Sound Camp 2025: Where Bass Meets The River
- Aeisha Izaguirre
- 1 day ago
- 13 min read
There’s a kind of electric appreciation that happens when you’re dancing barefoot by the river as lasers slice through the Texas night. That’s the precise magic Sound Camp 2025 bottled. Held from September 26–28, the banks of the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels transformed into a vibrant playground of bass, community, and creativity, setting a new, high standard for what an underground festival can be.
Setting the Vibe at Sound Camp 2025
I arrived just after noon, pulling into a scene of already bustling vendors and campers staking their claim. Once settled, the urge to explore took over. The Pulse Stage (main stage) was already throbbing - a warm, welcoming hug of bass amidst the wild nature. Wandering further, I came upon the Basin Stage (side stage), where melodic, progressive, and house beats drifted through the trees, creating a calm, lounge-like atmosphere.
My own camp was set up near the Duck Pond, hosted by Elixir Mixir—a designated chill zone alive with kandi trading, trinkets, and good vibes. Though initial foot traffic was light, the spirit of PLUR was immediate. At one point, when a festival-goer needed help near their tent, I was deeply impressed by the Elixir Mixer team’s quick, compassionate, and professional response. With the gentle flow of the Guadalupe as a backdrop to the Basin Stage, the whole area pulsed with a refreshing, collective energy.
After soaking up the daytime sounds, I moved toward the Renegade Stage near the GA camping. Decorated with a spinning disco ball and rich tapestries, it felt like a secret, slightly rebellious highway. I knew this spot would come alive once the sun set.
Artist Insight: MPort on Sound & Storytelling
Just before his high-energy set, we caught up with DJ MPort, a rising name in the bass scene known for blending clever samples, explosive drops, and visuals that hit as hard as his sound. Despite the pre-set adrenaline, MPort was incredibly relaxed, grounded, and present, ready to take the stage and share his vision. We dove into a conversation about the power of visuals in music storytelling, the deeper meaning behind his track “Empire”, and the moments that truly inspire him behind the decks.
EDM Texas: During your AMA session, you talked about sampling scenes and media. How important are visuals in terms of storytelling in your music or referencing them in your creative process?
MPort: When working with source material, such as a sample, the visual context brings everything together. For example, if you don’t know that “55 Burger” clip, you’d just hear someone screaming - but when you recognize it or realize it’s a guy yelling at a drive-thru, suddenly it’s funny; the visuals tie the emotion together. Even beyond samples, visuals can totally shape the experience. I recently saw Tipper & Friends, and the wild, improvised visuals paired with the experimental music were so consuming that I felt like I was watching a visual show with incredible music, rather than the other way around.
EDM Texas: In your track “Empire”, you blend melody with heavy sub-bass and experimental textures. What inspired that direction?
MPort: That’s a deep cut! I made that back in 2020 with a specific purpose in mind. I wanted it to feel like a festival build-up, when you’re expecting one thing. Then it suddenly shifts into something profound and unexpected. I had this tagline in mind: “underground sound with main stage energy”. That’s what “Empire” represents - maybe it’s not the biggest name, but it’s still hitting just as hard with its own unique vibe. I still love that about the track.
EDM Texas: What’s a moment, either on stage or in the crowd, that still gives you chills no matter how many gigs you play?
MPort: When people sing lyrics back to me. Even if it’s a goofy sample, like a SpongeBob “Wumbo” bit, but when the crowd sings along, the energy snaps into sync, and it’s magic. I played Bass Canyon recently, and when I dropped my remix of the “Cupid Shuffle”, the entire crowd started participating in the dance. Those moments of collective energy are simply the best. As a fan, it’s the same feeling - hearing tracks that have inspired me to start making music, like when I saw Skrillex at Red Rocks a few months ago. That’s always a goosebumps moment.
EDM Texas: If you could DJ in any city in the world tomorrow, where would it be?
MPort: I’d go back to New Zealand. I’ve played there, and they genuinely get the music. There’s so much incredible talent coming out of New Zealand and Australia - Sippy, Hydraulix, and Flume, to name a few. That whole scene is next-level. I’d bring something high-energy and wonky, complete with a full visual and lighting team, for a proper show.
