Rave Republic

2024 has been a robust year for Mathias Schell and Stas Madorski, the respective Swiss and Australian DJ/producers behind Asia-based duo Rave Republic. “We released more music than ever before!”, they excitedly tell DJ Mag. The pair’s charmingly disheveled shirt-and-tie visual aesthetic belies their sharply versatile dance music stylings; it’s an artistic approach that colourfully blends main stage EDM with other sub-genres towards ever more fantastical outcomes.

This year brought a well-received Rave Republic rework of German pop group Bellini’s 1997 track ‘Samba De Janeiro’, co-produced with Plastik Funk — a pulsating, horn-laced main stage EDM single with glitchy Latin big-room vibes that came out on W&W’s label Rave Culture. Another standout tune: a single titled ‘Do You Think About Me’ with Faustix, which became Rave Republic’s sixth release on Hardwell’s estimable Revealed Recordings.

2024 also presented “one of our busiest tour schedules to date, including multiple big Europe shows,” Rave Republic recall. To wit: the duo played a Revealed Recordings showcase at Ministry Of Sound; made their debut at Parookaville on the Rave Culture stage; and started a new club residency at the Red Theater in Pattaya, Thailand alongside guest headliners such as Steve Aoki.

“Fred again.. ‘Adore U’.”

Rising star DJ/producer of 2024? “STVW.”

Could DJs do more to ensure that producers are fairly paid for their art?

“There needs to be a better, more transparent way to reward producers.”

Should phones be banned on the dancefloor?

“On one hand, phones are great as they amplify the DJ's 'voice'; on the other hand, filming the entire set takes people away from the moment that could be used to connect with the audience.”

A.I. - friend or foe?

“Like most emerging tech, AI can be both beneficial and detrimental. It can be leveraged for workflow and productivity upgrades, as well as ideation.”

What’s your lucky charm?

“The cereal brand.”