One of the most exciting producers in the world right now live and direct
Interview : Dan Prince
Matthew welcome to DMCWORLD, where on planet earth are you today?
“Hey Dan, in my studio in LA trying to forget about the earthquake this morning! It wasn’t strong enough to cause damage, but definitely crazy enough to freak me out!”
A massive new tune set to smash into the annual Miami Buzz Chart, ‘El Diablo’ that is smashing up dancefloors all over the world. Talk us through the track…
“It’s a new collab with with Anabel Englund, who I’d say is really the best female vocalist in dance music at the moment. Right at the beginning I felt it was something special, so I really took my time with it…recording (and re-recording) all the parts live until everything felt perfect. It was nice not to rush or compromise. In terms of the meaning of the song…I’ll just say it’s a journey from innocence to experience.”
We hear on the gravevine that you have recorded 3 tracks in total with Anabel, what can you tell us about the other tracks?
“The next one, called “Talk To Me” will be on my next EP and is another vocal duet with Anabel. There’s another track which won’t be out for a while, which is top secret, but I think it might be my favourite of all. Right now I’m planning to include it on my debut album. And of course there is a 4th…’Falling’ which is already released on Hot Creations/Hot Waves.”
‘El Diablo’ is forthcoming on the cool WIN.WIN label, the creation of Daniel Glass’s son Sean Glass. How did this hook up happen?
“It happened pretty organically, right around the time I was looking for a place to sign ‘El Diablo’, Sean Glass was digging my track ‘Falling’ with Anabel, so it seemed perfect. I find my sound doesn’t fit in with with labels that have are too specific in genre, so it’s nice that Sean really just works with electronic music with a big potential, not just one sound.”
Dude it’s a wonder your head can fit through doors with the amount of superlatives you have been getting from the press!! Pete Tong admitting your music gives him goosebumps, The Guardian newspaper admitting if Prince and Dave Gahan had a baby in Paris in the 90s this is the music the child would now be making. And as for Frankie Knuckles, well he fell over himself to remix ‘In It Together’ when he first heard it. You must be really happy how things are going and looking forward the future?
“Of course this type of feedback is massively appreciated!!! I am definitely humble about my place in the industry though, you’ve got to keep coming with constant high grade material these days or you’ll be forgotten. But when everything seems to be going wrong, those type of outside validations can definitely help to get things back on track.”
2014 is set to be a fabulous year for you with Human Life and some other exciting projects, but let’s rewind for a moment. The band was originally a three piece with yourself and producers Joshua Collins and Rachael Starr. These days dude it’s all about you…what’s the story here…?
“Yes the project began with Josh and Rachael without any pre-conceived notions…just making music for fun. Once “In It Together” got some attention all of a sudden those around you want it to be a business with constant deadlines…I think eventually it just became hard to all get our ideas in each piece of music and still hit the deadlines, etc. In the end, Josh & Rachael asked if I wanted to take over the Human Life name just because I was the one who wanted to quit my job & focus on it, but we are still friends of course and they are making great music on their own. Josh recently made some melodic drum & bass tracks that are amazing!”
Do you miss anything about the original set up or are you happier going solo?
“Of course it’s really nice having people to bounce ideas off. I’m still doing that with friends, this is why I love collabs. It also helps having 3 people for live shows, but to be honest I do find it easier DJing alone. I usually feel like multiple people DJing together ends up just sounding like a bit of a mess. I think you can feel the crowd on a closer level while DJing solo.”
I wish I had dreams like you do. Mine usually are filled with three headed ex girlfriends and boring work shit. You awoke not so long ago with a dream fresh in your memory full of lyrics and a vocal. Tell us the story…
“When we dream there is so much going on…some think it’s your subconscious working through issues while others think you actually connect to parallel dimensions during dreams. For me, I find I often dream full narratives, but when I wake up it’s usually impossible to remember enough to really use it. However, occasionally I’ll wake up with a clear idea. The time you are talking about I woke up with all the lyrics totally written and just had to copy them down. This doesnt usually happen though, but I wish it did!!”
What do you love and hate about living in Los Angeles?
