Step into VEIL’s sonic universe, and you’ll quickly realise she is far more than just a producer— she is a storyteller, an explorer, and an architect of deep, immersive musical narratives. Her approach to music is rooted in a relentless pursuit of the unknown, and her ability to transport the listener beyond the ordinary.
Her sound thrives in the darker, more enigmatic corners of the genre, where she infuses deep frequencies and intricate sound design that converge to create something truly mesmerizing. But here’s the best part, this is where it just starts. Despite the shadowy, intense nature of her sound, VEIL skilfully weaves together a diverse array of styles under the low-end umbrella to create musical expeditions that are vivid, introspective, and thought-provoking.
This unique sonic signature has earned VEIL a place among some of bass music’s most forward-thinking labels, including WAKAAN, MorFlo Records, and Deadbeats. But she isn’t just contributing to the scene—she’s actively shaping it. Through her own imprint, Street Ritual, she curates and cultivates a platform for like-minded artists, pushing the boundaries of experimental bass music and fostering a community of sonic trailblazers.
Street Ritual is where VEIL’s debut album, High Voltage landed, which is a culmination of her endless depth of her creative genius. Released in late 2024, “High Voltage” is a multidimensional experience, with 5/9 and Towr Media enhancing its visual narrative. The album resonates on multiple fronts—sonic, visual, experiential, and transcendental—pushing boundaries at every turn.
High Voltage unfolds the story of AZAL, a central figure journeying through THE HOLLOW—a cross-dimensional realm of infinite timelines and realities. Each track serves as a chapter in her odyssey, chronicling her evolution as she discovers and harnesses her ability to shape and manipulate the ever-shifting landscapes of THE HOLLOW.
Before diving deep into VEIL’s debut album, High Voltage, it might be a good idea to explore how its narrative was meticulously crafted. Understanding the story behind the album adds a new layer of depth to the experience, allowing us to fully appreciate the vision and artistry that shaped it.
“AZAL, my main character, has appeared in many of my past EPs, and High Voltage follows her journey as she enters a black liminal space where she learns to control realities with her mind. Over time, I realised her story reflected my own—navigating multiple realities, managing creative projects, and feeling both empowered and overwhelmed. Throughout the album, AZAL experiences moments of control, disruption (like encountering malware), and ultimately, an overload of power.
Structuring the album to honour this narrative was crucial. I didn’t just arrange tracks by energy levels—I wanted the flow to mirror the emotional and sonic journey, much like my DJ sets, where heavy moments build into introspection before resetting and evolving. The interlude at the midpoint serves as a reset, leading into a fresh chapter of sound. The closing track, Overload, is one of my favourites because it encapsulates how I felt by the end of the year—pushed to the limit, juggling creative projects, finishing the album, and even organising the release party.”
Then comes the moment where VEIL took a bold leap of faith, deciding to craft her debut album High Voltage. This wasn’t just another project—it was her biggest creative endeavour to date, one that required her to push beyond the boundaries of her past work and take on a monumental challenge. She not only had to compose the intricate, layered sounds of the album but also build a captivating narrative around it. The weight of creating something so personal and so expansive was immense, and the pressure of shaping this story—the world of AZAL and THE HOLLOW—was like nothing she had faced before.
In the process, VEIL found herself navigating the complexities of self-doubt, the challenges of balancing creative freedom with artistic consistency, and the internal struggle of stepping into such uncharted territory. It was a journey filled with moments of uncertainty, yet the drive to see the story unfold and to release something that was so uniquely hers kept her moving forward.
“I’ve been considering making an album for a few years, but at the start of this year, I felt ready for a bigger creative challenge. Knowing myself, I wanted to go all-in on the visuals, storyline, and lore, so I gave it enough time. I set the goal in November while on tour, but the concept and timeline took shape around January-February. I planned to finish the tracks by July to release in November, making it a busy year. My team and I worked hard, with two visual shoots and extensive post-production. My creative director, VJ, and visual artist, 59, collaborated with me on the storyline, ensuring each track had a deeper visual and narrative connection.”
Now that the album is out in the world, the sense of relief is palpable. VEIL has seen the album resonate deeply with listeners, with many praising the intricate storytelling and bold sonic choices. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, and the journey has come full circle, as she watches her vision reach a wider audience. For VEIL, the success of High Voltage goes beyond the accolades; it’s about how her music has touched others and how her personal journey, which she poured into the album, has become a shared experience with listeners. It’s a moment of both reflection and forward momentum—realising that the leap of faith she took has not only paid off but has opened doors to even greater possibilities in her creative future.
