The UK producer who has left everyone way behind with his start to 2016. What a year in store for us all…
Interview by Dan Prince
Corey – a massive welcome to DMCWORLD. Got to get this out of the way first, you’re from Merseyside…I’m an Everton supporter and a blue and you’re a…?
Haha I’m a red of course! Liverpool all the way!
Right. Ok. Well let’s get on with it. What is the best piece of new music you have heard today?
Hmm that’s a tough one, I’m listening to music every day, a lot of the time when I work out or when I’m chilling, I would have to say lately I can’t stop listening to “Rufus – Innerbloom”.
You have certainly hit the ground running in 2016 with the release this week of your collaboration with Will K ‘Another Storm’ via Release Records. Please talk us through the production and history of the track…
Thank you for the compliment, well “Another Storm” was a project I started back in July and I knew the melody was special. Me & Will are always working on a lot of projects together and I showed him it and he instantly loved the track, so he jumped on it with me. He then got his friend to do the amazing vocals and we finished the track together. We sent the demo to Third Party and they instantly asked if they could have the track for Release Records and do a special “Unlocked Edit”, we are so glad they done the edit because we love it.
What is it about creating music with Will that you love, how do you click in the studio?
To be honest ever since we made our first track together which I believe was the tonight remix for AN21 & Max Vangeli we have just clicked instantly, whether it’s with music or just in general friendship. We have the same taste and same musical influences, that’s why I think it works so well. A lot of people get mistaken that me & Will are a duo; we’re just in fact two friends who love making music.
The brilliant Third Party are on mix duties with their ‘Unlocked Mix’…why did you plump for these guys and what were your thoughts on their rework?
Third Party are good friends of mine and have been supporting my music for years. This was my first melodic track that I knew was super special, and Third Party are known for the melodic emotional music, so it would have been stupid not to go to the Third Party boys with this track haha.
And if that wasn’t enough on the release schedule…next week sees ‘Make The Crowd Go’ zip out in collaboration with Teamworx. Your fourth release on the mighty Protocol, talk us through it all…
MTCG coming out on the Protocol Miami compilation is great! I’m super happy with this release. Working with Teamworx was great, they contacted me a few months back and the idea they sent me was super fresh, they are talented guys and really nice people too.
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your life and how did you overcome it?
Hmm tough question, I would say the biggest mistake I made was “fitting” in with the crowd, in school it wasn’t cool to play and instrument or go to music class etc. so I never really discovered that making music and music composition is what I love. If I had just went to school and not cared about being a so called “cool kid” I probably would have found my love for making music at a much younger age and who knows where I could have been right now haha. But I don’t really regret mistakes because you learn from them.
What are the big 5 tunes in your box this weekend…
“Corey James & Will K – Another Storm (Third Party Unlocked Mix)” Probably breaking the law here by naming one of my own productions top, but this track is special to me and will remain in my set for a long time.
“Shapov – Future Rave” Everything Shapov does is incredible i love his production & how he thinks outside of the box every time.
“Promise Land – X press” Unique track that works so well on the dance floor in every set I have played.
“Camel Phat – The Trip” Camel Phat have smashed it for the last year, each track has been so special and for me the trip is perfection.
“Fraanklyn – Frequency” Everything this guy does is amazing and works so well every time.
Couple of dates you’ve just enjoyed that I want to touch on. Let’s kick off with the Cream party last week with Steve Aoki and Sander Van Doorn amongst the headliners. Highlights?
Highlights of that night was of course just being involved in such a great line up. Cream have been around for years and have been a massive influence to me and my music for many years, so it’s amazing to be recognised by them and asked to play.
And secondly, the insane Life In Color party on the Protocol Stage with StadiumX, Arno Cost and Volt & State. Did it get messy; did you get covered in paint?
Haha luckily I didn’t get messy or covered in paint, I was hiding from the paint each time as I had a new pair of shoes I had just bought on. The night was amazing, had so much good feedback from my set and everybody seemed to enjoy it.
Which famous person would you most like to see play you in a film?
I would like to see Leonardo Dicaprio play me in a film, he’s one of my favourite actors.
An up and coming producer to watch out for in 2016?
David Pietras
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Leaving my full time job at the age of 18 to follow my dream and try become a DJ/Producer.
Looking back, do you think 2015 was a good year for electronic music?
Every year is a good year for music, time changes, music changes. The challenge for us music producers is to find the next sound for next year. I think 2015 was good for music it was nice to see trends come to an end and new trends start.
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?
Hmm that’s another tough question, playing Creamfields this year will be one of my biggest accomplishments, but up to now I would say signing tracks to labels I dreamt of when first starting producing is an amazing feeling and it still motivates me now.
At what age did dance music first appear on your radar?
Dance music has always been on my radar since a young age, being around the night life in Liverpool has had a huge influence on me. Liverpool has so many good clubs and house music plays a huge huge part in the club scene here. I remember my first big event was watching Steve Angello at Cream and it honestly changed my life, that might seem like a bold statement but it’s true, ever since that day I knew I wanted to do for a living.
What was the first record you ever bought?
When I was younger I was a massive Hip Hop fan, I remember the first ever record I asked my dad to buy was 50 cent – In the club haha. My first album I ever bought was “Limp Bizket – Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavoured Water”, how random! My first electronic music album I bought was Daft Punk Discovery.
When did a career in music first start to form in your mind?
When I was 18 I believe.
What did your family think?
My family are the best, they are the most supportive people ever. Obviously at first there is a worry, but when the shows start slowly coming in and the music starts getting released I think my parents started to see that I could actually make my dream a reality.
If Corey James hadn’t have become a producer he would be…
No idea at all, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else to be honest, when I was a kid I wanted to be a footballer like every other kid now I want to make music for a living .
First real break into the industry?
My first real break was when I had the chance to remix “Feenixpawl – I won’t break” for Neon records.
It’s your birthday. Who are the 3 DJs you invite to play at your party?
Steve Angello, Axwell and Eric Prydz and Carl Cox if one of them can’t make it.
What are your plans for Miami Music Week…?
I’m just going to network, meet new people and enjoy listening to all the great new music that emerges around this time of year. I will also be spinning at the Release Party and the Sosumi Party on the 19th of March too.
And some big summer dates you are chomping at the bit about?
So far I have Creamfields in August and at the moment that’s all I can tell you about, but hopefully I’ll be in a lot of places meeting a lot of new people & playing some great shows.
And finally – the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Ignore the negativity and keep making music you love. Marcus Schossow is the best guy to speak to when it comes to inspiration or motivation in this industry, he always manages to make a negative situation positive and never fails to inspire me.
For More Information On Corey James…
www.facebook.com/CoreyJamesOfficial
