The Sting Within Me: DJ Alan Walker on making Formula 1 music, Indian fans and risks

Norwegian music producer and DJ Alan Walker has teamed up with Formula 1 for The Sting Within Me, a high-energy track inspired by the sound and thrill of F1 racing. In an exclusive interview with India Today, the 28-year-old spoke about how the collaboration came together, how Formula 1 shaped the track, and what he wanted listeners to feel when they heard it for the first time.

Walker also reflected on his journey from producing music in his bedroom to building a global fan base with tracks such as Faded. Known for his hoodie-and-mask look as much as for his music, he spoke about touring India, creative risks, the pressure of expectations, the role of AI in music, and why emotion and connection remain central to his work.

How the Formula 1 track came together

On how the collaboration with Formula 1 took shape, Walker said the starting point came from a creative idea shared by the team around Dutch DJ and musician Armin van Buuren.

“They introduced the idea that an F1 car speeding past could almost sound like ‘STINGGG’, and as a producer, that immediately caught my attention. I love finding inspiration in unexpected places, and this felt like one of those ideas that naturally brought together sound, speed, Formula 1 and music. From there, it became less about following a traditional brief and more about exploring that creative spark and turning it into something people could experience through music,” he said.

He further talked about Formula 1 shaping the track in several ways, though the aim was not to simply recreate the sounds of the sport. “For me, it was more about translating the emotions that come with a race weekend into music. The anticipation before lights out, the intensity of the competition, the speed, precision and crowd energy all played a role in shaping the track. We wanted the music to capture that sense of momentum and build-up that makes Formula 1 such an exciting experience,” he said.

On what he wanted listeners to feel when they heard the track for the first time, Walker said, “I would describe it as energetic, cinematic and uplifting. There’s a strong sense of momentum running throughout the track, but it’s also balanced with emotion and atmosphere. I wanted it to reflect the excitement and anticipation you feel before a race begins, while still carrying the melodic storytelling that has always been an important part of my music. The goal was to create something immersive that leaves listeners with a sense of energy, movement and excitement.”

India remains a special stop

Speaking about his experience in India after touring nine cities in the country last year, Walker said, “India has always been a very special place for me as an artist. The energy at the shows is incredible, and the connection I feel with fans there is something I never take for granted.”

He said that over the years, he had the opportunity to spend a lot of time in the country, perform in different cities and collaborate with people from the local music and entertainment community, which had given him an even deeper appreciation for the culture and creativity there.

He added, “What stands out most is the passion of the fans. The support has been amazing every time I visit, and it's clear that there's a genuine connection with the music. I've been fortunate to return regularly over the years, and I'm always grateful for the love and enthusiasm audiences in India continue to show me.” However, he steered clear of teasing when he might make a comeback.

Why he makes music

On whether he still makes music for the same reasons he did when he first started producing in his bedroom, Walker said earlier a lot of it was driven by curiosity. "I was spending hours discovering new sounds online, learning production techniques and experimenting to see what was possible. That excitement of creating something from scratch was a huge motivation for me,” he said.

He said his inspiration now comes from many different places, including travel, performances, collaborations and different cultures. "I want to create something that resonates with people, brings emotion into their lives and creates a sense of connection,” the 28-year-old added.

Experimenting after success

Walker said he is more open to experimentation now than he was earlier in his career. “Earlier, I was focused on finding my sound and understanding what resonated with people. I still love that sound, and it will always be a part of what I do, but now, I feel more comfortable stepping outside of it a bit. That could mean blending different genres, collaborating with artists from completely different backgrounds, or finding inspiration in unexpected places, like Formula 1. The goal is always to keep evolving while staying true to the core of what makes my music feel like me,” he said.

Asked whether success had made experimentation harder because expectations had become louder, he said pressure naturally grows with a wider audience. “I've always believed that creativity has to keep moving forward. The challenge is finding the balance between giving fans something they connect with while also pushing yourself into new territory. If you stop experimenting, you stop growing as an artist. So, I try to see expectations as motivation rather than a limitation. The most exciting projects usually come from being willing to take a creative risk, and I think the fans appreciate that,” he said.

AI, technology and the human side of music

On whether AI is making creativity more accessible or more uniform, Walker said technology has always played an important role in music.

“I think technology has always played an important role in music, and AI is simply the latest evolution of that. If it can make creativity more accessible by helping people explore ideas, learn new skills and experiment more quickly, I see the value in that. At the same time, technology on its own doesn't create great art. What makes music special is still the human side of it, the emotion, the perspective and the story behind what you're creating. I see AI as a tool that can support creativity, but the artist's vision is still what makes something unique,” he said.

The hoodie and mask

The hoodie and mask have become a big part of the Alan Walker identity, but they were never really about anonymity. He said, "From the beginning, the idea was to create a symbol that people could connect with and make their own. Over the years, that symbol has grown alongside the music and the community around it. I've never felt a strong need to leave it behind because it represents something bigger than me as an individual. At the same time, I've become more comfortable sharing more of myself and my journey with fans."

He concluded by saying that personal growth can happen without letting go of the things that helped define who you are.

Walker followed the success of Faded with hit songs such as Alone, Sing Me to Sleep, Darkside, On My Way and The Spectre, becoming one of the biggest names in electronic dance music.

Over the years, the Norwegian producer has built a huge fan base across the world. He collaborated with artists from different genres and performed at some of the world's biggest music festivals. He has also won several Spellemann Awards, Norway's highest music honour, and received the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Norwegian Act.