Interview with ALLERTZ
Part 1: Career & Musical Style
For those who are just discovering your work through this remix: How would you describe the “Allertz sound,” and what excites you most about the current music production scene in Sweden?
My sound is built around big, powerful chords and strong melodies. When someone puts on one of my tracks, I want them to immediately feel that surge of energy, like “alright, here we go,” or give you the feeling that you feel ALIVE! It should feel uplifting, powerful, and full of momentum and HIT YOU in your SOUL and Heart!!
So there has to be emotion and weight behind it. If something feels too polished without depth, it doesn’t feel authentic to me.
I mix large, cinematic harmonies with strong synths, some acoustic elements, and modern electronic production. It sits somewhere between house, melodic techno, disco, and pop. One of the biggest challenges is creating something that works when I play in front of a bouncing 40,000 capacity arena while remaining intimate enough to resonate through radio. That balance is difficult, but that’s what I’m always aiming for. If you can strip it down to a piano and it still feels strong, then I know the song works with harmonies and melodies.
What excites me most about Sweden right now is the level of musicianship. There are so many talented players and writers here. My vision is to capture that magic by recording a full live string orchestra for an upcoming release. It’s a dream project I can’t wait to bring to life.
Sweden is world-renowned as a “hit factory.” Which influences from the classic or contemporary Swedish pop scene do you feel have shaped your style the most?
Honestly, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia changed the direction of my life. I was on track to go to business school and become a banker or trader, but when I saw what they were doing, something clicked. I dropped those plans, bought DJ equipment instead, and decided to go all in on this dream. Without them, I probably would have stayed in finance and studied business at university. So they and their music were actually the spark that made me believe this was possible! So I changed my whole life plan from “go the safe way with university studies” and went all in on the music after hearing their music!! I fell in love with that music directly, and I couldn’t stop listening to it.
When I think about it now, I still remember that day when the music actually changed my whole life during a math class where we were working, and in my headphones I listened to a mixtape from Johan Wedel with a classic house acapella Jack Had a Groove, and I completely felt that something new was coming into my life! I was just sitting and listening to the music and thought, this is what I am going to do, and I will do it all in, and I will never give up! Because at that point life could just as well not matter, it was this or nothing!
My influences are really from all around the world. I love melodic techno artists like Argy, and I still love the Avicii sound with those very Swedish high melodies. So it’s hard to pick just one influence. But from Sweden, I would definitely say that Alesso, Avicii, and Swedish House Mafia have been big influences on me, and ABBA! Avicii showed that you could combine melody, emotion, and electronic music on a global scale. At the same time, I’ve always loved the ABBA sound. Those big, cool chords and strong songwriting have always been inspiring to me.
I also listen to a very wide range of music in general. Everything from music from the 1950s to today’s tech house. I actually listen quite little to the exact genre I make myself, like melodic techno or progressive house. Instead, I often go back to older music to find new inspiration and different ideas.
Looking back at your journey, what do you consider to be the “turning point” or the specific production that defined your career as a DJ and producer?
A major turning point for me was when Tiësto played one of my remixes. Getting that kind of support from someone at his level was a huge recognition early on. The journey hasn’t been a straight line. There have been highs and lows, years of hard work, new releases, and new festivals. Nothing happened overnight. But the first time Tiësto played my music, I was completely blown away. In that moment, I realized that this could actually become something real.
Part 2: The A*Teens Connection & “Iconic”
“Iconic” has become the anthem of the A*Teens’ 2026 comeback. How did the initial contact happen for you to take charge of this official remix?
It’s actually a full-circle story, ten years in the making. About a decade ago, I reached out to Niklas Rune at Universal Music and asked if we could meet for a coffee so I could show him what I was working on. He replied, but the meeting never ended up happening. Almost exactly ten years later, I reached out again, this time asking if I could try doing an official remix. He sent over the stems, and that’s where it all started. At the same time, I was finishing another release for the U.S., and I actually got sick during the process. So the first demo of “Iconic” was built at home in headphones while I was recovering. Once I was back in the studio, I finalized the production and the mix properly.
Ten years ago, I was asking for a meeting. Now I’ve had the opportunity to deliver an official comeback anthem. It really shows what’s possible when you stay patient, stay hungry, and never stop working toward that ”Yes!” And its so important if you want to make it in the music business!
When working with such a legendary pop group from the early 2000s, what was your creative approach? Did you aim to preserve the nostalgia or bring them straight into the 2026 club sound?
