With a steadily growing reputation for blending deep house, techno, jazz, disco, and hip-hop influences into their own distinctive sound, Decent Rides have become one of the most exciting underground duos to emerge from Bavaria in recent years. Through releases on respected labels including Quintessentials, Morris Audio, Moment Cinetique, Inhale Exhale, and their own Interloot Records, they have developed a style that balances meticulous drum programming with warm musicality and dancefloor energy.
Now they return with Like We Do on Fortunea Records, a four-track release that moves from peak-time house workouts to melancholic deep grooves and cosmic dub textures. We caught up with the duo to discuss the new release, their creative process, and the philosophy behind their work.
Defining the Decent Rides Sound
When asked if Like We Do was built around a specific narrative, the duo clarifies that their goal was simply to create different moods for different playtimes. “We always try to keep our music as multifaceted as possible,” they explain. “Honestly, projects don’t always end up exactly the way we imagine them when we start out—actually, almost never.”
The title track, in particular, showcases a shift in their production approach. While their early work leaned heavily into sample-based, lo-fi hip-hop aesthetics, their current sound is more focused on dancefloor functionality. “Today, we pay more attention to making sure the tracks work well on the dance floor and jam around more with different synths,” they note. “Still, we find it hard to come up with a common thread, which means that some of the tracks sound very different. Maybe that’s part of what makes our music interesting.”
The Evolution of a Creative Partnership
Running their own label, Interloot Records, has fundamentally changed how they approach the studio. With the pressures of family life and full-time careers, their process has become more structured. “Whenever we get some studio time, we try to make every minute count,” they say. Their creative partnership remains fluid, with a clear division of labor: Jesko manages the label and administrative side, while Sebastian handles the mixing and final mastering preparations.
This collaborative dynamic extends to their influences, which span a wide spectrum of electronic music. They cite producers like Max Graef, Glenn Astro, Soulphiction, and Leon Vynehall as key inspirations, alongside labels like Wolf Music and Local Talk. Despite these influences, they remain grounded in their own identity, prioritizing authenticity over industry trends.
Vinyl and the Future
With Like We Do limited to 200 vinyl copies, the duo remains committed to the physical format. For them, vinyl is more than just a medium; it is an essential part of their history as DJs. “You build a very intense relationship with the music that helps you create your own personal style,” they explain. “The physical aspect also plays a role because you can literally touch the music. It’s a bit like a shell for the soul.”
Looking ahead, the duo is uninterested in chasing micro-genres or temporary trends. Their focus remains on creating music with substance that stands the test of time. As they put it, “We want the whole thing to have substance and feel timeless. We hope that listeners will still hear that on a Decent Rides record ten years from now.”