CHANEY

Every so often, a real raw and exciting talent comes along, and UK producer CHANEY is definitely someone who has been carving a name for himself in big way when it comes to quality produced dance music. Since his breakout record on Skint in 2019, CHANEY has become one of the UK’s most in-demand dance music DJ/Producers. He’s released top labels such as  Toolroom, KooKoo, D4NCE [Defected Records], Skint, Armada, Cr2, and Stress Records and Insomniac, to name a few. And as a DJ, he’s graced the decks at  EDC Las Vegas, Nocturnal Wonderland, Academy LA, W Barcelona, ADE, as well as London’s KOKO and Studio 338 and more. CHANEY’s production credits include Kaskade, Michael Calfan, Dombresky, Oliver Nelson, Feed Me, Karim Naas, PS1, Ben Rau, and more. And his remix credits include David Guetta, Joel Corry, Bryson Tiller, 220 Kid, and Arty. As his new Gospel House romp, ‘Prayer’ lands on Toolroom, DMCWorld checks in with CHANEY.

Hi CHANEY thanks very much for taking the time to chat with us at DMC World. How’s 2025 been for you so far?

2025 has been great so far with highlights from XOYO and Toolroom Miami, starting my own label ‘Chaned To The Rhythm’, and my most recent release on Armada, ‘Open Up Your Love’. There has been a lot so far, but I’m very excited going into the summer – kicking things off with my newest release coming on Toolroom, ‘Prayer’.

Please can you introduce yourself to our DMCWorld readers.

I’m CHANEY – a DJ and producer based in the southwest of the UK. I make high energy house music for the people. 🙂

How did you first get into making music, and specifically dance music?

I started off playing in bands as a young kid, then began to write my own songs and perform them as a singer / song writer. As time evolved, I began producing my own music and really getting into the production side of things, which coincided with my discovery of dance music when I hit 17 ish. It was this point where I started to really delve into the history of house music and rave and becoming inspired to make it myself.

What is the best piece of new music you have heard recently?

I’ve been really into Genius Of Time – “Rave Breaks” and this whole EP. It’s so good.

How would you describe your signature sound?

I would say it’s high energy house music to make you feel something in your soul!

Who or what inspires your music?

Years of musical influences from all corners – from Jamie XX, Armand Van Helden, all the way through to the likes of Jungle and Primal Scream.

What’s been your most successful release so far?

CHANEY, Nu- La – Love Again (Toolroom Records)

And what’s your own personal favourite production or remix?

I’d say ‘Sunshine’ – this record was really a lot of fun to produce, and I really implemented some new production methods after writing the initial song with JONES.

Congratulations on your new ‘Prayer’ single on Toolroom, what was the inspiration behind the release and what can we expect to hear?

I really just started this one off as a hard hitting beat in Maschine which I made one morning, it wasn’t until I came across the Willie Scott sample that the magic began. I was immediately thinking of the likes of Floorplan and Dennis Ferrer (who I’m a big fan of) – and tried not to over complicate the production process too much. It’s raw and full of energy.

How you typically go about putting a new song together?

Sometimes just writing at a piano and building drums and production around it. But sometimes (like in this instance with Prayer) it can start with making a beat in Maschine.

You’ve worked with Candi Staton, Sharlene Hector, Mryn, Farley, Nu-La and Danny Howard, to name a few. Who else would you love to work with?

I have a very long list of people I’d love to work with including vocalists such as Lapsley, Cleo Sol, etc. But also have a long list of producers I’d love to work with – some of these have already happened and I have a couple of very big collaborations coming this year (which I can’t mention just yet)!

You’ve also started your own label, Chaned To The Rhythm, how’s that all going?

Really well – the hardest part of a new venture is actually just starting it. My debut release on the label received some great support from the likes of Diplo, Danny Howard, Kiss FM – and generally been really well received. We have an absolute banger from Josh Parkinson coming on the label in a few weeks – so keep your eyes peeled for this (it’s been doing the rounds in Ibiza across Hi and Pacha already)!

What can we typically experience at a CHANEY DJ set?

Nothing but vibes! I really try to take people on a journey through the music I love, new and old.

What has been your favourite gig so far this year?

Without doubt Dixon at Innervisions in Lisbon. Best DJ I have probably ever seen and especially cool to see him play B2B with Jimi Jules.

 What has been your biggest learning curve or challenge so far in the music industry? 

It’s definitely not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Over the years of doing music, the most important lesson I have learned is quality and consistency. If you can do them two things and make music that you love – the rest will follow.

We come to raid your record collection, which embarrassing record do you chuck out the window before we arrive?  

Chico – It’s Chico Time

What record makes you say ‘damn, I wish I made that’? 

Masters At Work – To Be In Love

Finally, what new productions are you working on that you can tell us about?

I have a really cool record which I worked on with Hayley May which is coming out soon – she is a fantastic talent and we’ve worked together a few times now, but this song really connected with me. We’re buzzing to have that one out!

CHANEY ‘Prayer’ is out now on Toolroom.

https://Toolroom.lnk.to/PrayerTP