It’s been only five years but Chris Lake has managed to become quite popular within the house/electronica scene. Playing at clubs, concerts and festivals across the planet, Lake is becoming widely known for his energy and unique choice of sounds to get a crowd dancing.
Currently on tour, I caught up with the British DJ to discuss his life on the move and the release of his new album “Cross The Line.”
SH: Within the past few years, you’ve blown up within the music scene, how does it feel? You must be pretty pumped.
CL: I feel like I’m an extremely privileged individual!
I grew up for a love for music and a desire to create it. It pretty much started off as a hobby that got serious and turned into a full time career.
SH: How did your love for music originate?
CL: Well, my parents had me play the keyboard when I was 10. I’d practice at home and then play at my grandparents every time we went to visit. I didn’t even know I had a music flair until later in life. Then when I moved to Scotland I was introduced to the synthesizer. My fascination with the synthesizer developed to be a bug and just like a drug, I guess, I was addicted ;I couldn’t stop playing.
SH: Tell me the moment you realized “it was all happening.”
CL: hahaha, Well, I was working a full time job. Well, not really full time because my boss was pretty flexible and let me off a few times a week to play gigs.
SH: What kind of job was that?
CL: Delivering mail. I was a postman. (laughs) Anyway, I was playing foreign gigs and all and my boss inspired me to quit my job and work full time in the music industry. And that was exactly what I did. I’d have to say when I quit delivering mail was the moment I realized music was reality for me. But I promise you I’m not working any cedi jobs now.
SH: It’s apparent and quite admirable that you don’t just stick to one type of music while djing/producing. Have you always mixed different genres or is this a new thing for you?
CL: It honestly came about from how uninspiring so many DJs were at the beginning of 2010. They’d play the same sound over and over again. Where is the fun in that? I make music depending on my mood. The sound I create has to with what I’m feeling at the moment.
SH: So currently what’s your favorite sound?
CL: So many! I like atmospheric to lose my mind, uplifting beats, base face… oh I’m all about sounds that make the base face. Not really on woman but I’m all about the base face. I like the deeper, darker sounds of electronic music. Like I said though, it just depends on my mood. If I want to feel happy or inspired I’ll play uplifting music.
SH: So what direction are you trying to take your sounds?
CL: hmm, well I don’t really know where I want to take it. I love the fun, positive vibes of working with my mates though.
SH: Well this year you’ve collaborated with Marco Lys and Deadmau5. How’d that come to be?
Well, I was a huge fan of Lys’ music and I played a record of his in 2007. He ended up getting in touch with me and we just started talking at the studio one day, which eventually led to our friendship.
SH: The two of you have a new album, “Cross The Line” coming out in the next week. How was creating it?
CL: It was great. We’re really good friends. He’s an Italian that doesn’t speak much English so I just enjoy ripping the piss out of him. If you ever meet him, do the same. It creates a fun vibe.
SH: So with the release of “Cross The Line” and the start of 2011 in just a month, where are you hoping to take your music? Any specific direction?
CL: I don’t really have a specific direction. I’m playing music because its fun and that’s what I want to do for my fans: create fun music. The house/electronica scene is made for fun and people to dance so I just want to keep up with that. I love collaborating with my mates on future tracks. Not to get their fans but because its fun playing with them and creating a positive vibe.
SH: You’ve been around the nation lately…
CL: Yes, it’s been great, exhausting but great. I just left L.A., I’m currently freezing in Montreal and I’m headed to Miami this weekend.
SH: How are you enjoying Montreal?
CL: Well it’s freezing.
SH: Being from London you must be used to it.
CL: I am but this hotel is terrible. Would you mind holding for a second? Room service is here.
SH: Go for it.
CH: I’m back.
SH: What’d you get?
CL: Nachos, straight nachos. I’m usually pretty healthy too but like I said, this hotel is terrible. It has high speed Internet but other than that they offer nothing for vegetarians. When I tell people I’m a vegetarian they don’t understand. Its like they think I’m a rabbit.
SH: (sarcastically) So you mean a stick of celery won’t satisfy you?
CL: Those people are bizarre! Like no, just because I don’t eat meat doesn’t mean bread and water will cut it.
SH: Well speaking of food, I saw you tweeted that you’re “..at peace with the fact that your love for chocolate will lead to diabetes.”
CL: hahahah, Oh my gosh, I love chocolate, like LOVE.
SH: What’s your favorite kind?
CL: I can’t even tell you I have so many but probably a chocolate-orange. I’ve got my wife hooked also. She never really ate chocolate until she met me…. Oh man now I want to order chocolate! What’s your favorite?
SH: I’m all about ice cream. Ice cream is my jam.
CL: Haagen Daz is great.
SH: That it is.
SH: Room service it up!
CL: I’m actually looking at the room service menu right now for chocolate!
SH: So back to life on tour.. if you weren’t on this phone call right now or practicing music, what would you be doing?
CL: Practicing music.
SH: 24/7?
CL: Well, I love T.V. box sets… love them.
SH: Favorites?
CL: So many! I’m currently downloading Family Guy on Itunes. Weeds is quite fun, The Walking Dead is REALLY good, EastBound and Down.
SH: Kenny Powers!
CL: Ya, Kenny Powers exactly, Kenny Powers.
I also like 24 and lost.
SH: Any movies? I want a good suggestion.
CL: Movies are horrible now. The amount of good films I’ve seen is worryingly small. I think Hollywood movies are the biggest crap I’ve seen in my life. I think 90% don’t have a decent original idea; it’s depressing. But when good movies do come along, It’s rewarding.
SH: So when you’re not watching TV or bashing on Hollywood do you ever get out?
CL: I’d like to go-cart one day. Racing is obviously fun, it’s the competitive nature in me. Snooker is fun too.
SH: Snooker?
CL: Yes, an English sport. It’s a relaxing, strategic game.
SH: What’s your favorite part about being on tour?
CL: Playing of course.
SH: Internationally speaking, are your fans different?
CL: Completely! Americans are so much more excited since this music is fresher to the scene.
SH: How do you handle fans spotting you on the street?
CL: Well I try to play it cool of course but I don’t really handle it. I don’t know it just depends. I always talk to them, some of them are evidently crazy and if that’s the case I do my best to avoid the situation.
SH: Tell me about some crazy situations you’ve come across.
CL: hahah, well last night for example, these very drunk woman, well, tried to throw themselves on me. I don’t understand because I wear a wedding ring on my finger and I love my wife dearly. You would love her too if you knew her.
SH: Awe, that’s sweet. How are you managing without her?
CL: She’s involved in the music scene as well. She’s currently in L.A. singing and song writing. Because she’s in the industry we’re able to see each other frequently.
SH: You guys must relate on a lot since you’re both into music.
CL: Absolutely! Its like we both understand each other so much more because we have the love for music in common.
SH: So who are you behind closed doors? I mean, we see you on stage but you’re of course not the same person.
CL: I am loud, obnoxious, stupid, annoying… you can probably tell from this conversation.
SH: Oh no worries, I’ve very much enjoyed the chat.
CL: Ya? Well good, as have I.
SH: As I conclude this interview, being an annual Ultra Music Festival goer, can I, and the rest of the Knight News’ readers hope to see you for Ultra 2011?
CL: Well, there is a very, very good possibility that you’ll be seeing me.