“I love L.A so much…the weather, the people, the music scene, the vibe. I really only hate one thing… traffic! The traffic can be really absurd. Today it took 2 hours to get the studio when it should have taken 20 min.”
Some wonderful parties around the corner in Miami next week for WMC, you’ll be appearing at a host of great sessions including Nurvous Records, Electric Splash and the SLS with Junior Sanchez and co. What does Miami week mean to you…?
“Yes I really cant wait for Miami! It’s one of my favorite weeks of the year because there’s alot of networking that goes on, but it’s all pretty much about hanging with people, there arent many serious meetings. I’ve made so many great connections there over the years just bonding over a drink. And the best part is when you have a free moment you get a little vacation in too.”
Loads of great projects on the go at the moment, recording with Sante and some cool remixes of late…what is coming next studio wise…?
“Yes I’ve been working with Sante quite a bit recently, I worked with him on 2 tracks for his album and in return he’s helping me with a dancefloor EP which should be out in the summer. Otherwise my big goal is releasing a full length album. There’s enough tracks done for an album now, but I want to release a few singles and EP’s first before dropping an LP. My hope though is the album is out fall 2014 or winter 2015. I also just released a remix of Yolanda Be Cool feat Fritz & SYF formerly of Azari & III. It’s a cover of the 90’s Ace Of Base track “All That She Wants”.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning?
1. Human Life & Anabel Englund – El Diablo
2. Sante feat Human Life – Together
3. Amine Edge & Dance – Came Around
4. Sante – Freak This
5. Flight Facilities – Stand Still (Mario Basanov Remix)
6. Levon Vincent – Rainstorm II
7. Blazacar & Sordo, Dance Spirit & diScern – Calling For You
8. Human Life – Eyes Closed (Human Life Club Remix)
9. Human Life – Dark Tones
10. Psychemagik – Black Noir Schwartz
Where are some of the big DJ dates in your diary that you are looking forward to in 2014?
“There is one festival I am hopefully playing that will be insane.. I’m days away from announcing hopefully, but it’s a dream come true!”
What is on a Human Life rider at gigs in 2014?
“I’ve learned to be be reasonable on the rider.. I throw parties myself and when I book other DJs, quite often they have some massive long list of fruit trays, towels, etc… I try to be as artist friendly as possible, so I’ll fill these riders and then the artist is often shocked and didnt really want or need it.”
We swing round to yours on a lazy Sunday afternoon, who are some of the artists you are listening to, to chill out?
“The Beach Boys, Pat Metheny Group, Prince & the KLF!”
Not many people know this, but Matthew Wasley is really good at…?
“Business..although not the music business. In former lives I’ve done alot of stuff which could fill an entire book on its own. In fact I’m probably going to do a long podcast interview soon to tell some of these stories because some it would shock you for sure, but let’s just say I made a million by age 24 and lost it all. It was a huge learning experience that I wouldnt give up for anything though.”
Who are some of the producers from around the world you are giving high fives to right now?
“Mario Basanov/Ten Walls… he is far and away the best producer in the game right now! Also Sante & Matrixxman.”
And finally, what is the 1 piece of advice you can offer to the thousands of aspiring producers reading this?
“Well people ask me all the time how to start producing music and I always say the following “it’s easy, just spend all your time and money on music and you’ll be great in about 10 years”. Obviously this is a bit of a joke but it’s also accurate in that it takes 100% dedication to really make music. If you’re worried about having regular income or a normal schedule this job is not for you. I make music music because I have to. I dont even know why I just dont feel normal without it.”
Thank you dude, see you in Miami…
“Thanks Dan, see you on the playa!”
Human Life & Anabel Englund ‘El Diablo’ – Released May via WIN Music
https://www.facebook.com/humanlifedjs
https://twitter.com/humanlifedjs
https://soundcloud.com/humanlife
https://www.facebook.com/anabelenglundofficial
https://twitter.com/anabelenglundz
Human Life WMC Dates:-
26th – Brobot Label Party @ Hyde Beach
29th March – Nurvous Records presents Miami Deep @ The Social Lubricant
29th March – Electric Splash @ Fifty, Viceroy Hotel