I wanted to bring it straight into the 2026 club sound. The nostalgia is already there in their voices and in what A*Teens represent. My job was to translate that energy into today’s sound and make it hit in modern clubs and on big festival stages. I focused on giving it weight, depth, and a contemporary edge. I wanted it to feel current and powerful. Not like a throwback, but like a powerful comeback.
How was the technical process of working with the vocals of Marie, Sara, Dhani, and Amit? Was there any specific element from Dino Medanhodzic’s original production that you felt was essential to keep?
The vocals were already very well produced and recorded, so for me it was mainly about building the music around them. I focused on creating the right atmosphere using delays and reverbs to enhance the emotional impact. I didn’t feel the need to change the vocals themselves too much. It was more about placing them in a new sonic environment. The original vocal production was already fantastic, so my role was really to complement it rather than reinvent it.
Releasing a remix on a Friday always brings a lot of hype. What did you feel when you heard the final master of the “Iconic (Allertz Remix)” for the first time?
It felt really good! As soon as I received the final master, I went straight into my main studio here in Stockholm. Big speakers, heavy low end, the full setup. I turned it up loud. And I just felt, yes, now it hits! It was a very satisfying feeling.
If you could pick another classic track from the A*Teens catalog (like Upside Down or Halfway Around the World) to give it a “2026 Edit,” which one would it be and why?
“Floorfiller” would be super cool to work on. That track already has incredible energy, so giving it a 2026 edit would be powerful. Or Lay all your love on me, the abba cover, that would be REALLY cool!
Part 3: Latin America & Global Reach
Latin America has one of the most passionate A*Teens fanbases in the world. Were you aware of this “southern phenomenon” while working on the track?
I had heard about it, but I didn’t fully understand just how massive it actually was. It’s something I’ve really come to understand now. And honestly, it’s incredible. It’s something truly special.
Have you ever had the chance to visit any Latin American countries, either for work or vacation? If not, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the region?
No, I’ve actually never been there. But I’ve been gaining more and more fans in South America, so it feels like it’s soon time for me to finally come over and play. I would love to tour there. When I think about the region, the first thing that comes to mind is passion. It feels like music is such a strong part of everyday life and culture there. People really live and breathe music. Experiencing that energy in person would be amazing.
Musically speaking, are there any Latin rhythms or artists that have caught your attention or that you’d like to incorporate into your future projects?
Absolutely. It would be a huge dream to officially work with Shakira. That would be incredibly exciting!! I now play an unofficial remix I have done of her track in my live sets, and the crowd always going crazy! So it would be so cool to release it as an official when the time is right!
What message would you like to send to the fans in Chile and the rest of the region who are eagerly counting down the hours until Friday’s premiere?
Gather your friends, get something really good to drink, and start the countdown for Friday. Whether you’re in a living room, out on the streets, in a club, I want you to feel that same energy I’ve been building in the studio! When the remix drops, turn it up as loud as you possibly can and go all in! I want to see you dancing, having fun, and enjoying the sound! Let’s go all in, all night long, until the sun comes up the next morning! And make sure to tag A*Teens and “Iconic (Allertz Remix)” so we can see how you’re warming up for the release. Full speed forward. Party, party, party!!!!!
Part 4: The Future
Besides this Friday’s release, what other projects are you currently working on? Can we expect more collaborations with Swedish pop icons?
There are several original tracks coming from me this year. As for more Swedish collaborations, we’ll see what happens. But there will definitely be more international collaborations, along with more original releases. Not just remixes.
With the rapid evolution of technology and AI in music, where do you see your career heading in the next two years?
I believe the value of performing live will become more and more important. As AI makes it easier and faster for more people to produce music, what will really matter is the artist’s ability to step onto a stage, entertain, and elevate the entire night. Creating something epic through presence and performance is what will stand out. I think artists will be tested more in that sense. The performance aspect will matter even more.For me personally, the next big step is the U.S. market. As soon as my visa is approved, I’ll be heading over to start performing there. I’m basically just waiting for the visa. Once it’s clear, I will be able to start playing shows in the U.S. At the same time, I want to continue building my fanbase in South America. Performing there would be incredible, and I would also love to collaborate with artists from the region.
Finally, if you had to describe the “Iconic” remix in just three words to get the fans ready, what would they be?
Bold. Grand. Uplifting!!!
And finally a special edit of the Extended Version of the ALLERTZ remix of “Iconic”:
Edited by Branko Toledo



