English duo Spiritchaser‘s productions and remixes have been released on some of the worldâs greatest underground dance labels including Papa Records, Quantize, Z Records, Purple Music, Discopolis, ITH, as well as their spiritual home Guess Records and Duffnote and more.
We catch up for a chat ahead of their new single release with Est8 ft Emily Cook “Because I Knew”.
Hi Guys, it’s a pleasure to chat with you today, how’s 2018 been and what have been your highlights so far?
Thanks for having us. So far, 2018 has been a really productive year!! Not in the sense weâve released loads of music, in fact âBecause I Knewâ is our first release for the year, but weâve been really busy in the studio, writing and producing. As the months roll on the excitement levels in the studio are rising for what we have bubbling away.
What turned you on to making house music?
In many respects, it was probably more a case of making music that just happened to be house music. We both love and listen to all sorts and have always enjoyed an eclectic approach to songwriting and production. With combined assets of musician and DJ backgrounds, it was inevitable weâd naturally gravitate towards dance music.
How did you first meet, what was your first release and when?
We first met in a pub in Chichester in 1998. Over one or two beers (and a spiritchaser or 3) our mutual appreciation of music and dance music in particular lead us to get into the studio and âsee what happensâ. Our very first production was actually a remix of Deep Architecture âThe Realmâ (Niche Records) which gained a lot of attention so we took that as a sign that we worked well together. âIn Your Handsâ was our very first original production.
Whatâs been your biggest success so far?
In 2009/2010 we decided to put together our first LP. We knew it was a creative exercise to throw all our influences onto the table and ultimately end up with a very eclectic project. It was near the completion of it that we realised we needed a full song in there to aid the dynamic of the overall work. That song was âThese Tearsâ and with the Est8 mix added to the single release it reached no. 1 in South Africa and stayed there for 9 weeks and has since become somewhat of a âclassicâ.
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
The million dollar question!! Between the pair of us there is not one genre of music that hasnât been influential in our approach to songwriting and production. Weâll mention Talking Heads, Herbie Hancock, Chopin and The Orb all in the same breath.
Which is your own favorite production or remix and why?
Weâve already mentioned âThese Tearsâ, and yes, we have a special love for that record and the affect it had on people. âConchâ is also a big favourite of ours. But there are also remixes weâve been involved in that have been amazing experiences for us. Some that spring to mindâŠAki Bergen âInto My Soulâ, Groove Cartell ft Samantha Mow âYou Got Me Singingâ (which became the highest selling record on Traxsource in 2013) and also The Sunburst Band âGarden Of Loveâ. Can we choose all of those for starters?âŠ
Your new single with Est8 is dropping on Guess Records, including a remixes from NâDinga Gaba and Bamo, what we can expect musically?
We very much like to âgo with itâ when weâre writing in the studio. There is always a common streak through our sound but we like to keep things interesting and dynamic with our output. âBecause I Knewâ is very much a return to our deep, emotive roots with a touch of afro I guess (pigeon holing ourselves has never been our strong point). Est8 slows things down for a piano lead approach, [Bamo] takes his remix along a hypnotic dub vibe whilst NâDinga gets his afro house flex on it. Itâs a varied package.
Tell us about your relationship with Est8 and how the collaboration came about?
Est8 (Dan Jones) is [Richardâs] business partner at Duffnote Ltd which runs the Duffnote label, One51 and of course Guess Records. Itâs been a friendship, musical connection and business relationship stretching over 15 years. âThese Tearsâ remix was Danâs very first Est8 production and that cemented a successful creative collaboration with Spiritchaser and Emily Cook.
‘Because I Knewâ also features vocals from Emily Cook who features quite a lot on your releases, how did your relationship start?
It was literally a âdo we know any local singersâ situation!! During the final stages of the â1440â album, we had written âThese TearsââŠit was produced but we didnât have a singer. And believe me, if either of us did it, weâd have sold 2 copiesâŠto our parents!! We came across EmilyâŠcalled her upâŠshe said yes and that was it. In the studio, recording and collaborating on a whole bunch of music.
How do you typically go about writing a track and what inspires your music?
There are 2 very particular approaches. One will come from the lyrics/melody and weâll build the music around itâs sentimentality. The other is sitting at the piano, playing through ideas or messing about programming weird and wonderful sounds and get a vibe going that way.
Youâve already released 2 albums.. â1440â and âChronosâ, have you any plans for a third?
Absolutely!! We are working on a 3rd album right now. Weâre probably 60% the way through it so realistically weâll have it ready for 2019.
Youâve been producing together since 1998, how has your sound evolved since you first started out?
I guess as musical trends shift one hopes to embrace those trends to remain relevant but hopefully without losing sight of the core elements and characteristics of our sound. Weâre often told âyou can tell a Spiritchaser track after the first few beats/chordsâ so our approach to production, mixing and mastering has remained consistent. And thatâs an important factor for us. For us, music is driven by passion and identity, not popularity.
You both produce independently, what are the proâs and cons of collaborating and are 2 heads better than one, whats the secret to your partnership?
We do both produce independently, but when weâre working together, we bring our âother selvesâ into the room but they sit in the background. We have a sound that binds Spiritchaser together and itâs always had that. No matter how much influence is in the room, we always seem to make sense out of it all without compromising the Spiritchaser sound.
Which dance track hold the most precious memories for each of you?
Richard – Sunscreem âPerfect Motionâ (Boys Own Mix). I was at Goldsmiths College (University of London) reading music between 1993-1996 and one of my fondest soundtracks during my time there (and probably one of the finest mix compilations ever produced) was Sasha & John Digweed – Renaissance – The Mix Collection, and âPerfect Motionâ was standout for me. To be honest, that whole album was an ear opener for me.
Mark – Don Carlos âAloneâ (Paradise Mix). I first heard this at Cafe Del Mar in 1991, Jose Padilla dropped it at sunset, a spiritual moment Iâll never forget! A stunning record that has always had the ability to make me cry for all the right reasons.
What do you most like and dislike about the current house music scene and what would you like to see change?
The music industry moves so quickly these days that many artists and labels feel itâs necessary to supply product at great pace. Itâs not necessary. Itâs got to a point when people are now receiving so much music from artists/labels that thereâs no excitement any moreâŠthe reaction is more like âohâŠanother one!â We prefer to release music when itâs good and ready, however long it takes. No compromises. And that way, when we appear with a new record we hope people are excited for it, weâve always been that way, not matter what platform people are using to consume it whether it be vinyl, download or streaming.
What else is going on for Spiritchaser that you’d like to tell us about?
For now, itâs all about finishing off a couple more singles for the year and getting our next album ready for 2019.
“Because I Knew” will be released on Traxsource promo on May 11th / Full release May 28th on 2018 on Guess Records.
Pre-order: https://www.traxsource.com/title/970818/because-i-knew-ft-emily-cook