“The pressure I felt was entirely self-imposed—I wanted to bring to life every sound and idea I had envisioned. I experience music in colours, and while my previous project spanned multiple genres, VEIL has always had a more focused sound. With this album, I aimed to expand that while keeping it cohesive, blending different styles into one fluid journey.
The challenge was fitting everything into 10-12 tracks while staying true to my vision. Along the way, I had to refine, cut, and adjust ideas to ensure the album told a complete story. Every BPM shift, track placement, and AI-generated voice sample was intentional, carefully woven into the narrative. Now, listening back, I’m amazed at how it all came together.”
Creating an album of this scale is an emotional rollercoaster, and for VEIL, the process was no different. Pouring her heart and soul into every track, she experienced a whirlwind of emotions—hope, frustration, excitement, doubt, and everything in between. There were moments of pure inspiration where ideas flowed effortlessly, and others where the weight of the project felt overwhelming.
VEIL describes the album as a direct reflection of her emotional journey, with each track carrying its own unique energy. Some tracks radiate positivity and euphoria, while others dive into aggression, tension, or even moments of despair. The album was not just about creating music, but about capturing raw, unfiltered emotions and translating them into sound.
“Art imitates life, and life imitates art—it’s a constant cycle. AZAL’s journey has always been an inspiration to me, though I never directly saw it as my own. But through creating this album, I realised I was expressing so much of what I feel about my music, my vision, and the direction of my project.
I wanted to honour my roots in psychedelic music, which has always been a core influence. While my sets are known for being heavy and dark, there’s always been a strong psychedelic element running through them—something deeply important to my sound. With this album, I aimed to merge that hypnotic, mind-bending energy with the weight and intensity of my music, creating something that feels both raw and immersive.”
One thing High Voltage delivers on is the extremely fine balance of solo and collaborative material. The solo stuff flows the way VEIL wants it to but VEIL also lets her collaborations speak and breathe. HerShe and Digital Vagabond come through on their respective tunes and when you give it a listen is when you know the honest effort that has gone into each piece of music on the album.
When working with others, like HerShe and Digital Vagabond, VEIL allows each artist’s voice and influence to come through in a way that feels natural and unforced. Their contributions are not just added elements—they are integral parts of the album, each one breathing life into the project in its own distinctive way. When you listen to their respective tracks, you can hear the careful thought and honest effort put into each one. It’s evident that every piece of music, whether solo or collaborative, was crafted with passion and attention to detail, making High Voltage a seamless blend of individual artistry and collaborative energy.
“The tracklist for High Voltage wasn’t set in stone from the start, and I had a few other collaborations in mind as well. But as I began finalizing the earlier tracks and getting them mastered earlier in the year, I started to see how everything might fit together. One track I was certain about was Omega. The name itself, which means “the end,” felt symbolic, and it was an important part of the album’s narrative. Digital Vagabond, who is also part of my creative team and one of my closest friends and collaborators, was a perfect fit for this track. I had been playing Omega for a long time, and it felt right to have it as a pivotal moment in the album.
It was also key for me that Omega followed the 5-9 track because 5-9 and I, along with Knox Illumina, are all very close friends and collaborators. We also run a business together called Tower Media, where we handle artwork and creative projects. So, having that sequence felt significant, like the 5-9 track sets up the story and Omega comes in to reset everything. It was essential for me to make sure that each piece of the story fit together naturally.
With Move Fast and Break Things, the track started with a sample I was really excited about. It felt like the perfect match for my energy—it’s just who I am. My friends always say, “Keep calm and carry on,” but for me, it’s more like “Move fast and break things.” That’s the energy I bring, and I knew it had to be a part of the album. When I sent it to my friend HerShe, she instantly connected with it and said, “Let me jump on this right now.” I’ve worked with her on a few tracks before, and I love her sound—she has that same bold, go-for-it energy, which felt perfect for this track.
She ended up writing the intro for the song and sent it back, and I was blown away—it quickly became one of my favourite tracks on the album. At first, when I sent it to her, the samples were missing, so she didn’t even hear the full version. When she sent it back with her part, I added the samples back in, and her reaction was priceless. She was so excited, saying, “Oh my God, this is ridiculous!” It was a really special moment.
Both collaborations came together naturally, and I knew that Move Fast and Break Things was always meant to be part of the album’s storyline. It represents a moment where the character is gaining control and moving through space, maybe a little chaotically, but in a way that feels empowering. It has that raw, unapologetic energy that I wanted to capture, and to me, it just screams girl power. And I don’t mean that in a corny way—it’s about embracing that fierce, unstoppable energy.”
