For most people, a first-time cruise is all about kicking back, sipping drinks, and taking in the ocean views. But for Cheyenne Giles, stepping onto Groove Cruise was a whole other level of overwhelming.

“It’s crazy,” Giles says, still processing the sheer scale of the experience. “I had friends tell me about it, but actually being here? Way different. I thought I’d just be walking onto a boat with everything outside. But it’s like a whole city in here.”

And this isn’t just his first Groove Cruise—it’s his first cruise ever.

“Yeah, I think this has completely ruined normal cruises for me,” he jokes.

But there’s no time for a slow adjustment. Over the next four days, Giles is dove headfirst into everything from hosting a soccer event to kayaking adventures—not to mention dropping fresh music for a crowd that knows how to party.

The Set You Can’t Miss

With multiple sets lined up, Giles isn’t sure which one will be the moment. “I have no idea which one’s gonna go off the most,” he admits. “One of them might be up against Seven Lions, which is tough competition, but the smaller stage set could end up being way crazier.”

He’s bringing four different sets and plans to read the crowd in real time. “I’m playing the main pool on Saturday, which is huge, but tonight’s set on the smaller stage might actually be wilder. Sometimes those intimate spaces just go off.”

A New Sound Incoming

Giles is also teasing new music, including Peccadora, his first track with a Latin influence.

“I usually do bass house and tech house, but I’ve been experimenting—trying to bring in that Latin vibe while keeping it true to my sound,” he explains. “Think Skrillex meets HUGEL, that kind of energy.”

With industry icons like Tiesto and The Chainsmokers in his corner, Giles has been refining his approach. “Tiesto drilled it into me: simplify the melody. I used to overcomplicate things, adding too many sounds. Now, I finish a track and then strip it back—if it still sounds big when it’s minimal, I know it’s solid.”

The Highs, Lows, and Everything In Between

Despite his rising success, Giles keeps it real about the ups and downs of the music industry. “Some weeks I feel on top of the world, other weeks I’m like, ‘Damn, what’s next?’” he admits. “There’s always that anxiety—will my next three months be packed or totally empty?”

His way of dealing with it? Talking to his team and staying grounded. “Sometimes I’ll start doubting myself, and my team’s like, ‘Dude, go look at your comments. Everyone loves what you’re doing.’ It helps to hear that.”

So what does success look like to him?

“Depends on the day,” he laughs. “I used to think it was about being the next Martin Garrix. Now, I just want to make music that connects with people and allows me to live well doing what I love. That, to me, is success.”

Giles is already carving his own path, balancing staying true to his sound while evolving with the industry. “You can’t just make the same song over and over,” he says. “Fisher didn’t try to make Losing It 20 times—he moved on. That’s what I’m trying to do.”

As he sets sail (literally) into this next chapter, one thing’s clear: Cheyenne Giles isn’t just riding the wave—he’s making his own.

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