f: Hi Ethan, it’s a pleasure to chat with you today. How are you?
Ethan: I’m good thanks, really looking forward to chatting.
f: Please tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from and how you started making dance music?
Ethan: I was born in Godstone in Surrey then I moved when I was 4 to Hedcorn in Kent. I first got into music through production. My Dad bought me Cubase 7 Elements for Christmas when I was 12, and that was the start of it all. Over the years I’d go in and out of making music, my Dad was concerned about me getting into the limelight too young, but eventually I decided to take it seriously. Growing up, I’d listen to my Dad’s DJ sets every morning on the way to school, and that’s what really got me into house music. I became fascinated by the sounds, the grooves and the emotion in the records, and that naturally led me into wanting to make my own music.
f: Who did you listen to growing up and do they influence your music career today?
Ethan: The obvious answer is my Dad. I grew up listening to his album Analog, and that had a huge impact on me. The classic synths used throughout those productions, like the Prophet and the Moog, really stuck with me, and they’re sounds I still love using in my own productions today.
The influence wasn’t really about the lifestyle or the success. It was seeing someone who genuinely loved what they did every day and being able to share that with people through music. It sounds simple, but that’s what inspired me the most. I wanted that for myself.
f: Is having a famous DJ dad a help or a hindrance? Does he get involved much with your work?
Ethan: It can be both. I have met people and experienced things that I might not have done without my Dad, yet I am also prone to receiving more criticism because people can think I have had an easy time or that my Dad has given me a step up the ladder. That’s really hard to take as a new artist to the scene just trying to get recognised for what I do and something I’ve worked very hard at. People can be overly critical and mean online! My Dad is a perfectionist as anyone who knows him will testify to. So there is no way on earth he would make a recommendation to someone about me or push me into an opportunity if he didn’t think I was ready.
I take my production very seriously, and it’s important to me that my music has its own identity. I’ve been lucky enough to have an amazing mentor in my Dad who’s helped me learn Cubase over the years, but when it comes to my productions, they’re completely my own. My Dad doesn’t get involved in writing or producing my music. If I ever ask for advice he’ll always give me an honest opinion and that second opinion is valuable from someone at his level and something I don’t take for granted, but I’ve always wanted people to like my music because of the records themselves, not because of my surname.
f: How would you describe your sound?
Ethan: I’d describe it as soulful house with plenty of groove. I love using classic analogue-inspired synths and Rhodes sounds, but pairing them with tougher, swinging drum grooves to keep the energy up. Vocals are a big part of my music too. Whether it’s spoken word or a full vocal performance, I always like having something soulful that gives the track personality and emotion.
f: What was your first release?
Ethan: My first release was ‘Elevate Your Mind’ on Soulfuric Records. I was genuinely blown away when Soulfuric wanted to sign it, especially as it was my first ever release. I wanted to introduce myself with a deeper house record that DJs could easily work into their sets. As a new producer, finding the right vocalist can be difficult, so I was incredibly grateful when Mandel Turner came back wanting to be involved. His vocal completely lifted the track.
f: Which of your own tracks was the biggest labour of love to create / your personal favourite?
Ethan: That would definitely be ‘Give Me Time’ with Andre Espeut. I actually started the instrumental around two years ago, but it sat on my hard drive for quite a while before I sent it over to Andre. When he came back with the vocal, I knew I had to revisit the production and really do it justice. It probably took the most patience of any track I’ve worked on. Finding the balance between making it feel full and emotional while still keeping it true to my sound was a challenge, but one I really enjoyed. From the production right through to the release and promo, it’s probably the track I’m most proud of.
f: What has been your most successful release?
Ethan: So far it’s ‘I Get Lost’ on Soulfuric Records, which has reached around 86,000 streams on Spotify.
Seeing people continue to discover and support the track has been amazing. It’s definitely given me confidence to keep pushing forward with my productions.
f: And what’s your favourite own remix?
