UK producer and dj Cristoph has emerged at the fore of the best new British talent in recent years, delivering smashes on the likes of DFTD and Underground Audio before dropping a whole bunch of beastly cuts on the bounce including features on the likes of VIVa Music, Suara and Adam Beyer’s Truesoul imprint. It’s been a rise that sees no end. Fresh from the release of his debut studio LP ‘8-track’ on Hot Since 82’s Knee Deep In Sound and now armed with a US visa, global domination is nigh! Catching up with WWD this week, we touched on the album process, what’s in that Newcastle water and the road to North America.

WWD: How’s things, Chris! Thanks for taking the time out to talk to us. What have you been getting up to this week?

Hey mate, not a problem at all, thanks for having me. This week I’ve been chilling quite a bit and nursing blocked sinuses. I had already planned some time off the studio as I basically lived in there for the 10 days leading up to America. I start my 8-track European Tour on Saturday so I have quite a busy schedule for the next few months. I’m really looking forward to playing and visiting a lot of the cities on the tour so can’t wait to get sorted.

WWD: You have seemed to be very busy this summer! What have been some of the highlights for you?

The summer has been amazing, I’m really happy with how it’s went, the gigs I have played, the places I have been and how I’m continuing to grow as an artist. Some of the highlights have to be my first time in both North and South America – all the gigs were wicked. Revolver in Melbourne is a gig which really sticks in my mind, the atmosphere was insane – as does Watergate in Berlin. Also the honour of playing both Space’s 27th birthday and it’s final Closing Fiesta.

WWD: You just got the US Visa sorted. Has that process been frustrating for you as an artist?

It was a lengthy one I know that! In all honesty though it was more frustration with myself than anything else. When you’re younger you do stupid things without realising the affect or implications it may have in later life. The American’s have their process of obtaining a visa and we must respect that. I knew I would get one in the end and over the moon to have it.

WWD: You played California recently. Have you noticed a different vibe out there? Do you have to work the crowd in different ways?

I think the American crowd are becoming more and more educated which is great to see. A lot of people think EDM is the big thing, and it is, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t open to other genres or there isn’t a following. The Knee Deep In Sound stage picked up really quickly and was rammed throughout the day and night and a lot of that crowd were there to see the DJ’s in particular, not just fill the space. Before I went I decided to play what I would play at any other gig in the world, this was because I wanted to show them who I am rather than who I thought they may want me to be. So I played quite underground and road tested a fair few new tracks and it seemed to work very well.

WWD: The Space closing fiesta is coming up for you also. What’s gonna be your lasting memory from the club?

I have a load of memories from Space, I love the place. I used to love sitting outside of Tantra waiting for it to open at like 9am after being in Pacha all night. The In Bed With Space mornings were some of the best times I’v had on the island. Also seeing some of the world’s greatest DJ’s such as Nic Fanciulli, Joris Voorn, Sasha, Apollonia, Hot Since 82, Magda – the list is endless – tear the Terrace apart. Memories which are going to stick with me forever.

WWD: Your sound has developed elegantly throughout the past 2 years from releasing on DFTD, Suara all the way to releasing on Knee Deep in Sound as of late. Did this progression come naturally?

Yeah it did. I’ve always been into the more melodic side of music and the progression into using darker sounds etc. just happened when I started making the switch over to writing the style of music I had always wanted to and planned to after the tech house stuff I made when I first broke through on DFTD. I had a plan on how to infiltrate the industry and I stuck to it and still continue to do so.

WWD: Speaking of Knee Deep in Sound. Where did the inspiration come towards that album? Where did you begin?

A full studio album has always been something I have wanted to do, I just never felt I was ready and still don’t. So when the opportunity came along to write a more conceptual album project I jumped at the chance. The idea the Knee Deep In Sound crew came to me with was really intriguing and to become more associated with the label was a no brainer for me. Also I knew it would give me a slight insight into how writing an album goes and how it’s different to writing an EP or a single. Once I accepted the project ideas instantly began to flow and I wanted to make it so it was kind of like how I would play a DJ set – basically take the listener on a journey. I wanted this to be not only apparent in the continuous mix but also in each track individually. I planned the set in my head and how I would take it and basically wrote a track for each section of the set.

WWD: How would you define the value of an LP in the modern era of electronic music?

For me personally I think an LP is a great way for an artist to show their versatility and maybe release some music they never would when releasing EP’s or singles. I don’t think its a necessity for someone to do an LP but I really enjoyed it and definitely want to do more. I like to produce a wide range of music and I want people to hear it so it’s a perfect platform for me.

WWD: Tell us! If you could be permanently stuck in one year’s music scene, which year would it be and why?

I’ll go for 1984. The year MTV was launched. With Michael’s Jackson’s Thriller, the likes of Prince, Madonna, Annie Lennox all prevailing in this year. Plus, I’m a huge fan of 80’s music.

WWD: Newcastle being the source of some huge artists like yourself, Patrick Topping, Richy Ahmed etc. Did your hometown have a big effect on your career?

it’s amazing to see so many local lads doing so well. They are all so talented and really nice guys as well so I’m so happy for them all. For me Newcastle had a major influence on the music I listened to, the music I now play and the music I produce. When growing up a lot of people in my school listened to Hardcore but I never really got in to that. Both my brother and sister used to go to Shindig up here every week and with my brother being a DJ himself I was always listening to underground House and Techno throughout my life. Then they started sneaking me in with them when I was around 15/16 and I could never imagine not being in to this music. Newcastle is also a very working class city and I come from a family who have worked hard for what they have and also very supportive. My Dad drilled it into my head from a young age that nothing was impossible if you were willing to work your hardest for it and that’s what I intend to do.

WWD: Any big plans for the remainder of the year?

I start my 8-track European Tour this weekend which will take me to some amazing cities and venues, I really can’t wait to get started. As soon as that is finished I start my North and South America 8-track tour which includes playing Warung alongside Sasha which is definitely going to be something which sticks with me forever. That takes me up to New Year really. In amongst the North and South America tour I fly home to host my first party in my hometown on Boxing Day which I’m really excited about. Production wise I have just finished up quite a few new tracks for labels and will continue to get in the studio as and when I can, I imagine I will be penciling a lot of ideas down whilst being on the road then finishing them up when I return home.

Cristoph returns to Dublin on October 8th to play the Hangar with Strictly Deep.

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