From watching his father DJ Ghost command dancefloors to sharing the stage at Tomorrowland, Ghost Jr discusses his musical upbringing, the evolution of his sound and carving out his own identity.
When his kindergarten classmates were asked to name their favourite musicians, Ghost Jr‘s answer was a little different from everyone else’s. While the other children reeled off the usual pop stars and children’s entertainers, the young Belgian had two names firmly in mind: Daft Punk and DJ Ghost. The latter also happened to be his father.
It was an early indication of the musical world he was growing up in. His father was already an established figure in Belgian electronic music, responsible for a succession of influential club records including The Moon’s Blow Up the Speakers, Armani & Ghost’s Airport and Cherry Moon Trax’s Needle Destruction. Electronic music wasn’t simply something playing in the background at home; it was part of the family DNA. “My earliest memory of going into my love for dance music is this one moment where in kindergarten everyone had to name their favourite song or artist,” he recalls. “Whilst everyone said typical child artists or bands, my answer was DJ Ghost (my dad) and Daft Punk.”
It was watching his father perform that transformed that early fascination into something more meaningful. “But it was when I went with my dad to one of his shows at a young age, and saw how he managed to make thousands smile, when I realised that this is exactly what I want to do, make people happy!”
That philosophy remains central to Ghost Jr’s artistic identity as he builds an international career combining the euphoric energy of trance, the driving intensity of techno and the infectious melodies of eurodance.
Growing up around that legacy inevitably left its mark, although Ghost Jr has always recognised the importance of establishing his own musical personality. “I was born and raised in Belgium, so I feel like there will always be a touch of Belgian influence in my music,” he explains. “The same thing counts for my dad’s vibe and music… I’m his son and with my artist name being Ghost Jr, a part of him will always be with me and shape who I am today, but at the end of the day we are all different, every person is unique and that is how I have my own identity.”
That relationship has already produced one particularly memorable career milestone: performing alongside his father during a Cherry Moon Legends set at Tomorrowland. “It was a dream come true,” he enthuses. “Although the dictionary is full of beautiful words, I struggle to find the right ones to describe how it feels, the easiest way to explain this is the following: Whenever I perform with my dad or share the stage with him, I am sharing the stage with my idol, my role model, my dad.”
While his musical foundations are firmly rooted in Belgium’s rich electronic heritage, Ghost Jr has gradually developed a sound that draws on those influences without becoming confined by them. “I would describe my sound as ‘happy trance’, my sound is similar to trance, but the type of trance that makes you happy,” he says. “It has evolved from a typical Belgian retro vibe (the type I grew up with) to my own identity, trance with a story behind it… mostly one that intends to leave you happier than before you listened to it.”
It’s an approach that feels particularly relevant amid the renewed enthusiasm for the sounds of ’90s and early-2000s European dance music. Across contemporary club culture, younger producers are rediscovering the melodic exuberance, powerful rhythms and unapologetic emotional appeal that characterised an earlier generation of rave records.
Ghost Jr believes the enduring attraction of those sounds lies in their ability to evoke feelings and memories. “Has to be the energy that that sound carries with it, very catchy, easy to remember happy songs,” he suggests. “The younger generation must have heard some of those sounds when growing up and a newer version of those sounds can bring forward beautiful memories, even unconscious ones, I feel that might be the case.”
Alongside his formative influences, contemporary artists including Pegassi, Marlon Hoffstadt, Dimitri Vegas and Funk Tribu have helped shape his understanding of modern electronic music. He admires their individual qualities, particularly their crowd control, mixing abilities and musical production.
Those influences are increasingly finding expression in Ghost Jr’s own productions, most notably his latest single, 2 phones, released through Steve Aoki’s internationally recognised Dim Mak Records. The signing represents a significant step forward for the young producer, whose career has already taken him to major festivals including Tomorrowland, Ostend Beach Festival and Fantasia Festival. “The relationship developed very organically, my unreleased music got into their hands, next thing you know you get a message from the Dim Mak team,” he explains. “It meant so much and still means so much to me. It’s the start of something beautiful!”
Musically, 2 phones represents an intriguing evolution. Opening with atmospheric, arpeggiated synthesisers and emotive pop vocals, the track gradually reveals a harder, club-focused personality through driving percussion and powerful electronic textures. The result is a production that bridges accessible songwriting and dancefloor intensity without sacrificing either element.
Its creation, however, began with a spontaneous moment of inspiration. “2 Phones all started when I was in the car and I suddenly got an idea for a melody,” Ghost Jr recalls. “I still don’t remember where I was driving to, because the second the memory was in my mind, I had to put it on Ableton, so I rushed to the studio and instantly got to work, trying endlessly to put the vibe I had in my mind, on my synth and laptop. And just like the song itself, the creative process just flowed.”
Beyond its immediate musical impact, 2 phones explores the emotional pressures of modern life, particularly the sensation of juggling competing demands while constantly searching for something better. Ghost Jr has described the track as a story told from the outside looking in, with its energy delivering the initial impact before its deeper meaning emerges.
That combination of emotional storytelling and physical dancefloor energy reflects his increasingly fluid attitude towards genre. “To me music is so much more than specific genres, genres are something needed and amazing, but they do also separate waves,” he explains. “With 2 Phones I aimed to unite two different genres, make them meet in the middle and complement one another, which is one of the messages buried within the release.”
For Ghost Jr, those musical experiments ultimately find their purpose in front of an audience. His appearances at some of Belgium’s biggest festivals have provided invaluable opportunities to understand how his productions connect with people beyond the studio. “Each and every show has helped shape who I am today, every festival or event is a new experience and something I learn so much about,” he says. “It’s during these live sets where connections are made when I am able to share my creative work with the world and receive instant feedback, and so far the feedback has only brought me joy. I just love seeing happy faces!”
That enthusiasm exists alongside an awareness of the expectations that accompany being a Belgian electronic music artist, particularly one with such a recognisable family connection. “Belgium’s music scene is alive, it breathes, it’s creative and keeps delivering,” he observes. “Being a Belgian artist definitely adds a bit of pressure, legends such as PUSH, DJ Ghost and Pat Krimson have set very high standards for the current Belgian music scene. But it is exactly that pressure gives the extra push in the back to keep innovating and creating music. Now, how will I fit in? We’ll see.”