A diamond year continues for one of dance music’s most exciting new stars
Interview by Dan Prince
Daniel Goldstein aka Lane 8 has marked himself out this year as one of dance music’s most exciting names. After topping the Hype Machine chart last year with “Be Mine”, he has since been named a ‘Future Star’ by Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1, while his recent single “I Got What You Need” featuring Bipolar Sunshine was supported by Zane Lowe (Future Exclusive), Annie Mac, Mistajam and more. The first of two Anjunadeep 06 contributions “Diamonds” features vocals from hotly tipped UK artist Solomon Grey. Typically mellow percussion makes way for a rich arrangement of dark, melancholic melodies and a super deep bassline, whilst the epic vocals swirl throughout. Tinged with sadness yet also optimistic, this is another example of Daniel’s knack of creating not only top notch dancefloor grooves, but also powerful songs. The track now comes with a fantastic video from Spanish videographer, Mau Morgo, who’s previously directed videos for Cut Copy, and Spoon, the latter gaining him a Vimeo Staff Pick.“Without You” follows suit, built around a simple, ultra-catchy melodic riff and retro-tinged vocal sample. Not many artists develop a trademark sound so quickly, but Lane 8’s self-proclaimed “dreamy back rub house” is in full effect here…
Daniel welcome to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you today?
Hey Dan, I’ve just arrived in San Francisco…it’s Thanksgiving time in the States so I’m enjoying a bit of time off with friends and family.”
Really exciting times right now with two need tracks starring on the mighty Anjunadeep 06. Please talk us through the sounds and history of ‘Diamonds’ and ‘Without You’…
“Yeah, I’m really pleased that those tunes connected with so many people, first as a part of the Anjuna compilation and now having their own life as an EP. Diamonds was a tune that I’d worked on as an instrumental in my home studio in Germany for several months at the beginning of this year. I had been in touch with the Solomon Grey boys during that time and when it was ready, I sent the track over to them for a vocal. We did everything remotely – they wrote some ideas and sent them over, we picked the best ones and then they finally recorded it in London. Then I mixed down the final track which is what you hear today. We’ve just recorded a really cool live version in London a few weeks ago which will be coming out soon. Without You is an older tune of mine that had been floating around the internet for awhile, but I decided that I wanted to create a new version of it, both for playing in my DJ sets and also as a special inclusion in the deep 06 compilation. I kept the essentials of the original track, the Rhodes line and vocal sample, and reworked everything else from the ground up to sound more modern and precise. I have a lot of great memories of playing that track in my sets, it’s so cool to finally get it out officially.”
Lane 8 in sport is usually a rank draw. Athletics, Swimming and Rowing usually see the middle lanes forging ahead. Who then is your favourite underdog to ever achieved greatness on the sporting stage
“Without a doubt the Giants winning the World Series in 2010 was my favorite underdog victory. I had just moved back to San Francisco after college and watched every playoff game surrounded by friends and family members – I don’t get emotional about sports very often, but that was a special time to be in the city and something I’ll always remember.”
Speaking of sport, let’s have a wee chat about one of the greatest baseball players of all time – Mr Barry Bonds. A controversial figure who nevertheless still holds the record for the most home runs in a season. So, it that the reason you own a load of his dolls
“Wow, you’ve really done your homework Dan. Yes, he was a hero of mine as a kid but it ended up being sort of embarrassing the way he ended his career. I still use his nesting dolls as hand shakers in my studio – they’re good for a laugh and as a bonus, they sound great.”
Loved your post on Facebook where you printed a piece of paper a clubber had given you stating…”most amazing set. Thank you for an amazing night.” Shortly after I read that the magnificent Billie Ray Martin posted on her site that once someone leaned into the DJ booth and asked her “do you have anything more like chart music?” What is the funniest/rudest thing a clubber has ever requested from you when you were spinning?
“The other night, a girl strolled into to the booth and started browsing through my playlist on the CDJs!! I couldn’t believe my eyes. Then she turns to me and goes “PLAY THIS!!”. I think she wanted ‘Satisfy’. I told her “could you please leave, I’m working up here” and she turned and did a massive backspin (luckily on the deck that wasn’t playing) and walked out. The whole thing was a bit surreal. The club owner came up to me right after and goes “do you know her?”. I told him I didn’t and I think she got 86’d pretty fast after that.”
What are the 5 big records in your box this weekend?
Juxta Postion – Mercy
Recondite – Levo
Skena – Waiting in the Wings
Cubicolor – Got This Feeling
Adriatique – Rollox
One of your most important philosophies as a producer is this : do what other producers aren’t willing to do. So what is your secret, what do you try and do that no other producer does
“I almost always fail at this philosophy – it’s more of a mantra I use to push myself. When I talk shop with other guys I usually find out that we’re all doing the same tricks to try to get the best sound.”
Biggest tune of 2014?
“The biggest tune has to be ‘Walking With Elephants’. My fave was probably the Ame remix of ‘Turn Around’.”
One of the most honest thing I ever read from a US producer when asked about the state of the current EDM scene was from you : “Dance music was never really my thing growing up. I’m more agitated by what passes as hip-hop right now, really. I guess that’s what it must feel like for someone who grew up listening to M.J. Cole b-sides, but that’s not who I am.” So as a producer caught up in this phenomenal todal wave of electronic madness weeping your home country, are you relishing it all or sitting their with a sense of bemusement?
“Ha! I mean we have to be honest here: the dance music craze in America is hugely beneficial to all of us, and I find it pretty hypocritical when I see underground European DJs criticize the American scene one day and then announce a massive US tour the next day. I am not a huge fan of the music played on the main stage of TomorrowWorld, but I am a huge fan of the fact that Anjunadeep had an entire stage at TomorrowWorld. I think it’s great that we get to cross pollinate with fans who are into both sounds, there’s no reason to be pretentious about it for me.”
DJ Craze came out last week and heralded Eminem as the greatest ever rap lyricist. I know as an 11 year old you were all over De La Soul…but who would you give the hip hop pen of poetry to?
“For me it’s a toss up between Nas and Rakim – Rakim was more consistently great, but nothing can beat Illmatic as a single work.”
Your best DJ set of 2014
“I played a 4 hour set in London at XOYO a few weeks ago, I’m not sure if it was my best set technically speaking, but I definitely enjoyed it the most. When you have that kind of time it frees you up to play such a variety of music, I actually forgot how much fun it could be.”
A young producer to watch out for in 2015?
“There’s a guy in Italy called Whomi that I really like – I expect some big things from him in 2015.”
What is coming next from you studio wise?
“There’s a lot of new music written. I’m doing a lot of collaborations with vocalists, but also getting into doing more instrumental music. I want to keep mixing it up – some home listening stuff, some club stuff. It’s good to do both. It’s even better to do both in the same track!”
And finally gotta ask dude. Is this the first interview you’ve done without mentioning Pete Rock???!
“It almost was! I always tip my hat to Pete Rock and DJ Premier. Those guys are the reason I started making music.”
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