Hidde van Wee Announces His Arrival With ‘Aspire To Inspire’ on Up the Stuss
- Tony Allen
- May 22
- 3 min read
Amsterdam’s house scene just keeps delivering. The latest name to make waves is Hidde van Wee, who’s dropped a bold and genre-blurring debut on Chris Stussy’s Up The Stuss label with his new EP, ‘Aspire To Inspire’. Buy/stream it here: https://lnk.to/UTS24.
It’s a title that means something personal.
“At the time, releasing on Up The Stuss was just a dream,” Hidde tells us. “I made the title track two years ago, and the name was sort of a message to myself: if you want something badly enough and work hard, anything is possible.”
Now that dream’s a reality. And it’s landed him right in the middle of one of Europe’s most respected underground house imprints.
From the opening seconds of the title track, you hear why it caught Chris Stussy’s ear. There’s a crispness to the drums, a low-slung groove that moves with intent, and synths that shimmer but never shout. It sets the tone for a release that doesn’t play by the usual rules. You’ve got elements of deep house, electro, garage and minimal, all threading through the four tracks, but never in predictable ways.
“Up The Stuss has a recognisable sound,” Hidde says. “But every release still brings something fresh. That’s what I love about the label – Chris is always looking forward.”
And that ethos carried over into the studio. When asked whether he shaped the EP to suit the label, Hidde admits he tried – but then let go.
“At first, I tried to produce something that fits the label exactly. But that didn’t work for me. Once I relaxed and just started making music freely, it came together naturally. That’s when it’s the most fun.”
You can hear that freedom in the way the EP moves. ‘Perception Of Swing’ builds on dreamy, flowing melodies and thick, low-end pressure. ‘Motion’ drifts into hazier, more hypnotic territory. Then ‘Metamorph’ throws a curveball, pushing up the tempo with cosmic synths and jacking drums – the most playful, club-ready cut of the lot.
Despite the range, the whole record hangs together with intent.
“There’s confidence in it,” Hidde says. “I think my sound has matured a lot. It’s become more personal. I don’t think I fit neatly into one genre – I’d probably call it deep house with influences from electro, garage and minimal.”
He’s not chasing a formula, but the dancefloor is still front of mind.
“I always keep the club in mind. I want to be able to play my own tracks in my sets. But I also try to make sure they’re enjoyable to listen to outside the club.”
That focus is paying off. The EP’s already drawing international attention, and it feels like a turning point in Hidde’s journey. After releases on HOME//GRXWN and Heavy House Society, ‘Aspire To Inspire’ arrives with the feeling of an artist stepping into his own.
So, where does the energy come from?
“There’s a close-knit community here in the Netherlands. A lot of artists are doing well, and we keep each other motivated. That drives the scene forward.”
Outside of music, inspiration comes from simple things.
“My friends and family. Working out. That helps clear my head and fuel creativity. It doesn’t have to be deep.”
Looking ahead, Hidde’s keeping his foot on the gas. Two new EPs are in the works. There’s talk of a tour in Australia. And if ‘Aspire To Inspire’ opens more international doors, he’s ready.
“I hope this release helps me perform more globally. That’s the goal. But more than anything, I hope it inspires other producers. The message is simple: if you stick with it, things can happen.”
‘Aspire To Inspire’ is out now on Up The Stuss.
Hidde van Wee
Up The Stuss
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