Mike Steva’s third studio album, ‘Sun Warrior’, is now available via Deeper Roots Music, completing a deeply personal trilogy shaped by his Macedonian heritage. The seven-track release explores themes of identity, resilience, and cultural connection through percussion, traditional instrumentation, and electronic production.
Photo credit: Mike Steva – Instagram
Among its highlights is ‘Caje Sukarije (Opa)’, featuring the voice of legendary Macedonian Romani singer Esma Redžepova. The album also brings together contributions from musicians including Panga, Valentino Gikovski, and Damian Smith, reflecting Steva’s commitment to combining traditional influences with his own musical perspective.
In this conversation with Electronic Groove, Mike Steva reflects on the cultural meaning of rhythm, the responsibility of working with musical heritage, and the creative philosophy behind ‘Sun Warrior’. He also discusses the lasting value of albums, the difference between cultural appreciation and imitation, and why he is in no rush to define what comes next.
EG: Hi Mike, a pleasure to have you at Electronic Groove. Before we get into the music, where are you today, and how are you feeling now that ‘Sun Warrior’ is out?
Mike Steva: Thanks for having me! I’m currently in Macedonia, in a small village, right by the water, chillin’ out and enjoying the moment.
EG: Looking back to the beginning, what first made you understand that rhythm could carry identity, memory, and emotion in ways that words sometimes cannot?
Mike Steva: I think a big part of that understanding comes from my Macedonian roots and the sounds I grew up with, especially the Tapan. Traditionally made with a wooden frame and animal hide, the tapan has deep roots in our culture and has been part of rural and tribal communities for generations. Drums were among the earliest forms of communication, used in Macedonia and many other cultures around the world to bring people together and convey messages long before words could express what we felt. To me, the tapan is much more than just a drum; it carries the spirit, history, and identity of our people.
Growing up, hearing it at weddings, christenings, and village dances showed me how rhythm connects people through song, dance, tradition, and shared experience. There’s a powerful connection to our ancestors in those sounds, with every beat and song carrying something passed down through generations.
That’s when you begin to understand that rhythm can communicate things words sometimes cannot. It evokes belonging, brings memories to life, and expresses emotions that run deep within you. For me, it’s about staying connected to where I come from and preserving our cultural identity through music.
EG: ‘Sun Warrior’ feels like a statement rather than simply another release. What did you need to express through an album that individual tracks couldn’t fully communicate?
Mike Steva: ‘Sun Warrior’ is my third album, and for me, it completes a trilogy, bringing together the story, themes, and evolution that have unfolded across all three records. Each album represents a different chapter of that journey, but ‘Sun Warrior’ brings those chapters full circle and gives the bigger picture its meaning. I wanted to express something that went beyond individual tracks: a complete vision of growth, resilience, identity, and transformation. Every album has its own character and energy, but together they tell a deeper story about where I started, what I’ve moved through, and who I’ve become along the way. Some things need time and space to fully unfold, and that’s what an album allows you to do. With ‘Sun Warrior’, I wanted to tie all those threads together and create something that feels both like a culmination of everything that came before it and the beginning of a new chapter.
EG: There is often a tension between honoring where we come from and refusing to be defined by it. How do you find that balance in your own work?
Mike Steva: For me, it comes down to understanding that where you come from is part of your story, but it doesn’t have to define the limits of where you can go. I have a lot of respect for my roots and the experiences that have shaped me, because they’re a big part of who I am as an artist and as a person. At the same time, I think it’s important to keep evolving, to challenge yourself, and to allow yourself the freedom to explore new sounds, ideas, and perspectives without feeling like you have to stay in one place. I don’t see those two things as being in conflict. You can honour your past without being trapped by it. For me, authenticity isn’t about repeating what you’ve done before; it’s about staying true to yourself while permitting yourself to evolve. That’s something that runs through ‘Sun Warrior’ and the trilogy as a whole, acknowledging the journey that brought me here while continuing to push forward into the unknown.
“For me, authenticity isn’t about repeating what you’ve done before; it’s about staying true to yourself while giving yourself permission to evolve”
EG: When you’re creating, how do you recognize that an idea carries something deeper rather than simply being a good piece of music?
