With hundreds of millions of streams, releases on leading dance labels, and a catalogue that’s earned support from DJs and playlists around the world, Denis First has become one of the most recognizable names to emerge from Eastern Europe’s electronic scene. His latest collaboration with Filatov & Karas, ‘Sweet Summer Nights’, pairs infectious hooks with the kind of feel-good energy that defines the best crossover dance records.
We caught up with Denis to talk about the making of the single, his long-running creative relationship with Filatov & Karas, the importance of chasing emotion over technical perfection, and why the records that last are never the ones designed by formula.
Check out the full interview below!
When was the first moment you realized ‘Sweet Summer Nights’ had something special?
Probably the moment the track was finally finished. I caught myself listening to it over and over again, and every time it gave me exactly the same feeling. It instantly brought back memories of summer parties by the water, sunsets, friends, freedom and that carefree atmosphere. That was when I realized Sweet Summer Nights wasn’t just another record—it was a feeling I wanted to come back to again and again.
You’ve now worked with Filatov & Karas more than once. What’s the one thing they bring into a session that always pushes the music somewhere unexpected?
For me, Filatov & Karas are much more than incredible professionals—they’re close friends. We’ve shared countless memories together over the years, so there’s a real level of trust between us. What they bring into every session is an amazing instinct for emotion. They always know what will connect with people, and that often takes the music somewhere you didn’t expect.
If I opened the project file for this track, what would surprise me most?
Honestly? Probably the number of project folders called ‘Final’, ‘Final 2’, ‘Final Really’, ‘Final Last Version’… and then ‘Final Last Version New’. (Laughs.)
Your records always sound polished, but they never feel overworked. How do you know when to stop producing and leave a track alone?
I think there’s a point where you’re no longer making the song better, you’re just making it different. That’s when it’s time to close the project… at least until the next morning.
Everyone talks about “summer records,” but few actually become part of people’s summers. What do you think separates a genuinely timeless feel-good track from one that’s tied to a single season?
Music has a much shorter life today because there are so many new releases every single day. But I don’t think anyone has ever discovered the real formula for a timeless hit. People don’t fall in love with algorithms—they fall in love with emotions.
Is there a production decision on this record that most listeners will never notice?
I honestly think the most important production decision isn’t technical at all—it’s the mood. When the energy feels right, the best creative decisions almost make themselves.
You’ve worked with major labels, independent labels, and everyone in between. Has that experience made you more protective of your creative decisions?
No label has ever tried to reshape my creative vision or asked me to make something “more commercial.” That taught me how valuable trust really is. When artists are given creative freedom, the music usually ends up being more honest.
What still excites you enough to chase an idea instead of reaching for what already works?
These days, perfect sound alone doesn’t impress anyone anymore. People either feel something or they don’t. That’s why I’m not chasing the perfect sound. I’m chasing the feeling that stays with someone long after the music has stopped.
Imagine someone has never heard a Denis First record before. What do you hope they understand about you as an artist after three minutes?
I hope they understand that I’m just a regular person who genuinely loves making music. If those three minutes leave someone with honest emotions, then I’ve done my job.
Finish this sentence: “The best dance records aren’t the ones with the biggest drop…”
…they’re the ones that stay with you long after the music has stopped.
With a career built on memorable melodies, global collaborations, and a clear understanding of what makes people connect with music, Denis First continues to prove that success in dance music is about far more than numbers and trends. His collaboration with Filatov & Karas, Sweet Summer Nights, captures everything that has defined his sound: emotion, authenticity, and the ability to turn a simple moment into a shared experience.
Listen to the track below.