Sound Camp 2025 Day 2
Day two arrived quickly, kicked off by a hearty breakfast. By noon, I was recharged and ready for more. The Pulse Stage was already shaking the ground with a serious boom. My afternoon highlight was the Flow Meetup at the Duck Pond, hosted by ATX Flowmies, where I achieved a small personal victory: learning a reverse spin on a Flowstar for the first time!
After a quick break, I spent the afternoon bouncing between the main stage and the Renegade stage which then led me to meet Matt Duncan and Sarah Sapinski, who were running the Renegade. It was divine timing that allowed us to have a moment to discuss with them who they are and what their role was in Sound Camp.
Behind the Vision: A Sit-Down with EDM Prosperity Network
EDM Texas: Can you introduce yourselves and tell us what EDM Prosperity Network is all about?
Sarah Sapinski: I’m a bass music DJ, producer, and the founder of EDM Prosperity Network. Our mission is to bring together creatives passionate about electronic music and help them grow personally, artistically, and professionally. At the heart of what we do are the values of peace, love, unity, respect, and responsibility. Those principles guide every project, event, and connection we foster.
Matt Duncan: I serve as the head of strategy and expansion for EDM Prosperity Network. I’m also a bass music DJ. My focus is on identifying the creative talent and resources within our community — and figuring out how we can collaborate, not just among ourselves but across the wider scene. Our vision is to build a “network of networks” — a collaborative ecosystem where everyone in the electronic music space, from DJs and producers to photographers, videographers, sound engineers, and even business professionals, can connect and support one another. It’s about building bridges between creativity and infrastructure so that the culture can thrive on every level.
EDM Texas: What was the vision behind the stage design and vibe you wanted to create at Sound Camp?
Sarah: The stage vision really came together organically. By the time Matt joined the EDM Prosperity Network, Sound Camp had already reached out and invited us to curate a stage. Lucas DiLeo, my co-founder, called me about it the day after I quit my day job, and it felt like a sign that I was on the right path. Their goal was to elevate the festival from previous years, bring in bigger artists like Ivy Lab, and take on the production elements. Our role was to shape the vibe, curate the experience, and build community around the music. That’s also how we reconnected with Trey from Martian Audio, who ultimately designed the stage. We had worked together before at Nova Festival - I even jumped on the decks last-minute there when they needed someone, which Trey still jokes about as me “saving the day.” That moment built a great bond, and I was able to share some technical insight from my fiancé, who’s a live sound engineer, to help with setup. In the end, Trey’s production expertise and our creative vision came together seamlessly. The stage became a true collaboration, a mix of trust, community, and shared passion that brought the whole experience to life.
EDM Texas: How did you end up curating the lineup? Was it planned ahead or spontaneous?
Sarah: Sound Camp approached us to curate a stage as part of their plan to grow the festival, adding bigger names while keeping a strong community focus. They wanted the event to feel elevated but still rooted in the idea that everyone contributes to the experience. Instead of doing a fully open decks stage, which can be unpredictable in terms of vibe and quality, we built a lineup that balanced both. We started by inviting DJs already connected within the EDM Prosperity Network to apply, as well as artists who’ve been consistently building their craft and putting in the work. From there, we selected based on talent, dedication, accountability, and alignment with our core values. The result was a lineup that highlighted not just skill, but genuine passion and community spirit.
EDM Texas: Do you see yourselves bringing EDM Prosperity Network Renegade stages to festivals?
Matt: The renegade stage we hosted at Sound Camp was a major success, both for EDM Prosperity Network and for the artists who got the chance to perform. It gave rising DJs a platform to play their first festival sets, brought in new audiences, and strengthened the sense of community around the event. Because of that, we’re now looking at ways to offer this renegade stage model to other small and mid-sized festivals, starting in Texas and expanding outward as we grow. The goal is to create official renegade stages that highlight local and emerging talent, while leaving room for surprise sets from main-stage artists. It’s about helping new DJs take that next step and showing festivals how powerful it can be to invest in their local scene. Over time, we hope to bring this concept to events across the country, and eventually, around the world.
