Release Feature –

– JAY NEWMAN + NÈO-X – Issue 049 –

Words By Paul Sawyer

Two exciting DJ/producers come together this month to release a new collaboration called ‘Echoes’, which is out on Krafted Records. Zone magazine needed to find out more from Jay Newman and NÈO-X (aka Andre Sammut).

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First up, tell us about yourselves, and how you both started out DJ’ing and producing?

Jay: I started out as a resident DJ in local clubs 14 years ago then pushed my boundaries and created my own events and started hosting warehouse parties in my city under my brand Pro-ject Events. We soon grew out of the city and started touring and partnering with European Festivals such as Hideout, Snowbombing and Ministry Of Sound. As my brand grew I established my name as a DJ then started my music production career 7 years ago. I started making tech house and then soon found that my heart is within the melodic, organic and deep house scene, which is where i find myself now.

Andre: I started DJ’ing while studying music production at University in London. One day, a friend brought CDJs into class, and I was instantly intrigued. I started going to clubs, diving into the scene, and when I moved back to Malta, I began playing regularly – everyday, seven hours a night.

That experience made me fall in love with DJ’ing and then move to a melodic and emotional electronic music. The scene in Malta leans a bit darker compared to the UK, but I’ve always loved that contrast. I’m also part of the Chasing Sunsets team, where we host events in outdoor venues that don’t normally host clubbing events – places with stunning views or beautiful sunset backdrops. It’s given me the chance to play in some of Malta’s most unique spaces. I’m also touring around Europe and beyond, and honestly, I feel like this is just the beginning. My mission is simple. I want to make people happy through music and create something that truly connects.

How did you both come together to create your new single ‘Echoes’.

Jay: I invited Andre to come and DJ with me at some events in England. In-between gigs we made sure we had time to write some music, this is where Echoes was born.

Andre: It started with a beautiful chord progression and bassline, and we had a rough idea of the drums. After that week, we continued working on the track online, recording vocals and developing it into a full 4/4 journey. Eventually, we signed it to Krafted Records, which felt like the perfect home for it.

We see that Graymane is on the remix for the release. How important is it for you to have producers remix your work and is their anyone you’d like to have remix your productions in the future?

Jay: I love the idea of remixes. It’s great to hear what additional layers producers can add to our tracks and which direction they take things! Graymane has done a sterling job, we love the remix as much as the original.

Andre: I actually spoke to him on Instagram, and he told me he enjoyed working on it so much that he finished it in one night! You can really hear that energy in the final version. It feels alive and inspired. I’m really grateful for how he reimagined the track and added his own magic to it.

Do you guys have a particular track that influenced your careers? A seminal dance track that inspired you to start DJ’ing or making your own music.

Jay: For me Julio Bashmore ‘Battle For Middle You’, from back in the deep house days. I heard this track on a night out and I was so inspired. It really hooked me into the idea of music production.

Andre: I actually started out playing guitar. I was a huge heavy metal fan with long hair and everything. Then I got into hip-hop/rap. My turning point came when my older brother showed me videos of Tiësto’s Sensation White events. Seeing a DJ on a huge stage with thousands of people going wild completely changed my perspective. That’s when I realised I wanted to be part of that world. From there, I started going to clubs, watching DJs, and eventually began DJ’ing and producing myself. It’s been a journey of constant evolution ever since.

What was your process in collaborating together to make ‘Echoes’?

Jay: We just sat down together in-between a run of gigs in the UK and wanted to make something in our down time. We made the track off our feelings at the time, something chill, emotive, easy listening. Once we wrote the track we just knew we needed a vocal so we worked with a vocalist the following weeks and Echoes was born!

Andre: It was a very natural process. No pressure, just following the emotion of the track. Once we had the core idea down, we added the vocals, which really brought the track to life. Everything just flowed.

Who is inspiring you at the moment musically?

Jay: Right now I’m really inspired by Durante & Marsh.

Andre: It’s Yotto and Ezequiel Arias for me. Both are incredible at blending atmosphere, energy, and emotion in their productions. They manage to make melodic music that still works powerfully on the dance floor, which is something I deeply connect with.

What’s next for you both?

Jay: We’ve started a new collaboration when i was visiting Andre in Malta last week. It’s exciting to see where this goes.

Andre: It’s got a similar emotional, melodic vibe to Echoes, but with a new twist. I’m really excited to keep releasing music and share it with the world — this is just the start of something special.

Thanks for speaking with Zone. We wish you the very best of luck with Echoes.

Jay Newman + NÈO-X – Echoes [Krafted Records]

https://go.protonradio.com/r/rlavDhUGCEXIw

Released Wed 12th Nov 2025

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