Dante returned to release yet another captivating track, hooking up with Sam James to release “Givin’ Up On Love.”
The powerful and emotional future bass/electronic single will hook any listener in with its melancholic piano and raspy, powerful vocal by Sam James. With a stripped-back production, the arrangement progresses from a simple piano progression into an anthemic drop driven by lush synths and an infectious vocal chop melody. The heavy bassline will infuse energy into any listener and will work well on any dancefloor.
We caught up with Dante to learn more about how the single came about, how working with a vocalist is beneficial.
T.H.E – Hey Dante! Welcome to T.H.E – Music Essentials. How has 2021 kicked off for you?
Dante – Man oh, man. Thought we were out of the woods with the craziness of last year but 2021 came in real hot haha. I’m hopeful and happy though, optimistic about the Spring and Summer and things opening back up, getting to play music again for crowds and seeing people get to enjoy themselves again.
T.H.E – Love your collaboration with Sam James, “Givin’ Up On Love”. How did that come about?
Dante – Funny story. We actually know each other from high school. My best friend and his best friend were brothers and we all went to high school together. We were also always over their house together. Fast forward and Sam has been grinding on the independent artist circuit for years now. He’s been writing songs for huge artists (Galantis and Dolly Parton, Camron and Dipset, Bebe Rexha, to name a few) and has had some big covers go viral on social media. He was also on Songland with John Legend. So convincing him to do vocals on my track was no easy task but I sent him the instrumental and he ended up really liking it and wanting to do it so it worked out great.
T.H.E – What is the message behind the title of the song? And could you talk us through the process of creating it?
Dante – It’s a bad breakup song. I actually worked on this and shelved it years ago when I was in a really bad place. It sucks when you’re down really deep because you think it’s always going to be like that and things will never get better. But they do. And they did for me. So I shelved the song at about 80% done. Last year I decided I was going to make the production thing happen and stop thinking my work wasn’t good enough to put out. Which is a really tough thing to do because we’re all self-conscious. And releasing material is no different than releasing art. It’s showing the world a part of you. So I said screw it, I think this song is meaningful and will resonate with people, hit up Sam to lend the vocals and he agreed and voila.
T.H.E – The song has hints of pop in it. Is this something that we can expect from you going forward in your productions?
Dante – Yah I’m a mainstream open format DJ at heart. Have been for over 20 years now so deep down I love to make the kind of stuff I would play during one of my shows and that fans would expect to hear.
T.H.E – As a producer, do you feel you get to learn more when working with a vocalist?
Dante – What a great question. Immensely. Writing music is the hardest thing in the world I think if you are trying to learn it later in life like I am. Somebody as accomplished as Sam it seems like it comes naturally to. Which is both really frustrating and really motivating. I want to continue to get better and up my level so I’m continuing to work my ass off and trying to work with people I can learn from.
T.H.E – Lastly, what can you tell us about your plans for 2021?
Dante – I want to continue to work at getting better and focus on making new music. I’d love to get my club in Cleveland, FWD, reopened and a club in Chicago opened, and most importantly get married to my fiance.
