EDX on Longevity, Legacy, and the Changing Face of Dance Music

Chatting with Miami New Times from his South Beach apartment — the same spot that’s hosted countless Miami Music Week after parties, including the annual Sirup Mixer that’s brought the likes of Eric Prydz, Hugel, and more to his rooftop — EDX sounds as calm and grounded as ever. There’s no trace of ego or exhaustion in his voice, just the kind of quiet confidence that comes from knowing who you are and what you’ve built.

For more than two decades, the Swiss-born DJ and producer has been a fixture in the global electronic scene, steadily evolving as trends rise and fade. From the underground days of white labels and vinyl crates to the streaming and social media era, EDX has managed to adapt without losing sight of his melodic, feel-good sound. Now, he’s reflecting on the next phase — for both himself and the label that’s defined his legacy, Sirup.

EDX describes his career, breaking it down into eras: four distinct waves that mirror the evolution of dance music itself. “I’ve been there when there were no downloads,” he laughs. “Then came the digital era, the social-media revolution, and now this influencer generation.”

Each shift brought new challenges, but also new ways to connect with fans. What’s kept him afloat, he says, is versatility. “I’m not a typical artist who has only one career lane. I tour because I love it, but I don’t have to. I have other things on the table that make me happy — and they’re all around music.”

Those “other things” include label work, artist management, studio production, and fatherhood. “Being a dad changed everything,” he admits. “It grounds you. It gives you perspective beyond touring and releases. I don’t need to be the loudest in the room anymore. I just want to do things that matter.”

Long before the days of social media snippets and pre-save links, DJs were defined by their ability to find music, not just make it. EDX remembers when exclusivity was everything. “When I was playing a record for four, five, or ten weeks, no one knew what the record was. You couldn’t even buy it,” he says. “That mystery was part of the magic.”

He reminisces about the tactile joy of digging through crates, the late-night energy of record shops, and the feeling of testing a new record in a packed club for the first time. “Back then, music discovery was a sport,” he says. “Now, it’s an algorithm.”

That shift, while inevitable, is one he approaches with balance rather than bitterness. “It’s not enough to just spin anymore,” he explains. “You have to make music, have a brand, build a following. But at the end of the day, you still have to deliver good records.” He pauses, then adds, “Music still needs time to breathe. Even in an instant world.”

For EDX, Sirup Music isn’t just a label — it’s a chronicle of his journey. Founded in the late ’90s, the brand was born from a small circle of Swiss creatives who wanted to champion melodic house and progressive sounds that felt timeless. “The first release came in 1997 under Club Control,” he recalls. “We were burning CDs, mailing vinyl, testing tracks in clubs. It was all word of mouth. We didn’t even think about branding, we just wanted to share the music we loved.”

Decades later, Sirup has evolved into a global label with a deep roster of artists and a signature sound that balances emotional depth with dance-floor energy. Its output has come to define a certain corner of house music — melodic, euphoric, and distinctively European, yet equally at home in Miami or Ibiza. “We sign records that move you,” EDX says. “Music that’s trend-setting, not trend-following. It has to feel honest.”

He points to Nora En Pure’s “Pretoria” as a personal highlight — “that record had it all,” he says. “Melody, progression, emotion. With the right top line, it could’ve been massive. But even as it was, it connected with people, and that’s what matters most.” 

“I always tell my A&R team to find something fresh,” he explains. “At one point, Avicii was fresh. Acts like Cya Squad, Daniel Portman, and Nora En Pure were fresh, they went against the current. Back when everyone was chasing big, heartless EDM drops, they were creating deep, melodic sounds that felt human again.”

Then he pauses, a smile audible in his voice. “I still remember when I was here in Miami, probably right around this same block, sitting with Avicii’s manager,” he says. “He played me what was going to be Avicii’s Ultra set, all these country-inspired records. It was so different that people thought he was crazy. But he did it anyway, and he proved everyone wrong.”

To EDX, that moment perfectly captures the spirit of true artistry. “He was brave enough to make music that just felt good, happy, melodic, full of emotion,” he says. “That’s what music should be. Doesn’t matter how it’s dressed up or what genre it’s in. As long as it’s genuine, that’s what touches people.”

It’s hard to talk about EDX without mentioning Miami. For nearly two decades, the city has been a cornerstone of his creative world. His South Beach apartment — with its sweeping ocean view, glowing sunsets, and a rooftop that has seen everyone from Prydz to Hugel drop in for post-show drinks — has become a gathering point for DJs, producers, and friends during Miami Music Week. “Miami’s always been special,” he says. “The energy, the culture, it’s unlike anywhere else. There’s this spirit of community that’s never gone away.”

Through Sirup Sessions, EDX has hosted events during MMW for 17 years. After the pandemic, he reimagined the format as Sunset Sessions, an intimate rooftop series where the focus is connection over spectacle.

“It’s become one of my favorite projects,” he says. “Now we’re looking to bring it back weekly — from West Palm all the way down to the Keys. Hopefully starting around my birthday, November 2.” He also teases the return of his long-running No Xcuses brand during Art Basel — a Miami staple for more than a decade. “We’ll announce details soon,” he smiles. “But you can count on one thing: the music will always be the centerpiece.”

Even with his legacy cemented, EDX isn’t slowing down. Between touring, running Sirup, and mentoring new artists, he’s constantly in the studio experimenting with new sounds. “Right now, I’m working with some amazing writers and vocalists,” he shares. “I want to strike that balance between club energy and emotional storytelling. That’s always been my sweet spot.”

He admits he hasn’t fully leaned into TikTok yet — “I’m still learning,” he laughs — but he’s mindful of the platform’s influence. “It’s where the next generation lives,” he says. “You just have to make sure your music doesn’t get lost in the noise. There’s still value in patience and craft.”

When asked what advice he’d give to younger DJs trying to find their footing, his answer is both practical and philosophical. “Make music you actually connect with,” he says. “Even if it doesn’t fit what’s trending, keep at it. When the spotlight eventually turns toward you, be ready.”

He stresses patience and consistency as the true markers of success. “You can’t cheat time. You have to put in your 10,000 hours,” he says. “That’s what builds the foundation.”

And if there’s one recurring theme in EDX’s outlook, it’s authenticity. “If you stay true to who you are, that’s what people connect to,” he says. “Trends fade. Identity doesn’t.”

As our call wraps, the late-afternoon Miami sun filters through his apartment windows — the same ones that have looked out over dozens of Sirup Mixers, late-night sessions, and spontaneous afterparties that turned into lifelong friendships. EDX speaks about the future with the same calm intensity that’s carried him this far.

“After all these years, I still feel like a student,” he says. “The music keeps changing, and that’s the beauty of it. As long as I can keep learning, I’ll keep creating.”

And if history’s any indication, that South Beach rooftop will keep echoing with basslines, laughter, and the sound of an artist still evolving — one session at a time.