[INTERVIEW] ARTEMIDES Talks Burning Man, ‘Matter Of Time’, Artistry, And More

We recently caught up with one of the most sensitive duos in the Organic House industry.

If you’ve been either a fan of Organic House, or you’ve been at Burning Man this year and/or the last one, you might have heard one particular tune. ‘Matter Of Time (Stars Align)‘ is the title of a cheeky little track that made its way to being one of the more hotly-anticipated IDs for close to a year. Legend says it made its way across the playa in 2023, jumping from DJ to DJ via USBs.

The artists behind said (master)piece are no other than ARTEMIDES, a fairly new duo consisting of veteran producers — and life partners — Seth Schwarz and Lydgen. Under their conjoint alias, they’ve released tracks like ‘Create The Universe’, ‘Leap of Faith (Follow your Heart)’, and ‘Who we are’. Below is a link to their ‘Matter Of Time’ emotional record.

We had the chance to have a little chat with them, just before departing to this year’s Burning Man. So we did what should be done: we asked them about that not-anymore-ID that practically soundtracked the festival, apart from diving into their vision as a duo, what it feels like to work together under a same name, plans for the future, Antarctica, collaborations, and so much more.

So sit down, put on your headphones with Seth and Lydgen’s best tunes, and read on, as we embark on a Q&A round with the masterful Organic House duo, ARTEMIDES.

The Interview

(Please note, the bolded text represents a question, while the paragraph(s) following it represent ARTEMIDES’ answers.)

So, you guys are getting ready for Burning Man. What are your thoughts, are you excited, nervous maybe? What are your expectations for this year’s gathering?

We’re beyond excited, Burning Man is such a unique experience! But this year is a bit different for us. Lydgen is in the 9th month of pregnancy with our first baby, so she won’t be able to join Burning Man. Seth is more than excited to play our music solo this year. While ARTEMIDES will miss the desert vibes this time, we’ll be back next year stronger than ever.

You’re two separate acts, and have been forging your own careers over time. When did you decide to give birth to ARTEMIDES as a duo rather than a series of standalone collaborations? When did you see that extra bit of magic to create a separate alias?

The idea for ARTEMIDES was born a few years ago during a magical experience at Cloud9 in South Africa. We’ve always made music together, but it was there that we realized we should fully combine our creativity and musicality, especially during Seth’s shows. That moment sparked the idea to create ARTEMIDES as a distinct project where we could truly explore and express our combined artistic vision, with the violin and the singing. The synergy was undeniable, and we knew this was something special that deserved its own identity.

What’s the story behind ‘Matter of Time’? What, or who, was your musical inspiration for this particular piece, and how did it come about?

‘Matter of Time’ emerged during a pivotal moment when we realized that we wanted to fully commit our lives to music and the artist’s path. This was around spring 2023, a time of transformation for us. The melodies and lyrics for the song came to us effortlessly and with a sense of clarity. It was a reflection of our decision to embrace music as our true purpose, and the creative process felt light and natural, as if the song was just waiting to be discovered.

What do you enjoy most about making music together?

The best part is the constant exchange of ideas and the way we push each other creatively. There’s a sense of trust and freedom that allows us to experiment and explore new sounds. We each bring our own influences and styles to the table, which makes the process unpredictable and exciting. It’s like a conversation through music, where we both learn and grow with every project.

Have you conquered any lifelong dreams you had in the music realm, or had any moments in which you look back and realise how far you’ve made it?

Absolutely. One of the standout moments was our performances at Burning Man 2023, where we played on the big stages at PlayAlchemist and Playground. We played ‘Matter of Time,’ and seeing the crowd go wild was an incredible experience. It was definitely a high point in our journey so far and gave us the affirmation that we’re on the right path with our music. Performing at such iconic events and feeling that connection with the audience is something we’ll never forget.

Are there any acts you would want to collaborate with in the future? Maybe even something outside of the four-on-the-floor canvas?

We’re always open to new collaborations, especially with artists who bring something different to the table. We’d love to explore a blend of organic instruments and electronic elements with artists and true music producers, also outside the traditional electronic scene — Seth has always dreamed of playing his music with a classical orchestra, which would be an incredible fusion of organic and electronic elements. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what excites us.

What are your plans for the future, any gigs on the horizon? Especially, we’d love a bit of an insight into a so-called Antarctica expedition we heard through the grapevine…

There’s definitely a lot on the horizon! In the next few months, Seth will be performing mostly solo. And yes, the Antarctica expedition is real! It’s an ambitious idea to create music in one of the most remote and pristine environments on Earth, and it’s something he is incredibly excited about. And also he has some exciting events lined up, including appearances at ADE in Amsterdam this October, and in November, he is touring in New York and Canada. Until Lydgen is ready to be back on stage, we’ll be busy creating new music in the studio. 

Next to his busy artist life, Seth is also highly involved in developing a new music streaming platform called WeR1, which aims to create a more transparent and rewarding ecosystem for artists and their communities. At ADE they have a big launch event with great artists playing. You can download the app and sign up using his invite-code SETH07.

Closing the Q&A on a more philosophical note, given just how fragile Life is, acknowledging we’re all going to leave this place someday, what would you like to be your legacy? What would you like people to remember you for?

We hope to be remembered for creating music that resonates on a deep emotional level, something that people can connect with in a meaningful way. Beyond just the music, we want our legacy to be about pushing boundaries, taking risks, and inspiring others to find their own creative voice. Life is indeed fragile, and we want our work to remind people to live passionately, dream big, and never be afraid to pursue the extraordinary.

Final Words

Thank you so much Lydgen and Seth for providing such sensitive, profound answers. What I get from the experience of chatting with them is that they are a true reflection of their music. If you listen to their tracks, they always have this emotional nature to them, and that kind and warm personality is an exact mirror of who they are in real life. Which is just so wholesome to acknowledge.

You heard it here first! If you’re going to be in Amsterdam, North America, or — for some reason — Antarctica, you can catch their music live on tour! Also, make sure to check the WeR1 App, right here. And be sure to follow our page to stay up to date on the latest news and views regarding our beloved Dance music industry.