It was back in 2012 that Denney’s ‘Ultraviolet’ would be signed to Jamie Jones and Lee Foss‘ Hot Creations label. Although that was five years ago now, the UK talent has continued to serve up banging releases on all the scenes most talked about labels, and the smash hit – Low Frequency – firmly established his presence in the scene. We can’t say we’re surprised, because that belter dominated dance floors globally. It was a true tech house groover, that offered something different to the generic tech house of the time.

Move forward a few years, and we caught up with Denney backstage ahead of his set at Saturday’s Eastern Electrics festival, for a quick chat about collaborations, touring, and more. Check it out below!

“I spent so long trying to make tracks that I thought would fit labels and it never worked… so I just kind of do my own thing now“

WWD: Thanks for sitting down with us for a chat Denney! How have you been, and what have you been up to recently?

D: Well, I was in Dublin last night for Castlepalooza. That was really cool, so yeah I haven’t had a lot of sleep! It was straight to the airport from there

WWD: Running on empty then!

D: Yeah it was rushed but I didn’t drink! So I’m feeling ready for today. I’ve been in the studio a lot as well, got loads of new music coming out. I’ve just had a new single come out on FFRR, which is doing cool, and then I’ve got a new EP coming out on Relief, and a new one coming on Crosstown Rebels. So yeah I’ve just been working really! I go in cycles where I’ll get in the studio loads and get in the zone, and at the minute I just can’t get enough of it, so I’m just riding that wave as best I can! (laughs).

WWD: Yeah I hear you it’s like anything isn’t it when you’re on it you’re on it, and when you’re not you’re not

D: Exactly mate

WWD: Well speaking of productions we noticed you made a banging little remix of Sante’s ‘Never Enough’ a few months ago now. That was out on his very own Avotre label wasn’t it, so have you thought about collaborating with him maybe?

D: Do you know what we have talked about it. The thing is I’m really good friends with Sante and Sidney, and there are so many people that could be on the cards. I’m actually going to be collaborating on a track with Groove Armada…

WWD: Wow that’s big! 

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D: Yeah man it’s looking good. Then I’m doing one with Skream, and me and Joeski are going to be making one as well. Oh and me and Roger Sanchez are actually working on something now. But yeah we always talk about it, but everyone’s tour schedules are so difficult.

WWD: Yeah it must be hard to get stuff organised.

D: Yeah exactly there’s lot of stuff in discussion, but it’s just a question of when it materialises.

WWD: So if we could just quickly talk about your smash hit ‘Low Frequency’, that was the track that sort of thrust you into the limelight as it were. It was a while ago now, so would you say your production style has changed since then? Or is producing a track more down to how you feel on the day?

D: Do you know what, before ‘Low Frequency’ a good few years ago, I spent so long trying to make tracks that I thought would fit labels and then it just never worked. So I just approach it now with a blank canvas, and whatever comes out will sometimes work and I’ll think “oh that might go there”. So yeah, I just kind of do my own thing now. And it took me a long time to realise that.

WWD: And did you start off as a DJ or did you start with producing? 

D: No I was a DJ, I’ve been DJing since I was 13, so twenty years this year!

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WWD: And did it feel like a natural progression to start producing? Because we caught up with with GW Harrison the other week, and he said production definitely helps boost a DJs recognition within the industry…

D: Yeah that is true to a degree. Obviously there are a few exceptions like Jackmaster, people like that, that don’t. To be honest with you I got kicked out of two colleges doing A Levels, so the reason I went into music production is because the only thing I was interested in was DJing. A family friend worked at the college and she said I think you should do this, because I was a bit lost!

WWD: And how long ago was that then?

D: That was when I was 19, and then I went to university and now here we are! (laughs)

WWD: Alright Denney we’ve got one last question for you today. So if you could choose a dream B2B, with an artists from the past and the present, who would you go for?

D: Ooooooooo

WWD: Big question to finish on!

D: Do you know what that’s a really tricky one! Danny Tenaglia would be great, and Andrew Weatherall is my favourite artist. Actually no I’ll tell you who it’d be, it’s Laurent Garnier definitely

WWD: Alright Denney well spot on thanks for chatting to us today!

D: Cheers mate!

Catch Denney playing at the Beats Cancer Music Festival in Manchester on the 19th of August. Tickets here