One of the hottest albums of the year courtesy of one of our brightest stars
Interview by Dan Prince
The “Reincarnations” album series has been born of the creative endeavour of Omid 16B, with the aim of selectively guiding some of the scene’s most exciting, new DJ/Producers towards offering an interactive mergence of art, music and self expression. These are not your usual artist albums or compilation albums, where an ego is the focus, but a spontaneous venture, setting a new standard to how two creative minds can become one, and Dale Middleton’s instalment is one you don’t want to miss! Dale Middleton is undoubtedly one of the UK’s fastest rising stars on the global electronic music scene. He has developed his own style within the Progressive House and Techno musical blueprints, alongside his distinctive blend of DJing, to produce and play some of the most exciting music around. His monthly Subsidence Sounds radio show www.friskyradio.com has further increased global awareness of his unique talents. Dale Middleton has the ability to always bring something special to the party and this album project with Omid 16B is no exception…
Dale a massive welcome to DMCWORLD young man…where on the planet are you today?
“Hi Dan, it’s a pleasure to be invited for this interview. Today I’m actually just at home chilling as it’s been a bit hectic recently.”
What was the first piece of music you heard this morning after rolling out of bed?
“Kajagoogoo – ‘Too Shy’, nearly every morning I put on a bit of Absolute 80’s to start the day, can’t beat a bit of cheesy 80’s to lift your morning mood!”
Love it. Kids From Fame in this house. Well, loads to talk about, let’s kick off with new track ‘Engage’ that Pete Tong has been all over. Please talk us through the history and sounds of the track…
“Firstly, it was amazing to hear Pete play it on his legendary show. Pete and this show were one of my main influences starting out years ago as a DJ. When I was asked by Omid 16B to put together this “Reincarnations” album, I knew I wanted to kick the mix off with a nice melodic track with a drawn out intro, ‘Engage’ is something I worked on especially for that purpose. The track itself starts with low looped vocals to set the atmosphere, building with synths and one-off kicks before the full 4×4 beat comes in to really kick off the track and whole mix. I have to be honest this is one of my favourite tracks on the compilation and I feel it really gets it off to a solid start.”
As you mention, the new Omid 16B presents ‘Reincarnations’ album…18 superb tracks including exclusives and specially made tunes for the release. Let’s kick off with those new tracks, please give us a few words on…
’Copper Top’…
“Within all my mixes and DJ sets I like to start off with the more melodic house tracks and go into the techno’ier edged tracks in the latter parts. ‘Copper Top’ is one of those transition type tracks that has a growling bassline as well as the melodic highs to keep the tempo of the mix really building. Also the name ‘Copper Top’ is a nickname my mate’s dad used to give me as a kid for having ginger hair!!”
‘Vertex’…
“This is one of the more melodic techno sounding tracks. It really has its own sound and for me stands out within the mix. The synth stabs give the track a progressive groove while the hats & rides pushes the track along. This is all before and after a big “hands in the air” style breakdown in the middle. It has been doing some serious dance floor damage for me recently.”
‘Offset’…
“‘Offset’ is a different kind of track to the other two, with its low vocal stabs and bouncy bassline this one has a definitive rhythm that pulls you along for a dance. I tried to have the high synths complimenting the lowdown bassline so they would form a real groove to the track.”
How long did the mix take to create?
“I was given the SexOnWax and Alola labels’ back catalogues to choose from, which are all packed full of quality music. Because of this, one of the hardest challenges was narrowing down all of the tracks I liked on the labels, to the small selection I wanted to use. I had a couple of different versions using some alternative tracks, but once I was happy I mixed it all again 2-3 times and tweaked it to the final result.”
Loving the inclusion of ‘Best Things In A Very Short Time’, revisiting some cool SOS territory. When did you first see SOS play and why did you pick this particular track?
“Yeah, when Omid asked me, I said to him I “had” to include an older SOS track. This is one of my favourites from them and it still sounds fresh now. I first saw SOS play at Global Gathering in 2008, I was with a load of my mates at the festival and SOS were playing in John Digweed’s Bedrock tent, to be honest I don’t think we left that tent all day! A couple of my mates even met the 3 guys after the gig when they were doing a post show interview. Seeing the 3 of them play together was something really special for me.”
What are some of the other tracks you just HAD to have on the album?
“Rodriguez & John Cosani – ‘Locked Groove (Arnas D Remix)’ – I absolutely love Arnas’ productions, he has the knack of making some of the best growling basslines I’ve heard, and we all love a growler!
Amine Edge, Dance – ‘I Lost My Neck (Omid 16B Remix)’ – Omid’s own productions are always rocking and this is no exception. I love the tough driving sound the track has and the way it really grips you.”
Saw you give Pulse Radio’s ‘10 signs you grew up listening to house music’ feature some props recently. Did you score 10/10, does the mere mention of the name Swedish House Mafia piss you off?
“Ermm maybe a 9.5! I think it’s all very tongue and cheek really… what Swedish Cheese Mafia did and what EDM continues to do is very different to what I do. It’s been said before and I agree fully, that they’re an “entry” into dance music, same as the the whole EDM “my first festival” type experience. I hope that when people get bored of it, their musical taste will grow into what we know and love as “House Music”.”
