Shae District, the rising electronic duo consisting of Debjit Das and Andrew Parpart, has been making waves in the dance scene with their immersive kaleidoscopic sound. Fusing elements of trance, techno, house, rock, and electronica into one, the Denver based duo creates music that not only transcends genres but fills your soul with intoxicating euphoria.
After dropping their highly acclaimed self-titled album at the end of 2023, Shae District is back with their first single of the year, Devotion. Released on July 12, Devotion takes listeners on an uplifting journey through sound and vibrations. Blending everything from blissful soundscapes to hard-hitting vocals and moving melodies the duo delivers a track that’s not only captivating but inspirational.
Following the release, The Daily Frequency caught up with Shae District to discuss the new single, their incredible set at Electric Forest, and more.
Check out our exclusive interview with Shae District below.
DF: Thanks for talking with us! You just dropped a massive new single with Devotion! How does it feel to put this one out?
Shae District: Thank you! It feels great to put this song out. The last year has been a very formative year, with a lot of stepping into who we are as people and gaining confidence and competency within the industry. To me, this feels like the most intentional song we’ve released yet. Our last ‘Shae District’ EP is a great representation of who we are and what Shae District is, but it was more of a “coming to form” project. ‘Devotion’ is a proper invitation into the world of Shae District.
DF: You create such an uplifting feel between the euphoric melodies and powerful vocals! What was the inspiration behind the track?
Shae District: I’m a firm believer in that anyone can shape their life the way they choose. More often than not, what gets in the way are not perceived excuses but our mindset. Once I settled into this way of thinking, I was able to notice others that live their life like this. Then I was able to notice people who are masters of this. People who are seemingly able to play life like a video game and shape it with the most minimal effort. At the root of it, these people are the source of inspiration for ‘Devotion.’
At a more objective level, our repertoire has a darker tone overall, and I wanted to write something that is much more uplifting. To me, there’s nothing more powerful than helping people settle into their most powerful versions. This song is an attempt to do just that.
DF: Not only is Devotion your first single of the year, but the first since your self-titled album in 2023! How has your approach to music evolved since then?
Shae District: Think less and feel more. While we felt relatively proficient at the time of ‘Shae District,’ we were definitely still in a phase of needing to take our time and carve out each song. Part of this came from needing to progress our way of thinking, and some of it was purely skill-focused.
For me personally, when I write I act as more of a channel to the world around me. Sometimes things flow, and sometimes they don’t, but I’m less caught up about the result. It’s like the song is already fully finished; I’m simply pulling it out of the dark.
DF: What would you say is the most challenging aspect of making new music after releasing an album like Shae District?
Shae District: Ever since we released that project, we’ve received more live performance offerings or created our own (fun project related to our last headline releasing soon ;)). The shows are getting bigger, and I have an obsession of always pushing the boundaries. How do we make each moment more grand? How do we create the goosebumps, the tears, the overwhelming sense of euphoria – all things I know both of us have experienced from our favorite concerts.
So, in that sense, I’ve grander visions of what I want to do with our music. Before, I simply wanted to make music that made me happy; now, I want to make music that both Shae District and the audience have questioning moments of “What am I witnessing right now.” To fill that vision sonically and visually is the challenge, as it only becomes more refined over time. Though to me challenge is a good thing. The challenge is where I find happiness.
DF: Overall your sound is filled with so much emotion and expression. Would you say that your music is a reflection of life?
Shae District: Absolutely. Since Shae District’s inception, there have been so many life altering experiences that both Andrew and I have had. Sometimes shared, sometimes individual. Being able to feel deeper, see farther, and understand people and the human experience in a way that was not possible before has led to an adeptness in our writing. I’m able to take an emotion, a moment, something that’s indescribable but something that we all live for and translate it into our music.
To me music usually isn’t exciting to write unless it has this sense of realism in it. Some artists prefer to write to “create a vibe.” I, more often than not, find myself writing to reflect on my life and the moments that have filled it.
DF: Your sound also has such a spiritual component to it. Do you think music and spirituality go hand in hand?
