San Holo is the stage name of Dutch producer, musician and composer Sander van Dijck, born on 26 November 1990 in Zaandam, the Netherlands. He is one of the key figures in modern electronic music, one of the creators of the instantly recognizable “emotional future bass” sound, the author of hits like “Light” and “We Rise”, and the founder of the label bitbird.
San Holo is known for fusing electronic sound design with live guitar, indie atmosphere and vulnerable songwriting, shaping his own signature style — post-EDM, highly emotional, honest and melodic.
Early years
Sander grew up in a musical family and played guitar from a young age. He studied audio engineering at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, where he developed his production skills and interest in electronic genres.
Before his EDM career, he played in indie rock bands, wrote soundtracks and worked in studios. This blend of indie aesthetics and electronic production later became a defining feature of his style.
Career beginnings: a breakthrough via remix
San Holo first attracted major attention with his viral remix of Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode”. Its unusual sound, combining powerful sound design with strong melodies, instantly set him apart from other producers.
His early releases came out on the prestigious label Monstercat, where San delivered tracks that became his calling cards:
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We Rise
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Heldens
These works made him a notable name as early as 2014–2015.
The bitbird label — an independent creative ecosystem
Together with his management and like-minded friends, Sander launched the label bitbird — a platform for artists who want to blend genres, experiment and remain independent.
bitbird became a launchpad for many new-wave producers and helped shape the aesthetic of “gentle” electronic music, where emotion, melody and a minimalist sound palette are key.
Breakthrough: “Light” — global success
In 2016, he released the track “Light” — the most iconic hit in San Holo’s career.
The song became an international phenomenon:
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it entered radio rotations worldwide,
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stayed in top positions on Spotify,
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became a future bass classic of the 2010s.
San Holo started touring extensively across the US, Europe and Asia, performing at major festivals such as Coachella, EDC, Tomorrowland, Lollapalooza and Ultra.
Album 1: album1 (2018) — emotions at the center
In 2018, his debut studio album album1 was released, cementing San Holo as one of the most important artists in “emotional EDM”.
Key features:
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live instruments (especially guitar),
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warm, “live” mixing,
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stripped-back future bass,
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lyrics about closeness, growth and vulnerability.
Tracks like “lift me from the ground”, “worthy” and “show me” became signature songs and helped set a new direction for the genre.
Album 2: bb u ok? (2021) — diving into post-EDM
The second album, bb u ok?, leaned even more toward indie: fewer big EDM peaks, more groovy rhythms, analogue synths, detailed textures and atmospheric guitar work.
It strengthened San Holo’s status as an artist who goes far beyond club music and builds full-fledged emotional universes.
2022–2024: further evolution and a live approach
San Holo regularly releases singles and EPs and plays live tours where he uses:
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live guitar,
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vocals,
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drum machines,
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live looping.
He effectively turns EDM into concert music, keeping the energy of electronic dance while reaching the emotional depth of an indie rock performance.
Musical style
San Holo has become one of the pioneers of a new direction — post-EDM, where electronic production is tightly bound to emotion and an indie-inspired sound.
Main elements of his style:
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atmospheric guitar,
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spacious melodies,
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sparse future bass arrangements,
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detailed sound design,
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soft vocal parts,
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a focus on warmth and intimacy in the music.
His tracks are recognizable from the very first notes.
Fun facts
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Before his EDM career, he seriously considered becoming a professional guitarist.
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His “logo” is a whole visual world: a slightly sad, slightly smiling aesthetic, “emotional” typography and a unique graphic identity.
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He actively promotes the idea of “stay vibrant” — a philosophy of emotional honesty and mental well-being.
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On stage, San Holo combines a DJ set with a live show: he plays guitar, uses pedalboards and complex effect chains.
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Many modern future bass and melodic bass artists cite him as one of their main inspirations.
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He supports the younger artists on his bitbird roster, often producing for them and acting as a mentor.
Conclusion
San Holo is one of the leading innovators in contemporary electronic music. He made future bass more human, warm and emotional, turned EDM into an intimate art form and built his own cultural ecosystem around the bitbird label.
As a musician, producer and songwriter, he has become a voice for a generation that values emotion, honesty and sonic beauty more than sheer loudness or rigid genre rules.