Ethan: I haven’t officially released a remix yet, so there’s nothing I can share just yet. I’ve got a couple of remixes in the pipeline that we’ve been testing in sets, and the reactions have been really encouraging. Hopefully it won’t be too long before one of them is ready for release. I felt it was important to produce my own music first because there are not enough people my age doing that right now.
f: You’ve just released your new collaboration with Andre Espeut, ‘Give Me Time’ on Sultra Records. What can we expect to hear?
Ethan: Expect plenty of energy, soul and emotion. I’ve always wanted to make a track that captures that uplifting summer feeling while still having enough drive to work on a dancefloor. Andre’s vocal really brings the record to life, so I think it’s one people can enjoy whether they’re listening at home or hearing it in a club.
f: What inspired the song?
Ethan: There wasn’t one particular record that inspired it. It actually came together quite naturally just from experimenting in the studio.
More than anything, I wanted to create something that felt emotional without losing the energy. That’s something I always try to bring into my productions.
f: How did you link up with Andre?
Ethan: Andre met my Dad, Michael, at an event last year at Ministry of Sound. He asked initially to work with my Dad, but he was busy with the start of his Album so suggested he worked with me first. I sent him three backing tracks, hoping he’d maybe like one of them, but to my surprise he wanted to work on all three. That was a real confidence boost, and we’ve got plenty more music coming together. I am extremely grateful to him for taking that confidence in working with me as a new producer and it worked out really well for both of us.
f: How do you typically go about putting a track together?
Ethan: I nearly always start with the drums. Once I’ve got an eight-bar groove that feels right, I’ll start playing chords over the top until I find a riff that catches my ear. From there I’ll begin searching for the right keyboard sounds, whether that’s a Rhodes, Prophet or another analogue-style synth. The bass usually comes next, followed by little hooks, textures and details that help build the track. Once all the core elements are there, it’s about arranging everything so the record keeps evolving and holds your attention.
f: What’s your favourite piece of studio kit?
Ethan: I’d probably say my DX7. It’s one instrument I always find myself going back to. Whether it’s warm chords, pads or little hooks, it always seems to find its way into my productions. If we’re talking software, I’d also say Cubase has become second nature after using it for so many years.
f: What’s been your favourite gig of the year and where are you most looking forward to performing soon?
Ethan: My favourite gig this year has to be the Sultra event at Night Tales Loft for the Album launch for “You & Me”. Everything about the night just clicked. The crowd were amazing, the atmosphere was spot on and it was great meeting so many people who genuinely love house music. Nights like that remind you why you do it. I’m looking forward to getting back out over the summer and announcing a few more shows soon including more for Sultra. Sultra started out as my Dad’s record label and brand but it’s quickly evolving into a family brand and I now work with my Dad and Mel to promote new events. I find it works well as we bring music to a wide range of ages.
f: Who would you love to do a B2B set with?
Ethan: I’d have to say Mousse T. His productions have always been a huge influence on me, and I love the way he blends soul, funk and house together. I think that would be a lot of fun.
f: Which dance track holds the most precious memories for you?
Ethan: Hardsoul & Ron Carroll – Back Together. The first time I heard that record I was hooked. Before I was old enough to go to the pub, me and my mates would sit out in a field with a few beers, and I’d always make sure that track was queued up. Every time I hear it now it takes me straight back to those memories.
f: Who are your top three current producers?
Ethan: Michael Gray, Mousse T. and Jazz-N-Groove (Brian Tappert & Marc Pomeroy). All three have their own unique sound, and they’ve had a massive influence on how I approach production.
f: What else are you working on at the moment that you can tell us about?
Ethan: I’ve got a few more records with Andre Espeut coming later this year, which I’m really excited about.
I’m also working on new music for Sultra Records, including a few tracks that we’re already testing in DJ sets, as well as some remixes and collaborations with some brilliant new vocalists. There’s plenty of music on the way, and I can’t wait for people to hear what’s coming next.
‘Give Me Time’ is out now on Sultra Records.