I think the first Russ Chimes production that floored me was his Marina & Diamonds – Mowgli’s Road remix. After that he continued to define his production career by working with notable blog haus cool kids like The Golden Filter, Justin Faust, Fabian, Ellie Goulding, Mark Ronson and many others.
He’s been on my speakers since the beginning of this internet driven house music explosion and his work is only getting better. Chimes is one of the few artists at the moment seeking interesting visuals to accompany his work. While most are content to throw together some cut-up retro footage, Chimes embarks on a full-on cinematic epic for his 3-part Midnight Club EP.
His Tonic teaser is also well crafted, bringing the viewer along his live tour to experience the rush of a screaming crowd from the DJ’s perspective. It’s Chimes’ dedication to the art, remixes, detailed mixtapes and interesting videos that will maintain his in-demand status for promoters and fans around the world.
First off, congrats! Tonic and Helix are both huge tracks that I’m sure will be played to death. What’d the writing process for these look like?
Well for the first time when producing a track I actually started with building up the beat and went from there. Usually I always start with a melody or hook, but I guess for these clubbier tracks, it’s important to get the beat right first up.
When did you notice things really starting to take off? I imagine you didn’t start out with a giant RUSS CHIMES light up sign hanging from the rafters as you play in front of huge crowds.
I guess just when I started to get booked to DJ about 3 years ago. I was never really a proper DJ before (only as a hobby) so it was a bit of a shock that people were flying me out places to play their nights.
Was it mainly your idea to infuse cinematic content with your music? [Midnight Club 1-3 & Tonic teaser]
Yeah it was really. I think music and moving image working together in the right way can be extremely powerful, and intensify any emotions that music will have alone.
Who’s doing all the filming? Friends?
On the Tonic teaser, it was either me or my girlfriend, or sometimes friends. I have a little flip cam that goes around to gigs, or I just try to get as many random bits as possible. The Midnight Club trilogy on the other hand was a whole other matter, that had a whole crew and cast. It was overwhelming!
When you’re sick of listening to, or making music, what shows/books/movies do you like to watch? Do you have a series you’re hooked on?
I’m not really into TV series too much, i don’t really have the patience to get into them. I try and read the odd biography, or watch the odd movie but to be honest, I don’t get as much free time as I used to.
Can you tell us about Uno Mas?
Uno Mas is my new label that will primarily be an avenue for me to release my own tracks. Hopefully further down the line this will expand into becoming a home for other artists, but for now it’s just a way I can have 100% creative control of my work in terms of music, artwork, promotion, videos etc..
Are you pretty picky about who you remix?
I try to be! I think there has to be a something going on in a track that you can’t stop thinking about what you could do with it. It’s really hard to be creative with a track that doesn’t give you any reactions at all.
Where are the best eats in London?
Ahh there’s so much! One of my favourites is Constancia on Tower Bridge Road. Amazing steak there.
Describe the best night you’ve ever had while playing a dj set:
Going back to back with Alan Braxe and Starsmith last year was pretty special. Djing can be a pretty lonely activity. I think the best nights are always when you have friends around you sharing the experience.
If you could instantly speak any foreign language which one would you choose & why?
Spanish. I speak a little, but it could be a lot better.
Which artists do you think are changing dance music in a good way?
That’s a really hard question. To be brutally honest, I think it’s more and more difficult to be a game changer when dance music is forever expanding into more and more specific sub genres and scenes. I think to change the face you have to be relevant to all of these different groups, which isn’t an easy thing.
What do the parents think of your career?
They’re super proud and have always supported me, so I’m really lucky in that respect!
Who’s one of your favorite djs to see live?
I always used to love watching Sasha play. I haven’t caught his set in a while now though, so I couldn’t tell you if he’s still my favourite :)
Russ Chimes – Tonic / Helix was released this week. Pick it up. You won’t regret it. Say hi to Russ Chimes on soundcloud.
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