salute, during the initial 18 years of their life, called Vienna, Austria, home—a city renowned for its pristine streets and captivating architecture. It was in the Austrian capital, as a young teenager, that their fascination with British dance music ignited through online exploration and games like FIFA Street. Grime, drum & bass, dubstep, and garage resonated with them, sparking the realization that they, too, could craft their own beats and sounds. Reflecting on this transformative period, they recollect, “I was really fascinated by it and at some point realized I wanted to make music like this myself. I downloaded Fruity Loops at the age of 13, and essentially everything started from there.”

At 18, salute made the move to Brighton before eventually finding a home in Manchester, where they currently reside. It was in the UK that they immersed themselves in the vibrant club scene, gaining firsthand insights into the essence of club culture and rapidly evolving as an artist. Interactions with a network of UK producers allowed them to cultivate a distinct sound. “My only exposure before then had been seeing stuff on YouTube and Boiler Room,” they remark, laughing. “Before I moved to the UK, my music was a lot less clubby, a lot less dancey. So yeah, going to grime, garage, and dubstep nights had a huge influence on the way I produce and my sound in general.”