A new superstar
Hi Chris. Pete Tong hailed you as the “best thing to come out of Scotland since Mylo” – I’d have said the M8 motorway, what did you think of his comment?
“Hey how’s it going Dan?! I was kind of shocked actually. It was the biggest endorsement I’d received – and to get it from Pete for everyone to hear on radio was a massive honour. Whether he’s right or not, that’s a totally different matter!”
What has received the bigger dancefloor reception this Summer, ‘Violins’ or ‘La Tromba’?
“You know it depends what club I’m playing. Sometimes when I drop ‘Violins’ at the right moment, people go CRAZY. It’s a real ‘moment’ track, with the beginning part being quite chilled, but when the bassline drops, it’s very euphoric, and on the right floor feels magical. ‘La Tromba’ on the other hand, is just a straight up party track, causing the ass to shake and legs to ache. There’s no avoiding its effect! It’s had some massive support from Laruent Gariner through to Axwell and Steve Angello, so knowing your tracks getting smashed all over the place is obviously a good feeling.”
‘La Tromba’ features some big instruments – can you play any?
“I’m a keyboard player, and extremely out of practice. Luckily the computer can fix any mistakes when I record!”
What is the best and worst thing about living in Scotland?
“Best – the air. It’s so fresh.
Worst – the air, it’s so cold!”
Your tunes incorporate a brilliant fusion of House, Electro and Techno – who were your early musical influences artist wise that put you on this dance music road with your production?
“Sander Kleinenberg and Timo Maas.”
Your productions are played by some of the biggest DJs in the world, Sasha, Coxy and Sander to name but three – who were your DJ heroes when your career was starting?
“Carl Cox, every time.”
Favourite DJ you have played with this year?
“Well that’s got to be my mate Mau5. We have such a laugh together and the reception we both receive on the night it something quite special. At Leeds’ Victoria Works, I witnessed the little fella stage dive, not once, but twice. It was hilarious, he was out there literally surfing for about 4minutes, just insane…”
‘How much did your huge smash ‘Changes’ – change your life – this is the tune that hit the UK National charts and was Radio 1’s Essential New Tune, not once, but twice…?
“It was the catalyst wasn’t it? I wasn’t exactly having a bad time before it, but it definitely got me noticed on the international circuit, and well, things have been very different ever since.”
You have played pretty much all over the world, Asia, South America, Australia, Africa and America. What one club and country sticks out for you?
“Jimbaran, Porto Alegre. It’s out on an island in the south coast of BrazilÉsimply amazing. But to be fair that’s more about the grooves and idyllic scenery. North America has also been really good for me this year – and you can’t beat a good British crowd, again, the word insane springs to mind.”
You have remixed some incredible artists…Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Mark Ronson, Madonna, A.T.F.C., Lily Allen and the band you signed to your Rising Music label, Deadmau5 – what has been your greatest ever remix?
“I reckon the Mark Rosnon ft. Lily Allen track I did was pretty spot on.”
What one artist out there that has escaped you so far, would you like to work in the studio with?
“Lauren Hill.”
Who is/are the best producer (s) in the world today?
“Air”
What are the big 5 tunes you are playing at the moment?
1. Lake & Lys – La Tromba
2. Mauro Picotto – Love Message
3. Florence and the Machine – Drumming
4. Mason – You are not alone
5. Lys – San Francisco Rain
Best festival you have played at this Summer – how was Tribal Tech in Brazil? Chilly?
“‘Ultra Festival’ at WMC was amazing. And then ‘Electric Zoo’ a few weeks ago came pretty damn close. Those American kids literally go for it from the minute they walk through the gatesÉit’s great to see people in the US having such a love for dance music again. Tribal Tech was very cool indeed, brrrrrrrrr.!!!”
How difficult is it combining running labels’, DJing and making music? Do you ever sleep?
“Doctor’s orders. I can’t talk about this!”
Please don’t tell me you support Norwich City FC?
“Unfortunately yes. Where are we at the moment, around 14th – not good. There’s a lot to be said for consistency, but being consistently poor is almost soul-destroying.”
Some of your tracks such as ‘Changes’, ‘Carry Me Away’ and ‘Only One’ have all done so well in America, exploding into The Billboard Dance Chart – when you are making a record, do you have one eye firmly on the American market?
“No, it just comes.”
What’s next from your studio production wise?
“I’m in the studio right now actually, lots of different projects on the go that are equally interesting, but the plan is to release a series of artist mini-albums later this year and early next. Very exciting stuff.”
“And finally, I hear you’re a pretty shit hot pool player, next time I’m north of the border, we’re battling it out on the baize…”
“Dan, I look forward to whooping your arse!”
Lake & Lys ‘La Tromba’ and Lys’ ‘San Francisco Rain’ are both out now on Rising Music.
