P.O.U (Product of Us)

On the release of their debut album Breathe out now via Of Us Records, P.O.U - aka Damon Hess and Ryan Spicer - are stepping into a new era, one driven by deep storytelling and sonic evolution. In this exclusive Mixmag interview, the duo reveal the inspirations behind the project, the unexpected twist of how their single with Miss Monique came about, and their vision for a future beyond club anthems.

From uplifting house to cinematic soundscapes, P.O.U's latest work captures the essence of spring renewal—an album made for movement, memories, and, of course, taking a moment to breathe.

Congratulations on ‘Breathe’ dropping on April 25! What’s it like knowing your first album surfaces right in spring, that season when everyone just wants to…breathe?

Thanks so much, Mixmag! Honestly, the timing just feels right. Spring has that special energy where everyone’s shaking off the winter and getting ready for a new chapter — more sunshine, more late nights, more music. Breathe arriving now feels like it’s dropping right into the heart of that mood. Everyone’s getting excited for Ibiza and the summer season ahead, so it’s the perfect moment for the album to start making its way into people's playlists and memories. We’re just really proud it can be part of that journey.

Before the world hears it on the 25th, you’ve given us a private stream link. What hidden gems or surprises did you slip in for the fortunate few who’ve already previewed it?

We wanted this album to be more than just a collection of big, banging tracks. From the start, the idea was to create something that had more depth, more colour, and showed different sides of what we love musically. So, for those lucky enough to have gotten an early listen, they'll notice we’ve slipped in some more melodic, chilled-out moments that are a real contrast to the energy of our usual single releases.

We also experimented with different textures — a few tracks dip into breakbeat influences, giving a nod to that raw, rhythmic energy, while others bring in an afro-house feel, adding warmth and a fresh groove that lifts the album in unexpected ways.

On top of that, we had the pleasure of working with some incredible featured artists like Zahra Palmer, Jamie Whiltshire, and Emelie Rachel on a few special cover tracks. Their voices brought a whole new dimension to the project and helped us shape a really broad, versatile sound. It’s a little journey from start to finish — something that, hopefully, keeps listeners guessing and discovering new layers with every play.

Where did the creative spark for ‘Breathe’ come from? Was there a trip, a film or a particular mood that shaped the album’s sound?

Funny enough, Breathe wasn’t originally planned to be an album at all. It started with a single track, something we were working on as a follow-up to Taste the Water for Anjunabeats. At that time, we found ourselves moving toward a more melodic, laid-back sound, almost instinctively. We crafted this track that felt lighter, more emotional, but when we finished it, we realised it wasn’t just another release, it was the start of a bigger story. It was like we had opened a door we didn’t even know we were looking for. We decided not to send it off, and instead, we let that initial spark grow into a full body of work. Breathe became about capturing that feeling — the space between the beats, the stillness after the chaos, the need for something more human in the sound.

The ‘Breathe’ artwork and press shots feel almost cinematic. How did you weave That visual narrative alongside the music?

Thank you — that’s exactly what we were aiming for! Early on, we brought a content creator into the process to help us develop some visual concepts that would sit naturally alongside the music. One of the first ideas they pitched was this desert imagery — vast, endless, and a little bit disorienting. As soon as we saw it, it just clicked. The desert felt like a perfect metaphor for the sound of Breathe, that feeling of isolation, of searching for something, and of moments where you're almost gasping for clarity or connection.

We loved the idea of creating a visual world where it wasn’t just about the beauty of the landscape, but also that underlying tension, almost like a quiet panic of being lost, trying to find your way. It mirrors a lot of the emotional textures we’ve woven into the album: moments of calm, moments of intensity, and everything in between. So, when it came to the artwork and press shots, we leaned into that cinematic, slightly surreal atmosphere to bring the full story of Breathe to life.

Your 2025 tour hits cities all over the world. Do you have any plans to come back to Germany?

Germany has been a hotspot for our music lately. Streaming numbers from the region have been incredible, and our recent show in Munich was something else entirely; unreal energy, an amazing crowd, and a deep appreciation for the melodic techno sound we love. The vibe was off the scale. We’re already in talks with our booking agent to get back out there as soon as possible. Germany, we see you—and we’re coming back. Danke!

