[INTERVIEW] Danny Olson, Awakend, And Casey Cook Break Down Their Cinematic Bass Anthem, 'Follow Me Back Home'

Danny Olson, Awakend, and Casey Cook have joined forces to deliver “Follow Me Back Home,” a cinematic bass masterpiece that transcends electronic music norms.

The track blends Olson’s signature narrative-driven style with Awakend’s melodic precision and Cook’s heartfelt lyricism, creating a deeply moving anthem of resilience and self-discovery.

Released via the acclaimed Seeking Blue label, this collaboration is a raw, emotional reflection of Olson’s personal struggles and growth, seamlessly translated into powerful soundscapes.

With intricate production, gripping sound design, and soul-stirring vocals, “Follow Me Back Home” invites listeners on a transformative journey that speaks to perseverance and healing.

Check out our exclusive interview with Danny Olson, Awakend, and Casey Cook below.

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iEDM: “Follow Me Back Home” blends cinematic storytelling with your impressive production skill set. How did your personal experiences inspire the narrative of this track?

Danny Olson: The past few years have been the hardest of my life. I faced depression, anxiety, and intense stress for the first time. My 5 ½-year relationship ended, and soon after, I had to put down my dog of 16 years. I felt lost and uninspired.

Then I reconnected with Casey, and together we organically began writing a song about everything I was going through.

iEDM: You mentioned that this track is a “conversation with yourself.” Can you expand on how this concept shaped the songwriting and production process?

Danny Olson: Through meditation and inner work, I started believing that “It’s all going to be okay.” Whether it’s my dad from another realm or a deeper part of myself, it reminded me that even in the worst times, things would improve.

That voice guided the songwriting, serving as a reminder that I would eventually reconnect with the happy, fulfilled version of myself. 

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iEDM: Your career has included work on film trailers and commercials. Do you approach a track like “Follow Me Back Home” differently than scoring for visual media? How does your background in film and brand scoring influence the way you produce tracks such as this one?

Danny Olson: At the core of any lyrical song should be the songwriting. Since the lyrics and melodies of “Follow Me Back Home” are so intimate and personal, I knew the production (instruments) had to reflect and support those sentiments. In that way, it is like scoring because the music needs to be in service of the overall message or feeling, to enhance what you see on the screen.

However, it differs in that there are no inherent visuals or products to advertise.  Instead of the main focal point being a character on a screen, it is the message of the lyrics and melodies. 

iEDM: The second drop in “Follow Me Back Home” has some extremely gripping sound design. What techniques or tools did you use to achieve such a powerful moment?

Awakend: Thank you! It is a combination of a few important things. One thing I love to use in drops like these is a rolling 1/16th note bassline.

It really “drives” a drop more than sustained bass notes can. I also like to utilize volume automations to create those hard cuts in the main synths, which I then fill in with glitch samples and redux (downsample) automation. All together, you get a very aggressive and energetic sound! 

iEDM: Collaboration is at the heart of this track. What was it like working with Casey Cook and Awakend, and how did their unique styles enhance the final product?

Danny Olson: It was amazing. Kevin (Awakend) and I started the instrumental years ago, but we weren’t set on the final direction. When I shared it with Casey, we immediately connected and started writing.

Casey has a gift for distilling emotions into melodies and lyrics. She and Becca Krueger brought the vision to life beautifully. The end result was magical. 

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A post shared by Danny Olson (@dannyolsonmusic)

iEDM: Your signature “Cinematic Bass” style seems to be evolving with every release. How does this track signify a new chapter in your artistic journey?

Danny Olson:  “Follow Me Back Home” is different because it is so deeply reflective of what I have been going through as a human being. I have had songs that relate to my story and what I want to say as an artist, but not on this level.

I have never had a song that was so personal and vulnerable. It is also extremely gratifying to be able to communicate pain and growth through music – in hopes that it will help others going through similar things in their lives.

iEDM: You have performed at major festivals like EDC Orlando. How do you plan to bring the emotional depth of “Follow Me Back Home” to a live setting during your upcoming performances?

