Liverpudlian James Silk has been turning all sorts of heads in recent weeks with his latest EP ‘Language’. Arriving next week on Hive Audio, an up & coming label run by the the men behind the renowned Hive Club in Zurich, the release has already won the support of dance titans like Sasha, Steve Lawler & Stacey Pullen. The EP represents a fresh take style wise from the rising producer, who was previously recognised as a Disco House connoisseur. We had the pleasure of chatting with James this week, here’s what went down!
WWD : Hi James, thanks for taking the time for a few questions! Where are you right now and what have you been up to this week?
James : Hi guys, not a problem! At the moment I’m in Budapest enjoying a relaxing break with my girlfriend. I’m doing the tourist thing; sampling the food and beer…lovely!
WWD : Give us the lowdown on the upcoming Hive Audio release!
James : The idea with this EP was to put myself out of my comfort zone. I wanted to make something that sounds nothing like I’ve made before, and hopefully I have achieved that. I wanted the 3 tracks to be individual enough, yet still have a common feeling. Danza is the laidback Balearic jam, Hassen is the synth experimenting atmospheric number, and Amante is the late night tougher cut. It seems to be picking up some good support, and I cannot wait for it to be released!
WWD : Amante is a very groovy tune, we’re big fans! How has it been received in a live setting?
James : Thanks a lot! Yes I’ve played it a few times when I have had later sets and it seems to really work the dance floor. It has that surprise element as it is not a track that people would normally associate with me so I like that.
WWD : Have you been rinsing the tracks throughout the summer or are they more recent creations?
James : They were all probably made around 3-4 months so I have had a chance to play all 3 of them on occasion. I like to just test the water with new tracks to see how they go down but don’t usually ‘rinse’ them until they are closer to being released!
WWD : What was the highlight of the summer for you? and what do you most enjoy about the winter season?
James : I had a special gig in Thessaloniki, Greece for the Erase Records guys. It was a garden terrace party so had a mellow vibe about it. For what was originally scheduled as a 2 hour set and the night finishing at1am I ended up playing close till 6am. Playing everything from house, disco and more, it was the perfect vibe.
WWD : Any goals for the rest of 2014? What would make a good finish to the year for James Silk?
James : I am just finalising a number of EP’s so my goal is for them to hopefully make it out for the end of year and show the direction of my current sound. Generally my goal is to always better myself; whether it be producing, djing or partying! (laughs).
WWD : Can you give us three guys or girls impressing you in Liverpool right now?
James : Liverpool is vibrant on the music front at the moment. Big mentions to Andy Bontan & David Glass who are both doing extremely well. Other than music, as a Liverpool fan I need Mario Ballotelli to start impressing!
WWD : One track from your set doing damage on the danceloor?
James : Maramek – Maybe. It’s quite old but I always seem to drop this, it gets a massive reaction.
WWD : Lastly, what can we expect from you over the coming months? More new music? Any big dates in the schedule?
Music coming on Hive Audio of course, plus Jeudi Records, Klangkultur Schallplatten, KMS & an official UK release on 3Beat/AATW. Regardless of labels, you can look forward to a new sound from me, which hopefully people will like! Follow