Mike Steva: I never try to force the creative process. For me, the most meaningful ideas come when I tune in and allow the music to come through naturally. It’s almost like plugging into a source and downloading a message from the universe. I don’t always understand what I’m receiving in that moment, but I trust the process and follow wherever it takes me. The deeper meaning often reveals itself along the way. There’s a difference between making music because you want to create something and creating something that feels like it needs to exist. When an idea carries that kind of energy, when there’s a feeling or a message behind it that goes beyond the sound itself, I know there’s something worth pursuing. My job isn’t to control it or overthink it; it’s to stay open, capture it, and give it a form through the music. That’s when it becomes more than just a good track. It becomes an expression of something bigger than myself, something that hopefully resonates with people on their own level.
EG: Working with the voice and legacy of Esma Redžepova on ‘Caje Sukarije (Opa)’ carries a particular cultural responsibility. What did you want to preserve from the original recording?
Mike Steva: With a piece like ‘Čaje Šukarije’, the first thing for me was respect. Esma Redžepova’s voice carries so much soul, history, and emotion. I was very conscious that I wasn’t just working with a song, but with something that already means a great deal to people and is part of a much bigger cultural story. I didn’t want to lose the spirit of the original or take away from what made it so special. My approach was to connect with that energy rather than overthink it or try to impose something on it. I wanted to preserve the raw emotion, the joy, the passion, and that unmistakable sense of freedom in her voice, while bringing my own interpretation into the music. For me, it’s about creating a bridge between the original and the present, allowing the music to evolve while keeping its soul intact.
EG: Albums ask listeners for something that singles rarely do anymore: time and attention. With music moving at such a fast pace, what still makes the album format meaningful to you?
Mike Steva: For me, an album is an opportunity to tell a story that can’t be fully understood by listening to one track in isolation. A single can capture a moment, but an album allows you to explore a whole journey, with different emotions, energies, and layers of meaning unfolding over time. I think there’s something powerful about inviting someone to slow down and immerse themselves in a complete body of work, rather than constantly moving on to the next thing. That’s one of the reasons ‘Sun Warrior’ means so much to me. It’s my third album and the final chapter in a trilogy, so the meaning isn’t just in the individual tracks, but in how everything connects across all three albums to complete a bigger story. That depth would be difficult to communicate through standalone releases. I understand that the way people consume music has changed, but I still believe there’s a place for music that asks you to be present and really listen. Ultimately, I don’t make music just to create content or keep up with a release cycle. I want to create timeless music, music that people can return to 20 years from now and still connect with, discover something new in, and appreciate just as much as they do today.
EG: Electronic music connects cultures across the world, but sometimes those influences are borrowed without much understanding of their origins. Where do you draw the line between genuine cultural exchange and simply using a sound?
Mike Steva: I think the difference comes down to intention, respect, and how deeply you connect with what you’re drawing inspiration from. For me, music has always been a universal language, and some of the most interesting things happen when different cultures, sounds, and traditions come together. But I think there’s a difference between taking a sound because it works sonically and understanding the feeling, history, and energy behind it. I approach music intuitively, allowing myself to connect with sounds and influences without trying to fit them into a particular formula. It’s about feeling something genuine rather than using a cultural element as decoration. I also think you have to bring your own identity into the process. It’s not about copying something that already exists, but allowing those influences to become part of your own expression while respecting where they came from. When that connection is authentic, the result can become something new without losing the spirit of its origins. For me, the most exciting thing about electronic music is its ability to bring different worlds together and create something that transcends borders, while still honouring the cultures and people that helped shape it.
“I’m not really thinking about what’s next; I’m being present and enjoying the moment”
EG: Looking back over the past decade, is there a belief about music, success, or creativity that you no longer hold today?
Mike Steva: Nothing lasts forever, and I think there’s a lot of freedom in understanding that. Everything evolves, changes, and eventually moves on. What matters to me is staying true to the moment, trusting my instincts, and creating something genuine while I’m here.
EG: With ‘Sun Warrior’ closing this trilogy, do you already feel drawn toward another creative direction, or are you giving yourself time to enjoy what you’ve completed?
Mike Steva: I’m not really thinking about what’s next; I’m being present and enjoying the moment. I try not to force what’s coming or feel the need to have everything figured out. For now, I’m enjoying this chapter, appreciating the journey, and staying open to whatever comes naturally. Time will tell.
EG: Mike, thank you for sharing your story with us. Congratulations on the album, and all the best with what comes next.
Mike Steva: Thank you, Mauricio. Thank you, EG. Much love and respect.
Mike Steva’s ‘Sun Warrior’ is out now via Deeper Roots Music. Stream and download your copy here.
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