Massive new single from the Liverpool producer on fire right now…
Your new single ‘Heart For Sale’ is out now. For those yet to press play on the release, how would you describe the track?
I love great melodies, great hooks & stunning vocals and try to get that across in my music. Want songs to work in the nightclubs for people to lose themselves too, but equally want them to work when they are going about they’ve day whether in work, school, the gym and streaming/listening to the radio.
It’s a great anthem for the radio and club scene. What was the inspiration behind it?
Norma wrote the lyrics and they are quite personal to her. When I heard them and the tone & haunting emotion in her voice it blew me away & really resonated with me. I instantly knew that this needed to be devloped into something. It’s a little different to what I normally do but that was done on purpose on my behalf and I’m really happy with how it ended up.
Following the success of ‘Alone No More’ with Philip George, and ‘Baby’ with Pixie Lott, what pressures, if any, did you feel when creating this new track?
I just make music that I love & proud of. Everything is a learning curve and you constantly move forward. There’s been some releases & remixes that looking back in hindsight I don’t feel as fondly as the two you mention there. But in terms of pressure, there is no point getting stressed over these things or feeling pressure. I’m not saving lives or curing illnesses. I always like to have some perspective & I’m doing something that I truly adore so am very lucky and if the songs work & people connect to them then amazing that makes me even happier.
Festival season will soon be upon us and you’ve played at some big events like Creamfields, Tomorrowland, etc. Where have been some of your favourite locations to play?
Been really lucky to play some amazing places, those 2 you mention have to be up there with the best. Ibiza is always a special place to play also, the island just has a magical mystique and aura. Have fond memories of playing Space, Ushuaia & Amnesia.
When you played Creamfields Festival it was held in your home town of Liverpool. How was that experience for you?
Creamfields has got bigger & bigger year on year and it’s a real joy to see it grow to what it is now. It’s always a highlight of the year for me because as you say its in (or as close to) my home town. Were lucky to have one of the world’s biggest dance festivals on our doorstep and I’m even more lucky to play it! Last two years I have played on the Main Stage, each time the sun has been shining and the crowd is great. I see so many ‘faces’ that I know there from Liverpool and they are mixed with a crowd that gets more international every year. It’s super fun and the energy and vibe they create is insane, everyone is there for a great time.
As well as being a DJ and producer, you also work as Head of A&R at 3 Beat, the label which your latest single was released via. Tell us a bit about your journey from a music artist to this role today.
I don’t really know many other dance artists that have a foot in both camps so to speak. I know Pete Tong has always done it and Judge Jules whilst he was at Serious Records before he became a lawyer. For me it works great as it gives me a wider view point and a practical mindset with been sat on both sides. On the one hand I understand what the record label wants and needs and on the other hand I understand how the artist is thinking and can combine both trains of thought so we have a strong team bond & a goal that works for all parties.
Being at the label has led you to work with the likes of Armand van Helden, Sigma and High Contrast, to name a few. What have been some of your most memorable collaborative moments to date and why?
We’ve had some tremendous success over the years. Been some real highlights, the most recent for me was seeing a record that I picked up on early and signed by Kungs v Cookin on 3 Burners – This Girl just blowing up and going on to become a super hit and selling over 1 million copies in the UK. Mad numbers. And then there is the satisfaction in finding songs/artists that are totally new and desperate for an opportunity and giving them a chance and watching & helping them grow so they can make a career out of something they love.
Who would you like to work with in future?
Vocally I have always adored Julie McKnight’s voice. She is responsible for been the vocalist of 2 of my favorite ever house records ‘Finally’& ‘Diamond Life’.
Before you leave us, what’s next for Anton Powers this year?
Lots more new music to get out and lots more Djing, blessed to be able to do both, it’s a dream!
