Post Voyage: Electronic Duo With a Vintage Vibe And Big Plans

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Post Voyage: Electronic Duo With a Vintage Vibe And Big Plans

25 Dec 2024

Post Voyage is a fresh new music band, born this year on the laid-back island of Bali. They quickly gained popularity, regularly showing up at local music events and Balinese gatherings. Now, their sights are set on Asia and the Middle East. So, let us get to know them better — find out how their band came together, what musical experience Choize and DJ Radost (Max) had before meeting, what they would be doing if it were not for music, and what their plans are for next year.

— For those unfamiliar with your music, could you tell us about your sound and style?

Max: It makes sense to explain how we came together, as I think it has a big influence on our music. Both Choize and I come from what you would call rock 'n' roll backgrounds. I played drums in pop punk and post rock bands back in 2016. Over time, I started exploring electronic music, diving into sound synthesis, and collaborating with bands that mixed rock with electronics. To make a living, I began DJing, and after moving to Bali, I met Choize at a party. There are not many rock 'n' roll fans in Bali, so it felt like the perfect match.

We decided to create a project that blends rock 'n' roll with electronic music, adding vintage influences — think The Rolling Stones or Depeche Mode — but with our own twist. We got together in the studio, started experimenting, and that is how it all began.

Choize: Our music is a mix of organic house, desert rock, and a touch of electronic sounds. While Max had DJ experience before moving to Bali, my background was rooted in rock music. Back in Moscow, I performed with several bands, but I found myself increasingly drawn to producing and creating electronic music.

When I arrived in Bali, I started creating tracks inspired by the local organic house and chill rave scene. Compared to Moscow’s heavier rhythms, Bali’s sound was softer, and that influence shaped our early work. Those organic elements naturally found their way into the first tracks Max and I made here.

Initially, our music was slow and downtempo, but as we started playing live, we reworked it to be more danceable, incorporating vocals, guitar, and synths. We set up a studio to develop a richer, more layered sound, blending live instruments with electronic elements.

We did not want to stick to the typical organic house sound that is so prevalent in Bali. Instead, discovering our shared musical influences — from grunge to electronic — helped us craft a unique style. And that is how it all came together.

— How long has your band been around?

Choize: It is hard to pinpoint exactly when we started — probably about a year ago. At first, we played for friends at villa parties, then moved on to clubs, and things just grew from there. We never had an official start date.

A key moment was our first "Home of Light" party, where we brought together musicians, artists, and producers. After that, we really dove into producing our first track, which was around the end of May. Another milestone came when we released our first EP with the label Cafe De Anatolia, known worldwide for its exceptional electronic and ethnic sounds. We chose this label to explore the organic house before branching into other genres.

However, we quickly realised that organic house could feel repetitive, so we decided to experiment with different styles. The EP, which came out this summer, marked our official launch. That was when we set up social media, went public, and began expanding. Although we have been working together for about a year and a half, it is only in the past eight months that we have started gaining real attention.

— What are your plans for future development or collaborations? Are you considering expanding the band or perhaps exploring new genres?

Choize: We will likely remain a duo, but we are definitely open to collaborations. Here in Bali, we have lots of creative friends — musicians, vocalists, guitarists — who often collaborate with us for track recordings. You can already hear female vocals and guitar of our special guests in some of our songs.

Looking ahead, our main focus is to release more tracks we have been working on. We’re excited to experiment with new genres, but we will stay true to our roots: funky, danceable rock’n’roll, breakbeats, and a touch of minimalism.

Max: Absolutely, we are very open to experimentation right now. While the project has a solid foundation and clearly defined roles, we’re always looking to push boundaries.

The deeper I dive into music, the less I care about sticking to specific genres. For us, it is more about capturing the vibe and emotion of a track rather than adhering to a label. What truly resonates with our audience is the contrast in our sets. That shift in energy creates a strong connection.

Many big club sets in Bali feel flat, with no real progression. Our aim is to combine the energy of a live concert with the flow of a DJ set, creating a more dynamic and immersive experience for our audience.

— I have the feeling that your music really fits the vibe of Bali. Is that true? Would things be different if you were not in Bali?

Max: Yes, it definitely fits the vibe. Our first track with Café De Anatolia, for example, has that Bali-eastern influence, but some of our newer work leans more toward an urban, big city feel, which, obviously, Bali does not have.

Choize: When we started out in Bali, we were really influenced by the island’s organic, almost shamanic vibes. When you constantly attend performances where artists focus solely on music, that energy inspires you. But after a while, you start craving something more industrial, something with a techy edge.

Bali is designed for relaxation — many people come here to unwind at beach clubs, lounge by pools, and soak in the laid-back vibe. That is why, broadly speaking, there are two types of music commonly played here, which align with two different types of events and organisers: one is more chill and flat, while the other is more creative and interesting in terms of sound.

We are definitely in the second category.

— How did you come up with the name for your band? Was there any debate, or did it just come to you naturally?

Choize: We had a lot of ideas, but it took some time as we just could not quite capture the vibe and emotion we wanted to convey. So, we started throwing out words and phrases that might express that feeling. Then we came up with "Voyage." It felt right — "Voyage" has a vintage feel, which we liked — it was playful without being too serious. You know, some artists have very formal names for their bands, and we wanted something a bit cheeky, but not too much.

Since we also love post-rock, we took "Post" for the naming as well. Once we landed on it, we started thinking about how it would look in the logo."

— By the way, I was going to ask who came up with your font. Who came up with it?

Choize: The font was inspired by vintage rock posters from the '60s, '70s, and '80s, with that raw pin-up style. We liked the black, yellow, and neon green colours. After searching through fonts, we found one that worked, but we tweaked it a bit to simplify it. It is not typical for electronic music, which is why we like it — it contrasts with the usual styles in the genre.

