THE PROJECT

Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Talking A&R with LA SAM... And his remix of Billy Rath - Cuerno (Out Monday 26th March)!

Hi Sam. We featured you on the blog last summer when you recorded a mix for our EP Podcast series and just after you joined the team as A&R… How has the past 9 months or so been for you working with us?

It is crazy that it has been that long because it feels nowhere near that. It has been an absolute blast I feel I have really broadened my horizons with joining the label team, especially when East Project was where it all began for me in terms of my first gig so it’s great to be working more closely in growing the label.

There has been a real buzz about the label lately and so many great upcoming talent releasing with us. The likes of Ben Sterling, K&K and Louis Robinson all happy to release on label has really helped and happy to say I was able to get them on board! A special mention to Tom Laidlaw as well who got in contact with me and released his first EP with us.

The biggest thing for me was helping artists that are trying to break through in this industry because I have been there myself and it is seriously the most rewarding feeling I have had by helping someone else.

With a really successful first release for 2018, there is a real sense that this could be a big year for the label, why do you think that is?

I think it is a combination of things. As a team me, Ben and Adam always work hard to brainstorm releases and who we can bring onto the label to help grow it. We always post a lot on socials as well. Another thing is our attitude with no egos, it is always about the quality of the music not the stature of the artist. If a producer has 0 followers on Soundcloud but their music is spot on for the label we will release it. Same goes if an artist has 10,000 followers but music doesn’t suit our sound then we won’t.

We also don’t have a fixed kind of sound, we release what we think sounds good, whether that’s minimal, deep house, tech house, techno etc if we like it we will release it. Then to round it off we have had so much support from Lindsey Matthews, Billy Rath, Ying Yang, Jo Poole, Matt Fear…. The list goes on. Without support there wouldn’t be so much hype around the label.

When you are out looking for new music or if anyone sends you a promo, what do they need to do to catch your attention?

I feel that approaching me in a kind genuine way is the best way. I don’t need anything specific, just you know a simple hello and little intro goes a long and a polite please and thank you. Manners go a long way for me. In terms of what I want to hear is always something different for example with Tom Laidlaw’s Jungle Move EP he had samples from a rainforest, which I thought was so cool and the groove of the track was perfect.

Are you looking for anything specific from a track/artists?

It has to sound clean. I feel a lot of artists sound clips that haven’t mixed down their tracks properly are presenting themselves in a bad way. A master isn’t crucial but a clean sounding well layered track is!

Looking at this upcoming EP from Billy Rath and specifically your remix of lead track “Cuerno”, what were you hoping to achieve with your version of the original?

When I got the parts, the vocal was a big factor for me. So when writing the track I based it around that and made a hook. I wanted to make something that had groove and energy with progression with a deep bass and that’s how it ended.

Did it come out as planned?

Yeah, I was really happy with how it turned out always want my productions to be as perfect as possible!

Finally, feel free to use this question as your chance to promote the DJs, producers, events that you are really feeling at the moment!

Ok! I feel Jacky deserves a mention! I have known him for some time now and he is taking his Jacky & Friends brand to Fabric! Which is huge for him. From being a part time DJ when I met him to where he is now is a perfect testament to hard work and dedication. Also, George Privatti for me is an unsung hero from Elrow. His productions have been solid lately and his December 2017 set over on Soundcloud is full of so many heavy tracks that make you wanna dance.

For more info on LA SAM, go to:

LA SAM on Soundcloud

LA SAM on Facebook

East Project on Beatport

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

Catching up with Rough Cut & Tebah to talk about their "Absolute Terrace" remix...

We've had a quick catch up with Rough Cut and Tebah to talk about their remix of Matt Fear's "Absolute Terrace"...

You’ve worked together previously, so how did you work on this remix for Absolute Terrace?

ROUGH CUT– Tebah (Max) is a good friend of ours and he has been doing our mastering for the label since we started. We’ve always like working with Max, in fact we just had another release with him before Christmas on Dog Records under his other Alias NoShame. For this remix I sent to Max an idea and we just played around with it and got it done.

TEBAH – Yeah, I’ve worked with Adam for a few years, mastering and we’ve done some songs in partnership. I was very happy with the invitation to work on this particular song because I’ve always liked Matt Fear's releases. It was very satisfying!

Did you always plan for the remix to come out sounding uplifting?

RC – Yes this was the idea, we just played with that and went for it. Very happy with the end result…

TEBAH – Yes, I really love make music in this way!

What benefits do you find of working with others on productions?

RC – It’s always good doing collabs with other artists. You think you have a sound in mind and once you both have worked on the track, it will normally go off in a completely different direction. Working with people with different sounds has this effect and pushes you as an artist.

TEBAH – For each new song, it raises new ideas and learnings. It’s always a good idea to unite the best qualities of each one.

Do you have anything else planned together coming up in the future and what else can we expect from you separately in 2018?

RC – Not currently, but it’s always fun working with Tebah or on his other project NoShame. But no doubt there will be something new started very soon. At moment myself and Bren are both dads and this does not give us as much time as we are used to in the studio.

