For San Holo, electronic music has never been about fitting into a particular genre or chasing the next big trend. It has always been about creating something that feels real. The Dutch DJ, producer, and songwriter, born Sander van Dijck, has built an international following by bringing emotion, vulnerability, and an unmistakable sense of individuality to electronic music. Whether he’s delivering soaring melodies, experimenting with bass-heavy productions, or stripping everything back to a guitar and a simple vocal, his music carries a personal connection that goes far beyond the dancefloor.
During this year’s Nexus Lounge Amsterdam, held alongside Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), San Holo sat down with Nexus Radio to discuss his creative evolution, the philosophy behind his latest album, True Love in a Made Up World, and why staying true to himself continues to be the driving force behind his career.
Returning to Amsterdam holds a special significance for the Netherlands-born artist. While his career has taken him around the world, ADE provides an opportunity to reconnect with the people and places that helped shape his musical identity. Beyond the packed schedules, industry meetings, and performances, he sees the annual gathering as a chance to strengthen friendships, discover new creative possibilities, and celebrate the community that makes electronic music so special.
This year’s gathering also coincided with an important milestone: ten years of bitbird, the independent record label San Holo founded to champion forward-thinking artists and music that doesn’t necessarily fit traditional industry expectations. What began as an outlet for creative freedom has grown into a recognizable platform for artists who share his willingness to experiment and challenge conventional boundaries.
That same independent spirit is at the center of True Love in a Made Up World, an album that explores authenticity in an increasingly artificial environment. At a time when streaming algorithms, social media trends, and commercial expectations can influence how music is created, San Holo has chosen to follow a different path. Rather than allowing outside pressures to dictate his artistic direction, he believes the most meaningful work comes from trusting personal instincts and embracing the uncertainty that accompanies genuine creativity.
The album’s message extends beyond music. For San Holo, the idea of finding true love in a made-up world is about recognizing what genuinely matters, questioning expectations, and resisting the pressure to live according to someone else’s definition of success. It’s a philosophy that has influenced both his personal outlook and his approach to making music.
His willingness to challenge expectations is perhaps most evident in his playful creation of “Wholesome Riddim,” a concept that turns one of electronic music’s more aggressive styles into something unexpectedly uplifting. Riddim is traditionally associated with heavy bass, repetitive rhythms, and intense drops, but San Holo saw an opportunity to approach the sound from an entirely different emotional perspective.
By incorporating warmer textures, melodic elements, and a sense of optimism, he created a contrast that initially caught some listeners off guard. What started as an unconventional experiment has since become another example of his ability to transform familiar musical ideas into something distinctly his own.
For San Holo, the experiment was never simply about inventing another subgenre. It was about demonstrating that electronic music doesn’t have to follow predetermined rules. A track can be heavy without feeling angry, emotional without being slow, and uplifting without sacrificing the energy that makes dance music exciting.
That philosophy carries throughout his catalog. His background in punk and alternative rock continues to influence his productions, particularly in the way he approaches songwriting, guitar arrangements, and emotional expression. Rather than separating his musical interests into different categories, he allows them to coexist, creating a sound that can move naturally between intimate acoustic moments and powerful electronic drops.
As the conversation explored the relationship between artistic identity and experimentation, San Holo explained what he hopes listeners recognize across his constantly evolving sound.
"Whether people listen to my trap songs or wholesome rhythm songs or piano songs, I hope they hear a little bit of San Holo in there."
It’s a simple observation that captures much of what makes his approach so compelling. While individual tracks may sound dramatically different from one another, the emotion behind them remains consistent. For San Holo, that emotional connection is more important than maintaining a recognizable production formula.
Life on the road has also played a major role in shaping his creative perspective. With extensive touring across North America and beyond, San Holo has experienced the excitement of performing for audiences around the world. Yet he believes some of the most valuable lessons come from the experiences that happen away from the stage.
Traveling between cities, meeting people from different backgrounds, and experiencing unfamiliar environments provide inspiration that cannot always be found inside a recording studio. Even the exhausting realities of touring can offer new perspectives, reminding him that creativity is often influenced by the unpredictable nature of everyday life.
His sources of inspiration also extend well beyond music. San Holo finds meaning in the dedication of athletes, the imagination of painters, and the persistence of skateboarders who repeatedly push themselves to master something new. These creative and personal journeys resonate with his own belief that growth comes from experimentation, resilience, and the willingness to keep moving forward despite uncertainty.
That outlook has helped him develop a relationship with his audience built around more than individual releases or performances. Fans connect with the openness of his music and the encouragement to embrace their own identities. In an industry often driven by numbers, visibility, and constant competition, San Holo continues to place genuine human connection at the center of what he does.
As the interview came to a close, he made it clear that none of his accomplishments would be possible without the people who have supported his music throughout the years. His gratitude reflected the same humility and sense of community that have remained central to his artistic journey.
After more than a decade of pushing creative boundaries, San Holo shows little interest in settling into a predictable formula. From the continued evolution of bitbird to the deeply personal themes of True Love in a Made Up World and the unexpected charm of Wholesome Riddim, he remains committed to making music that reflects who he is rather than what the industry expects him to become.
In a constantly changing electronic music landscape, that commitment to authenticity may be his greatest strength. San Holo isn’t simply experimenting with different sounds; he’s reminding listeners that music can be powerful, vulnerable, uplifting, and deeply personal all at once.
Listen to the full Nexus Radio interview below with San Holo from Nexus Lounge Amsterdam to hear more about his creative philosophy, the evolution of his music, and why following your own path remains at the heart of everything he creates.