EDM Texas: You’ve hosted events like For the Community in Austin. How did that same ethos translate to the renegade stage at Sound Camp?
Sarah: For the Community was actually where EDM Prosperity Network really began. It was a small pop-up with open decks and spontaneous sets, all about giving artists a platform and lifting each other up. That same mission carried over to Sound Camp, just on a much bigger scale. Instead of a small venue, we were on a festival stage with major headliners, but the heart of it was the same: showcasing passionate artists who put everything into their craft and deserve to be seen. Keeping that community-driven spirit alive is what fuels everything we do.
Matt: That philosophy guided everything leading up to Sound Camp too. We didn’t just want to book artists, we wanted to prepare them. Many of the DJs performing had never used professional-grade gear, so we hosted Road to Sound Camp workshops to give them hands-on experience with CDJ-3000s, full-festival sound systems, and real stage setups. We also focused on mindset and wellness. Performing at a festival is intense, so we led sessions on intention-setting, mental preparation, and physical balance. It’s not just about mixing tracks, it’s about helping artists feel ready and grounded so they can deliver their best. For us, it’s about building systems, from personal growth to creative collaboration that support artists at every level. That’s the deeper purpose behind everything we do at EDM Prosperity Network. I'd been searching for a way to combine my skills with my love for electronic music, and meeting Sarah was the turning point. She had the vision and the community, and I had the experience building structures that help things grow. Together, it just clicked. I truly believe we’re building something that will have a huge impact on this scene. We’re always excited to welcome new collaborators and talent into the fold. Anyone who shares this vision can connect with us on Instagram or visit our website.
After soaking in all that inspiration from the EDM Prosperity crew and watching new talent tear it up on the Renegade stage, I knew the night was far from over. The main stage was calling and the next chapter of Sound Camp was about to crank the energy up even higher. A strategically timed nap around 8 PM proved to be the right call, as I woke up just in time for TroyBoi’s set on the main stage. The energy was unreal. It was definitely the busiest and most electric day of the weekend, with an unmatched crowd vibe. The LED flow artists right in front of the stage became a hypnotic sight, their lights swirling and bodies dancing as if the music itself was physically shaping the movement.
I almost surrendered to sleep, but my crew pulled me back to the Renegade Stage, which was blazing well into the morning. The spinning disco ball caught the light overhead, making every renegade set feel magical. And the laser—a potent beam projecting DJ names and “Sound Camp” across the dark hills—created a surreal, unforgettable backdrop.
Sound Camp 2025 Day 3
One of the most anticipated moments of the weekend—the Amplify EDM panel—did not disappoint. The lineup featured inspiring voices, including Sydney Cheatham (co-founder of Sound Camp TX), Saratonin (founder of EDM Prosperity Network), Lauren Bruno, (CEO of Prosperxo), Hannah Allen (founder of Elixir Mixer Events), and Kay Cote (founder of Amplify EDM and host of AMPEDCast). They dove deep into conversations about innovation, visibility, and the development of sustainable careers for artists in the electronic music scene. It was an incredible panel to witness, as each speaker brought a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge. I walked away feeling profoundly inspired and energized.
Afterward, I grabbed some tacos (because they do make everything better) and headed over to the Duck Pond. The music, however, was too compelling to stay seated. The groove took over, and there I was, dancing alone with a taco in hand, completely lost in a profoundly personal festival moment. The DJ was weaving an uplifting journey that perfectly complemented the panel’s earlier inspiration.
When the set finished, DJ Ferno walked over and thanked me for being present. What started as a spontaneous dance quickly became one of my favorite connections of the entire weekend.
Artist Insight: DJ Ferno on Love, Community, and House Music
Fresh off an electrifying set that blended soulful grooves with driving house rhythms, Philadelphia-born, Austin-based artist, DJ Ferno sat down with us to talk about many things. His approach goes beyond music; it’s about creating meaningful moments, connecting people, and using art as a vehicle for positivity and love.
EDM Texas: Who were your earliest influences that inspired you to step behind the decks?