Being a Friday resident at the iconic Ministry of Sound for FUTURE is a dream for many. How did that residency come about, and what does it mean to you to be London’s Friday night spirit?

It all kicked off back in 2023. We landed a booking at Ministry, played the Box, and honestly just went for it. The crowd vibe was unreal, and it all clicked. At the time, our sound wasn’t exactly the "in" thing in London, but that night it just connected, and we ended up getting asked back again… and again. Eventually, they hit up our agent and offered us a proper residency deal, which was a no-brainer for us — we jumped at it. And here we are, 2025, still buzzing to be part of it, playing Fridays every six to eight weeks. It’s honestly a bit surreal — Ministry’s such an iconic place and being even a small part of its Friday night spirit still feels pretty special every time we walk through those doors.

Let’s talk ‘Million Miles Away,’ your first official collab with Miss Monique released on February 28 via her label. It started as a solo P.O.U track—what happened in the studio for her to say, ‘I need to be on this’?

So, Million Miles Away started as a solo P.O.U track, but it quickly took on a life of its own. We initially worked with UK vocalist Susie Ledge, going back and forth a few times, really trying to shape it into something special. At that point, having previously released on Miss Monique’s label, I thought it could be a good fit, so we decided to send it over to her directly. She loved the track right off the bat, but wanted to make some changes, and from there, it was a bit of a back-and-forth process, tweaking things here and there. Then, out of the blue, she hit us with, "Guys, I love this — let’s collaborate!" And of course, we were all in!

We stemmed out the version, she worked on it herself, and we spent weeks just going back and forth, refining it. There were lots of changes from the original version, but eventually, we landed on the perfect edit, which is what you hear now. The track ended up being featured on 26 Spotify editorial playlists, including a spot at #2 on Mint, plus a bunch of covers with Miss Monique’s face front and centre. It was so exciting to see it all come together like that — a special one for us!

8. How did the co-production with Miss Monique and Susie Ledge unfold? Any ‘Eureka!’ moments between beers and soldering synths?

Honestly, the production process was a bit of a journey. It started as just the three of us — Susie, us, and the initial vibe we were shaping in the studio. We met up several times, exchanging ideas and getting a feel for the direction we wanted to go. But the real turning point came when we spoke with Olisia (Miss Monique) on the phone. She was hands-on, diving into the track and changing up a lot of the elements to give it that euphoric, end-of-set energy we were after. She brought this extra layer of magic that elevated it, taking it from something good to something special. There definitely were some "Eureka!" moments along the way — a mix of inspiration, tweaking sounds, and, of course, some beers to keep the creative flow going. It all came together in such a natural way, and that’s what you hear in the final version.

‘Million Miles Away’ is already making waves—what fan feedback has surprised you the most so far?

The response to Million Miles Away has honestly blown us away. We’ve had more people approach us after gigs than ever before, and it’s been amazing to hear how much the track has resonated with everyone. It feels like we’ve hit a real milestone with this one — it’s definitely shaping up to be our biggest track yet. The feedback from fans has been incredible, with so many saying they absolutely love it. It’s surreal to see how it’s connecting with people, and we’re just so grateful to have that kind of support. It’s been a real boost to know that the track is making waves in the way it is.

After this album and the tour, what new challenges are you eyeing for 2026? Maybe an orchestral live set or an underwater ambient EP?

Oh, we’re already looking ahead to some exciting stuff for 2026! We’ve got another huge collaboration in the works — can’t spill the beans just yet, but trust us, it’s going to be massive. We’re also really vibing with the idea of doing an ambient, chilled-out EP — something that’s a bit different from what people might expect, but that’s got that cool, immersive sound we love. There are so many possibilities for where we can take things next, and we’re all in on pushing boundaries and bringing fresh ideas to life. We’re always hungry for the next challenge, so who knows — we might even throw in some unexpected twists along the way!

To wrap up: if you had to sum up your success formula in a single beat for aspiring DJs dreaming of Ministry, what would that beat sound like?

If we had to sum it up in one beat for aspiring DJs, it would sound like this: Be yourself. Trust your instincts and believe in your music. Don’t try to follow trends — create your own. When you’re behind the decks, play what feels right to you, not what you think people expect or what’s trending at the moment. Stay true to your vision, and success will follow. It’s about authenticity, passion, and doing things your own way. That's the formula that’s worked for us.