Factor B: “When the melody came together, I remember stopping a few times and taking a big, deep breath in”

There’s a moment in a Factor B set - often right before a towering drop - when time seems to slow. This Melbourne-born producer has built a reputation for bringing a rare emotional depth to trance. Known offstage as Brendan Blatt, he crafts music that’s equal parts euphoric and heartfelt, weaving sweeping melodies, cinematic arrangements, and a sense of raw honesty into every track. 

His second artist album Bloom captured this approach perfectly - a journey through joy, loss, reflection, and release that resonated deeply with listeners around the world. On stage, Brendan moves between worlds: the intimacy of a small club where every smile is visible, and the immensity of festival stages like Tomorrowland, where tens of thousands move as one. 

Whether he’s behind the decks as Factor B or exploring his progressive side as Highlandr, his goal remains the same - to connect, to move, and to remind people why they fell in love with trance in the first place. With Bloom still making waves and his single “Breathing In” drawing praise from fans and peers alike, Factor B continues to stand out as one of trance’s most distinctive and genuine voices.

Q: Trance is often associated with pure euphoria, yet your music isn’t afraid to wander into deeper shades - sorrow, longing, even grief. Why is it important for you to bring that full emotional spectrum onto the dancefloor?

A: In my opinion, music has lost a lot of its soul in recent times, & throughout my life. The music I’ve most connected to has been music with meaning, music with a story behind it. That's where the best art comes from. Sadly for me, my story isn’t a happy one, so it generates music and feelings of grief. But for me, it’s important to share my life experiences through music, as many others have felt something similar, but perhaps can’t articulate it into music of their own. 

Q: Can you remember a moment on stage when you felt so in sync with the crowd that it almost felt like you were all part of one giant heartbeat? 

A: My shows are usually like this, or close to it. I play almost entirely my own music, so the crowd knows what to expect - and that, in turn, creates a beautiful relationship and connection between us. 

Q: Have you ever been mid-set, looked at your planned tracklist, and thought: “Nope, not today” - and completely switched direction because the energy demanded it? 

A: Of course! Part of being a DJ is understanding the crowd, but most importantly, having the tools to still tell your story whilst you adapt! It’s a fine art. 

Q: If you could teleport your next gig to absolutely anywhere in the world - no rules, no logistics - where would you set up the decks? (Mount Everest? A spaceship? Your nan’s backyard?) 

A: Probably in the forest or on a beach somewhere, surrounded by my friends and family. Maybe even a boat on the Amsterdam canals! However, the ultimate would be to place a set from space, looking down on Earth! 

Q: Many trance producers lean on tried-and-true formulas, but your arrangements often feel cinematic in scope. If one of your tracks made it into a film, what kind of scene would it soundtrack? 

A: Good question. I'd imagine it would be in a scene of very heightened emotion, likely something quite sombre, but I’d imagine many of the tunes would work in any melancholy scene. 

Q: You’ve played everything from sweat-drenched 200-capacity clubs to the epic scale of Tomorrowland. What’s something you can get away with in a small, up-close setting that you could never pull off on a giant festival stage? 

A: Hug everyone in the crowd after the show! Great answer! :-) 

Q: Your tracks are emotionally charged to the max - and Bloom is no exception. It feels like you’ve poured your strongest, rawest emotions into every beat, and that’s what makes listeners connect so deeply with your music. Now here’s the fun hypothetical - would you ever let AI start a melody for you, or would that feel like letting a robot ghostwrite your diary? 

A: Personally, no, I believe the best music comes from life experience. Art imitates life, so asking something without feelings to generate something for people with feelings doesn’t excite me. However, there is an argument to say that AI, for example, amazing sci-fi movies or computer-generated visuals in TV/movies can inspire feelings and, in turn, inspire music. So in many ways, I think AI already has a role to play in inspiration, but I could never see myself starting a melody with it. 

Q: Your next extended single from Bloom, “Breathing In,” has been getting incredible feedback. Can you tell us more about this beautiful piece of music and what the title means to you? 

A: I wrote ‘Breathing in’ during a difficult time in my life. When the melody came together, I remember stopping a few times and taking a big, deep breath in. I’d been surrounded by so much sadness during that time. I remember it was such a calming and cathartic moment to just stop, breathe in and be present. So the name ‘Breathing In’ was born and set the tone for the rest of the record.

Q: If you could only play one track - from either Factor B or Highlandr - for the rest of your career, which would it be, and why? (No pressure, just imagine it’s the one playing in the background of your retirement party.) 

A: “The Girl With Her Head in the Clouds" because its meaning and message have resonated with so many people all aroundthe world. And that’s why I make music. 

Q: And finally - where can we see you in the next couple of months, and are there any upcoming projects you can give us a cheeky hint about? 

A: I'll be playing shows across the UK, Europe & the USA over the coming months, so stay tuned. Theatre of the Mind Amsterdam is also coming soon, and I have a special project with my good buddy Lostly called ‘Lost Minds’, which will debut at Dreamstate LA in November!