Leeds-based Grum is smashing up the tastemakers’ record boxes, inboxes, airwaves and PA systems with his infectious brand of good-time electro. Consistently delivering tasty track after tasty track, his singles Runaway and Sound Reaction have gained big plaudits from all the cool cats, as have his remixes for the likes of Freeland, Tommy Sparks and Passion Pit. And with new single Heartbeats being given some major support from the likes of Annie Mac and of course our good selves, this Autumn looks set to be Grum’s season. If you like Mylo, Burns, Phonat and that sort of thing, add him to your life right now…
How and when were you first infected by dance music?
When I was about 12 or 13, this radio station started up in Scotland called Beat106 (its now an XFM station I think). To begin with, it played exclusively dance music and I started checking it out. Of course, at this age I was too young to go to clubs etc, but I was hooked.
When did you start producing, and how long was it before you started making tracks that you were really happy with?
I got into production soon after discovering this music when I was about 14. I remember messing around with an old version of Fruity Loops after school. My interest led to me doing a uni course in music technology, where I really honed my productions and came up with the ‘Grum’ sound.
What have been your personal favourite productions so far?
My favourite track I’ve written is Heartbeats. I really like Runaway too. And I’m quite proud of my Freeland remix.
Where does your name come from?
It started out as some sort of nickname which friends started calling me, I’m not sure as a complement though. And now I’m stuck with it!
Who would you most like to work with?
I mostly work with samples right now, but I’d love to collaborate with some vocalists and write some really quirky poppy dance stuff. It would also be great to get in the studio with an ‘80s producer legend like Trevor Horn.
What have you got in store for the coming months?
My new single Heartbeats hits iTunes on 27th October, so I’m pretty excited about that. I’m also just adding the finishing touches to my album, which should be out early next year. Other than that I’ve got a few remixes to come, including a remix for Mason & Sam Sparro, and my take on an early piano rave classic!
What can we expect from one of your DJ sets?
I tend to play a real variety of whatever I’m feeling at the time. Generally it’ll be an upbeat set encompassing my own stuff, Italo house/electro, disco (old and ‘nu’), some Style of Eye-type accessible techno, French house…whatever floats my boat!
If you weren’t a DJ/producer, what would you be?
I really have no idea. I fell into doing music full time as soon as I graduated, so it could be anything! My degree was in music technology so probably something along those lines…maybe programming VSTs or some similar dullness. Either way, I’d still be making music if only in an amateur capacity, as it’s a bit of an addiction for me.
Which other producers and DJs do you really rate?
I’m massively into Classixx right now, every recent remix has been amazing. Aeroplane are also permanently brilliant. I’m really into the current French house guys too; Lifelike, Fred Falke, Louis La Roche etc. Joakim always surprises and delights; his new single is great.
www.myspace.com/grummmusic
Grum's Heartbeats is released on 26th October on his label of the same name. Heartbeats that is, not Grum.
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