Stef de Haan On Energy First Club Music, Self-Release Freedom And Building De Reünie In Amsterdam
- Undrtone Blog
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Stef de Haan has never approached electronic music as something that needs to be neatly defined. Based in Amsterdam, his work as a producer, DJ and founder of De Reünie has grown from instinct, curiosity and a deep trust in energy over category. Whether behind the decks or in the studio, his focus stays the same. What works in the room, right now.
“I don’t care about boxes,” he says plainly. “I just focus on the energy, rhythm and what works for the dancefloor there and then.” That philosophy explains why his sets move so fluidly between speed house, breaks, garage, trap, pop and techno, often within the same hour, without ever feeling scattered.
That openness starts at the very beginning of the creative process. “There’s no fixed formula for me,” Stef explains. “Sometimes it starts with a kick bass combination, other times with percussion, a synth melody or a vocal idea.” Mood and intuition decide the direction. Structure comes later.
From the outside, Stef’s decision to self-release the majority of his music might look like necessity. In reality, it was deliberate. “It was a very conscious choice,” he says. “I wanted one place where all my musical development lives.” Rather than scattering releases across labels that might struggle to frame his sound, he chose to let the story unfold on his own terms. “That way the evolution makes sense as a whole.”
Releasing without outside guidance sharpened his understanding of who he is as an artist. “I learned that I’m a fusion artist at heart,” he says. “I genuinely enjoy moving between genres.” That freedom is not accidental. “Innovation and combining different styles is what excites me most. Letting elements from different worlds collide.”
That approach has not always been easy. Stef is open about the pressure to simplify. “I felt that pressure for a long time,” he admits. “And honestly, I still do sometimes.” What shifted things was the dancefloor itself. “When I play music that’s truly close to my heart, even if it’s not standard four by four, the crowd reacts the strongest.” That feedback built trust in his own taste.
Tracks like ‘MASQUERADE’ and ‘Amsterdam To Jersey’ capture that balance. Bold, playful, rhythm-driven and unafraid to have fun. Stef believes dance music needs more of that again. “It should be fun,” he says. “It doesn’t always have to be overly serious or technical.” For him, playfulness is not the opposite of intention. “There’s power in it.”
That same thinking sits at the core of De Reünie, the Amsterdam party brand he founded in 2020. “De Reünie literally means reunion,” he explains. “It was about bringing people back together.” Launched during the pandemic, the project focused on creating safer, more intimate spaces rooted in care and respect. “There is zero space for sexism, discrimination, racism, xenophobia or homophobia.”
A good night, for Stef, is defined by trust. “A diverse crowd where people genuinely respect each other and each other’s space,” he says. “Different groups coming together and creating something special collectively.” When that happens, the dancefloor becomes more than entertainment.
His CYBERSEX project offers another outlet. “It’s much more focused on house music,” he explains, while his solo work stays wide open. That separation allows both sides to stay clear without compromise.
Recent appearances at ADE with Teletech and upcoming shows at RADION, OST Berlin, Junkyard, PAN, Æden, Pacha Barcelona and XXL Manchester underline his growing presence, while De Reünie returns on 27 February at Multipla Amsterdam, continuing to build its community-driven vision. You can grab tickets to the event here.
For Stef, longevity comes from ownership. “Not fitting into a box can feel risky,” he says, especially without a label safety net. “But it gives you full control of your narrative.” His advice is simple. Trust your taste. Grow in public. Let the music speak.
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