IanPlug isn't just another producer; he's a sonic architect, meticulously blending genres to sculpt immersive, euphoric soundscapes. As he gears up for a monumental 2025, promising a summer saturated with psychedelic sounds and mesmerising visuals, we sat down to dive into his creative process.
He paints a vivid picture of his influences, from the reggae rhythms of his childhood to the raw energy of underground hip-hop and the pulsating beats of EDM. From his latest release, ‘Closing Nights’, a woozy, dream-like journey, to his electrifying ambitions for the future, we explore the evolution of an artist who's pushing the boundaries of electronic music.
Great to be chatting with you today, thanks so much for taking the time out. When did you first start making music? Where did it all begin, and what inspired you?
“I first started making music around COVID-19 around the summer of 2020, though I don’t pin it on an exact date—it was more of a gradual slide into it. I did not take it seriously until 2021 with the release of my first beat ‘Interstellar’. I grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, surrounded by a mix of sounds that didn’t fit neatly into one box. My father enjoyed Reggae a lot, specifically Bob Marley while my Mother put me onto such talent as Michael Jackson and Prince.”
“As I grew up, I started listening to new genres such as Pantera, Black Sabbath, and EDM acts from Monstercat once I went to middle school. During my 8th grade year, I got into the new underground scene at the time acts such as XXXTentaction, Ski Mask, Bones. Xavier Wulf. Yung Lean. and Lil Uzi Vert were heavily in rotation. Music was always my life, so once I got FL Studio during COVID, I just used my second install account name ‘IanPlug’ and went with it.”
Can you tell us a bit about your latest release and what it means to you?
“’Closing Nights’ feels like my next step into my new sound and evolution for 2025. By blending elements of electronic, ambient, and experimental music in my new track ‘Closing Nights’, it stands out to any song I have released in my catalogue.”
“At its heart, ‘Closing Nights’ is all about bottling that late-night vibe those quiet hours when the world hushes and your mind starts wandering. The music pulls you into that headspace with these rich, sweeping synth pads that build a huge, airy feel, paired with these deep, throbbing basslines that bring a cosy pulse to it. The drums are something else, twitchy little beats that keep things rolling, hypnotic but never stiff. I want these releases to really hit on speakers because I want to play these live. Then there’s the way the melodies swim in reverb, mixed with these ghostly vocal snippets, making the whole thing feel like a dream.”
Are there any artists, moments, or experiences that influenced you when writing the release?
“Oh for sure, ‘Closing Nights’ came straight out of this wild night out in Downtown Los Angeles—the first time I stepped into a rave. I must’ve been, what, 19 or 20? Young enough to feel invincible, old enough to know I was doing something bigger than myself. It was one of those humid summer nights where the air’s thick with heat and anticipation, and I rolled up to this warehouse spot with a couple friends, not really knowing what I was in for. The second we walked in, it hit me: this wall of sound, like a living thing—throbbing basslines, glitchy synths stabbing through the haze, and these relentless, driving EDM beats that felt like they were rewiring my pulse. I had never been to an EDM event until that point. I can’t say every detail of what went down (mostly because I was very intoxicated) but let’s just say the night was full of crazy moments and wild events.”
How would you describe the sound on your latest release? Has there been a change or evolution in style since you first began?
“Hey, so ‘Closing Nights’ is this cool mix of atmospheric electronic vibes, ambient sounds, and some experimental twists. It’s the kind of track that pulls you in deep, making you feel like you’re lost in your own thoughts. It’s got this late-night, almost movie-like vibe—think dreamy synths floating around, a bassline that keeps things moving, and these intricate drum patterns that lock you into a hypnotic groove. The whole thing’s soaked in reverb, which makes it feel huge and kinda surreal, and then there are these vocal bits I’ve messed with that bring this emotional, almost haunting layer to it.”
“Looking back to when I first started messing around with music, this track’s a big step up for me. My early stuff was pretty rough—just basic loops and beats thrown together. I was really focused on space trap beats only but over time, I’ve gotten better at stacking sounds, playing with textures, and building a vibe that’s more about feeling than just a catchy tune. I’ve shifted toward this smoother, richer sound that’s all about depth. I’m also way more into letting the music breathe now—giving reverb and delays room to shine and making sure every sound has its own spot in the mix.”
What's next after this single? Do you have any new releases or shows on the horizon?
“What I have next is this moody R&B song me and Theeafterparty made years back. I went back and remixed and reengineered it to a more modern-sounding version. I teased a clip of me vibing to it on my story, and the response was wild—people were begging for the full drop. So, it’s happening very soon. I also have a song, a French House song I made with my friend named Daemon Wolf. It's catchy and reflects a summer vibe it is called ‘Last One’. But the real game-changer? An unreleased track called ‘Alive’. I’m so hyped about this one I’ve locked it down—no previews, no snippets.”
“I want it to hit like a freight train the first time you hear it. It’s that special, and I’m not messing around with the rollout for ‘Alive’. This summer’s about to be a flood of new music. I’m dropping singles left and right to see what sticks, building up to my next big project, ‘Bad Trips & Bad Habits’. Originally, I planned to release it earlier this year, but life had other plans. I moved to Detroit, locked myself in, and churned out 50-60 release-ready tracks in January alone. The ideas and new sounds I made were so amazing that I scrapped the old version and started over. It should be released by late 2025 or early 2026, I do not want to rush it as I seem to evolve every day.”
“Oh, and keep an eye out for a summer EP too. I’m teaming up with Madebychaser who also co-produced Closing Nights—and we’ve got a stash of mind-blowing EDM tracks ready to blow the roof off. This is just the beginning. Get ready. For the shows aspect, right now I’m all in on making and tweaking new music, but I’m absolutely so hyped to take Closing Nights and my other tracks out into the world live. Playing for a crowd is something I can’t wait to dive into—it’s this raw, real way to vibe with the music and everyone who’s been riding with me. It would most likely be a European show as that is where most of my streams and fanbase come from, and I cannot wait for these new EDM summer releases are made for live venues.”
Is there anything you would like to say to our audience? How can they connect with you and help support you?
“Thank you for all the support throughout my career and even for my new releases. ‘Closing Nights’ is already ranked number 2 in my most popular songs a week or two after release. I am glad people enjoy the evolution.”
“You can also connect with me on social media, I’m always down to talk music, share behind-the-scenes ideas, and interact with people who wanna see what I’m creating. You can find me on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, as well as on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.”
“I also have an Instagram channel where I update with new releases. Again, I appreciate all the love and support. There’s so much more music on the way, and I can’t wait for you all to hear what’s next.”
In ‘Closing Nights’, he captures the essence of late-night introspection, blending atmospheric synths, hypnotic drums, and ethereal vocals to create a truly immersive experience. Now, let’s hear more about his latest release.
With a flurry of releases and a highly anticipated project on the horizon, IanPlug is poised to deliver a summer of sonic exploration. Keep your ears and eyes peeled – this is just the beginning of his captivating journey.