We’re finishing up an EP for Runnin Wild – Bubba’s label. So really can’t wait for this, been following this label from the beginning, so really excited now to be working on an EP for them.

TEBAH – Every year we release something together, so there will certainly be more musical collaboration between us. This year I reactivated my project called "Tebah" that was stopped in 2017, next to that, I will become a father and certainly new energies will bring a lot of inspiration to new songs and I intend to make this year one of the best I have ever had in all aspects.

Finally, where are your absolute best terrace venues for partying or DJing?

RC – Well DC10 sticks out, but always love partying in Amnesia!

VIDEO and FULL TRACKLIST FROM EP023:

Wednesday, 7 February 2018

Introducing K&K...

This duo have been on fire recently and we were super happy to get them involved in the Matt Fear - Absolute Terrace release by providing a big house remix!

Please introduce yourselves…

Hi we are K&K, DJ and production duo from the London & Kent areas - Robin and Dan. We've been DJing together in different guises for around 20 years now. We began DJing in local clubs and bars in Kent in the late 90's, then moved up to Hertfordshire where we ran a club night for just over 5 years. We've been lucky enough to play at many iconic venues including Ministry of Sound, Egg, the old Pacha and many more.

I think our music style takes into account our 20yr journey spanning many genres... It's a solid mix of bouncy tech house with a definite old school influence and in the last 5 years we have had humbling success with our productions, original tracks, remixes and edits. Again our love for the house classics is heavily noticeable in everything we do.

Your top track on Beatport is Peaceful Crowd, released on Sleazy Deep. Tell us how that track come about and what was it like seeing it played by so many of the big house DJs?

Peaceful Crowd literally came out of nowhere. The vocal sample was already part of a track but it just needed something else. So a chill out in Ibiza listening to house classics around the pool became the eureka moment just as that famous piano kicked in.

The amount of play it’s got over the past year and a half has been ridiculous and nothing like what we expected. Everyone from Annie Mac to Hodor has played it and every time we see a video or get a message saying it’s been played, it still doesn’t quite sink in!

You also did a great edit of Double 99 – RIP Groove… were you guys into the UK garage sound?

As previously mentioned, we were DJing at the height of the UK garage phenomenon and loved it (still do), so yes most of what comes from the K&K camp has an element of this sound in it. We try and constantly look for old club favourites to rework and edit so we can get them into modern day club sets. That particular edit received crazy support and is still getting hammered now!

What are your thoughts on the London club scene at present?

It's in a strong place, there is a lot of exciting investment and clubs are bringing some massive names to the capital! It's not just London either; venues across the UK are really putting out strong line ups, Maidstone is firmly on the map right now!

The buzz is definitely there again in the clubbing world, it's often we will end up on the dance floor before, after and sometimes even during a gig partying. Another amazing thing at the moment is it's such a diverse crowd in every way, you have 18yr olds alongside 50yr olds all just loving the music.

When you got the parts for Absolute Terrace, how did you approach your remix?

It’s a great track so we wanted to keep the feeling of the original but move more towards a percussive roller. We were really pleased how the remix turned out!

Finally, what are your plans for 2018 and have you set yourselves any goals or targets on the production/DJ front?

We have some massive gigs lined up early 2018 including House Of Silk at GSS, supporting Fatboy Slim at Source Bar, supporting Mark Knight at 33hz and continuing our residency with Habitat supporting Latmun b2b with Detlef at Source!

Lots of releases lined up including a collab with Vanilla Ace and our track “I Can Do It” on Daylight Robbery this has been getting massive support.

We obviously have dream gigs we’d love to play and dream labels we’d love to sign tracks to but don’t set goals as such. We just want to carry on doing what we do and hopefully next year will be just as successful as the last!

FOR MORE ON K&K CHECK OUT:

Soundcloud

Facebook

Beatport

Twitter

Tuesday, 30 January 2018

Introducing Lindsey Matthews...

“26 dub / tech house / Minimal DJ”; “Self-taught from the small city of Swansea currently living in LONDON”; “Known for her breaks and impeccable baselines throughout her unique sets”; “Music has always been a huge part of her life since a young age”; just some of things you will read in her biography…

East Project are super happy to have been able to get Lindsey involved on the label, with an amazing remix of Absolute Terrace from Matt Fear, a top mix for our monthly slot on the DEEP:TECH radio show, as well as some original dub tech goodness coming later in the year.

Hey Lindsey, tell us what you are up to over the next few months?

I’m being quite selective as to what bookings I take at the minute. I will be playing some cool parties & festivals over the next few months. But I am mainly focusing on my producing at the moment which I’m sure you will all get to hear very soon

What were your highlight of 2017?

I had an amazing year, 2017 was a learning curve for me. Playing all summer in Ibiza & having the opportunity to play at Lovebox Festival was one to remember. But my highlight from 2017 has to be playing at one of my favourite venues in London 'Village Underground" for Solo Danza alongside Andrea Oliva & Neverdogs. The vibe was unreal & it is without a doubt one of the parties to watch in London in 2018

For anyone that has not caught a Lindsey Matthews set, tell us what they should expect?

