INTERVIEW: Drivetrain drops brand new remix EP

Coming out of Detroit’s underground music scene, Drivetrain, the creative identity of producer and DJ Derrick Thompson, stands as one of the city’s most enduring and influential figures in electronic music. A visionary informed by the Motor City’s rhythmic aura, his work flows between house, techno, downtempo and experimental styles and for over two decades, he’s embodied the innovation that defines Detroit’s scene, striding forward while remaining connected to its history.

As the founder of Soiree Records International, Drivetrain has spent years cultivating a label that mirrors his own ethos of forward-thinking, soulful and uncompromisingly underground music. Soiree Records has become a global incubator for cutting-edge electronic artists, offering an outlet for both seasoned producers and emerging talents to release exciting new music. Its reach reaches across continents, with vinyl, digital and streaming releases making their way into the hands of DJs and collectors worldwide.

Under his Drivetrain moniker, Derrick channels Detroit’s spirit of both mechanical impact paired with deep human soul; his productions balance driving rhythm with atmospheric nuance, often described as “rhythm science” for their intricate interplay between groove and emotion. Over the years, his steadfast dedication to sonic exploration has earned him not only critical acclaim but a devoted international following. Beyond his own work, his commitment to nurturing others through Soiree Records has also confirmed his reputation as both an innovator and a mentor, shaping the direction of underground electronic music far beyond the city limits.

To expand his creative reach even further, he launched Xplor Music, a sister label devoted to the deeper, more experimental corners of techno. Through Xplor, he’s amplified his influence within the genre’s global circuit, giving a platform to sounds that exist outside the mainstream but drive the culture forward.

Now, he returns to his home turf in 2026 with a brand-new release on Soiree Records, the I Am Not From Detroit (Remixes) EP. Built around the original track by Andy Vaz, the project reimagines the tune through three distinct reinterpretations, each bringing its own different vibe to the track. Drivetrain himself takes the reins for the Mix From Detroit version, kicking off the release with a hypnotic techno outing that shakes with club-focused energy, reframing the track in an engrossing, percussion-forward setting. His version rolls with steady energy, serving up a fusion of classic Detroit minimalism and modern rhythmic architecture that feels at once reverent and forward-thinking.

The EP also features the Def Mix by CloudMasterWeed, who stretches the original into a deeper, dub-inflected groove and the Mars Mix by Javonntte, which injects a cosmic synths and bouncy rhythmic snaps into the release. Each mix pays homage to the original while showcases its sonic possibilities in exciting new ways, resulting in a triumphant new drop on Drivetrain’s Soiree Records imprint.

We caught up with Drivetrain to find out more about his musical journey so far, the new Soiree Records release I Am Not From Detroit (Remixes) and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Drivetrain below.

Hey Drivetrain, how’s things?

Very busy, and that is a good thing.

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

As a young child I remember making songs with some of my friends. We had no instruments. One person would play a drum beat banging his hands on a wooden surface. Another kid one make the bass line with his voice. Someone else would make guitar sounds with his mouth. And the last guy would be the singer. All this was done on the fly with no practice. We would record these songs on cassette tape. Some actually didn’t sound too bad.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Many times, I find inspiration by going to a club and listening to a good DJ set or live performance. Being there in person and experiencing the moment, the reaction of the people, the track selection…it’s all very inspiring to me.

What was your highlight of 2025?

Musically, there have been a few things. Experiencing and participating in Detroit’s “Tec-Troit” Music festival is always a highlight. It’s a free summertime festival, primarily showcasing Detroit’s electronic music artists. Seeing it grow every year is something that we Detroiters are very proud of. I also enjoyed tours in the UK and Europe. The people are always up for a night of proper Detroit artistry. Then, Soiree Records had some amazing releases and welcomed several new artists to the label. All-in-all it was quite a successful year.

What do you love about the Detroit music scene?

Currently there are many venues that regularly feature very good talent. Much of the talent is local. There’s also a large community of artist creating really good music; house, techno, electro and more. There are many up-and-coming artists yet to be discovered.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

My sound covers many different moods. Although most of it is focused on the dance floor, some of it is down-tempo and good for chillin out. Other tracks are dark and experimental. Some tracks are good for listening on a good sound system to discover all of the hidden details that may otherwise go unnoticed.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

Because I enjoy so many different styles of music, my sound never stays the same. My inspiration is ever-changing. It could be impacted by scenery, a life event, a motion picture, sounds in nature…many things contribute to my sound. Then, the advancement of technology always pushes the limits of sound and creativity.

What was your main mission for founding Soiree Records International?

I launched the label as a means of having my music exposed to the world. I have many emotions to express musically and I felt the only way to have it heard properly was to push it my way. But it’s not just about my own music. I also seek to expose like-minded artists. In this community our skills are sharpened when we push one another’s boundaries of creativity.

How did you find making the label’s new release “I Am Not From Detroit (Remixes)”?

Andy Vaz and I have worked together on several projects in the past. Andy produced the original mix of “I Am Not From Detroit” and released it on his label, Yore Records in 2013. He wanted to release remixes of the track on a Detroit label. He asked if I’d be interested. I liked the original version and accepted the offer. Andy suggested having remixes by Detroit’s Javonnette and CloudMasterWeed from France. I thought those were great choices and I would produce a remix as well. And so it came to be.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

This release crosses several different moods. There the deep house original. Javonnette’s remix is more of a techy-acid interpretation. CloudMasterWeed has a dubby sound. While my remix is focused on the dance floor.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

Generally, the listener will be stimulated to dance or indulge in some sort of body movement. Some will listen more closely and find the nuances. Some tracks could trigger an emotional response; goosebumps, or possibly tears.

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Be true to yourself. Do not make music to please someone else. Listeners will hear that your sound is not real. Do not rush to finish a track. Take your time and develop your own sound. Quality over quantity is always best.

Finally, what do you have lined up next?

For 2026 Soiree Records has 5 releases scheduled. As always, they will be available on vinyl, digital and streaming format. I’m also working on music which will be released on other labels. This year I’ll tour outside of the USA again, 2 or more times. This year is shaping up to be another busy one. Find much more info on our website: https://soireerecords.com

Listen to I Am Not From Detroit (Remixes) below