The sonic prowess of High Voltage is, of course, undeniable, showcasing VEIL‘s ability to craft a soundscape that is both electrifying and emotionally resonant. However, it was the visual dimension of the album’s release that truly elevated VEIL‘s debut long player to an entirely new level of artistry. Recognizing the power of storytelling through imagery, VEIL partnered with Tower Media, a creative agency known for its innovative approach to visual storytelling, to bring the narrative of AZAL—a central figure or concept in the album—to life.
This collaboration resulted in a series of stunning visuals that complemented the album’s themes and sonic textures. From meticulously crafted music videos to striking album artwork, every visual element was designed to immerse the audience in AZAL’s journey. The visuals were not just supplementary but integral to the album’s identity, creating a multi-sensory experience that resonated deeply with VEIL and her music.
“Tower Media and I have collaborated on my last four releases, including AZAL. It’s always rewarding—we start with a concept, a mood board, and a vision. For this project, I wanted a liminal space with a 3D universe around me, evolving as AZAL grows more powerful. They’re amazing at bringing my ideas to life. We shot everything in our studio with just a few cameras—one professional, one iPhone—and a small team.
This was our biggest visual project yet, with singles, album art, and canvases to deliver. We even did a test shoot in March to figure out how to place me in a 3D universe, which helped us refine the final shoot. Josh from Tower Media did an incredible job showcasing the story across all visuals. It’s our biggest accomplishment to date, and the project wouldn’t be the same without them. From the start, I wanted visuals to be a core part of my storytelling, and they’ve been essential in making that happen.”
In many ways, High Voltage feels like the culmination of a significant musical chapter for VEIL, while simultaneously marking the beginning of an exciting new era. The album represents a monumental effort in perfecting every aspect of her artistry—the narrative, the sound, and the visual storytelling—all of which come together to create a cohesive and immersive experience
Now that it’s done, this project feels like the closing of a door on one journey, one that has been defined by growth, experimentation, and the meticulous crafting of AZAL’s story. VEIL herself resonates with this sentiment, acknowledging that High Voltage has been a transformative experience. It’s a project that has allowed her to fully realise the potential of her storytelling, both sonically and visually, and has set a high bar for what’s to come.
“Yeah, High Voltage was an opportunity for me to get a lot out of my system—it was a deeply emotional project with so much depth in the story and visuals. Now, I’m excited to write music without restrictions. The album was very planned, with BPM charts, story points, and specific samples mapped out. Moving forward, I want to create without deadlines or rigid structures. I’m taking a break from touring to focus on the studio and just have fun with it.
The album has given me that freedom, and it’s been interesting to see which tracks resonate with people. Everyone has different favourites, which has been surprising and exciting to witness. Now, it feels like VEIL is stepping out of the “hollow”—the space we’ve been in all year—and into something new. I’m looking forward to experimenting without constraints, whether that means shifting BPMs or exploring different genres like drum and bass.
While I still have goals, such as releasing with certain labels, I’m focusing less on rigid plans and more on enjoying the creative process. After such a major achievement this year, I want to let things unfold naturally and see where the music takes me.”
The album found its home on VEIL’s own label, Street Ritual, a platform long synonymous with boundary-pushing experimentation across genres like dubstep, halftime, drum and bass, leftfield bass, and kinetic psychedelia. VEIL’s journey with the label began nearly a decade ago when she joined as one of its key contributors, eventually stepping into the role of owner. Under her stewardship, Street Ritual has continued to serve as a launchpad for emerging artists, providing a space to showcase talent, evolve sound, and grow into influential figures within the bass music community.
Reflecting on her early days with the label, VEIL took us on a nostalgic journey, recounting how Street Ritual became a hub for innovation and collaboration. She also shared insights into the evolution of America’s bass music scene over the past fifteen years, a period marked by seismic shifts in sound and culture.
“You know, the whole bass music scene in America is such an interesting conversation—I could talk about it for hours! Take psychedelic bass music, for example. It really had its moment from around 2011 to 2016-2017, and don’t get me wrong, it’s still going strong, but in the U.S., it feels like it has hit a bit of a ceiling. The thing is, the psychedelic bass audience is far more global than many people realise. I’ve played at Boom Festival twice, toured across Europe, Australia, and South and Central America with my old psychedelic project, and it really opened my eyes to how different the bass music scene is outside the U.S. In many of those places, heavy dubstep isn’t the main focus—it’s more about experimental, diverse sounds.
But here in America, there’s been a noticeable shift towards heavier, more intense styles. Over the past few years, genres like IDM, leftfield, and experimental bass have exploded, especially on platforms like Beatport. These sounds aren’t new, but they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve, and now they’re practically their own subgenres. Leftfield, in particular, feels like a great way to describe where Street Ritual has ended up. We started out with a lot of trap and psychedelic bass—that whole “West Coast bass” vibe, you know, that glitchy, trappy, psychedelic sound that was huge for a while. But over time, our sound has evolved. You can still hear those influences, but now there’s a heavier, more experimental edge to it.
