Max HeyraudWe caught up with CamrinWatsin to trace his rise from DIY beginnings to platinum status, and to hear where he’s headed next.
CamrinWatsin didn’t take the conventional road into electronic music. While some may attribute their first club experiences or production triumphs to late nights and pricey equipment, his journey began in a more intimate setting: a makeshift studio in the corner of his dad’s office. A hip-hop DJ father, a singer mother, and a childhood influenced by everything from Massive Attack to Reflekt laid the groundwork for what would become a meteoric rise.
In less than two years, Watsin went from dabbling on SoundCloud to receiving a platinum plaque and a BRIT nomination. Along the way, he’s gained mentoring and respect from Irish heavyweights like Belters Only and Jazzy, cultivated a fan following through raw, emotionally charged dance anthems, and solidified his place among Ireland’s next generation of electronic musicians.
Let’s start at the beginning. When did you first start making music?
I started making music in January 2022. Music had always been a part of my life as my dad was a hip hop producer and DJ, and my mam was a singer. But it was only in 2022 that I decided to try to bring my passion to life in my dad’s makeshift studio set up in his office.
What were your musical influences as a child?
My musical influences are a bit of everything. I grew up on anything from tracks by Massive Attack, to Souls of Mischief, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, to dance classics like “Need To Feel Loved” by Reflekt. I have a huge interest in both hip hop and dance music.
Did it take you long to start releasing music, and when did you begin to define your sound?
Funny enough, I released the first track I ever tried to produce. To this day (when the answer was given), I think it has over 300,000 streams on SoundCloud. It’s called “What Do You Want From Me.” Although the production is rough compared to my abilities now, it holds a special place in my heart, so it’ll stay up.
Did your parents always understand the career you were pursuing? Writing records in your room can be difficult to translate into a “real job” for some.
I was blessed in the sense that my parents understood what it was like to try to make it in the music industry. They fully supported my decision not to go back to work full-time in my apprenticeship. I couldn’t have done it without them.
I know Belters Only and Jazzy have been mentors to you and are now artistic peers—can you talk about the impact and guidance they’ve had on you?
It was a surreal feeling when I first got to meet RobbieG and Bissett. I had been listening to them since I was 14 years old on SoundCloud. From that moment onwards, they made me feel like a friend more than a fan—it was really inspiring. I have so much time for Jazzy also, as she was the exact same: extremely down-to-earth and friendly. I get some of the best advice from them regularly. I’m glad to be able to say I’m representing Ireland alongside them in the dance scene.
Let’s go back to January of this year. You had just received your first plaque as a platinum-selling artist. How did that feel?
Becoming a platinum-selling artist was insane. If you told me that three years into my career, I’d have a record that did 600,000 sales in the UK alone, I’d never believe you. Although I knew the plaque was on its way, it didn’t feel real until I had it in front of me. I still take a moment at home most days to stare at it.
Shortly after, you were nominated for “Song of the Year” at the BRITs. How did that feel, and what was that experience like?
Being BRIT-nominated topped it all off, really. The whole process again just didn’t feel real—seeing my name nominated alongside some of the biggest musicians on the planet, like Oasis, was nuts. I’ll never forget that feeling I got when I walked down the red carpet. It was an emotional day.
Let’s go back to Longitude 2024, a defining moment in your trajectory as an artist. Do you remember how you felt before going on stage? How were you handling the pressure, and how did you feel afterwards?
Longitude 2024 set things in stone for me, really—things really took off from there. It was my first major festival, and I had my doubts as to whether I’d pull a crowd in the tent. Walking out then to see the tent packed with 10,000 people all there to see me—it was a dream come true. I’m looking forward to running it back bigger and better this year.
Since then, it feels like every month brings a new colossal achievement: from being announced for Creamfields, to touring Australia, to selling out Index in your hometown of Dublin. Are you adjusting to all this now, or does each new milestone still feel surreal?
To be honest, I don’t think I’ll ever adjust to what’s happening for me right now, but each accomplishment does make me hungrier for the next. The sky’s the limit now, and I hope to be able to continue to share my journey for many years to come.
You’ve had a lot of success at a relatively young age. How are you handling everything?
It was quite overwhelming when everything started to kick off, but I’ve come to be able to manage it all now. It’s important to try to have a routine for yourself to stick to—it’s easy to fall behind if you don’t stay on top of everything.
What’s on the agenda for the rest of the year?
My goal for the rest of the year is to keep the music flowing. My sound is constantly developing. I’m loving house and speed garage, so I plan on showcasing that a lot more.
