3LAU

3LAU approaches electronic dance music from an unexpected angle. The artist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and entrepreneur born Justin Blau usually begins his compositions on the piano. “Everything typically starts on the piano,” he affirms. “I like to create the framework for a song traditionally and then add the electronics later.” It’s a style he’s been cultivating since childhood. Commencing piano lessons at the age of three, he’ll tell you that he couldn’t go to sleep without classical music as a kid. His tastes would veer towards the likes of Radiohead and Sigur Ros in high school as he taught himself guitar, bass, and drums. During his sophomore year of college, he took a trip to Sweden and fell in love with electronic dance music. Upon returning home, 3LAU began creating. His 2013 original single “Escape” established his profile further. Generating 30 million-plus total streams, “How You Love Me” [feat. Bright Lights] dominated radio and closed out 2014 as SiriusXM BPM’s “Most Played Record of the Year.” Along the way, he’d garner support from the likes of Tiësto, Steve Aoki, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, and many more. However, he wanted to do more with music, so he launched Blume—the “first not-for-profit dance music label and philanthropic movement.” “Everybody treats music as a business,” he sighs. “I wanted to put the focus back on the music itself and do something good with it.”