Life & Work with Dylan Yanez of Los Angeles / OC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dylan Yanez.

Hi dylan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
DF Tram is a visionary music producer, DJ, and visual artist renowned for his cinematic and psychedelic fusion of ambient, electronic, and chillout music. Hailing from Los Angeles, his deeply immersive audio-visual performances have captivated audiences and earned the recognition of industry pioneers such as Alex Paterson (The Orb) and “Youth” Martin Glover (Killing Joke, producer for Paul McCartney & The Verve).

His critically acclaimed album Serenitay Infinitay, released on the legendary Liquid Sound Design label, solidified his reputation as a trailblazer in the chillout music scene. Throughout his career, DF Tram has crafted countless remixes and original works under various aliases, continually pushing the boundaries of sonic exploration. His unique approach has led to international acclaim, including touring alongside The Orb.

A Driving Force in the Chillout Scene
​DF Tram played a pivotal role in shaping and cultivating the ambient and chillout music scene in San Francisco from 1995 to 2018. Over two decades, he curated transformative events, delivered legendary DJ sets, and fostered a thriving community of artists and listeners dedicated to deep, immersive soundscapes. His influence helped establish San Francisco as a global hub for chillout and experimental electronic music, providing an essential space for artistic innovation.
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Expanding the Sonic Universe
​Beyond music, DF Tram’s artistry spans film, sound design, and immersive storytelling. His collaborations with ambient and electronic icons such as The Orb, The Future Sound of London, The Irresistible Force, Afterlife, and Dr. Atmo showcase his ability to create expansive sonic worlds that transcend traditional boundaries. His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and he has been honored with a nomination for an Ibiza DJ Award (Eclectic category).
In 2025, DF Tram’s highly anticipated album was released on Alex Paterson’s Orbscure label (Cooking Vinyl), marking yet another evolution in his ever-expanding sonic journey.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
t definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been worth it. I started from the very bottom with no industry contacts and slowly worked my way up to becoming respected within my niche of ambient electronic music. One of my biggest dreams was to work with the artists I grew up listening to and respected as a kid, and over time that actually became reality. I’ve been fortunate enough to collaborate with some of my favorite artists, which still means a lot to me.

One of the biggest struggles today is the devaluation of music. Streaming has made it much harder for artists to earn a living from their work, so you have to constantly adapt, find creative income streams, and consistently release new material to stay visible.

Another challenge is the competitiveness of the industry itself. There are a lot of genuine people who truly love music and want to support others, but there are also people who approach it purely from a business angle, which can sometimes make things more difficult. I’ve learned that staying authentic, focused, and passionate about the art is what keeps going long term. Ive also had great support from family and friends.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
’m an ambient electronic music artist and producer. My work is sort of like an audio collage — I like to paint with sound by blending textures, sound design, field recordings, rhythms, movie samples, my own spoken word and poetry, and melodies to create immersive listening experiences. Over the years I’ve released a large body of solo material, collaborated with artists I’ve admired for a long time, and built a dedicated audience within the ambient and underground electronic music community.

I’ve also created long-form audio collages and audio/visual works that have been exhibited internationally, including at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

I think what I’m most known for is creating authentic music that feels emotionally honest while still remaining experimental, new, and challenging. A lot of listeners tell me my music helps them relax, reflect, focus, or get through difficult times, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of because I’ve always wanted my work to genuinely connect with people on a deeper level.

One of the things I’m most proud of is building everything independently from the ground up without industry connections or major backing. I’ve been able to carve out my own lane through consistency, collaboration, and staying true to my sound rather than chasing trends.

What sets me apart is probably the balance between atmosphere and emotion in my work. I try to create music that not only sounds interesting technically, but also creates a feeling or visual world for the listener. I’ve always approached music more like storytelling than simply making tracks.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I grew up in Los Angeles, but I’ve moved around a lot, and every city I’ve lived in has shaped my work in different ways.

Los Angeles gave me light, space, contrast, and sprawl. San Francisco gave me fog, spoken word culture, counterculture history, and a really interesting nightlife and creative scene.

Later I moved to Europe, and living in Zagreb, Croatia brought a completely different experience. In 2020, just as the pandemic began, I was living alone there when an earthquake shook me awake before dawn. I grew up in California and had experienced earthquakes before, but this felt different because of the strange silence of lockdown. I walked into my living room and saw a massive crack running down the wall. Outside, one of the cathedral spires had collapsed and buildings throughout the city were damaged.

I rolled a smoke and went downstairs with my dog into the main square across from my apartment. People were standing outside in pajamas, crying, holding each other, trying to process what had happened. Then it started snowing. It felt surreal and almost apocalyptic.

At the same time, living in Europe has also made me appreciate certain things differently. I miss California a lot, but I do feel safer here overall. I’ve had my share of difficult and sometimes harrowing experiences in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and that’s probably one of the things I like least about some American cities — depending on where you are, they can sometimes feel unsafe, some areas you cant walk around at night.

Experiences like these change the way you listen and observe the world. Every city has its own atmosphere and rhythm, and my music is really just my attempt to capture that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dftram.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/df_Tram
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dftram
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/dftram
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dftram