Vintage Culture and Gabss Land a Beatport #1 with "Lost" [Q&A]

Congratulations on your Beatport #1! Where were you and what were you doing when you found out?

I was in Brazil, preparing for my DNA Art Car show – a concept where art, mobility, and electronic music come together. It’s always surreal when something you’ve worked on in such a personal way reaches that level. That made playing again afterwards, at my own event, even more special.

How did you and Gabss first connect, and what drew you to reimagine this cult favorite?

Gabss is a new talent from Brazil. An artist fans should watch for in the future. He sent me an idea for “Lost.” I worked on the track a bit and tested the demo at an afterparty. The reaction was great. The audience loved it. 

We started from this point and moved forward fast. Our idea wasn’t to change the essence of the song, but to translate "Lost" into a language that could live on the dance floor while keeping its soul intact.

What did the process of clearing this record entail? Were there moments when you thought it might not happen?

Clearing a record like this is never simple. It takes patience, trust, and huge respect for the original work. But we approached it with a lot of care, and I think that intention was felt throughout the whole process.

The track quickly took on a life of its own. From your perspective, what led it to resonate on such a massive scale?

I think it’s the balance between familiarity and discovery. People already had an emotional connection to the song, and this version gave them a new way to experience it together on the dance floor. It’s not just about energy; it’s also about emotion shared collectively, and that’s powerful.

You launched your label, AFFAIRS, last September, and ‘Lost’ is just its fourth release, making this a major milestone. What does this song say about the sound you’re building with AFFAIRS?

It represents exactly what I want AFFAIRS to be about: music with feeling, depth, and intention, not only tied to one genre or formula. It’s about creating space for tracks that connect emotionally while still working in the clubs. I think "Lost" shows that those two worlds can actually coexist.

Looking ahead, how do you plan to build on the label’s momentum this year?

I want to continue releasing music that feels honest and timeless, both from myself and from other artists who inspire me. My focus will be on quality rather than quantity since building a strong identity takes time, and I’m enjoying that process.

How about you – any big plans for your project in 2026?

I see 2026 as a year of evolution and growth. There’s a lot coming up, and I can really feel that this year is going to be special. We’re working on a lot of new music and events, which I’ll be able to share more about very soon.