Another new track that has been heavily supported by the likes of Nick Warren and Jimmy Van M is of course ‘Eggos’ juts out on Sexonwax. Please give us the rundown on this absolute belter…
“Yeah I have to give thanks to all the big guys who have been supporting it, I’ve been shown several videos of Nick playing both in his sets and also his radio show and that’s great! With ‘Eggos’ I wanted to create a real emotive melodic house track, I chose to use the piano as it gave it an almost Balearic sound and really worked in the breakdown. The track itself has a really laid back vibe and flows on the synth melodies alongside the piano. It’s amazing to see people’s reactions when the track comes in on the dance floor and the genuine support it gets.”
Who are some of the producers that you always check to see if they like your new material…?
“I don’t try to concentrate on reactions in the form of quotations, but I absolutely love seeing a video that I’m sent with someone saying “Hey look ___ is playing your track at this club/festival” that really means a lot to me, having guys I respect so highly playing my music in their own sets.”
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…
– Pedro Aguiar – Airhead (Petar Dundov Remix) [Flow]
Pedro is a good friend and an incredibly talented producer, Petar Dundov remixes this one and makes it something really special.
– Cristoph – Nause (Original Mix) [Noir Music]
Cristoph delivers every time, his basslines are always filled with groove and this is a belter.
– Hernan Serrao – To The Final (Dale Middleton Remix) [Parquet Records]
This is a brand new remix I’ve only just finished for Solee’s Parquet Records, the track is ‘To The Final’ and its by the Argentine Hernan Serrao, released later in the year.
– ANNA – Abre Los Ojos (Christian Smith Remix) [Tronic]
Christian has a unique sound within his productions, you always know its one of his. His take here on Anna’s original is fantastic and works so well on the dance floor.
– Robert Babicz – One Day We Will All Be Happy (Affkt Remix) [Selador]
Simply Selador has become one of my favourite labels over the past year, the original by Babicz was once a huge track within my own sets. This new interpretation by Affkt is so cool and really does the business.
Pressure or relief to be called in the press “one of the most exciting new rising stars on the global electronic scene’?
“A little bit of both, it’s a huge compliment for me to be called that and something I really appreciate. But now, I know, I have to continue to deliver to keep up these expectations and push myself further.”
A shit hot new producer we should be looking out for in 2015?
“Not quite “new” but Pedro Aguiar, he is just too talented!”
It’s your birthday, who are the 3 DJs you invite to play…
“In an imaginary world…
Warm Up – Frankie Knuckles (A true legend within house music)
Main – Sasha b2b Digweed (They count as 1)
Till Close – Jeff Mills (Pioneer of the whole techno scene).”
Love it. Let’s rewind for a moment…how old were you when you discovered dance music and who were the first DJs/producers that caught your attention?
“I was 14 and started listening to Daft Punk and the whole French house scene. When I started to get really into dance music it was Radio 1, Pete Tong on the Essential Selection and guests on the Essential Mix that were the biggest influences for me in the early days.”
What were your first steps into the music industry?
“My first two tracks ‘Nate’ and ‘French Ears’ were signed as an EP to the very cool UK based label Lowbit Records. The EP gained some really high profile support and widened my name within the current scene, having people support it such as Guy J + Above & Beyond.”
What did your family think of your choice of career?
“I’m very lucky to have a really supportive family. They have always stood by my interests and could tell early on that music had become one of my real passions. In the early days when I couldn’t afford equipment, my dad would go halves with me and even look on the internet for second hand decks that we could afford.”
An album we’d be surprised to find in your collection?
“Shed 7 – ‘Going for Gold’.
Shed 7 was the first ever gig I went to, think I was 14-15 at the time. As one of the Brit Pop bands I just loved their style and cool’ness.”
3 bucket-list adventures you wanna do in your lifetime…
“See the Northern Lights first hand.
Visit the Galapagos Islands.
Go on a battlefield tour with my Dad to Normandy, Bastogne etc. (we intend to do that this year).”
A celebrity you wouldn’t want to get stuck in a lift with?
“Kanye West. What, a, dick.”
And finally, what is the next studio release you have for us?
“Well, released on the 9th March I have the 3-Track sampler containing my two tracks ‘Copper Top’ & ‘Vertex’ as well as Omid 16B’s ‘On & Off’. Following this, on 16th March the full ‘Reincarnations #002’ is unleashed containing loads of new originals by me and a bespoke 1-hour mix. The full compilation will be available digitally and on CD too, so I’m really looking forward to everyone hearing the tracks and through the journey of the mix.
Thank you for interviewing me Dan, it’s been a pleasure to be part of the magazine…”
Omid 16B Presents DALE MIDDLETON – Reincarnations #002 (SRE002) is released on 16th March 2015
https://pro.beatport.com/label/sexonwax-recordings/3695
Further info :
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sexonwax/40461595376
http://sexonwax.com
https://soundcloud.com/sexonwax
https://twitter.com/sowrecordings
http://alola.co.uk
http://www.dalemiddleton.com
https://www.facebook.com/dalemiddletonofficial
