DJ Aquana
DJ Aquana revisits a song deeply connected to love, memory, and family in his heartfelt cover of “Piece Of My Heart.” In this interview, he discusses nostalgia, collaboration, and his evolving artistic journey.
1. “Piece Of My Heart” carries a very personal story for you—how did revisiting a song tied to such an important moment in your life shape the emotional direction of this cover?
“Piece Of My Heart” is much more than a cover for me. The original version was part of a very special chapter in my life, because it was one of the songs connected to my wife Petra. Revisiting it almost thirty years later brought back a lot of emotions, memories, and gratitude. Rather than simply recreating the track, I wanted to capture those feelings and translate them into the production. Every arrangement choice was made with the intention of preserving the heart of the original while telling a new story from today’s perspective. In many ways, this release became both a tribute and a celebration of the moments that continue to inspire me.
2. You worked closely with NovaCore and your daughter Danyelle on this release. How did that family collaboration influence the creative chemistry and final sound of the track?
Working with Danyelle made this project incredibly special. She represents a new generation, with fresh ideas and a different perspective on music production and performance. NovaCore brought additional technical expertise and modern production elements, creating a perfect balance between experience and innovation. Throughout the process, we challenged each other creatively. Danyelle helped shape the emotional delivery, while NovaCore contributed to refining the contemporary sound. The result is a track that feels both personal and modern, blending family connection with professional collaboration.
3. The track blends classic 90s eurodance energy with modern production. What were the biggest challenges in balancing nostalgia with a contemporary sound?
The biggest challenge was avoiding the extremes. If you stay too close to the original, it risks sounding outdated. If you modernize it too much, you lose the emotional connection that made people fall in love with the song in the first place. We spent a lot of time carefully selecting which elements to preserve and which to reinvent. The melodies, atmosphere, and emotional character remain faithful to the original spirit, while the drums, mixdown, dynamics, and overall production quality reflect today’s standards. Our goal was to make listeners smile with recognition while still feeling like they were listening to a brand-new release.
4. Using the Yamaha Genos 3 workstation played a key role in recreating that authentic vibe—can you walk us through how you approached sound design and arrangement for this track?
The Yamaha Genos 3 was an important tool because it allowed us to capture some of the warmth and musical character that defined many productions from the 90s. We began by studying the original arrangement and identifying the signature elements that gave the song its identity. From there, we rebuilt parts of the arrangement using a combination of Genos sounds, modern software instruments, and custom processing. The challenge wasn’t just recreating sounds—it was recreating the feeling. We paid close attention to layering, harmonic content, and dynamic movement to ensure the track felt authentic while still sounding powerful on modern streaming platforms.
5. This release also connects indirectly to your “Ghost Story” concept. How does “Piece Of My Heart” fit into that broader narrative or artistic vision?
The “Ghost Story” concept is about memories, loss, love, and the invisible connections that remain with us throughout our lives. While “Piece Of My Heart” was not originally written as part of that project, it naturally fits within the same emotional universe. The song reflects the idea that people who have shaped our lives never truly disappear. Their influence remains present in our memories, our choices, and sometimes even in the music we create. In that sense, “Piece Of My Heart” became another chapter in a larger story about remembrance, resilience, and love that continues beyond absence.
6. With such a heartfelt tribute behind this song and more projects on the horizon, what do you hope listeners take away from your music—and what can they expect next from DJ Aquana?
Above all, I hope listeners feel something genuine. Whether it’s joy, nostalgia, comfort, energy, or inspiration, I want the music to create a connection. I’ve always believed that music is most powerful when it tells a real story. Looking ahead, fans can expect a wide variety of releases from DJ Aquana. We’re working on new dance productions, harder festival-oriented tracks, emotional collaborations, and several projects involving Danyelle. Each release explores a different side of our musical identity, but the common thread remains the same: creating music with heart, honesty, and a passion for bringing people together.