Fisherman: “No Pressure, No Rush — Just Finishing It the Right Way”
After years of shaping his sound on dancefloors worldwide, Fisherman unveils his long-awaited debut album METAMORPHOSIS. The project brings together different eras of his journey into one defining release.
For more than a decade, Fisherman has steadily been shaping his place in the global trance scene. The Dutch artist first rose to prominence as part of Fisherman & Hawkins, delivering high-impact dancefloor tracks that quickly caught the attention of DJs worldwide. Records like Apache and Underworld became instant crowd favorites, known for their driving energy and powerful melodies.
What started as long days in the studio experimenting with sounds soon turned into a full-time career, as global support and gigs followed. Now, after years of releases and dancefloor moments, Fisherman is entering a new chapter with the completion of his long-awaited debut album, Metamorphosis.
Ahead of the album’s release — and with his new single “Life” landing this week — we caught up with Fisherman to talk about his early days, memorable dancefloor moments, and the journey behind finishing a project years in the making.
Q: You’ve been part of the Trance scene for quite some time now. If you think back to the moment you first realized music could become your career, what was happening in your life at that time?
A: It wasn’t some big “aha” moment. I was just fully locked in, making music every day, obsessing over melodies, pushing tracks until they hit right. At some point, the responses started coming in, gigs followed, and it became obvious that thiswasn’t just a hobby anymore. It turned into a way of life pretty quickly.
Q: Your journey started with the duo Fisherman & Hawkins. What were those early days like — the studio sessions, the first big releases, and realizing your music was reaching people all over the world?
A: Raw but fun. Long days of experimenting and just chasing that one track that could hit hard. When first releases like ‘Apache’ and ‘Underworld’ started getting support worldwide, it was a crazy feeling. You're in the studio grinding, and suddenly DJs on the other side of the world are playing your music. That shift was massive.
Q: As a DJ, you get to experience the energy of a track with a crowd for the first time. Can you remember a moment when a track completely surprised you on the dancefloor? Could this be the first time you've played 'Apache'?
A: Yeah, ‘Apache’ was one of them. In the studio, you know it's strong, but you don't really know. First time playing it out, the reaction was instant. Hands up, full energy, no hesitation. That’s when you realize a track has something extra. Those moments never get old.
Q: What has been the most interesting change in the sound or culture of Trance you have experienced?
A: Everything moves faster now. More releases, more hype, shorter attention spans. But at the same time, the standard ishigher. Production-wise, it’s next level compared to back in the day. The sound has evolved, but a proper trance track still needs that tension and release; that’s never changed.
Q: With so much music being released today, what do you think makes a Trance track stand out and truly connect with listeners?
A: It needs an identity. Anyone can make something clean and loud, but not everyone can make something that sticks. A track has to hit you within seconds, whether it’s the drop, the melody, or just the overall vibe. If it feels safe, it gets lost.
Q: Your debut album has been in the works for quite some time, with some tracks already released a couple of years ago. What makes now the right moment to finally finish it and bring the project back to life? And how does it feel personally to complete it?
A: No pressure, no rush, just finish it the right way. The album has been evolving in the background for years, and now it feels complete. It’s not about timing the market; it’s about delivering something solid. Feels good to finally put it out there on my own terms.
Q: Did you revisit or update any of the tracks to match where your sound is today?
A: Yeah, some of them got a proper upgrade. Tighter, harder, more impact. Others stayed as they were because they had already done their job. It’s a mix of different moments, but everything hits in the way it should now.
Q: Your next track, 'Life', comes out on Friday. What makes this one special, and is there an interesting story behind it?
A: ‘Life’ is straight to the point. No overthinking, just a track that does exactly what it needs to do. Strong energy, a cleanstructure, and it works both in the club and beyond. Sometimes that’s all you need.
Q: After years in the industry, what still excites you the most about making music today?
A: That feeling when a track locks in. When everything clicks and you know it’s going to work. It doesn't matter how long you’ve been doing it; it never changes.
Q: What else is coming up in the world of Fisherman this year? Any gigs, releases or collaborations we should watch out for?
A: The focus is on the album METAMORPHOSIS. Beyond that, I’m keeping things selective. Less noise, more impact. You’ll hear the music, that’s what matters.
