Vlad Olteanu, known professionally as Airnova, is a Romanian electronic music artist specializing in trance. He emerges from Timișoara’s vibrant music scene, blending melodic textures with driving rhythms characteristic of the genre. His work reflects Romania’s growing influence in global electronic music circles. Though distinct from other notable Romanian figures, Airnova’s contributions highlight the diversity of creative talent within the country’s cultural landscape. His artistic identity remains rooted in Romania’s electronic music heritage.
Your childhood was steeped in music due to your parents’ influence. How did your mother’s career as a folk music soloist and your father’s talent as a guitarist shape your musical journey?
In a family of two such musically gifted people as my mom and dad, I had no chance to grow up without their tremendous influence. From my early childhood, I remember my mom singing daily while cooking in the kitchen or comforting me before sleep. My dad never getting any professional education was brilliantly playing guitar by ear only. Both parents provided me with a diverse musical foundation and instilled in me an appreciation for different genres. My Dad had a huge tape and vinyl collection, so I used to wait for him to leave for work ready to dive into all this brilliant music. “Beatles”, “ABBA”, “Genesis”, “Queen”, Rod Stewart, or Tina Turner – my Dad’s taste is great. “UB40” & “Roxette” were his favorites at that time and I’m still returning to their music now.
You mentioned that the piano has always been a favorite instrument and the base for most of your compositions. Can you share a specific moment or piece that highlights your deep connection with the piano?
The first piano I ever played was in my musical school class. It could be an old wooden Steinway piano, but I am not sure now. The fact I remember vividly that I had Beethoven’s music going around my head so I remember me putting my right hand on the keys and just trying to play what I was hearing inside…impressing myself…or maybe even shocking me…I translated Beethoven’s top melody into keys almost perfectly…That was my first ever attempt and it was so successful, that music lessons were only a small part of the time I spent with my musical instrument because I treated playing as a captivating way of spending my free time ever since.
I always start my composing with piano. Recording yourself playing a real instrument rather than just drawing notes manually with the pencil inside your DAW software makes a huge difference. A real performer’s recordings will have imperfections almost every time as quantizing your notes perfectly in real time may sound a bit boring and unnatural. That’s why I believe the piano is that particular instrument that can reflect your soul’s communication into the sound of keys. Musical keys are the only language that can fully express my creativity and emotions. My soul opens much wider in my music than in any of my frankest even interviews and I strongly believe you could know me much better by listening to my tracks than by asking me to pass what I feel with words only. I’m thinking about finishing some older compositions, that I’ve gathered during all these years. Other people gather photos in the albums the same way. I feel like I’m returning to my past every time I listen to my IDs, so my listeners will surely discover a new unexpected part of me as I’ll finally present them.
At age 12, you became particularly drawn to electronic music and eventually became a DJ. What was it about electronic music that captivated you, and how did DJing influence your later work in music production?
Yes, it was about 12, when I first remember myself playing vinyl at a friend’s house. I was there almost every evening and the guy was teaching me a lot of skills and tricks. It’s Djing, that introduced me to the importance of understanding the energy of a room & feel the connection with the listeners. I learned the tastes of different people, and observed which tracks are banging and which are boring, comparing them fastidiously. I learned the importance of a catchy melody, playing in small clubs, where the skill of good choices is checked the best. It was a priceless school being face to face with people who could quickly validate your talent and skills. This experience made me the producer that I am now, helping me to craft tracks that resonate deeply with listeners, but once I went more into music production, I really couldn’t find time to DJ anymore. It’s now, that I’m returning to playing as a part of my highly successful project “Hide & Seek”, among others was highly ranked by Future Magazine, so the project was regularly placed between David Guetta and Armin van Buuren on the first page as a discovery of the year. But this time it will be easier because at least half of the audience will consist of people listening to my music deeply. Being a producer for more than 20 years now gives me this comfort.
I’m also thrilled to see my music being supported in some of the best EDM shows in the world by some of the greatest DJs and artists from the EDM scene such as Armin Van Buuren, Alexander Popov, Andrew Rayel, Paul Van Dyk, Alex M.O.R.P.H, Bobina, Roman Messer, Andy Moor, Sean Tyas, just to name a few.
You started producing your own music at 17, experimenting with various genres. How did this experimentation help you find your unique sound, and which genre do you feel most connected to now?
Exactly, I was first introduced to FL studio (Old Fruity Loops) by some guys who knew me for my interest in music. After a few days of playing and experiencing several samples available at that time…trying to create percussion grooves and rhythms, I found that DAW was not as easy as I expected. So what I did first, was to take as much time as possible and to learn from the manual, because at that time it was really hard to find some tutorials. Later experimenting with various genres allowed me to blend elements from each, leading to a unique fusion that defines my sound. I’ve practiced a lot with sound design almost every day since I started to produce music and to shape my own kinda unique or signature sounds, you may call it like that. This process helped me understand my strengths and preferences. Currently, I feel most connected to a blend of electronic, ambient music, orchestral cinematic, and also modern pop…almost any type of music that sounds good and where I can incorporate rich textures and deep emotional layers.
