After making his debut with Find Our Love EP earlier this year, London Fields (aka Joel Edwards of Deepest Blue fame) returns to the Friday Fox den with a superb new slice of indie-fused underground House titled Colour To My Life. Centered around a smoldering deep house groove that’s underpinned by a brooding bass, “Colour To My Life” is charged with an infectious and beautifully candid vocal from Joel.
We caught up with Joel to discuss the release, discuss his career and learn more about the man behind the artist known in the music world as London Fields.
Hi Joel, it’s a pleasure to chat with you today, how’s 2018 been for you so far?
It’s been really busy so far, full on with writing and production. I’m currently working on a new London Fields track and also in the lab with Chad Jackson writing an Acid House EP.
Please tell us a little about where you’re from and how you first got into making music?
I was born in Tottenham and then my family moved around a bit (think I had every accent under the sun whilst growing up). Me and my mates always had small studio set ups, so every available spare moment was spent in the studio. My first tracks out on major labels came when I sang on Chicane’s track ‘Some Might Say’ and I then went on to write and play on Ed’ Case’s debut album.
Growing up, who did you listen to and did they have an effect on how your own music sounds today?
I loved bands like The Sex Pistols, The Fall, Jesus and Mary Chain, Julian Cope and The Stone Roses, through to Crosby Still & Nash, Joni Mitchell and then Acid House took off, I got into going out and partying.
Starting out with your Deepest Blue band back in the early 2000’s, what was your big break and biggest record?
‘Deepest Blue’ the single charted higher at No.7, but ‘Give It Away’ charted at No.9, but was played more on the radio. It got to No.2 in the airplay chart and I still hear it out in most shopping centres. :-) ‘Shooting Star’ was used by Sky Sports for a few years, which was nice.
You’ve performed a lot all over the world, what have been some of your highlights over the years?
Performing with Planet Funk was amazing, we performed to huge audiences with everyone knowing all the songs. Was a really special couple of years.
Do you remember your first gig? Where was it and how did it go?
AHHHHHH (laughs)… well, the thing is, I always saw myself as a studio musician/ producer guy and I had zero intention of being out front. Pete Tong played the single and all of a sudden a few weeks later we’re playing in front of 40,000 at Hamden Park…… I was terrified to say the least.
Knowing what you know now as a seasoned producer and performer, what advise would you give to yourself back then?
Make the music you love.
You’re a singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist. Were you classically trained, what’s your favorite instrument and what’s your studio set up like?
I can’t read a note of music, but love orchestration, more than happy to sit with something and play with it. I have a little bit of outboard, love the Thermionic gear. I’m really into tape and and collect weird synths and guitars. Also really lucky to be working with Aston Microphones – It’s all about the The Aston Sound for me.
What do you love most about your job?
I really can’t call it a job as I love it so much. Being in the lab feels like home to me. The other thing I’ve loved is the opportunity to travel to places you would never normally see.
If you could make a duet with anyone in the world, who would it be?
I’m into too many artists – I’m a huge fan of Cornelius, but right now I’d love to resurrect my old Remix name Dead Guys and do an electro punk remix for IDLES – I have their album on repeat right now…
Let’s talk about your exciting new guise London Fields – we premiered your debut single last year on Friday Fox. Tell us about your new sound and where you see yourself going musically with London Fields.
Thanks to Lavvy and Chris from the label for letting me have fun in the studio – I’m just simply making music – but in general London Fields has a much more underground vibe than some of my other music, so let’s see where it goes.
Your follow up ‘Colour To My Life’ is coming out again on Friday Fox, what did you set out to achieve with it musically and are you happy with the way it sounds?
‘Colour To My Life’ came about quite quickly – I remember jumping around the studio and that’s when I knew I liked it. Then to push it on we got some amazing remixes done. I love everything Sonny Wharton does and then you have Rapson who has just come off the back of his brilliant ‘Heat’ and then FFR’s Christian B takes it further.
Have you plans for a London Fields album or maybe taking yourself back out on the live circuit again?
For club style music, I really love EPs. For my more artist based projects (ones where you you go down rather than up ) I love albums. I think the problem with the Deepest Blue album Late September was we didn’t really know what we wanted to achieve. I now know different sounds have to have a different project name. I will keep album projects for the likes of my Deeper The Fall project.
Who is rocking on the UK scene at the moment?
There are so many good artists out there. I’ve got to give props to a few mates of mine though. I’m loving everything Will Clarke is putting out at the moment. I heard some snippets from Dom Kane’s new album coming out on Mau5trap and loved it. Also OC & Verde and I’m a huge Jamie Jones and Lee Foss fan.
2018 a new year full of hopes and aspirations.. have you anything in particular you have set for yourself to accomplish this year?
Just to be musically happy. I was talking to my mate Rob from S*M*A*S*H the other day and we chatted about doing an electro punk project. I’ve not done a song based acoustic album for ages, so fancy that. Also working on a new acid house EP with Hacienda legend Chad Jackson.
Finally, which dance track holds the most precious memories for you?
Growing up – my getting ready to go out rack would be Stacker ‘Humanoid’, it still gets me going to this day. I used to almost live in the back arch of The Cross. So any track that was played at Renaissance was incredible.
London Fields ‘Colour To My Life’ will be released on Traxsource promo on February 16th / Full release March 2nd 2018 on Friday Fox Recordings.