— What would you have done if music had not been in your life?

Max: Honestly, if music had not been such a huge part of my life, I probably would have ended up as an architect. In fact, I originally applied to study construction, but I ended up in economics instead.

Music has been in my life since I was young. My father played in a band, and that is actually how he met my mother! So, I grew up surrounded by music, especially vintage rock and iconic foreign bands.

When I got to university in my own town Nizhniy Novgorod, I started DJing to make some extra money. I loved playing drums, but DJing became the way I paid the bills. By the way, I never went to music school or had any formal music education. Then I moved to Moscow and through its vibrant club scene, I discovered electronic music, a genre that really resonated with me.

When I arrived in Bali, I brought those sounds with me. The scene here was already thriving, but I began pushing this new vibe more actively. That is when I met Choize, and together, we merged my past as a rock musician and drummer with my more recent passion for DJing to create our project.

Choize: Looking back, I grew up in a musical family with plenty of vinyl records, which I still collect today. Music has always been a part of my life, but initially, I didn’t plan on becoming a musician. I wanted to be a writer. As a teenager, I wrote and published fantasy novels, with plans to pursue a career in copywriting or as a creative director. I also spent some time working in marketing.

When I was about 14 years old, my brother gave me an acoustic guitar for my birthday. I eagerly picked it up, learned how to play, and, like many aspiring musicians, quickly started writing my own songs. Convinced I could take the world by storm, I dreamed of forming a band. Over time, I played in several bands, exploring different genres.

Initially, I was sceptical about electronic music. But that changed when my sister introduced me to acts like The Prodigy and Future Sound of London. I also discovered Drum 'n' Bass and Breakbeat, which opened my eyes to the depth and variety within the electronic genre.

Being in a band was time-consuming and expensive — recording an album could take months in a studio. With electronic music, I could create melodies in a day with just a synthesiser. So, by 2018–2019, I started blending electronic music with guitar and vocals, ultimately deciding to leave my bands behind. As a perfectionist, I found it easier to realise my vision as a solo producer, which led me to focus on electronic music and expand my musical range.

— Do you find it easier or harder to work in a band?

Max: For me, working together is neither better nor worse — it is just the only way it works. Before I met Choize, I was producing music on my own, but I really struggled with putting it out there. I would get stuck in self-doubt, constantly thinking my tracks were not finished or good enough. Being part of a band gave me that sense of camaraderie, which helped me move past those mental blocks.

Since starting to work with Choize, we have become internal moderators for each other. We inspire and motivate one another, and that’s made all the difference. We work side by side on our music, editing it together, which helps break through creative roadblocks and keeps things moving forward.

— How do you divide responsibilities between the two of you? Is there a clear split between creativity and organisation?

Choize: It is a really complementary balance. When we create music, we divide it into the creative side and the performance side. Making music together is just so much more enjoyable. Having someone else there makes it more motivating. Every musician, no matter how experienced, goes through those moments of doubt, so it is always nice to have a friend next to you who supports you.

When it comes to performances, Max’s experience with the technical side is a massive advantage. He has done so much DJing, so he knows exactly how to manage venues and work with promoters. I focus more on the creative aspects. As for management, we are still figuring that part out and divide the tasks depending on what needs to be done and what each of us is best at. It is all about playing to our strengths.

— As we approach 2025, could you please share your plans for the next year

Choize: Our main goal for 2025 is to film a concert that captures everything we have experienced in Bali over the years. We have had many performances and created numerous tracks, and now we want the visuals to match the music. This will serve as a promotional tool to secure performances in other locations. We are also focused on consistently posting on Instagram, as we have a lot of content but have not had time to go through it.

Max: Yes, creating regular content is challenging because we are musicians first, but we are getting better at it. I have learned that great music is just the beginning — the business side is crucial. As for the events, next year should be massive. We are in talks with labels but do not yet have a booking manager. For now, we are handling things ourselves to better understand the process. We aim to start our first tour in 2025, with venues in Thailand, Dubai, Shanghai, and Moscow already in the works. We are also negotiating with festival organisers in Russia and plan to wrap up the year with a performance in our hometown.

— What has been the most memorable moment for the band this year?

Choize: There have been so many memorable moments, but one that stands out as truly defining was our performance at Kabana Club, where we headlined. The lights, sound, and overall performance were amazing, and the after-party made us feel like major artists. Performing at that level really motivated us to push even harder.

On the production side we did meet some incredible producers, including the seasoned professionals who have performed at huge events like Burning Man. When they heard our music and said, “Your sound is great,” it gave us a huge boost. When experienced producers say, “This track is amazing, release it,” it reassures us that we are on the right path.

Max: For me it is one of the first concerts we played after moving into our last villa, where we wrote so many tracks. We had about 60 people packed in — it was wild. Some were in the pool, others on the roof, and everyone was dressed up with candles and paintings everywhere. The place was buzzing with energy. It felt like a scene straight out of a movie, with this unreal atmosphere of love and acceptance. It was one of the first concerts where I really felt confident in what we were doing. We did consider filming it with a couple of cameras, but that footage is still in the vault. Another moment that really stands out is when we were working on one of our unreleased tracks, "Twisted and Sane." The addictive guitar riff from that track is one of those hooks that gets stuck in your head. Choize actually came up with the idea for it in a dream. When Choize woke up late in the morning, he rushed down in the villa where we both lives, half-dressed, and said, "Do not bother me for the next three hours, I have got a hit in my head." He threw on his headphones and spent hours perfecting it. That is how we ended up creating what I believe is our most important track for our dance vibe.

by Barbara Yakimchuk