When two of Eastern Europe’s most formidable dance exports join forces, the expectation is always sky-high—and Denis First alongside multi-platinum duo Filatov & Karas have delivered precisely that with their radiant new single, ‘Sweet Summer Nights’.
Released via Denis First’s independent imprint First Forged, the record is a masterclass in modern vocal house. Built around an irresistible vocal hook, the production layers synth melodies, uplifting piano chords, and crisp, driving percussion to evoke the carefree optimism of warm festival evenings, open-air mainstages, and late-night highway drives.
With its infectious atmosphere and polished engineering, ‘Sweet Summer Nights’ sets a towering benchmark for peak-season releases. And we took the opportunity to talk to Denis about not only the release itself, but its meaning, the art behind it, and even some tangential matters. Read below! And make sure to stream ‘Sweet Summer Nights’ right here.
The Interview
(Please note, the bolded text represents a question, while the paragraph(s) following it represent Denis’ answers.)
Congratulations on the release of ‘Sweet Summer Nights’! What does the song mean to you personally and professionally?
For me, this song is really about life and the importance of appreciating the moments we have. Summer has always represented something warm, carefree, and full of happiness. It’s the time when we spend more time with family and friends, travel, and create memories that stay with us for years.
The message is simple: live in the moment and enjoy every day, because none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. Appreciate the people you love, enjoy life’s colors, and don’t take the little moments for granted. That’s what Sweet Summer Nights means to me.
From a professional perspective, I wanted to create a song that wouldn’t just belong to one particular summer, but one that could bring people back to those feelings every time they hear it.
Could you give us a little insight into one part of the production that you liked the most? Could be a nerdy detail or could be a personal story linked to a section of the track, for instance.
What I enjoyed most wasn’t a particular production technique—it was the atmosphere we had while making the record.
I’ve known Filatov & Karas for many years, and our relationship goes far beyond music. We’re good friends, and we’ve shared a lot of unforgettable moments, parties, and, of course, summer nights together.
I think those memories naturally found their way into the song. Sweet Summer Nights isn’t just about melodies or sounds—it’s about capturing a feeling we’ve genuinely lived through. That’s probably why it feels so honest.
For me, that’s the most rewarding part of making music: when personal memories become something that millions of other people can connect with. Hopefully, we’ll create many more summer nights worth remembering.
We can see that the vocal harmonies are very reminiscent of the 80s. Were they built with that idea in mind, or was it a happy accident?
It was definitely intentional, although we never set out to make an “80s song.”
What we wanted was to recreate the feeling that so much of the music from that era had—something warm, uplifting, sincere, and slightly nostalgic.
If people hear those influences, then we’ve achieved exactly what we hoped for. Sometimes the best ideas don’t come from trying to recreate the past—they come from capturing its spirit and giving it a fresh, modern sound.
We notice a certain nod to GTA Vice City in the artwork. Did you have a say in it, and if so, does it hold any meaning for you?
Yes, absolutely. I was involved in developing the concept, and I loved the idea from the very beginning.
For me, GTA: Vice City isn’t really about the game itself—it’s about the feeling of freedom. It’s a world where you’re free to choose who you want to be and what path you take.
Real life isn’t that different. Every day we make choices about the direction we follow, and I believe it’s always worth choosing kindness, love, and creating something positive.
On top of that, it’s an iconic visual style—bold, colorful, energetic, and full of personality. It perfectly matches the atmosphere of Sweet Summer Nights: summer, freedom, movement, and good vibes. I hope listeners feel exactly that when they see it.
What would your life be like if you weren’t making music? Do you have an alternate path you would’ve gone down?
Honestly, without music my life would have been far less colorful.
The biggest loss wouldn’t even have been the music itself—it would have been all the incredible people I’ve met because of it. Over the years, music has introduced me to so many talented, inspiring people, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
What many people don’t know is that music has never really been a business for me. It started as something I simply loved doing, and over time it became something much bigger than a hobby.
Outside of music, I have several other creative businesses. My team designs parks and gardens, helps green cities, builds sports infrastructure, and works on a variety of architectural and landscape projects. In many ways it’s the same creative process—you’re building something that people will experience and enjoy.
For me, music has always been about love, friendship, emotions, and something deeply personal. In many ways, it’s become part of my philosophy of life.
What can you tell us about the next projects lined up in your agenda? How do the next releases and gigs look in the world of Denis First?
I’ve got several new tracks coming out soon, and I’m genuinely excited about all of them. For me, they’re much more than just songs—each one reflects a different chapter of my life, with its own emotions and story behind it.
One release I’m especially looking forward to is ‘Last Girl Standing’. It’s a very personal song dedicated to my wife. We’ve been together for more than sixteen years, and throughout all that time I’ve admired her for who she is. This track is my way of expressing those feelings through music.
What’s interesting is that I’ve been working on this song for almost seven years. During that time, I went through more than fifteen different arrangements, and the vocals were re-recorded several times. No matter what we tried, it never felt quite right—I just couldn’t find the perfect version.
Then, quite recently, something clicked. Inspiration came almost overnight, and suddenly the song became exactly what I had been searching for all those years. It’s one of the most meaningful tracks I’ve ever made, which is why I’m so excited for people to finally hear it.
Beyond that, there’s a lot more new music on the way, and of course I’m looking forward to getting back on stage and performing these songs live. Connecting with people through music has always been the most rewarding part of what I do.
