Some relationships in music start long before there is a studio, a release or a collaboration attached to them.

DAWII and I both grew up in Valencia, and we’ve known each other for more than five years. Over that time, we’ve stayed connected through music while building our own paths in different places.

Recently, DAWII came to visit me in Amsterdam, and we spent some time together with Young Milla and Mr London. I took the photo of us in Dam Square, Amsterdam, The Netherlands — a simple moment, but one that says a lot about how music can connect people across countries.

From Valencia to the world

DAWII has built an impressive catalogue as a producer, particularly within the Spanish urban and flamenco scene.

His work with J Abecia includes several tracks from the Amor y Odio project, including Gramy, Enganchao, Vuelo, Cómo Puede Ser and Fe. Gramy has passed 575,000 Spotify streams, while Te Siento, another J Abecia collaboration, is now around 774,000 streams.

His collaborations with JP Fernandez are another important part of his catalogue. Noches Largas, made with JP Fernandez and Camin, has passed 3.9 million Spotify streams, while DAWII also appears across tracks including Caballo de Atila, Contigo Vuelo, Entre Bambalinas, Mi Ruina and Amor en Subasta.

These are the kinds of collaborations that show the level DAWII is working at as a producer.

More than five years of knowing each other

For me, though, the numbers aren’t the reason this relationship matters.

I’ve known DAWII for more than five years, from our time growing up in Valencia to where we are now, with me building 704 Records and 704 Studios in Amsterdam.

Having him come over and spending time together with other artists and creatives was a good reminder that the relationships we build through music can travel much further than the places where they started.

Valencia meets Amsterdam

That’s also something I value about working in Amsterdam.

The Dutch music scene is incredibly international, and being connected to artists and producers from outside the Netherlands creates another layer to that environment.

DAWII visiting Amsterdam, with Young Milla and Mr London also there, was one of those small moments where different parts of that network naturally came together.

No big plan. Just people, music and relationships that have been built over time.

The kind of network I believe in

As James at 704 Records and 704 Studios, my work is obviously centred around recording and mixing. But after years of being involved in music, the studio has also become a meeting point for artists, producers and creatives from different backgrounds.

DAWII is a good example of that.

You can’t build a genuine creative network overnight. It comes from working with people, staying connected and keeping those relationships alive even when you’re living in different cities or countries.

That’s what I want 704 to represent.

From Valencia to Amsterdam, good relationships can become great music — and sometimes the distance between the two isn’t as big as it looks.