DJ Phellix, also known as Mohammad Reza Sadeghi, is a Tehran-based producer and DJ known for blending traditional Persian sounds, poetry, and instruments with deep organic and Afro house grooves. His music reflects one of the oldest musical heritages on earth, reimagined for the modern world. With releases on Sol Selectas, Buddha Bar, and his own Ario Records, Phellix crafts deeply emotional and cultural journeys that bridge East and West. A self-made artist and visionary, he continues to bring Persian soul to global stages, connecting people through the universal language of music.
1. Please tell us about yourself, your background, and your journey into music production and DJing. What drew you into this space and made you realize this was your calling?
I was born and raised in Tehran, where music was part of our everyday life. My earliest memories go back to my grandfather’s house, where he played legends like Shajarian and Banan—sounds that carry poetry, sorrow, and love in every note. At 13, I picked up a guitar and started a rock band with my friends, writing and performing our own songs full of energy and emotion. Around 2014, I discovered electronic music, and by 2016 I began producing. That’s when I realized my path: to fuse Persian soul with modern rhythm and bring that sound to the world.
2. There’s a strong emotional and cultural thread in your music. Who or what inspired you to pursue this path?
Persian music is one of the oldest musical heritages on earth, carrying thousands of years of emotion, mysticism, and poetry. Yet today, because of many circumstances, people around the world don’t have easy access to its essence or can’t experience it in a modern form. That became my mission—to translate the dastgahs, avaz, and goushehs of traditional Persian music into the language of today through electronic production. I want the whole world to hear our sound and feel its timeless depth. This journey has never been easy, and I’ve walked most of it alone without major support, but that made me stronger and inspired me to build my own label, Ario Records, to give this vision a home.
3. You have worked with an impressive range of record labels, from Ario Records to Buddha Bar, among others. Could you share some insight into those experiences?
Each label has been a different chapter in my story. Working with Sol Selectas was a turning point, as they truly understand the cultural and spiritual side of electronic music. Buddha Bar gave me a cinematic space to express emotion on a global scale. And Ario Records, my own label, represents independence and identity—a platform to amplify Persian-rooted and organic sounds. Every collaboration has helped me grow and taught me how universal emotion truly is.
4. Your tracks often have a distinct signature—meditative yet club-ready and energetic. Could you walk us through your creative process?
My creative process always starts with a feeling—sometimes a poem by Hafez or Rumi, sometimes a memory from home, or even a sound that moves me. From that feeling, I build the melody and rhythm, combining organic instruments like setar, kamancheh, or qanun with deep, hypnotic electronic textures. The goal is always balance: to create something people can dance to but also feel deeply inside. For me, every track is a journey from silence to emotion.
5. Working in the music industry comes with challenges. What have been the toughest for you personally, and how do you overcome them?
The hardest challenge has been walking this road mostly on my own. There wasn’t much support for the kind of sound I wanted to create—music that connects ancient Persian roots with modern global electronic culture. But I believe struggle builds strength; it taught me patience and independence. When the industry didn’t have a space for me, I built my own label, Ario Records, which became not just my project but my way of giving voice to a culture that deserves to be heard.
6. You have had many achievements so far. Which moment or accomplishment has been the most impactful for you?
Releasing on Sol Selectas and Buddha Bar were dreams realized—these were labels I admired long before I became part of them. But the real impact comes when someone from another part of the world messages me to say my track made them feel peace or nostalgia, even if they don’t understand Persian. That’s when I know the mission is working—Persian emotion has no language barrier.
7. Technology and AI are changing the industry. What’s your perspective on the role of technology and specifically AI in the future of electronic music?
Technology is a bridge connecting imagination to reality. I love using it as a creative tool, but I believe the heart of music will always belong to humans. AI can imitate patterns, but it can’t feel love, pain, or longing—the emotions that define Persian music and my own sound. So, I welcome AI as an assistant, but never as the artist.
8. What excites you most about the next steps in your career?
I’m excited about expanding Ario Records and building an international platform for Middle Eastern artists to share their sound. I want to collaborate with musicians from different cultures—blending Persian poetry with Afro and organic grooves or fusing Eastern melodies with cinematic soundscapes. My vision is simple: to let Persian music travel beyond borders and find its place in hearts around the world.
9. For people starting out in music production or DJing, what advice would you share?
Be patient and stay honest with your art. Don’t follow trends—follow your soul. Learn the rules, but don’t be afraid to break them when it serves your truth. Every artist has their own story; let yours speak through your sound. The journey is long, but when it comes from the heart, it’s worth every moment.
10. Ario Records has been making waves. How did it come to life, and what is its main goal or mission?
Ario Records was born from necessity; I wanted to create a space where Persian and Eastern-rooted electronic music could live freely. The goal is to connect traditional culture with modern sound and give independent artists a platform to be heard internationally. On our website, listeners can explore releases, artist stories, and upcoming showcases. It’s not just a label—it’s a movement for cultural connection through music.
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