dig dis!cover Bastiaan de Nooijer

How did you come to music?
Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Ever since my young years, my parents would play music for me because it made me so happy. I was born in Spain and spent my childhood growing up in Africa where I attended American International Schools. Thanks to the beautiful experience of growing up in Africa, I have always been surrounded by the rich, live music traditions of the local cultures. It wasn’t electronic at all—lots of live instruments—but it planted a love of music in me.
Around 2011, I discovered tropical house and electronic music, and I became a huge fan of artists like Avicii and Tiesto. That was my gateway into the world of electronic music, and I knew I wanted to create my own music. I remember watching a YouTube video of Avicii in the studio explaining how he made one of his tracks. I followed along, copying everything he did, and ended up with something similar. That was a breakthrough moment for me—I realized, “I can do this!” From there, I started experimenting and creating my own music. It was never really about becoming known, though I did have dreams of growing as an artist. 

Cool, but how did you actually begin learning to produce music? Was it through YouTube videos, or did you have friends who helped you? Can you tell us more about it?
In the beginning, it was all about YouTube tutorials. The very first one I watched was that Avicii studio video, which really kicked things off for me. After that, I went deeper into the tutorials, searching for more on YouTube and downloading free project templates. Back then, you could get these files by following the creators on platforms like Instagram or SoundCloud, and in return receiving free downloads. This helped me a lot in understanding music production.
I spent years playing around, watching more tutorials, and slowly started to figure out how to arrange tracks and develop a proper workflow. I’d experiment with starting tracks from different elements, like a melody or drums. My early tracks were pretty terrible (although I thought I was one of the best back then, not even close haha), but it was all part of the learning process. Over time, I got into a routine, and producing music became second nature.

Speaking of having fun, your music is really successful now, but you also have different kinds of artist projects. Why don't you focus on just one main artist project?
It all started with my main artist name, Piece Wise. Over the years, I’ve worked hard to develop and brand my sound, starting with tropical house and more summer/lounge music. Gradually, I shifted toward soft-house/electronic music. My fans have come to expect a certain quality & sound from Piece Wise—emotional instrumental tracks, electronic sounds, soft dance vibes, and strong/emotional vocals that fit the mood.
Recently, I’ve been exploring other genres like Lofi. I’ve started releasing Lofi tracks under my sub-label Dawning Lofi, and even launched another label called Dawning Records, which focuses on soft, instrumental house music. It’s more laid-back and easy-listening, perfect for concentration. Instrumental music can be incredibly powerful without needing vocals, and it’s something I’ve enjoyed working on for a long time. I felt it was difficult for me to introduce all the instrumental music I had been working on through my Piece Wise brand (as the sound is a bit different). This is why I decided to launch several aliases, each representing a unique side of my musical creativity. 

You already mentioned your labels, Setting Sail Records and Dawning Records, plus Dawning Lofi. We're really happy to have you on board. How was your first contact with dig dis!?
It was really positive. Before joining dig dis!, I was distributing my music through another distributor. My second release on my label Setting Sail Records was with Nico from dig dis!, under his artist name Misero. He kept encouraging me to join dig dis!, telling me about all the impressive reasons I should switch over to the distribution company. At first, I hesitated because things were going well with my previous distributor.
But when I met Nico and Luca from dig dis! at the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), it sealed the deal. Luca and the entire dig dis! team are super nice and professional, but also really laid-back (which I find really important in a work-relationship). I think it’s important to have a healthy balance between serious but also relaxed/fun vibes with the people I work with. In the end, this industry is all about creativity, and what sparks my creativity is working with like-minded & easy-going people who share the same passions. The support I’ve received has been beyond my expectations, and it’s such a relief to work with a team that makes things easy and smooth. I couldn’t be happier with the way things are going now. I am really excited for all the releases yet to come end 2024, and to start 2025 with a bang, showcasing both the super-talented artists on the roster for Setting Sail Records, alongside all the Instrumental music coming out on Dawning Records. Each artist has their own story, and I am super excited to let them express that through their sound.

