the company keeps growing smoothly. So, I’m feeling optimistic about this project and confident I can handle it without any issues.

Does launching this project mean you’ll be spending less time on Spartaque? What’s the plan there?

I expected this question, and the answer is a definite no. In fact, I think the As Ide project will only fuel and support Spartaque. I see it as a perfect synergy that will let me focus even more on the music. A lot of the processes, like video shoots, photoshoots, working with PR agencies, and promotion, can be streamlined for both projects, which will help optimize both time and budgets.

From a business perspective, I’ve already run the numbers, and this approach boosts efficiency. So, in my opinion, both projects will benefit from this collaboration.

You’re starting a new label, Aside Music, under the IAMT Music Group umbrella. Why did you decide to launch a separate label for this project instead of dropping tracks on other labels within your group that have a similar sound? What’s the reasoning behind that?

Yes, I’m launching a new label specifically for this project. I want to get things rolling quickly, so to be honest, I’m not too keen on waiting around for responses from major record labels. I’ve already mapped out a clear strategy several steps ahead, but I’ll hold off on getting into too many details just yet.

Once everything falls into place as planned, we’ll do a case study, which I’ll share on my business profile. For this project, I’ve thought ahead and see Aside Music as an exclusive platform for this artist and collaborations under the As Ide brand. There’s no need for a big label with a huge artist catalog—it’s all about focusing on the unique sound and partnerships within this one project.

You’ve mentioned in interviews that artists sometimes make a mistake by starting their own labels instead of trying to release on more established ones. Are you not concerned that you’re making the same move you advise against?

I expected this question, and yes, I often advise new artists not to immediately start their own labels. The reason is simple: to grow, artists need both a fanbase and industry connections. Going independent can limit opportunities to build these. Labels provide credibility, help expand reach, and open doors to key contacts; plus, they teach valuable industry lessons.

In my case, I already have a solid understanding of the industry and good connections, so I’m focusing on speed and creative freedom. While it may seem like launching a label contradicts my advice, I’ve got a clear reason behind it, which I’ve just explained.

Who would be your dream collaborations for this new project? Is anyone on your radar?

Of course, plenty of artists inspire me, especially my fellow electronic music colleagues. But I’m more interested in pop artists when it comes to collaborations for this new project. I love Billie Eilish’s vocals. I’m a huge fan of Raye, and working with The Weeknd would be a dream come true. I could list more, but I think you get the idea—I\’m aiming to collaborate with top pop artists, which would be amazing for the growth of the project.

We’re excited about what’s to come and appreciate you taking the time to chat with us. What’s in the pipeline for this project in the next year? What should we be looking out for?

As for my upcoming plans, I’m more focused on the process than specific goals. I want to release as much music as possible, experiment with different genres, and enjoy the creative journey. Ideally, I aim to drop new releases every 3-4 weeks. I also plan to gradually expand my circle of collaborators. But for me, it’s not just about hitting targets—it\’s about fully diving into the process and enjoying it.

Thank you so much for this interview! I invite everyone to follow along with the new project my team and I are launching right now.