Guessing Right
You were born in Linithgow in the lowlands of Scotland, the birthplace of none other than Mary Queen of Scots. How old were you when you escaped to the north of England?
“I was 18. I saw going to university as my chance to escape. I’m really glad I made that decision.”
You caught the dance music bug around Milenium, who were the artists that saw you dancing around the bedroom to? And does Pete Tong’s Friday night’s have a lot to do with your insight into our world?
“Back then I was into people like Daft Punk, Junior Jack, DJ Falcon, lots of the old skool French guys. Definitely, if it wasn’t for the specialist dance shows on Radio 1, I probably wouldn’t be here now. I used to record stuff to tape (remember those days?) so I could listen later.”
What is your greatest fear?
“I’m actually quite scared of spiders. I always vacuum them up if I find any in my flat. I think this is due to waking up one morning with a spider on my face, I’ve not been the same since.”
What record changed your life?
Something life Daft Punk – ‘Discovery’. To me this is their best album, even though ‘Homework’ seems to be loved by more people.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
“Learning to drive. Public transport is awful.”
Your new album ‘Heartbeats’ is out now, talk us through the album…
“The album is really just a melting pot of all the musical influeces I’ve taken on board throughout my life, from French house to italo to soft rock to disco. There’s a mixture of stuff there, from club bangers to more crossover dance tunes, and some slow jams too. A couple of tracks have featured vocals from Electric Youth, and Feathers, plus there’s lots of samples (see if you can spot ’em).”
Do you think that some producers take them too seriously, you seem quite happy in the fact that you embrace Pop…
“Definitely, I feel most at home writing music without any boundaries. I think many producers fall into the trap of producing music for a scene, rather than doing their own thing. I really enjoy writing very melodic stuff, and that seems to fall in the pop category.”
You have been in the States on tour with The Twelves, what’s that been like?
“That was an amazing experience. You could say it’s the first time I have properly been on tour, rather than doing one-off dates. Those guys have done it loads of times before so it was good to travel round with someone experienced. The gigs were incredible, loads of sold out dates in pretty big venues.”
What word or phrase do you use the most?
“I guess”. Probably means I’m not too sure of anything? I guess.”
What are the big tunes on your iPod at the moment?
“Today I just heard Visitor -‘Los Feeling’ (Alan Braxe Remix). I’m pretty sure this will be one of the biggest tracks of the summer. Other artists I’m really liking are Hurts and Neon Indian.”
What keeps you awake at night?
“I sometimes end up working so much that there is no time to relax, so I then go to bed and try to sleep, but I’m just constantly thinking about music. I need a holiday.”
What is your favourite album ever?
“Fleetwood Mac – Rumours. Just timeless!”
When you received the phone call from Kevin McKay from Glasgow Underground who’d heard your stuff that you’d emailed to blogs the likes of Discodust, did you think he was taking the piss?
“In the beginning I was always cautious about being approached by labels etc…I’d had a few underwhelming ones wanting to put out my stuff, but luckily I waited till something good came along. Actually to begin with I didn’t know who he was, then I realized he was behind Mylo, so that was pretty cool.”
Which producers out there would you like to one day collaborate with?
“I’d love to work with Stuart Price, to me he’s a genius. Of the new guys, someone like Starsmith would be cool.”
What is your ‘guilty pleasures’ album?
“I think most of the music I listen to could be classed as guilty pleasures, so again Fleetwood Mac – Rumours.”
What festivals are you looking forward to this summer?
“I’m playing Rockness and Creamfields. I’ve never been to either so it’ll be something new for me. Lets hope the weather’s alright.”
What 3 things do you always take to a festival?
“A tent, for obvious reasons…alcohol….and dry shampoo.”
Tell us about the live show?
“The live show is something I’m still developing. I want to create more clubby versions of most of the album tracks, so that the live performance becomes something special you can hear only hear if you come to the gigs. I’m not sure about involving a band but it will involve lots of electronics and a dazzling visual show.”
You once said that the internet doesn’t feel real to you. Does all this success feel real to you?
“I’m not sure the internet really allows a tangible measurement of success. You can be on loads of blogs, but if no one reads them then it doesn’t matter does it? I think the success I’ve had so far is starting to feel real now that I’ve been playing great gigs, both here and in the US. Also with the album just being released I’ve achieved one of my personal goals.”
You are a very in demand remixer at the moment, what one track would you love to remix?
“Hurts – ‘Better than Love'”
What are the big 10 tunes you are spinning at the moment?
“Priors – ‘What You Need’ (Grum Remix)
Chris Lake & Michael Woods – ‘Dominoes’
Carte Blanche ft Kid Sister – ‘Do! Do! Do!’
Tensnake – ‘Coma Cat’
Grum – ‘Can’t Shake this Feeling’ (Grum Club Mix)
Scissor Sisters – ‘Invisible Light’ (Grum Edit)
Together – ‘Together vs James Talk & Ridney – Forever’ (Grum Edit)
Van She – ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’
Pryda – ‘Emos’
TV Rock – ‘In the Air’ (Grum Remix)
Best live band you have ever seen?
“If the Prodigy count as a live band, then definitely them. Everyime I’ve seen them the show has been nothing short of explosive.”
You live in Yorkshire nowadays. What’s the best and worst thing about where you live?
“I really enjoy living here, I think the people are very friendly. You can have a much higher standard of living than say London, for the same money. Leeds is a pretty cosmopolitan city. The one thing that it lacks is interesting non-clubbing activites.”
What is the message behind your music?
“There isn’t really a specific message, but I think the music I make is very feel good. I just want people to have fun listening to it!.”
