Most DJ/producers don’t crack into the DJMag Top 100 before the age of 30. Most of them don’t shun major label attention. Most of them don’t have the balls to call out the scene that they belong to when it’s failing to deliver the goods. And some don’t even produce ‘their’ own tracks. Gareth Emery, with his potent blend of trance, house and electro, however, is not your average major league artist.
With a big profile in the dance music industry comes a lot of fan following. A lot of fans do not get the opportunity to speak to their favourite artists. We want to give them that chance, hence we have started, “T.H.E Ultimate Fan Interview”, where we select one die-hard fan and give him the opportunity to ask their favourite artists about everything they have always wanted to know.
When it comes to Gareth Emery, there was only one clear choice in our heads – Khushi Sen. We have been following her on Twitter for quite sometime and if there is one thing clear from all that she tweets, its that she absolutely adores Gareth.
Here’s what Khushi had to say after she first heard the news about interviewing Gareth Emery.
“When T.H.E – Music Essentials asked me whether I wanted to interview Gareth Emery [of ALL the people in the world], I was absolutely sure that it was an April Fool’s prank! But when I was sent the whole chain mail that was being exchanged between T.H.E & Gareth’s crew, I literally had a mini heart attack! And to see that the last email indirectly addressed me as well as Gareth’s confirmation to do the interview had sent me over the moon!!!
I have known Gareth’s work since 2011. He was one of the first DJs I ever listened to, in this genre of music. And he is the reason I am hooked till date! He has been there with me through my good times and my very very good times!!! I have always gone back to ‘Northern Lights’ whenever I felt I needed to get lost in a beautiful moment. I may be crazy about a number of DJs in the world, but Gareth tops the charts!!
To be given an opportunity to interview him, is an incredible dream that has come true only & only because of T.H.E – Music Essentials! There would be so much I would talk to him about and I did, through all my questions. The fact that he took out the time to answer MY questions, even the thought of it, is so exhilarating. I am so glad that T.H.E – Music Essentials made something that seemed so impossible, possible! “
You can check out her interview below where she speaks to Gareth about plenty of topics including his recent album – Drive, Electric For Life Tour and his collaboration with Brute Force – Arrival.
Khushi Sen – Hello Gareth! Firstly, I would like to thank you for this opportunity. It’s been a dream come true for me to have the opportunity to ask you what I have always wanted to know. Where in the world are you while taking this interview?
Gareth Emery – I’m in Las Vegas the SLS Hotel – I have a residency here at the SLS hotel, so I’m going through some music for tonight’s show and taking care of some business, like this interview!
Khushi Sen – You have been playing mixes for the longest time. When did you decide to have an album of your own? Your most recent album, “Drive” was a resounding success. Are preparations for another album already in place? If yes, when can we expect it?
Gareth Emery – Well my first album was in 2010 ‘Northern Lights’. I’d entered the industry in 2002, so it took 8 years. Then I released ‘Drive’ in 2014, so Drive took about 4 years. I’m just finishing up the follow up to Drive, which I think is going to be the best one yet, and that’s only taken 2 years. So it seems for each successive album I’m halfing the time needed to produce them, haha. But seriously, I think one album every 2 years is a good schedule for me to be on.
Khushi Sen – One question that I have been dying to know is that how did you come up with the name Northern Lights? What significance does it have to you as a debut album name?
Gareth Emery – My album titles have always been a reflection of what’s happening in my life at that time, as the creative process for aln album is heavily influenced by that period of your life. At that point, I’d moved to Manchester (in the North of the UK) from my original home in Southampton, and it was a very exciting period of my career. We started my label Garuda, were running regular nights in Manchester’s legendary Sankeys nightclub. The move North had been very exciting, and the album was a reflection of that time.
Khushi Sen – One of my favourite tracks that I can listen to on repeat is “Arrival” featuring Brute Force. I would love to know how this song came about.
Gareth Emery – I wrote the original demo before playing on one of Armin’s ASOT events, in Bratislava I think. I didn’t have a good track to start my set with, so I stayed up all night and wrote Arrival in about 4 hours. I’d had no sleep, and had to go straight from the studio to the airport, but I had a great intro track. The track went down great, so I knew it would be on the album, but I felt it needed something more organic, some real instruments in there. I’d been in India the year before, and Tuhin from Brute Force had passed me some demos, and one track had this beautiful flute line which I was really captivated by. The track itself was ok, but this flute just did something for me. So I told the guys: let me sample the flute, add it to my track, and we’ll do it together – and there you go. It’s one of my favourite tracks from Northern Lights and Ashley Wallbridge made an incredible remix which I started my sets with for a long time.
Khushi Sen – You have recently announced your Electric For Life Tour. We have read that it is an innovative live show. Where did this thought of having such a tour come to you? What is the inspiration behind it? Any plans of bringing it to India?
Gareth Emery – It’s an all night set, which has me opening and closing for myself, which is pretty cool. I’m a big fan of having the venue from the start, starting super deep, almost chilled, with barely any production, and really building the night over a period of hours. We’ve also got some pretty amazing production surprises planned, but you’ll have to watch the live stream from Los Angeles to see what they are. Doing the show in India at some point is definitely in my mind. The Indian crowds are incredible, and I think India would really do justice to an EFL Arena show.
Khushi Sen – What message would you like to give all your fans back here in India?
Gareth Emery – Thank you for your incredible support. I love playing in India and just experiencing the country (especially the food). Hopefully I’ll be back with you some time soon.
Khushi Sen – I would like to end this interview by asking some quick-fire questions.
a. Your favourite artist/artists to collaborate with.
Gareth Emery – Ashley Wallbridge, Luke Bond or Ben Gold.
b. Your favourite track/tracks to listen to whenever you go on a long drive.
Gareth Emery – Loco Dice, The Lab Vol 1 or Hot Since 82 – Little Black Book.
c. Which venue/venues have you enjoyed playing at the most?
Gareth Emery – Far too many to mention.
d. Your favourite sport.
Gareth Emery – Rugby union.
e. Beer or hard drinks.
Gareth Emery – There’s time for both… a nice cold beer on a hot day or a vodka red bull whilst playing a festival. But neither at the moment. I’m taking a little break from alcohol to focus on finishing this third album on time. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to get the work done!
Khushi Sen – Thanks a ton Gareth for making my dream come true! :)
If you would like to be a part of our “T.H.E – Ultimate Fan Interviews” roster, be sure to send us a mail at [email protected] and tell us why you deserve to be picked. :)
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