It’s wild how much the scene has changed since the mid-2010s when artists like Kalya Scintilla, Hedflux, Sixis, and Tipper were my biggest inspirations. Now, it feels like the U.S. is leaning into darker, heavier sounds. Look at drum and bass—it’s having a moment again, which totally aligns with this trend toward intensity. But honestly, this could just be my perspective. It might be what I’m personally drawn to or focusing on right now. Still, it’s fascinating to see how the American bass music scene is evolving, embracing these heavier, more dynamic sounds while still holding onto the psychedelic and experimental roots that made it so special in the first place.”
Which brings us to an essential point about the cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and the United States from a bass music standpoint. They have been influencing each other since the earliest years of drum & bass, garage, and dubstep. The bass music scene in America thrives on a dynamic exchange with the UK, a back-and-forth that has historically shaped genres like garage and dubstep. While garage’s roots trace to the U.S., it evolved into UK garage and bassline across the Atlantic, just as dubstep blossomed in Britain before reverberating in the United States and gaining global momentum.
What makes the American scene uniquely compelling, however, is its ability to reinvigorate these genres with bold, homegrown energy—breathing new life into familiar sounds. VEIL resonates deeply with this transatlantic synergy, describing her music as a fusion of global influences refined into a distinct sonic identity. For VEIL, it’s proof that cross-pollination doesn’t dilute tradition—it amplifies creativity, allowing artists to carve out niches that feel both fresh and rooted in shared musical DNA.
“My journey with bass music has always been deeply tied to the UK sound. Back in my early DJ days—pre-USBs, when I was spinning CDs—my first tracks were all UK dubstep: deep, dark, 140 BPM stuff. I’ve been a fan of artists like Truth for over a decade and even attended the first Dubstep showcase. That UK influence has always been a part of my sound, even before the recent drum and bass wave hit the U.S. I got into drum and bass through Dayla Moon, a pioneer in the American scene who’s been throwing Moon Tribe gatherings in the desert for over 20 years. She’s a close friend and collaborator, and hearing her spin drum and bass was a game-changer for me. It inspired me to start incorporating it into my sets, and now it’s a staple in my performances.
When I first started playing drum and bass at bigger shows post-2020, some crowds weren’t sure how to react. But over time, especially with younger audiences, the heavier, faster tracks started to resonate. Now, I could play a full drum and bass set, and the crowd would love it. It’s been incredible to see how the U.S. scene has embraced it, even though artists like Wilkinson, Overview, and Critical are keeping it authentically UK. Their releases are so inspiring—I’m lucky to be on their promo lists and get early access to their tracks. It’s fueling my own drum and bass EP, which I’m really excited about.”
Following the album’s release, VEIL embarked on a series of shows where she had the opportunity to showcase her music in its fullest form. However, it was towards the end of 2024 that she truly solidified her place among the industry’s elite, gracing some of the biggest stages, including Radiance, Reflections, and Cyclops Cove 3. Sharing the lineup with some of the most influential names in the scene, VEIL delivered electrifying performances that left a lasting impact. Reflecting on the experience, she describes the feeling as nothing short of surreal—an unforgettable moment in her journey as an artist.
“This year was absolutely mad—packed with surreal moments. And December was no different! Playing in the middle of the LED wall at Radiance was a dream come true. I felt like I was floating in my visuals! St. Louis for NYE was rowdy as usual; I got to meet so many new people, and the venue had a proper underground rave vibe. I absolutely love curating sets for those kinds of nights.”
For VEIL, this new chapter isn’t just about music—it’s about creating experiences that resonate on a deeper level. The new year heralds a fresh start, one brimming with boundless creativity and fearless experimentation. Known for her ability to seamlessly blend genres and push sonic boundaries, VEIL is poised to take her artistry to even greater heights in the coming months.
“I’m really excited to work with a vocalist. I have a childhood friend—one of the best singers I’ve ever heard—who doesn’t do music professionally, but I’d love to get her on a track. Lately, I’ve been super motivated by drum & bass, and it’s a sound I want to explore more, along with different BPMs.”
Whether she’s crafting intricate soundscapes in the studio or delivering high-energy performances on stage, VEIL’s commitment to pushing the envelope remains unwavering. This year, she is set to dive deeper into uncharted territories, experimenting with new sounds, collaborating with visionary artists, and continuing to redefine what bass music can be.
