Chicago-based DJ and producer BARKER is making serious waves in the electronic scene with his latest EP Make Some Noise, a high-octane two-track release that blends house-rooted grooves with chaotic, bold energy.
With momentum from his new release and an expanding live show calendar, BARKER’s clearly not just here to play it safe. We caught up with him to dive into the Make Some Noise process, his creative flow, and what’s coming next.
T.H.E – Hey BARKER! Congrats on the new EP. How are you feeling right now?
BARKER – Doing great guys, thanks for having me on for a chat!
T.H.E – Did Make Some Noise start as a two-track concept from the get-go, or did things come together more naturally?
BARKER – They were separate at first. But after I started playing them out and saw the response, I thought they actually worked really well as a pair. I tweaked them a little to make the sonic energy more cohesive, and it just made sense to drop them together. They’re both super energetic tracks but come at it from totally different directions.
T.H.E – Which track came first, Make Some Noise or Have Mercy? Did one influence the other in any way?
BARKER – Make Some Noise was the first one I wrapped. But honestly, these tracks have pretty much opposite sonic identities, so there wasn’t much direct influence from one to the other. I think that’s the fun of it, pairing two things that hit hard but in totally different ways.
T.H.E – How would you describe your mindset while making these tracks?
BARKER – I don’t usually walk into the studio with a super rigid plan. I’ll mess around with a Serum patch or find a vocal loop I like, then build the track around that. I’ll dump a ton of ideas into the session, and then start carving it back down. It’s like sculpting from chaos, once it starts feeling wild but controlled, I know I’m on the right track.
T.H.E – There’s definitely a contrast between the two. How do you approach balancing club energy with more textural stuff?
BARKER – Honestly, I don’t try to overthink it. I think dance music fans are really open right now, as long as the tracks tell a story and feel fresh, people are into it. The energy comes naturally when I’m pushing for something that doesn’t sound like a carbon copy. I like that both tracks represent very different moods, because that’s real life, right? People experience the highs and the lows. Music should reflect that.
T.H.E – Any favorite tools or plugins that helped shape this EP?
BARKER – Definitely. I’ve been playing around with this plugin called Narcotic. It’s a multi-effect tool that lets you modulate and evolve sounds in some crazy ways. I used it a lot on the leads in both tracks. It really helped push the textures into that edgy, aggressive territory I was chasing. And no, not sponsored, just vibing with it.
T.H.E – Let’s talk DJing. How does your live experience shape how you structure your music?
BARKER – Massively. When you’re in front of a crowd, you learn what builds and drops actually land, and what doesn’t. I constantly take mental notes during sets, especially when I test out unreleased stuff. That feedback loop is everything. I’ll often go back and rework sections just based on how they felt on a big system or how people moved to it.
T.H.E – How do you stay consistent with your sound while still evolving creatively?
BARKER – I think a signature sound is just a natural result of evolving honestly. My tracks definitely share certain sonic DNA because I lean into sounds I love, but I also like to push outside of that comfort zone. I’ve been influenced by everything from Trance to Techno to Melodic Dubstep. I pull bits and pieces from everything I listen to and watch tutorials on. My biggest House influence is probably Martin Ikin, he’s someone who really embodies evolution while staying himself.
T.H.E – What’s coming next after this EP? Any shows or drops we should keep an eye on?
BARKER – So much more in the pipeline. Summer’s not over, and I’ve got several unreleased tracks that I’m stoked about. I’ll be playing shows across the country, and I’ve got my first Miami show happening in November, which will be officially announced soon. So yeah, I’m pumped. It’s a big year.
BARKER’s Make Some Noise EP shows exactly where he’s headed as an artist, confident, daring, and hyper-focused on making music that moves. With a growing list of gigs and projects in the works, he’s dialing in a sound that’s both club-tested and creatively driven. Stay tuned, because BARKER’s far from done making noise.
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Mia Brooks dives deep into the beats and rhythms of the music industry, covering everything from chart-topping albums to underground artists. With a passion for discovering new talent and exploring the stories behind the songs, Mia keeps readers updated on all things music.
