Two of the UK’s most talked-about producers will be releasing their maiden collaboration on Hot Creations this May, as James Solace and Jansons team up on the Portal EP. The three-tracker marks James’ return to the label, fresh from the sensational Mind Music last year, whilst Jansons makes his full release debut having remixed Ben Sterling’s Fantasee in 2019.

WWD: Hi guys, thanks for talking to us today. How are you both and whereabouts are you?

James: Cheers!. I’m currently at home in Sunny Leeds.

Mav: Thanks for having us on. Good thanks, currently in my North London Studio.

WWD: With lockdown restrictions starting to ease, hopefully, things will be returning to normal soon. How have you found the past year and what are you most looking forward to most?

James: Last year I got a new place in August so that took me out of the studio for 4 months which nearly tipped me over the edge haha. Since then I have been locked away in the studio and keeping myself busy. I have found it fine though and have been lucky.

Mav: The year for me has had its ups and downs, but overall, it’s been productive, written lots of music learned new skills, and done some great collaborations that probably wouldn’t have happened if we were all fully touring. I’ve also enjoyed just slowing down a bit and taking time out to enjoy other things.

WWD: Your new release ‘Portal EP’ is out on Hot Creations and we love it! Can you tell us more about how it came together and what part you played in the production process?

James. Yea it’s been an idea and on the cards for ages so it was great we finally clocked it in and made it happen. It was such of jamming the tracks out then edit them a little down the line with fresh ears.

Mav: I’ve always talked with James about getting in the studio as I knew we would click as we are both pretty diverse with our writing. I’m mainly Logic Pro and James is Ableton, but the switch between DAW’s worked really well in the writing process and our production techniques gelled really well!

WWD: Do you have more collaborations in the pipeline? If so, can you tell us anything about it?

James: Yeah we have another batch of tracks from the first session and we have some more days booked in so lets see what the next ones sound like!

Mav: We’ve written some more melodic tracks and we’ve penciled some days in the end of the month to work on some new music.

WWD: Can you name one track that has really grabbed your attention during the lockdown, and you can’t wait to play to a crowd?

Mav: There are so many tracks I’ve loved over lockdown, the artists and music coming out on Shall Not Fade have really grabbed my attention recently. I also love the Gerd Janson remix of Lauer’s Make it Stay.

WWD: What do you like to do outside of making or playing music? Do you have any hobbies?

James: I run loads in the morning and love to have a good hour a day doing nothing, just sitting and not thinking!

Mav: I’ve really got into running over lockdown, love movies, socializing, and the Pub!

WWD: Who are your biggest musical influences and why?

James: I am into that many things, I just listen to it all really right across the board.

Mav: I’m influenced by artists from all genres. I love listening to all styles of music and things influence me every day. Things like Spotify listening to mixes are good for finding new artists hearing fresh tracks from artists I’ve discovered is great for inspiration alongside the people who have influenced me through the years.

WWD: Liverpool threw the first big rave since the pandemic started. What are your views on how the industry will get back on its feet and what will have changed do you think?

James: It was great to see and I hope they are able to continue to do them more! I’m expecting there to be a lot more UK gigs for the foreseeable mind but let’s see.

Mav: I think the events that happened in Liverpool were great and a huge step forward showing we can get things moving in June. I think the whole industry has worked so hard in getting things back to what we want in a safe progressive way. I personally think gigs will be very UK based over this year and there will be lots of new creative events on the horizon. I’m looking forward to the summer ahead!

WWD: Do you have any music projects or gigs coming up that you tell us about?

James: There’s a few things just getting confirmed at moment so should be a few more things dropping.

Mav: I have an EP on Knee Deep In Sound after our Portal EP and an EP on good friend’s Ben Rau’s META I’m also working on a few remixes and working on launching my own label for this autumn. I actually have a nice run of gigs from the end of June starting at Mint Warehouse in Leeds for Darius Syrossian’s Moxy party.

Buy their new EP on Hot Creations here.