We caught up with Belgian producer, Polar Youth just after the release of her single ‘Secrets’ featuring New York vocalist ÊMIA. Our chat with Elisabeth Verstraete (Polar Youth) delves into her production process, working with collaborators and the future of the project.

Futuremag Music: Hey Polar Youth, how're you going?

Polar Youth: Hey! I'm doing fine. Very busy, but fine! Very excited about the release of my new single with ÊMIA. I'm mainly focused on that lately.

Futuremag Music: Could you talk us through your relationship with music over the years? How did you get to where you are now?

Polar Youth: It's literally been years of struggling. Good and bad moments. Ups and downs. At the beginning, when I just started making music, it was a journey of discovering myself. How to interpret myself in a musical form. In 2014, I started making music professionally, for other artists and companies. Hard work and keep pushing yourself is how I got where I am. But I have to admit, luck did play a part too. I think that's with everyone's music career. I also want to mention and thank all the people that have helped me and believed in me through the years.

Futuremag Music: Your new tune 'Secrets' is a lavish pop release! How did you go about producing and writing this one? How did you loop up with EMIA for the vocals?

Polar Youth: I actually specifically made that track for her. I discovered her on Soundcloud and was immediately inspired by her. I made a basic beat and sent her a message through Soundcloud, she replied with excitement and the rest is history. The lyrics is all her. When working with vocalists, I give them the creative freedom when it comes to writing because that's something they're very good at and I want them to be able to send a message too through my music.

Futuremag Music: Where do you see the music industry developing throughout 2019? How would you like it to evolve?

Polar Youth: I'm happy to see that people I knew from Soundcloud, being very underground, are getting millions of plays on Spotify now, as well as air time on the radio. The music industry is finally opening itself up for more underground, up and coming artists. What could be better, is if every country would push their own up and coming artists more, instead of pushing international music, not that there's anything wrong with that. They should just do it a little bit more.

Futuremag Music: A funny one to wrap it up, if 'Polar Youth' was a cocktail what would be in it to best describe yourself and your music?

Polar Youth: It would have to look pink, because I can be cute and sweet sometimes, like my music. So I'd say Cranberry juice. But there would also have to be a lot of Vodka in it, for the punchiness and toughness of my tracks. Basically, a Cosmopolitan, which is also my favourite cocktail!