Seven Lions, born Jeff Montalvo, is a central figure in melodic electronic music, known for creating a sound that connects melodic dubstep, trance, and progressive influences into a cohesive style. Emerging in the early 2010s, his music gained attention for its emotional focus and long-form structure, helping establish a melodic approach to bass music across both albums and large festival stages. Alongside his own releases, his work through Ophelia Records has supported a wider wave of artists operating in that space. With his latest album Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars now released and a recent appearance at EDC Thailand marking his return to the country since June 2024, we spoke with him about how he approaches music and touring today, how new material fits into his live sets, and how he thinks about sustaining a long-term career.
Inside the Creative Approach to Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars
Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars is Seven Lions’ second full-length studio album, released through Ophelia Records. The album features 11 tracks and includes vocal collaborations with Kerli, HALIENE, Lilly Ahlberg, No/Me, Oaks, and Fiora, continuing long-standing creative relationships within his catalog. Ahead of the full release, several tracks were shared individually, including “By the Light of the Moon” with Kerli, “So Far Away” with Lilly Ahlberg, and “Cold as Snow” with HALIENE, offering an early view into the album’s melodic structure and vocal-led direction. As a complete release, the project places equal weight on instrumental passages and vocal compositions across tracks such as “A Crown of Seven Suns,” “From Beyond,” “Past You,” and “Breathe It Out Slowly.”
When asked about the idea behind the album, Seven Lions described it as “a return to old-school Seven Lions,” adding that the music was written “from a place of authenticity.” He explained that the writing process itself felt familiar, aligning closely with how he has approached music in the past. What felt new during this album was the role he played outside of the music, saying “I did a lot more of the art direction and visual thinking than usual, which was really fun and interesting.” At the same time, he was clear that the musical side remained unchanged, adding “musically, though, it felt very familiar.” When reflecting on which track best represents where he is as an artist right now, he pointed to “Thrice Woven,” explaining that it is “the most true to the music I personally enjoy and listen to.”
Playing EDC Thailand and Approaching the Live Set
With the album now released, live shows continue to play a role in how Seven Lions introduces new material to listeners. His appearance at Electric Daisy Carnival Thailand marked his return to the country since June 2024 and placed the performance within one of the region’s largest electronic music events. When asked how the response in Thailand compared to other places he has played, he said it felt consistent, pointing specifically to the number of people who had travelled in for the festival. “Very similar. I think there were a lot of people who traveled from all over for EDC,” he said. He also noted that the location itself left a strong impression, adding, “the setting, though, felt really special.”
Preparation for the set was centred on introducing new material. When asked what he focused on ahead of the show, his answer was direct: “New tracks!” That approach carried through to the performance itself, where one moment stood out in particular as he played an unreleased track live for the first time. “I got to play a new one for the first time, which was really exciting for me,” he said, explaining that debuting new music on stage remains an important part of how he approaches live shows. Outside of the performance itself, he also spoke about how Thailand feels as a place to spend time around shows, describing it in simple terms. “Thailand is such a chill place to spend time,” he added, pointing to the ease of being back in the country beyond the stage.
Looking Ahead at Touring, Thailand, and What Comes Next
Following his recent return to Thailand, Seven Lions spoke about albums and touring in a way that aligns with how he has worked throughout his career. “Doing albums and big tours was never really on my radar,” he said, a position that has remained unchanged even as his releases and live shows have continued to appear on larger stages. New music and live appearances still come together without being planned far ahead, allowing projects to move forward when the timing feels right instead of being tied to long schedules or fixed cycles. Releases and performances continue to form closer to the moment, leaving room for breaks between projects and shows when needed. Touring does not automatically follow an album release, and new material is not treated as something that has to be supported by extended runs of dates.
The possibility of returning to Thailand again remains open. When asked about coming back later in the year, his response was clear. “I’d love that. Always looking to go back for any reason!” The comment followed naturally from his recent appearance in the country and his familiarity with playing shows there. Alongside future performances, he also spoke about what matters most to him as he continues making music. “Probably my own mental well-being,” he said, placing that consideration alongside decisions about touring, writing, and time spent on the road. Those decisions now sit quietly behind how often he plays shows and how quickly new material is released. “I’ve got to take care of myself if I want to be doing this in 10 years,” he added, grounding his plans in longevity rather than output.
With Asleep in the Garden of Infernal Stars now released, listeners can listen to the album in full!
