From high school dreamers in Den Helder to global dance music innovators, Drove — the Dutch duo of Teun Wouters and Eli Salomons — have carved a path defined by emotion, atmosphere, and evolution. What began as teenage curiosity has since blossomed into a sound that feels like a sunrise drive through misty horizons — cinematic, nostalgic, and endlessly liberating.
“We felt like we were building something new,” Wouters reflected when recalling the early days of Drove. That creative spark led to their 2021 debut EPs Dusk and Dawn on Martin Garrix’s STMPD Records, featuring the standout Dillon Francis collaboration “Places,” now nearing nine million Spotify streams. From those beginnings, Drove’s music has found a home at Tomorrowland, Creamfields, and Ushuaïa Ibiza, connecting with fans drawn to their sweeping, melodic storytelling.
When Josh from Nexus Radio caught up with the duo during Amsterdam Dance Event, the energy was reflective yet forward-looking. “It’s our fourth time here with Drove,” Salomons shared. “I’ve been coming since I was 18, so it feels like a second home.”
That sense of belonging carries into their next chapter: their debut album, First Light, set to roll out single by single into 2026. “It’s all about storytelling,” Salomons explained. “We wanted the album to move like the day itself — from sunset to sunrise.”
Their creative process remains refreshingly organic. “We start from melodies or drones and just flow from there,” Wouters added, describing their intuitive approach. For Drove, music is about more than production—it’s about feeling. “It’s like the emotion you get from a movie,” said Salomons. “That’s the magic we try to capture.”
With First Light on the horizon, Drove continues to redefine what modern dance music can be—intimate, cinematic, and deeply human.
Don’t miss the full interview below to hear Drove’s exclusive insights, creative inspirations, and what’s next as they chase the dawn of a new era in dance music.
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