Interview with CARV: The Masked Enigma Redefining Hard Techno

With a philosophy deeply rooted in anonymity, CARV believes that by masking himself, he is able to express his true self through music—an approach that has quickly earned him recognition across the underground scene. 2024 saw him launch his own label, Masked Rules, while making waves on respected imprints like Revised Records, and Verknipt. Now, as he gears up for a massive 2025—including a debut on Sara Landry’s HEKATE with his high-octane ‘Make You Move’ EP and an international tour spanning Europe, the U.S., and Australia—CARV is proving that raw energy and authenticity still hold power in today’s industry.

We caught up with CARV to discuss his music-first mindset, his debut on HEKATE, the deeper emotions he wants to infuse into hard techno, and what’s next for the masked maestro.

Hey CARV, great to have you with us!

Let’s start with your philosophy—your music comes first, and your identity remains a mystery. In a world where artists are expected to be highly visible on social media, how do you navigate staying true to this vision while also building a strong connection with your audience?

Hey Machine Mechanics, thanks for having me!

It’s definitely more challenging to build a connection when there’s an initial sense of distance due to the mask. But I believe interaction, creativity, and not taking myself too seriously help bridge that gap. At the end of the day, it’s all about the music—if people connect with the sound, then a real bond is formed, even without revealing too much of myself. Finding unique and engaging ways to communicate while staying true to my vision is key.

You’ve mentioned that wearing a mask allows you to express yourself more freely through music. Can you elaborate on how this affects your creative process and performances?

On stage, the mask allows me to fully step into CARV - it feels like entering another body, which makes it easier to let go and lose myself in the performance. It creates a sense of detachment from everyday identity, giving me complete creative freedom. Th is fictional persona removes any limitations, allowing me to express myself purely through the music and energy of the moment.

Your debut on Sara Landry’s HEKATE with ‘Make You Move’ is a strong statement. How did this collaboration come about, and what was your vision for the EP?

I wanted to merge a groovier style with the harder elements that define my sound, and I think it came together really well on Make You Move. Right now, the scene is evolving in many directions, and I felt this blend fit perfectly with the current energy. Seeing Sara’s enthusiasm for the EP confirmed that the vision resonated, which made the collaboration even more special.

‘Make You Move’ is a high-energy, relentless hard dance track, while ‘Lights Out’ continues that intensity. What emotions or stories were you channeling when producing these tracks?

During that time, I experienced a lot of ups and downs, especially from the travel struggles that every touring artist faces. Over time, that naturally takes an emotional toll. With Make You Move and Lights Out, I wanted to channel all of those emotions into the music - letting the intensity, energy, and rawness reflect everything I was feeling in that moment.

Your sound sits at the intersection of hardcore, techno, and hard dance. Who or what influences your production style, and how do you see your sound evolving in 2025?

My influences come less from individual artists and more from entire music genres as a whole. With my broad taste, I’ve always been drawn to different sounds across hardcore, techno, and hard dance. Over time, I’ve worked to merge these elements into something unique - developing my own distinct style.

You’ve already released music on respected labels like Revised Records, and Verknipt, and now HEKATE. How do you choose which labels to work with, and what drew you to HEKATE?

For me, it’s all about the connection and what a label stands for. I want to work with labels that truly appreciate the artist and their work, and in return, I respect and value their vision. It’s not just about releasing music - it’s about working with people who share a similar mindset and passion. That’s exactly what drew me to HEKATE. Their approach, energy, and commitment to pushing boundaries align perfectly with my own artistic vision.

You’ve said that the hard techno scene is missing a deeper emotional connection in its music. How do you plan to bring more storytelling into your productions?

With the current social media-driven landscape, a lot of things feel more surface-level which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does shift how people experience music. I want to bring more emotion into my tracks, like with this EP, and in my sets to create deeper moments. The goal is to give people a space where they can disconnect from their devices and fully immerse themselves in the music, losing themselves in their own world, even if just for a while.

2024 was a massive year for you with the launch of your own label, Masked Rules. What’s the vision behind this imprint, and what kind of artists or sounds can we expect from it?

Masked Rules is built around a Talent & Friends concept. The vision isn’t about sticking to a fixed style but rather supporting artists whose music I truly believe in - whether they’re friends or emerging talents I see something special in. For me, it’s no t about fitting into a specific subgenre; if a track convinces me and has the right energy, that’s what matters. The goal is to create a platform where artists feel valued and can freely express their sound.

Your 2025 tour schedule is stacked, spanning Europe, the U.S., and Australia. Which of these upcoming gigs are you most excited about, and how do you prepare differently for different crowds?

I'm incredibly excited for so many of the upcoming gigs in 2025 - Tomorrowland, Miami Music Week, and Verknipt Arena are definitely highlights, but there’s so much more to come. I never prepare my sets in advance; instead, I let the crowd's energy guide me in the moment. Every scene has its own vibe, and for me, one of the best parts of being a DJ is experiencing these different crowd cultures firsthand and adapting in real-time.

You’re making your Australia debut with shows in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. What are you expecting from the Australian hard techno scene?

I’m expecting high-energy, electrified crowds! I’ve already received so much excitement and anticipation from people there, which makes me even more hyped for these shows. It’s always special to experience a scene for the first time, and I can’t wait to see how the Australian crowd connects with my sound.

Your tour also includes a stop at Tomorrowland Winter. That’s a huge milestone. How does it feel to be part of such a legendary festival, and do you approach festival sets differently than club sets?

I feel truly honoured to be a part of such a legendary festival. While there may be a bigger scale to the stage, my approach to festival sets isn’t too different from club sets. The main focus is always to bring the same energy - whether in a club or on a massive festival stage. I might prepare a special intro for the occasion, but I love the spontaneity of live performances and live by the philosophy of 'no risk, no fun'.

Hard techno and hardcore are seeing a major global resurgence. What do you think is fuelling this growth, and where do you see the scene heading in the next few years?

People have become more open-minded, which has led to more artists experimenting and pushing boundaries. I think it’s great to see genres blending and evolving - it keeps the scene fresh and exciting. However, we also need to be mindful not to overdo it and overwhelm listeners. If we continue to grow with a balanced approach, the hard techno and hardcore scene has the potential to become something even bigger and more influential in the years to come.

You’ve cited Angerfist as an inspiration when it comes to remaining anonymous. What other artists, past or present, have had a strong impact on your approach to music?

Angerfist has always been my biggest inspiration. Beyond that, I don’t draw from any specific artists. Instead, I find inspiration in musical movements, events, and the people within the scene. The energy of a crowd, the atmosphere of a festival, or the evolution of a genre - these are the things that truly shape my approach to music.

You have some big collaborations lined up for 2025. Can you give us a sneak peek into any of them?

Yes, there are a few exciting collaborations lined up for 2025. One I’m particularly looking forward to is with the MC legend Da Mouth Of Madness. I’m also working on some projects with Vortek´s, which I’m really excited about. But the collaboration I’m most hyped about is with a man in a white mask - I’ll leave it at that for now!

Finally, looking ahead—what does success look like for CARV in 2025 and beyond? Any long-term goals you’re working towards?

For me, it´s all about my fans and the community we build through the music. I want to create a strong, collective feeling that resonates with people, no matter where they are in the world. As for personal goals, I’ve already accomplished more than I ever imagined. Now, it’s about letting CARV live and evolve, taking it to new heights and continuing to share this journey with everyone who’s been a part of it.

Make You Move is out 14th Feb on HEKATE 

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