Eelke Kleijn delivers his signature melodic sound on housemasters radio.

Artist Spotlight: Eelke Kleijn

From trance roots to cinematic soundscapes—Eelke Kleijn never stands still.

Eelke Kleijn is a Dutch electronic music producer and DJ known for his melodic and cinematic approach to house and techno. With a career spanning over two decades, he has released music on major labels and built a global following through both his productions and live performances.

In a scene that often rewards consistency over risk, Eelke Kleijn has built a career on evolution. Never confined to a single lane, his journey from early trance success to refined melodic techno and cinematic composition reflects an artist driven more by instinct than expectation.

Early Life and First Steps Into Electronic Music

Born and raised in Rotterdam, Kleijn’s relationship with music started young. Long before streaming platforms and digital production tools, he was recording tracks from the radio onto cassette, dissecting and reshaping the sounds that caught his attention.

By his late teens, that curiosity had turned into output. His earliest releases were rooted in trance—a dominant force at the time—and quickly found support from key figures including Armin van Buuren and Tiësto. For a new artist, it was a rapid ascent.

But success came with limitations.

Breaking Away From Trance

Operating under aliases such as M.I.D.O.R and Six4Eight, Kleijn experienced the pace and pressure of the early 2000s electronic boom—multiple releases a year, growing recognition, and increasing demand.

Yet creatively, it didn’t hold.

Drawn toward deeper, slower, and more progressive sounds, he stepped away from the formula that had brought him early attention. It was a decisive move—less about abandoning success, more about aligning with a sound that felt authentic.

Experimentation and Finding a Signature Sound

The years that followed were defined by exploration. Releasing under his own name, Eelke Kleijn moved through house, progressive, and melodic electronic styles without locking into a single identity.

It was a period of trial and refinement. Some productions stood the test of time, while others reflected the transitional nature of his output. What mattered was the process—gradually shaping a sound that balanced groove, atmosphere, and emotion.

Expanding Into Film and Television

By the early 2010s, Kleijn’s work began reaching beyond the dancefloor. Composition for film and television introduced a new discipline—one that demanded structure, restraint, and narrative awareness.

His music has since featured in major productions including Parker, Wrath of the Titans, This Means War, and Rush.

Unlike club tracks, scoring required precision—writing to brief, tone, and timing. It’s a contrast that continues to influence his studio work, bringing a cinematic edge to his electronic productions.

Success, Pressure, and Reset

By the mid-2010s, Eelke Kleijn’s profile had reached new heights. Releases on Spinnin’ Records and crossover success—including work connected to John Legend—pushed him into a more commercial space.

But the shift came at a cost.

As momentum built, so did a sense of creative disconnect. The sound was evolving—but not always on his terms. In 2016, he made a call that many artists avoid at their peak: he stepped back.

No releases. No noise. Just reset.

DAYS like NIGHTS – Taking Control

That reset led to one of the most defining moves of his career: the launch of DAYS like NIGHTS in 2017.

More than just a label, it became a platform for identity. The debut release, Home, signalled a clear direction—melodic, emotive, and rooted in underground sensibilities.

Alongside the label, the DAYS like NIGHTS radio show has grown into a global platform, showcasing both established and emerging artists while reinforcing Kleijn’s curatorial vision.

Live Performance and Global Reach

As a DJ and live performer, Eelke Kleijn has played some of the world’s most recognised stages, including Tomorrowland and Sziget Festival.

A standout moment came through his collaboration with Cercle, performing at Mont-Saint-Michel. The set reached millions online, highlighting both the scale of his audience and the precision of his live approach.

H2: A Sound That Keeps Evolving

Today, Eelke Kleijn operates in a space where melodic techno, progressive house, and cinematic composition intersect. His productions carry a sense of movement—structured, but never static.

With support from names like Fatboy Slim, Pete Tong, Loco Dice, and Rudimental, alongside airplay on BBC Radio 1, his reach continues to expand without losing depth.

H2: What’s Next

Looking forward, Kleijn is pushing further into hybrid territory. Incorporating live instrumentation—particularly guitar—and drawing influence from indie dance and alternative sounds, his next phase is set to blur boundaries even more.

At the same time, his ambitions in film and television remain active, with future projects likely to deepen that crossover.

For an artist who has never stood still, that’s exactly the point.

Stay up to date with the newest editions of Days Like Nights Radio Show. Each episode features carefully selected tracks, unreleased music, and guest appearances from some of the most respected names in electronic music.