Moving to Spain in 2004 marked a significant turning point in your career. How has the vibrant Spanish music scene influenced your musical style and growth as an artist?
Moving to Spain was not that easy. For me it was very tough, having to leave my past, family, and friends back in Romania. But life is full of surprises and unexpected situations. I found here some new great people and made friends…I also had a new job apart from music of course.
Spain’s vibrant music scene introduced me to a diverse array of sounds and rhythms, like something new to me…something that I’ve rarely heard on the east side of Europe. Some examples such as Jotas, Rumbas, and especially Flamenco. The passion and intensity of Spanish music with all these new impressive rhythms and scales…especially their famous acoustic Spanish guitar, yeah just amazing! All this has influenced my compositions, adding a new dimension to my work, musical knowledge, and skills without any doubt. And not only that…It also provided me with opportunities to collaborate with talented local artists, enriching my musical perspective and having the opportunity to meet new talented producers as well.
Sound engineering and sound design are crucial aspects of your work. Can you explain how your technical expertise enhances your music production and the overall listening experience for your audience?
Ohh now that’s a tough question I should say! My technical expertise in sound engineering and design allows me to meticulously craft and shape each element of my tracks. This precision ensures that every sound is intentional and enhances as much as possible the emotional impact. It’s also a great feeling to create immersive listening experiences, where the audience can feel every nuance and detail. I’m working for many clients at the moment, and I’m really happy that I can put the entire experience that I’ve gained during all these years to make their tracks sound as good as possible and to be heard at high professional standards, which both market distribution and listeners are waiting for. It took me so many years of practicing, creating sounds, and figuring out how a sound works, like, for example, how “Sub Bass” should sound? How is it created? I have always been fascinated and down to experiment and learn. So yeah, it ain’t easy at all, but all this can be accomplished with a lot of patience, time, and practice! Human hearing takes a lot of years of hard work and practice, to be trained to a professional level…It’s not just about knowledge, but also about how well you can hear/distinguish an element in your production, and know exactly where the problematic areas sit in that particular track.
I can’t wait to share all my knowledge and experience accumulated over the years with rising producers, who are seeking help and guidance. I already have many artists interested and booked for my new one-to-one lessons, which will be available very soon. I will keep everyone updated on my socials and of course on my upcoming website, a place where every producer will have access to exclusive sample packs and soundbanks, all carefully designed and shaped at a professional level by myself. So yeah…very excited about that.
You’ve collaborated with many talented artists and supported emerging producers. Can you share a memorable collaboration that stands out and how it impacted your musical journey?
One memorable collaboration was with Bigtopo, a very talented Spanish producer, and many more, where we combined our different styles to create something unique. These projects pushed my creative boundaries and taught me the value of blending diverse influences. It reinforced the importance of collaboration in music, allowing for growth and innovation. Collaboration with other amazing producers is always fun.
Your debut album set to release soon encapsulates your entire childhood and musical journey. What can listeners expect from this album, and how does it reflect your evolution as an artist?
Listeners can expect a deeply personal and emotive journey through my life’s experiences. The album features a blend of acoustic, orchestral cinematic, chill ambient, and electronic elements, reflecting my evolution from childhood influences to my current artistic vision. It’s a testament to my growth and the diverse influences that have shaped my sound. I’m already working on this album for almost 2 years. It’s very challenging, to make sure everything is expressed as accurately as possible. My evolution as an artist I think its heading positively and I’m happy so far. About my very first album. I will also be featuring some very talented producers and singers as well…so yeah, it will be worth the wait and also something huge.
Alongside your album, you’re planning to delve into orchestral and cinematic music. What inspired this new direction, and how do you plan to integrate orchestral elements into your compositions?
The orchestral music has always fascinated me. To be honest, I’ve started to learn and to listen to orchestral music…classical, film score and so on, right before deciding to choose EDM. I always dreamed about one day being able to write music for games, movies, or documentaries.
My inspiration came from movies and games. I love getting inspired by great composers such as Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Alan Silvestri and many more.
This new direction allows me to explore storytelling on a grand scale. I plan to integrate orchestral elements by blending them with electronic textures, creating rich, cinematic soundscapes that evoke powerful emotions and narratives. It will lead to an introduction to my skills as a composer/writer. Just a small taste I guess.
Launching your record label is a bold step forward. What are your goals for the label, and how do you envision it helping to foster new talent and shape the future of the music industry?
Oh yeah!! Absolutely! My goal for the label is to create a platform that supports innovative and emerging artists, providing them with the resources and exposure they need. I envision it as a community that fosters creativity and collaboration, helping to shape the future of the music industry by promoting fresh and new talents. It will happen very soon.