I mean every DJ is different, but I feel I have my own style & vibe behind the decks. I like to mix up vocal lyrics with my dubby vibe. I am growing as a DJ & looking up to Apollonia… I feel my vibe is heading towards that direction.

What artists out there at the moment are your inspirations?

I have a few inspirations, Rossko, Guti, but at the moment Peggy Gou has to be my inspiration. After watching her at Circo Loco at DC she is definitely up there with her sound & energy.

Last question... If you were stranded on a desert island, what one album would you bring along to listen to and why?

That is a tough question as I adapt my music to the mood I am in. But it has to be Jamiroquai, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love that guy

DEEP:TECH radio show featuring LINDSEY MATTHEWS:

For more on Lindsey Matthews, go to:

Soundcloud

Facebook

Twitter

Wednesday, 27 December 2017

Introducing TOM JAY... and the Jungle Move (Tom Jay's Deep Mix)!!

On remix duties for Tom Laidlaw's lead single from his debut on East Project, we have the excellent production and DJ talent that is TOM JAY...... (Sense Traxx, Alledged, Defected ITH, 124 Recordings, Simma Black):

Hi Tom. How would you describe your remix of Jungle Move in 5 words?

Raw / Deep / Driven / Warm / Emotive

You have quite a bit of industry experience, having worked at CR2 records and now at MadHouse, MadTech and Sense Traxx. Do you think this is important to help make it in the industry as a DJ or Producer?

I don’t necessarily think having an industry job is necessary to being successful, I’m not sure it makes too much of a difference. The main thing is making sure the quality of your music is as good as it can be, to not cut corners and to make sure you create networks to get your music heard.

You’ve had a busy 2017 on the releases front… Which has been your favourite production and what can we expect from you in 2018?

My favourite production has to be my remix of DJOKO’s ‘Foolin’ Round’. Had some huge support across the board and did great in the stores, pretty much has defined my direction for 2018.

A few things to come and a few more to finish, so can’t say too much right now, but some nice things on the way with a vinyl-only release coming end of Jan to start the year nicely!

Finally, any exciting plans for NYE?

Not sure, so many great parties on in the city! I’ll see where it takes me.

For more on TOM JAY, go to:

Soundcloud

Facebook

info@tomjay.com

Tuesday, 19 December 2017

Introducing TOM LAIDLAW... and the "Jungle Move" EP!!

East Project end the year with a massive EP (out on Boxing Day) from the extra talented Tom Laidlaw... Check out the previews and interview below:

Please introduce yourself

Hi Guys. I’m Tom Laidlaw, 21 year old DJ/producer from Southend, Essex.

Who have been your big influences musically growing up and now?

Growing up in a family where music is a massive thing for us with my dad being a mod into Northern Soul from the 80s really influenced me into music and always gave me a great music taste from disco to rock music. Music generally has been a massive thing for me growing up.

How would you describe your sound and how do you like to work in the studio?

I’d like to describe my sound as very punchy with heavy baselines and kicks and always with a little bit of groove. I like to try and make my tracks different to a lot of house stuff released today but with only 3 years production experience I’m still trying to mould my own sound.

Tell us a bit about how Jungle Move and Junkin came about? What was the inspiration behind those tracks?

There wasn’t really any inspiration behind jungle move… I started it aiming for a groovy punchy tech house track with weird perc fills and noises but didn’t want to fall into the generic tech house category. The jungle idea came about when I was thinking of ideas how to make this track different, so I sampled a load of wild animal noises and put them behind the track and it worked really well. Junkin is a darker track and works really well in a EP together.

Tell us more about KLIK in Southend? And do you have a preference between DJing or producing?

KLIK Southend is a house and techno event that has been running for 6 years now. It’s a big event in Southend and has been for years, we aim to bring something different to our nights with music deep from the underground scene, with headliners like “Dungeon meat”, Fuse residents and Paranoid London.

I have been DJing for 5 years now and only started producing 3 years ago. I do not prefer either, I absolutely love them both and it’s a massive passion of mine, from selecting music for a killer set to jumping in the studio and starting new projects – it’s a massive joy for me!

What have been your 2017 highlights and what can we expect from you in 2018?

2017 has been a really good year for me with the KLIK parties growing and having my first EP released, there is a lot planned for 2018 and you can expect more music from me early into the new year!

Finally, assuming you are on Santa’s good list, what would be the ultimate present this year?

I am always looking to improve my home studio so some Roland equipment would be nice… maybe a TR-09.

For more on Tom Laidlaw, go to:

Facebook

Soundcloud

Thursday, 30 November 2017

What's HOT in December!?!

As the year comes to an end, the East Project team pick their big nights out in London for the most festive month of the year... Be sure to check them out and enjoy!

EGG Ibiza Reunion Special @ EGG

Fri 1st Dec / 23:00-06:00

DJs:

KlangKuenstler, GW Harrison, Jack Swift B2B Devstar

Late Replies, Jordan Wright