The making of: Deus Deserto & Frank Arvonio - Belief

Frank Arvonio and Deus Deserto are two rising names in the techno scene, each bringing a unique sound to the table.

Arvonio, a Rome-based producer with classical roots, is known for his dark, cinematic techno.

Deus Deserto, from Qatar, blends peak-time energy with Arabic influences. Together, they represent a new wave of techno that’s both global and deeply personal.

Last month, they returned to HI-LO’s label with their collab ‘Belief’, featured as part of a powerful 7-track EP alongside other talented producers.

They both took the time to answer questions on how it was collaborating on the track and what they’ve learned the most from each other.

Did you all meet each other in real life, and when did you decide to make a track together?

Frank: Yes, we met at ADE but we decided to make a track together well before our meeting. I don’t remember who asked but I love his sound and I felt that together we could make a great track.

Deus Deserto: Yes, we met in person during ADE at a mentorship meetup. But we had already started working on the track earlier, around May 2023, through an online mentorship program (LvR). That’s how we initially connected and decided to collaborate.

What was your biggest inspiration creating this track?

Frank: I love very big synths like Maceo Plex’s ‘Conjure Dreams’ and I wanted to take that idea and give it my spin. So I made the lead synth with Diva and I tried to write a dark melody.

Deus Deserto: I really wanted to make the second drop hit differently, it was something I had been struggling with for a while. Eventually, I stumbled on a happy accident while experimenting with arp rates and note patterns, which led to the lead sound in the second drop. That moment completely shifted the energy of the track and gave it a fresh direction.

How would you describe your signature sound and why is it a good match with the other?

Frank: Hard to tell, to be honest. I always try to give my vibes to my productions. I like rolling grooves and dark sounds and/or melodies. I also put a lot of effort into choosing the right sounds and melodies.

Deus Deserto: My signature sound combines groovy drums, groovy basslines, and detailed sound design, always leading into a high-impact drop. I love injecting energy and surprise into my arrangements. Frank brings strong melodic and emotional elements to the table, so the contrast between my raw, driving approach and his musicality made for a great blend.

What’s something surprising you learned about each other through producing together?

Frank: He’s very good with sound design and he is very creative as well. The arp rate melody which he did on the main drop gave the track the boost it needed.

Deus Deserto: It was cool to see how well our different strengths fit together. Frank has a real gift for melody and emotional progression, while I focus more on groove, sound design, and building intensity. That contrast worked better than expected and made the final result stronger.

Production-wise, what’s the biggest challenge when collaborating with another artist?

Frank: It’s something I try to do as often as possible because I feel that collaboration is key to artistic growth. However, when it comes to production, each artist can have a different opinion on a sound, a melody, or even the whole track. In that case, it is important to find common ground.

Deus Deserto: Definitely working remotely. Collaborating in silos can make it harder to build momentum or bounce off each other’s ideas in real time. I’d prefer to work in person, but being based in Qatar, where the music scene is still developing, means I often have to rely on online collaboration.

What is the strongest quality as a music producer of the other?

Frank: He’s very creative and he’s a very good producer as well.

Deus Deserto: Frank’s strongest quality is his melodic instinct and musical storytelling. He’s great at creating emotional flow and building tension in a way that feels effortless. That brought a lot of depth to the track that I really respect and learned from.

What brought you to HILOMATIK to release 'Belief'?

Frank: We felt like the track could fit the label and we decided to try. HILOMATIK is great and has a wide spectrum of techno music. So we decided: “let’s try and see how it goes” — and it went well.

Deus Deserto: Once the track was done, HILOMATIK felt like the obvious home. The raw, energetic character of ‘Belief’ really aligns with the label’s sound. Seeing Oliver test the track at ASOT last year was a huge moment, it confirmed that the track belonged there.

When you think of HILOMATIK, what's the first thing that comes to mind?

Frank: HI-LO, of course. As a teenager when I started to make music, Oliver was a huge inspiration for me and I still love his style of house music. Later he opened the label and I was blown away. I have loved HILOMATIK’s sound since the first release.

Deus Deserto: Edgy. Massive. High Energy.

What’s your favorite song among all the HILOMATIK releases (you can’t pick your own!)?

Frank: Tough call, I love a lot of the music on HILOMATIK. Probably ‘PURA VIDA’ by HI-LO.

Deus Deserto: I’d have to say Wehbba’s remix of ‘PURA VIDA’. The way he reimagined the original with those reverse stabs was next-level. It left a lasting impression and still gives me goosebumps when I hear it.