DJ Ferno: My earliest influence was DJ Touchtone in Philadelphia. When I was fifteen, I won a Six Flags contest and was invited to the radio station to pick up my tickets. I saw him in the studio touching and manipulating vinyl records, and I instantly fell in love. I got turntables for my sixteenth birthday, and it all started from that moment. Another significant moment in my EDM journey was going to the Chosen Few Picnic in Chicago, hosted by house legend Terry Hunter. Seeing 20,000 to 30,000 people vibing as one to house music in a park, with whistles blowing and pure energy, I remember thinking, “How can I be part of this?” That’s where the journey truly began.
EDM Texas: Do you incorporate your life experiences into your mixing and production?
DJ Ferno: Absolutely. The big overarching theme in everything I do is love. I want to push as much of that love into the world as possible. Community is vital to me, and I grew up in a tight-knit one in Philadelphia.
EDM Texas: What’s been one of your most memorable moments behind the decks, a time when you felt a deep connection to the crowd?
DJ Ferno: A recent one that stands out was when I played a Daybreaker party in Austin. It’s a truly unique event: they begin with breathwork, yoga, and cold plunges, and set collective intentions before the music even starts. Playing in that kind of space, where everyone is so present and connected, creates a truly special energy.
EDM Texas: If you could collaborate with anyone in history, dead or alive, who would it be?
DJ Ferno: Marvin Gaye. I love how he articulated not just his own feelings, but what the world was going through at the time, and put that into words so beautifully. It would be incredible to hear him over some house music. I always recommend his album What’s Going On.
EDM Texas: Outside of music, what passions or hobbies feed back into your creativity as a DJ?
DJ Ferno: I love the creative process, no matter the medium. Whether it’s creating music, creating a moment like this conversation, or something entirely different, I also have a real passion for photography and videography. I love capturing moments, architectural details, people interacting, and scenes that tell a story. I can’t help but look at the world as if I’m looking through a frame. That perspective truly influences how I approach DJing and storytelling through music.
EDM Texas: What does meditation look like for you?
DJ Ferno: I take about fifteen minutes to breathe and ground myself. I’ll write in my journal, setting intentions for the set. And the last thing I do is ask to be a conduit for whatever needs to come through. Actually… we can do it right now. Want to take a breath together? (We pause and breathe together) In that moment, you wanted or needed nothing. You always have that.
EDM Texas: What legacy do you hope to leave in Austin’s music scene?
DJ Ferno: The legacy I hope to leave is that community matters, and love matters. Love is a choice you make every day. I literally have a shirt that says Choose Love. Even in small moments, you have a choice: respond with anger or respond with love. That’s the message I want to spread through my work: choose love in every moment.
That profound conversation was the perfect capstone to a weekend of connection and creation. Conversing with artists like Mport and DJ Ferno added a deep, humanizing layer to the festival. Hearing them discuss storytelling through visuals, the balance between underground sound and main stage energy, and the power of love reminded me why this scene is so special. It’s not just about the drops and lasers; it’s about the humans behind the decks and the genuine connections they build.
I headed back to my tent for a brief recharge before diving into the final night. As the sun sank lower, I caught a little bit of everything: gritty garage and drum & bass from Ellie, heavy-hitting dirty dub from Saratonin, and a relentless bass-fueled set from Lytlbt that had me “bass-facing” nonstop. Then, as the night drew to a close, I discovered a local Texas artist whose sound blew me away: So Sus. Their set was packed with serious, wub-heavy vibes—a 10/10 discovery that left me hungry for more. I’ll be watching them closely from here on out.
Whether it was dancing by the river with tacos in hand, watching lights ripple across the hills during a late-night renegade set, or sharing a quiet breath of intention with Ferno, Sound Camp 2025 was full of moments that affirmed my love for this culture. It was raw, real, and beautifully human. For a first-year festival, Sound Camp set the bar high. The production, the stages, the community, and the energy all came together seamlessly. This is just the beginning of something significant for Texas’ underground scene. I’m already counting down the days until we gather by the river again next year, because Sound Camp isn’t just an event, it’s a necessary experience.
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