Silver Panda on their upcoming remixes, psytrance roots and more [interview]

We had the privilege of chatting with Leo of the stalwart melodic techno duo Silver Panda. The pair have rapidly become a powerhouse in electronic music, earning support from industry giants and topping Beatport’s Overall Chart. Their groundbreaking collaborations with John Summit, Space Motion, and Sevenn led to 2024 milestones, including the #1 melodic techno track and top spot for track support via 1001Tracklists. Recognized as one of Beatport’s top 10 melodic techno artists, they embarked on a global tour spanning the US, South America, Europe, and Asia. Their label, Panda Lab Records, hit #4 on Beatport’s melodic techno charts, cementing their role as tastemakers. With massive new releases and collaborations slated for 2025, Silver Panda is primed to push the genre’s boundaries even further.

Read our illuminating interview with Leo below. 

Set the tone for us. Why the arts?
Shlomi comes from a musical family, and music has always been part of his life. His uncle introduced him to FL Studio and music creation, and he fell in love instantly. For me (Leo), I discovered electronic music at 11 when my cousin introduced me to psytrance. Since then, I’ve been hooked.

Which comes first when you’re producing – the sound or the idea?
The idea usually comes first. Once we have a strong concept or feeling, it gives us a foundation to build the sound around.

Does your material feature any collaborations?
Yes, we have seven unreleased tracks. Two are remixes for Moby and Depeche Mode (pending licensing). We also have two solo tracks and three collaborations with Landau, 1Line & Oriss, and Ginchy featuring Tugel.

What’s on your current playlist?
Our sets mix our best releases, unreleased tracks, selections from Panda Lab Records, and favorite tracks from other artists.

Tell us about the chemistry you have with your fans on stage.
We love and deeply appreciate our fans. Having traveled to 29 countries, we always feel their energy wherever we go. It’s an incredible connection that keeps us inspired.

What techniques do you experiment with to get your original sound?
Coming from a psytrance background, we incorporate those elements into the Silver Panda sound. Many people tell us they can recognize our tracks even before they’re released, which is a huge compliment.

Take us through a day in the recording studio.
We live in different countries with a 10-hour time difference, so communication is crucial. We talk daily, brainstorm ideas, and schedule frequent video calls to stay aligned. Despite the distance, we keep the creative process flowing smoothly.

Was there a specific moment in your life where you thought, “this is what I want to do”?
Shlomi knew at 11 years old when he often skipped hanging out with friends to stay in the studio, even writing notes in class on improving his tracks.
For me (Leo), it was also at 11 when I discovered psytrance. The sounds and energy captivated me and grew into a passion for creating and sharing music.

What do you keep close by while you’re playing a set?
Definitely vodka and Red Bull, plenty of water, and a watch to track the remaining time for the set.

Any emerging artists on your radar?
Yes! Artists like Landau, Welker, Redot, Gyroo, Resultant, Voya, and Bolth are incredibly talented and making waves.

What gets your creative juices flowing?
Our love for music. We’re passionate and driven by the desire to share that passion with fans. That fuels our creativity.

Take us through your collection of gear, tech, or software that accompanies your creative expression.
We use Virus TI, UAD, Slate Digital ML-1, Dynaudio BM6A monitors, and Presonus V2 for room control. Software essentials include Serum, Avenger, and Pigments—with a few secret VSTs! 🤪

Any side projects you’re working on?
Shlomi has a psytrance project called Berg, which he’s still actively working on.

How have you refined your craft since you entered the industry?
Switching from psytrance to melodic techno was a big shift. Through time, experience, and collaborations with artists like Space Motion, Sevenn, and John Summit, we’ve adapted without losing our signature style.

Breakdown the news for us: what can we expect from you this year?
We’re excited about our upcoming ‘Lift Me Up’ remix, perfected over a year. We’re also working on securing the license for our Depeche Mode remix. We have plenty of unreleased tracks ready to drop.
This year, we’ll return to Ibiza to perform at Ushuaïa and Hï, a highlight for us, and play at several world festivals.

Famous last words?
Persistence, persistence, and more persistence. We never give up and keep pushing forward with positive thoughts. With the right mindset, we can achieve anything.

Follow Silver Panda: 

Spotify – Instagram – Facebook