Danny Olson: With scale and emotional resonance. Performing this with a live orchestra would amplify its vulnerability and core message, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

iEDM: Your vocals bring so much depth to “Follow Me Back Home.” What emotions or experiences did you channel when writing and performing the lyrics?

Casey Cook: Thank you so much. Danny and I had a long heart-to-heart on the phone about where he was at, talking about love, heartbreak, loss, and all the emotions that come with moving on in life and having to face and find yourself again. When I started writing to the instrumental, I was actually tearing up thinking about our conversation, which heavily inspired the song’s melody and lyrics for me, as it felt like an anthem calling back to yourself.

A couple of days later I hit up Becca Krueger, a fantastic songwriter and vocalist who had previously released “Waking Up” with Danny, to help me craft the story. I knew that this song had so much energy, passion, and emotion, and I wanted to do it justice. We finished writing the song together, both crying at the end.

iEDM: As someone who has worked with so many prominent artists, what made this collaboration with Danny Olson and Awakend stand out to you creatively?

Casey Cook: What Danny Olson and Awakend created together floored me… and I knew immediately I wanted to be part of it. As a creative, you make hundreds and hundreds of songs, but there are certain ones that grab you from the start, and you understand there is a special kind of depth with it.

That is exactly what this track did for me on a first listen, moving me to tears, relating to it on a personal level. It made the production, melodies, and overwhelming emotion that comes with cinematic bass hit that much harder, and felt that much more powerful to me. At that moment, it was bigger than just creating music, it was healing on a universal level. 

iEDM: This track originated from an instrumental you wrote years ago. What inspired you to revisit it, and how did Danny’s contributions bring a fresh and exciting perspective to the original idea?

Awakend: When I wrote the original idea for this track a few years ago, I felt an undeniable connection — it always felt special. It was something I knew I wanted to release someday, but I just hadn’t gotten around to finishing it. When Danny and I decided to work together, this track felt like a natural choice.

Danny reworked the chord progression, added some new melodies, and brought in some cinematic layers that really gave the song a fresh energy. I immediately thought this would be the perfect track for us to work on because of how well our styles complement each other, and it feels like the song finally came to life in a way I’d always imagined.  

iEDM: Having opened for artists like ILLENIUM and Seven Lions, how do you think “Follow Me Back Home” connects with your fanbase and those who enjoy melodic and cinematic bass?

Awakend: I think 'Follow Me Back Home' will really resonate with fans of both melodic and cinematic bass. I took the reins on creating the second drop, while Danny led the charge on crafting the first, and the rest of the track is a seamless fusion of our ideas, blending our individual styles through layers and stems.

Our collaborative energy truly created something unique—a perfect balance of melodic depth and cinematic intensity that I think will deeply connect with listeners.

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iEDM: Seeking Blue has built a reputation for fostering emotional and story-driven music. How do you feel “Follow Me Back Home” aligns with the label’s vision and resonates with its listeners?

Danny Olson: Seeking Blue cares about artists. They care about stories. They are so different from so many other labels in that their first instinct is not to prioritize views, followers, streams, clicks, or other measurable metrics.

Their priority is working with and supporting artists that they believe in. And I felt that this story, what I wanted to say to the world after a long hiatus, would have no better home than at Seeking Blue.

Casey Cook: This song is an extremely powerful and emotional anthem that I believe anyone can relate with as they go through life; losing yourself and finding yourself again. I hope this song can be a reminder that it’s okay to go through hard times, and it’s okay to let things fall apart, unfolding and evolving how they’re supposed to.

It is in those devastating moments, feeling like the worst kind of ending, that is really a brand-new beginning designed for us to find our strength again.

FOLLOW DANNY OLSON: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD | X

FOLLOW AWAKEND: INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | SOUNDCLOUD

FOLLOW CASEY COOK: INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | FACEBOOK | X

FOLLOW SEEKING BLUE: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY

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