We caught up with Indonesian superstar Whisnu Santika who will be returning to Indonesia’s premiere festival, Djakarta Warehouse Project in December. Whisnu Santika is known for pioneering the Indo Bounce genre which merges house, Latin breaks and funk. He has also performed at major festivals such as Tomorrowland and Siam Songkran, while he’s received support from DJ Mag China.
This year, will be Whisnu’s sixth time performing at Djakarta Warehouse Project, which is set to take place from 12 – 14 December at GWK Cultural Park in Bali, Indonesia. The festival features globally-renowned headliners like FISHER, Paul van Dyk, Calvin Harris and Steve Angello to name a few.
In our exclusive interview with Whisnu Santika, he reveals more about what fans can expect from his set, the importance of DWP for the Indonesian music scene and more. 
This is your sixth time playing at Djakarta Warehouse Project. What makes this festival so special to you and why do you keep returning?
DWP has always been one of my favorite festivals—not just because we share the same mission of putting Indonesia on the global music map, but also because it gives me a platform to debut new music and new productions.
You’re known for your iconic Whisnu Santika Edit Packs. What inspired you to create edit packs in the first place and how do you ensure you’re always bringing a fresh, authentic sound?
I always try to deliver something fresh, especially for my shows in Indonesia (you know how the Indo schedule gets!). I don’t want to repeat the same set, especially when people come expecting something unique. And on top of that, I want to experiment with different genres while still staying true to my sound.
How do you balance showcasing your Indonesian heritage in your craft, while still appealing to a diverse international audience?
I really want international audiences to hear and enjoy my music, but I know it has to be introduced properly. So before any show abroad, I always do my homework—talking to local experts and learning what resonates there. Then I mix those insights with my own sound to present my music in a way that feels natural to international listeners.
Can we expect to hear any new edits, remixes or collaborations in your DWP set this year?
Absolutely YES! I’ve got an official remix for HYO coming, plus several new collaborations with Indonesian musicians Rey Putra and Cosmo Kent. ‘I’ll Be Yours’ is dropping next month, along with a project with international artist Sikdope. I seriously can’t wait to premiere everything at DWP!
Can you tell us more about your unique genre of EDM Indo Bounce? What initially sparked this idea?
I’ve always been into house music and baile funk, and Indo Bounce is basically a blend of house, Latin, breaks, and funk. But for me, it’s not just a sound—it’s a community and a movement. I launched it during the pandemic because I wanted to put Indonesia on the global map and give Indonesian musicians a platform to grow.
You recently remixed ‘YES’ by HYO. What drew you to that track, and how did you approach putting your own spin on it?
HYO and I met at DWP24 in Jakarta. We talked about the idea of collaborating, and this remix is our starting point—hopefully the first of many!
You’ve had an incredible few years performing across major international festivals like Tomorrowland and Siam Songkran. How have these global stages influenced your creative process or performance style?
Traveling and performing on global stages is one of the most exciting parts of my creative process. It’s incredible how music connects people through festivals and crosses boundaries so effortlessly. Asia is one of the biggest markets, but often a bit behind in terms of music trends, so playing internationally adds so much to my creative growth. From a performance perspective, it inspired me to try new things in my sets and share those fresh elements with the audience at home.
Your latest track ‘Yalla Habibi’ fuses Middle Eastern melodic sensibilities with your Indo Bounce signature. What inspires you to blend different cultural influences in your music?
I explored Middle Eastern influences in my previous track ‘Sahara’, and after experimenting with other genres in earlier releases—like house with Sorn and amapiano in the ‘Mangu’ remix—I felt the Indonesian crowd was starting to miss my Indo Bounce sound. So here we are with ’Yalla Habibi’.
Collaboration is a big part of your sound — you’ve worked with names like Dipha Barus, Ramengvrl, and Liquid Silva. What makes a collaboration truly click for you?
Honestly, most of my collabs come from casual chats or random studio hangs. I’d been trying to lock in studio time with Dipha since last year, and we finally made it happen earlier this year—then Ramengvrl jumped in. With Silva, we’ve toured so much these past years that most of our ideas were born while we were on the road.
You’ve become a role model for young DJs and producers in Indonesia. What’s the most important advice you’d give to artists trying to take their sound to an international level while staying authentic?
The key is to explore creatively without losing your brand’s DNA. Trends and references can expand your vision, but consistency keeps your audience grounded. At the same time, staying adaptable ensures your brand evolves with the moment. The real art is finding the balance between consistency and relevance.
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