Somna: “This EP is really about staying true to my Somna roots and showing people the love I have for Trance, a love that will never go away”
Somna has spent years building a career defined by emotional melodies, uplifting trance, and unforgettable live moments. His third artist album, split into three EPs, is already underway, and we dive into the first one - Path of Light, exploring heartfelt songwriting, vocal collaborations, and his adventurous approach to sound as both a producer and co-owner of AVA Recordings.
From late nights in his Vancouver studio to commanding festival main stages across the globe, Somna has quietly carved out a place as one of trance’s most consistent and heartfelt voices - and stands today as the highest-positioned Canadian trance and progressive DJ and producer.
As co-owner of the beloved AVA Recordings alongside Andy Moor, he balances A&R duties with a steady flow of melodic, emotionally charged tracks that span the spectrum of trance, earning chart-topping success (“One Thing About You”), millions of streams (“Till Oblivion”,”Stars Collide”), and the support of industry heavyweights like Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, and Ferry Corsten.
Renowned for his passion for vocal collaborations, Somna has worked with some of the most captivating voices in the scene, creating soaring anthems that resonate both on the dance floor and in the heart. Whether delivering peak-time energy at Dreamstate, producing in the studio, or connecting with fans through his thriving Twitch community, his music carries a rare sincerity - proving that in trance, emotion will always be the most powerful drop.
Q: Somna, you’ve been a mainstay in the Trance scene for years. Looking back, what moment or turning point really set your career in motion?
A: Hmm, that’s a tough question because I still feel like I have a lot of growth ahead of me as an artist. I think a really big moment for me was sitting down with Arny and Black Hole Recordings to pitch my first artist album to them. I was nervous because it was such a big project, and I wasn’t sure if they’d be interested, but they were really open and excited. Knowing I had that level of support was huge for me. Now I’m about to release a third artist album with Black Hole Recordings, and I’m so grateful they’ve supported me along the way and believed in my artistry.
Q: Benjamin wears a lot of hats - producer, DJ, and co-owner of AVA Recordings. How do you balance the creative side with the business side of things?
A: I’m not sure if “balance” is something I’m actually good at. I’m kind of a workaholic, so almost every day and every hour is spent in the music industry in some way. If anything, I need to find a way to reclaim more personal time for my own sanity. I was recommended a website called Asana to help track my duties, and it’s been a real lifesaver.
Q: Your EP Path of Light has such an emotional and futuristic vibe. What inspired its mood and storytelling - any late-night studio moments that stand out as especially memorable or unexpected?
A: My upcoming third album is split into three EPs, and Path of Light felt like a really fitting name to showcase the sound I’m known for and that fans expect. The goal was to write music that featured beautiful melodies in different styles of Trance and Progressive. This EP is really about staying true to my Somna roots and showing people the love I have for Trance, a love that will never go away.
Q: Five amazing tracks make up this EP. Do you have a personal favorite, and which one do you secretly think will become a fan anthem?
A: It’s so hard to pick a favorite, but I think one of the main standouts is “Somewhere Dreams Come True” with Adara. This one’s especially special because we wrote it about a year and a half ago, just a few days before my performance at Dreamstate SoCal, where she joined me on stage to debut it. It’s been a heavily requested song on my streams. Truth be told, it was rejected by a couple of labels, and I started to wonder if it was as good as I thought it was. Now that it’s out, I’ve been seeing so many positive comments, and Armin van Buuren and Ruben de Ronde even supported it on A State Of Trance. It feels so affirming to know that we wrote something that people truly resonate with.
Q: You’ve collaborated with so many incredible vocalists like HALIENE, Adara, Sarah De Warren, and Linea Schossow - some of whom appear on this EP as well. For you, how much does adding vocals change the character of a track?
A: I love working with vocalists. A great vocal really elevates a song and its melodies, and I’m always drawn to emotional vocals and strong storytelling. Over my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many talented vocalists and songwriters, and I’m so excited about both the music we’ve already released and what’s still to come.
Q: From Dreamstate to intimate clubs in Japan, you’ve played everywhere. If you had to pick one dream destination and one unforgettable crowd, which would they be?
A: Honestly, I think my favorite place to visit also happens to be my favorite place to perform - Japan. The crowd and people there are always so up for it and enthusiastic, and I love sushi so much. As for a dream gig I haven’t played yet, I’d love to perform at EDC someday or Tomorrowland. Definitely goals. Trance has changed a lot in the past decade.
Q: Where do you see your sound heading in the next few years - can we still expect those “uplifting yet intimate” tracks, or are you exploring something new?
A: Really good question. I love all kinds of music, and I’ve worked on many different styles under various aliases. I see a more multi-genre future for Somna without losing sight of my love for Trance. Writing melodies is something I don’t think I’ll ever stop doing, but I’ve started incorporating other styles like melodic bass and hard dance into my sets. As the future EPs from my upcoming album roll out, I hope people will see and appreciate the diversity I’m trying to weave into my career. My style of Trance often incorporates hard-hitting basslines that straddle the line between EDM, bass, and techno, always alongside my melodies.
Q: AI is creeping into music production. Is it your new best friend, a clever rival, or somewhere in between? And could it ever find its way into your creative process?
A: Oof, that’s tough. I’m pretty old school so I’m still wrapping my head around it, but slowly embracing the idea. If it can enhance and help me with my music without taking away the humanity in my songwriting, then I’m ok with it.
Q: Outside of music, what random sources of inspiration sneak into your studio - the kind of thing your fans would never guess?
A: Hmm, I don’t know if this counts as “inspiration,” but I have a funny production process where I keep Starcraft 2 open. I’ll work on some music, get frustrated, play a round or two, then get back to producing, either super-tilted or feeling victorious. Then I write until I get stuck, go back to Starcraft, and repeat.
Q: Besides this epic EP, what else is bubbling up in Somna’s kitchen right now? Any sneaky hints you can drop?
A: Yamaha recently sent me an FGDP-50 finger drum pad, so my cat and I are going to take turns dropping some fire beats on it. I just unboxed it yesterday, so I’m excited to dive in and see how I can incorporate it into my productions or livestreams. Otherwise, I have a ton of new music coming out every month until the release of the full album, includingsome tracks that I'm particularly proud of as a producer. There’s been a running joke that my sad boi Somna alias is “Sadna”… and I guess Sadna is coming! Well, kinda. I’m not changing my alias, but I write that kind of stuff too.