Thank you! I mean, that's kind of our spirit—we want to grow with our artists and labels. If we help you as much as we can, it eventually comes back to us. You have so many artists on your label and a lot going on. How do you manage your label work and balance it with your own music?
It’s been a challenge! About a year and a half ago, I was on the verge of burnout from working too much. I was working non-stop, seven days a week from 9AM - 11PM. I wasn’t sleeping well, and even in my personal time, I was still checking emails or talking to artists, making sure everything was going well. I believe that I am perfectly set out for this industry, however, my only struggle is that I care & love too much for what I do, literally every single detail I put into my work. This can definitely lead to longer hours & not being able to distance yourself from your work in your free time. I see this as a positive thing though, as I’m always trying to do my best for the artists on the label, something I would wish for as an artist myself.
After going downhill with my physical & mental health, I had to take a step back and change things up regarding my workflow. Now, I release fewer tracks under Piece Wise—about one every two months instead of one every month. This has given me more time to focus on my music (quality over quantity) and the labels I am running. My workweek is now Monday to Friday, and weekends are strictly for relaxing and spending time with friends and family. Don’t tell anyone I said this, but of course, I still check in on work throughout the weekends. I believe that it’s something any passionate/caring business owner will experience. The new workflow balance has made a huge difference though, and I’m much more productive as a result. This also allows me to make a lot more music.

So, how do you handle demos? Do you listen to them on your own or do you have a team that helps decide?
It’s just me—I listen to all the demos myself. That’s one of the reasons I was feeling so overwhelmed before. Aside from working with a graphic designer for visual assets, a master engineer for mastering & an accountant, I manage everything on my own, including selecting the tracks to release. Over time, I’ve developed a clear direction and personal taste for the label, which makes the process easier. Since the label’s launch in 2022 through to the end of 2024, the label has released a diverse range of songs, each of which has played a significant role in shaping the Setting Sail Records brand. Every release has contributed to defining the label's sound, which will take a more focused direction starting in 2025.

Now that you have multiple labels, how do you feel about the number of artists on your roster? Are you looking to add more or are you satisfied with your current lineup? How do you envision the future of your labels?
At this point, I’m more focused on building and branding talented & like-minded artists that fit the label’s sound, rather than constantly adding new ones to the roster. Last year, I released tracks from around 80 to 90 artists, whom most only had one release on the label. Moving forward, I’m working with a smaller core group of about 20-30 artists who release on the labels more regularly (rather than once every year). These are some of the most talented people (not only artists) I have met & had the privilege of working with. 
This new workflow & path allows me to give the label’s artists more attention and help them grow individually & together, especially after joining forces with DigDis! & being able to get artists on the radar. I am so excited to see the artists interacting with each other, forming friendships & creating music together. All the pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together. I’m really excited about the future of the labels, and with dig dis! onboard, we have more opportunities for artist development, creative freedom & enjoyment throughout the entire process.

We already touched a bit on the Lofi genre, which you're also involved with. It’s a bit controversial, but as AI continues to grow in the music scene—especially in Lofi, where many artists are using AI—what are your thoughts on this trend?
I’m not a big fan of AI in music. I’ve tried AI tools just for fun, but the results weren’t great. To me, AI-generated music lacks emotion and the personal touch that makes music meaningful. It’s especially tough in the Lofi genre, where so many people are using AI to create tracks, and it makes it harder for artists like myself who put in the effort to create original music. I think AI can be dangerous because it dilutes the authenticity of the music industry, and it feels unfair to those of us who are genuinely passionate about the craft. Hopefully, this is something that the music industry picks up on, and finds ways to block out of the “music distribution process”, especially when it comes down to streaming/download platforms choosing which songs to support. I believe every REAL artist, writer, or composer should be prioritized over any form of AI sound.

A last question for today, what kind of music do you listen to in your free time and do you enjoy going to clubs or festivals?
At home, I listen to a lot of Lofi and Chill House music, mostly instrumental music (as that helps me focus throughout long work days). I recently also started enjoying a lot of Indie music from artists such as M.Byrd, Moglii, Fiji Blue, and more. I actually curate about 50+ playlists with different sounds/genres, and they have a good following. When I’m out with friends or traveling, I enjoy more dance-oriented music and French rap. As for festivals, I love melodic techno—it’s definitely my go-to when I’m at events.

And that's a wrap on our conversation with Bastiaan de Nooijer, aka Piece Wise. From his roots in vibrant musical cultures to making a name for himself in the electronic music scene, his journey has been truly inspiring. We appreciate his time and insights.
Thanks for tuning in!