By Frank Bell
London based 26-year-old producer / DJ / musician Haus of Fraser presents Feeling Blue Since 1995, a slice of soulful stirring electronica lifted from the forthcoming EP Same Ol Dance released 11th June through Norma
Music.
What was the first album you bought?
Muse – origins of symmetry
Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations and why?
My biggest musical influences have been artists like Radiohead, Daft Punk, Jamie Jones, and Frank Sinatra. Despite all these artists being very different, they all have a taste of sounds I’ve always gravitated towards. Radiohead are great at setting the tone to conceptual ideas, eerie rhythms, and haunting vocals. A strong influence one can’t really describe. Daft punk is the act I take inspiration from the most when it comes to my music. They have unique energy, rhythm, and style I cannot ignore. I remember hearing Daft Punk’s “One More Time” in 2006…only peeking through the keyhole of what I would later discover from them. Jamie Jones came onto my radar in the summer of 2014 when I heard his Remix of Azari & Ill’s Hungry for the Power. I was hooked on his very subtle yet powerful drops. His musical sounds and DJing style has made a huge impression on me, a career path to follow for sure. Frank Sinatra of course to me is the music that gave me that first understanding of real quality in music and performing. Very much taken in by the true phrasing of the lyrics and the determination to be the best.
What are some non-musical inspirations that motivate your music?
I have always been fascinated and inspired by the lighting engineering side in clubs or at parties. The lighting part of a club night is very important to me. Lighting, colour and mood play a large part of how I feel when I’m writing music too. The greatest experiences of inspiration have been mostly all due to incredible lighting, whether it be the morning sun beaming through the painted glass at school, or the energetic laser shows at Fabric.
Tell us about your new single ‘Feeling Blue Since 1995’?
Feeling Blue Since 1995 was never originally set to be a dance track, but started off as a Whitney Houston based ballad. Funny right? Melody and lyrics sung by my very talented cousin “Caitlin”. The main idea was way too much for me to handle.. so it stayed unfinished for at least a year. Until it saw the light of day as soon as I had had a better vision for it.At that time I had been messing around with some Sus4,7,9 chords with a jazz sound in mind. Then had the idea to cut up this amazing vocal performance and from there steered the whole sound of the track to where it is now. The lyrics are very honest and directly linked to insecurities and generally feeling blue, however the melody gives you hope and a sense of liberation, especially towards the end of the track.
What have you got lined up the rest of the year (2021)?
I’ve got so much planned for this year, with my full EP Same Ol’ Dance releasing on June 11th, I have plans in place to release more music very soon after. And to carry on being consistent in content and music. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I want to have a 10-15 track album and go back to DJing in clubs in London.
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