Shae District: To an extent. I think everything goes hand in hand, but only if you let it. I’m big on the idea that “the way you do one thing is the way you do everything.” It took me a long time to get to this point, and it’s been further reinforced in me by industry giants, ie. Rick Rubin, who, in “The Creative Act,” pushes the idea that creativity and art are ways of living, not something you do.
To answer your question more directly – I think music that invokes tremendous emotion is connected to spirituality. I’ve heard over the years that the world and God are within us, essentially the idea that everything you are searching for in life is already within you. You already have the answers you’re seeking. Personally, I’ve found that the more you are able to understand yourself, the more you’re able to understand the world and people around you. When you write from this place, music is directly connected to spirituality, but you don’t have to write from this place. So, I suppose that the connection between music and spirituality is completely your choice.
DF: When writing music do you have any routines to get you in that creative state or do you just go with the flow and find inspiration as it comes?
Shae District: No routines specific to getting into the creative state; however, personally, I live a fairly routined life. I exercise and meditate often, I read and like to learn, I work on music and the music business a lot (my sense of purpose), and while at heart I’m introverted, I love to drop in with the people closest in my life. When I’m in these routines is when I feel creative and my true self. When I feel like myself, I’m able to write clearly.
I suppose the only “routine” I have specific to creativity is to lean in. I don’t believe balance leads to an extraordinary life. At least not in the way most people suggest to be balanced. Life happens in cycles and chapters, and I can feel when it’s time for me to dive deep into Shae District and not look back. I’d imagine from the outside I might look like a loner madman with an obsession for creating incredible shows, but it makes me really happy and gives me the energy I need to create experiences that bring people together, and I love to bring people together.
DF: On top of the new single, you kicked off the summer with a magical performance at Electric Forest! How did it feel to perform at a festival like Forest?
Shae District: Oh, man. That was a “change your brain chemistry” experience. We went to the festival back in 2018 for the first time and got to see some unbelievable performances from artists that were performing at their peak. When we received the offer to perform Electric Forest, it was a bit of a heart stopping moment. I thought, “There must have been a mistake,” and as I read through the contract, I could not believe the opportunity we’d been given. I remember standing at the Observatory stage 6 years ago, thinking, “I’d love to perform here one day,” and that’s exactly where we were going to be. Electric Forest is a home to the creative industry. Those who have been know exactly this.
However, it wasn’t per se our performance that was the “change your brain chemistry” performance. It was being at the festival amongst so many talented artists, standing on stages with renowned managers, agents, and people like Pasquale Rotella, that made me realize I’d found a home in this industry. That these are in fact, my people, and Shae District is a real player in the game. Sunday came around, and as we performed, the crowd only got larger and larger. I’m a terrible judge of crowd numbers but it felt like there were close to a thousand people that chose to stay with us when they could have been anywhere in the Festival. Ever since then, writing and navigating this industry has felt better than ever before.
DF: You have such an electrifying live show! Would you say performing live gives you a deeper connection to your music as opposed to a DJ set?
Shae District: I love both! Yes, performing live gives me a deeper connection to our music, but for me, it’s the deeper connection with the audience that matters more. I love to connect with people, and I think I do a fairly good job of getting people to drop their walls and be their authentic selves. When I’m on the mic, I can do this with the crowd best. I feel like myself, and I think that helps everyone else to be their true selves, too.
However, DJ sets are an absolute riot to me. Andrew and I have known each other for almost 11 years now and, as such, are able to communicate while spinning back to back with few, if any, words. We rarely plan out proper DJ sets and instead, we build a playlist and feed off the crowd’s energy. There’s nothing more electrifying than that endless feedback loop when the artist elevates the state of the crowd, which then, in turn, the crowd elevates the state of the artist.
DF: Lastly, what can fans expect from Shae District for the rest of 2024?
Shae District: New music! We’re writing more than ever before and set to release the rest of the year. There are collaborations and huge turns in the music that we haven’t done before. I don’t like to spoil a good surprise, so all I’ll say is that fans can expect this family to grow bigger and stronger as we stand behind something we all believe in.