Today, we caught up with London-born, Argentinian-rooted artist Michael Woods — better known by his stage name, OFFAIAH. Raised by a father who taught piano, Woods built a strong musical foundation early on, learning to play the piano, trumpet, guitar, and drums.
His breakthrough single, “Trouble,” earned the coveted “Future Dance Anthem” title on BBC Radio 1, and for more than nine years, he has consistently shaped his OFFAIAH project. Over the years, his work has received support from major industry heavyweights, including David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Annie Mac, Pete Tong, and Vintage Culture.
His release, “The Pressure,” a collaboration with American producer Kyle Kinch, dropped on October 31 and has already drawn support from Tiësto, Alok, MK, and more. In this interview with House Nest, OFFAIAH talks about creating “The Pressure,” the rebrand of his label ALL FIRE, the evolution of his radio show, and what’s next on the horizon.
“The Pressure” dropped on October 31. What was the spark behind this collaboration with Kyle Kinch, and how did the track come together?
Kyle and I have been crossing paths at shows for years. We’ve spent plenty of time hanging out, swapping stories, and I’ve always been drawn to his raw disco groove and the soulful edge he brings to his productions. One day, he sent over an initial idea built around a chopped vocal sample, and I was instantly hooked. It had that immediate lift — something reminiscent of my early house influences, but with a fresh, modern twist.
We handled most of the collaboration remotely. Kyle laid down the foundation in his studio, then I pulled the project into Ableton, added layers of synths, and jammed out a synth riff on the Access Virus B in a single take that felt right straight away. The vocals were re-recorded and carefully layered to preserve that gospel-like punch we loved, and we built the drops around tension that ultimately explodes into release. It was one of those rare, organic collaborations — no overthinking, just pure energy coming together in a very short space of time.
The track blends heavy club energy with powerful gospel vocals. What drew you to that combination, and what emotion were you aiming to capture?
That gospel vocal has been etched in my brain for a long time — it has this soaring, church-on-a-Sunday intensity that hits you right in the chest. I loved pairing it with heavy club energy because it feels like taking something spiritual and letting it sweat on the dance floor.
The rolling bass and percussion keep it gritty and underground, while the vocal lifts you emotionally. For me, it captures that moment of release you feel at 3 a.m. in a warehouse — when all the pressure from the week finally melts away, and you let go in a wave of euphoria and connection.
You’ve described “The Pressure” as a “battle cry wrapped in a groove.” Can you expand on what that means for you personally or creatively?
For me, it’s exactly that — a genuine scream from anyone who’s feeling crushed by life, work, money, relationships, or whatever else is piling on. That vocal is literally someone shouting, “I’ve had enough — I need relief.” Instead of leaving it raw and angry, we wrapped it in a rolling, relentless groove, so it doesn’t just vent frustration — it actually delivers the release you’re crying out for.
Kyle mentioned that the vocal sample has been with him since childhood. How did his soulful background influence your production approach?
The moment Kyle told me that the sample had been part of his life since he was a kid, I could feel how personal it was for him. You don’t take something that sacred and strip the soul out of it. So instead of going too clean or clinical, I leaned fully into his roots.
I added warm, musical layers — just enough to bring in that feel-good lift without softening the edge. The groove and bassline stay gritty and club-ready, with that darker energy still forming the backbone of the track. It’s like wrapping a childhood memory in a warm hug, while still letting it punch you in the chest at 3 a.m.
The track has already earned support from Tiësto and has been tested across dancefloors worldwide. How does it feel seeing that early global response?
It’s unreal, honestly — we’ve been road-testing it for a while now, and it always gets a massive reaction, like the crowd has been waiting for it. Getting that nod from Tiësto on Club Life? Huge. He’s a legend, and hearing it spin on his show to thousands of listeners is an incredible feeling.
Alongside the release, you’ve refreshed your label, ALL FIRE. What inspired the rebrand, and what does this new phase represent for you?
The rebrand came because ALL FIRE has grown far beyond being just my outlet — it’s become a true home, and the old look didn’t reflect how big the vision has become. The new phase centers around our mantra: Music Over Everything. That means the music is king — nothing else matters. No ego, no politics, just pure house music.
I want the label to focus on nurturing new talent: discovering bedroom producers with fire in their tracks who need someone to believe in them, provide constructive feedback, and help get their music heard. The industry shifts every week, so we’re building a tight-knit community where artists, fans, and DJs all support each other — sharing knowledge, stems, contacts, whatever it takes to move forward together.
That’s why you’ll see more ALL FIRE events next year: intimate club nights, label showcases, anything that brings people together to celebrate house music. It’s not just a label anymore — it’s a family that looks after its own, and the rebrand is the flag we’re rallying under. Music Over Everything. Simple as that.
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ALL FIRE has always been about groove-driven, high-energy house music. How are you evolving that sound in this new chapter?
At its core, ALL FIRE is still all about that groove-first punch — records that make you move without thinking. But this chapter is evolving, adding more emotional depth: think gospel lifts like on “The Pressure,” innovative sound design, and soulful elements that tell mini-stories, not just serve as tools.
We’re pushing boundaries, dipping into tech-house hybrids that leave a lasting impression. It’s a high-energy house, but now with layers that stick with you long after the set ends, keeping the underground spirit authentic while reaching bigger audiences.
You also just launched ALL FIRE Radio on October 29. What can listeners expect from the show each week, and how does it connect to your vision for the label?
ALL FIRE Radio kicked off on the 29th and is now syndicated across multiple terrestrial stations worldwide. Dropping weekly, it delivers no-nonsense, upfront house and tech-house that perfectly captures the label’s vibe: groovers from the label like Kyle Kinch and Ekonovah, exclusives before they hit Beatport, and my own edits that I’ve been spinning in my live sets. Expect 60 minutes of pure energy — peak-time weapons and killer tracks — plus guest mixes from some of your other favorite DJs coming soon.
The show ties directly into the label’s vision: it’s our megaphone, teasing upcoming drops, building a community around groove-driven independence, and giving listeners that club and festival-floor preview they crave. Tune in, and you’ll feel like you’re right there on the dancefloor with me.
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You’re balancing producing, running a label, and now hosting a radio show — how do these different outlets feed into each other creatively?
It’s a proper juggle — three kids and a dog pulling me in every direction — but that controlled chaos is what fuels it all. Producing keeps me in the zone. Running ALL FIRE sharpens my ear for what resonates globally, but when I’m in the studio jamming keys, I’m quietly thinking, “Would my kids dance to this?” Being on the road spinning new tracks forces me to stay current, and the radio show lets me road-test collabs like “The Pressure” and discover underground talent that eventually lands on the label.
They all feed into each other like a loop: the studio sparks the fire, the label amplifies it, and the radio spreads it. In a way, it keeps me creative, grounded, and buzzing all at once.
Looking ahead, what’s next for OFFAIAH and ALL FIRE as we head into 2026?
2026 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet. I’ve got some massive collabs in the pipeline — already in talks with MK, Crusy, Ferreck Dawn, and a few more names. There’s another OFFAIAH single coming soon on Defected, plus a stack of big releases straight out of ALL FIRE.
The label schedule is absolutely packed, but the one I’m most excited about: we’re planning our first official ALL FIRE event — a full-on club takeover with the entire roster and community in one room. Details are coming soon, but mark my words: you do not want to miss this one.
Music Over Everything — that’s the mantra, and 2026 is when we live it out loud. Keep your eyes and ears glued.
Support the artist and buy ‘The Pressure’ on Beatport
Follow OFFAIAH on Social Media:
SoundCloud l Spotify l Instagram
