The piano tune of 2014. ‘Straight To Your Heart’…massive
Interview by Dan Prince
Hey dude welcome back to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
“Hello Dan, thanks for having me back. I’m just on my way down to London for my gig at Ministry tonight, so around er…Carlisle I think.”
A massive new tune causing damage on dancefloors everywhere at the moment, the stunning ‘Straight To Your Heart’. Please talk us through the sound and history of this piece of piano heaven that Annie Mac is all over…
“Yeah! Had a really great response to this one. I did actually just sit down one day last year and said to myself “I’m gonna write a piano tune”. And this is the result. I know the idea has been done a lot recently but I reckon there’s always room for a decent piano tune. It’s been through various iterations – one with a classic ’99 trance vocal – but this is the final result which I’ve signed to ZeroThree.”
Check it here…https://soundcloud.com/zerothree-music/grum-straight-to-your-heart-annie-mac-special-delivery-coming-soon
You happily acknowledge the ravey pianos in ‘Straight To Your Heart’, what were some of the choonz from back in the day which featured a good piano that you loved?
“Here’s some of my favourites…
Collapse – My Love
Electric Choc – Shock The Beat
Gat Decor – Passion
New Atlantic – I Know (Love Decade Original Mix)
BT – Divinity
You made the trek down to London last week for one of Annie’s Special Deliveries…what did she say to you off air?
“That’s right…it was amazing to meet her after she has been supporting my music for so long. It was quite a brief meeting but she did say ‘Straight to Your Heart’ was a massive tune!”
Tell us about the new track you are working with the wonderful Indiana…
“Yes, so she has written a really cool vocal over my tune ‘The Theme’ from last year. Looking forward to getting that one wrapped up then we’ll see what happens with it – ‘The Theme’ is still one of the biggest tunes in my sets.”
Another big tune with your name all over it is your remix of rising Scottish stars PRIDES and their ‘I Should Know You Better’ track. How did you approach this rework…?
“I really enjoyed doing this remix. I went totally ’99 Oakenfold progressive with this one. House music is great, but sometimes you just have to let these things happen, supersaws and all! Can’t wait to play it tonight.”
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend…
Chymera – Shadowdancer (Gregor Tresher Remix)
Cirez D – Accents
Vince Watson – Eon
Pryda – Axis
Confute – Thumper
You have just returned from the US and Canada where you have been on tour with Fehrplay. What were some of the highlights of that tour?
“Yeah, it’s the first time I’d been back since last year, and it looks like the sort of music I’m playing now is really kicking off over there. It’s so cool to be able to play proper good progressive electronic stuff and see people really enjoying it! Uniun in Toronto was definitely a highlight, but all the dates were mega and it was nice to see my fans there following what I’m doing now.”
Must have been to see that slowly but surely the Americans are looking around musically now, the drops aren’t so important anymore?
“Yeah for sure. Not that I’ve anything against playing music that has some emotion or melody or drama to it – the quality is what’s important and expectations seem to be improving (I didn’t have to play Levels).”
Back in the UK it has been an absolutely massive summer of festivals, the weather has been kind and clubbers have been coming out in their droves. What tickled your boat this summer, Beatherder in The Ribble Valley looked awesome…
“It was a lovely summer! Even up in Glasgow. Beatherder was bloody amazing and I wish I’d stayed for the whole weekend. Big respect to the Utah Saints guys and everyone involved for pulling off such a top festiva.”
Who are some of the producers from around the world you are giving high fives to at the moment?
“There really is a lot of good stuff at the moment. Obviously I’m a big fan of Fehrplay – even more so after having toured with him. There are a few guys like Gregor Tresher and Pryda who have been doing this a long time and their music has become even more relevant now. In terms of newer and up-and-coming producers I really enjoy Spencer Brown, Richie G, Kastis Torrau, Jeremy Olander, Andre Sobota.”
The Forbes DJ Rich List 2014 with producers earning over $20m a year. Discuss.
“I think if the demand is there, then that’s ok…but I think a lot of us producers are still waiting to see the trickle down effect from what is supposedly an industry awash with money.”
It’s that time of year again, the DJ Top 100. We interviewed Arthur Baker last week, he remarked…“there are too many DJs and genres for a realistic competition, it needs to split”. What are your thoughts on that?
“I think he’s probably right. There are people on the list I’ve never heard of, and I’m a full time producer and DJ. Maybe there should be separate commercial and underground top 100’s? But then again – it could have a divisive effect which ringfences styles. I usually find some of the best and most creative music is in that middle ground between the two.”
Paris Hilton earning $200,000 a pop at Amnesia in Ibiza. Has the world gone crazy?
“Again if the demand is there then why not! But I certainly won’t be going there.”
What is the record that…
…reminds you of your childhood?
Mr Mister – Broken Wings
…always get you dancing?
Xpansions – Move Your Body
…reminds you of being broken hearted?
Joy Divison – Disorder
…you wish you would have made?
Vince Watson – Rendezvouz
2014 has been a major year for you…skip forward 12 months…what do you want to have achieved this time next year?
“I think I’ll be happy to keep on keeping on…I really want to see this sound develop in the UK and Europe…and hopefully, yes, I should have my second album out by then too.”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“There’s loads on the go at the minute. Just finished a new remix for Second City on Ministry, and then I’m about to start on one for Steve Angelo which I’m very excited about.”
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