Get The Lowdown on Rising Superstar Corey James!

Learn more about rising superstar Corey James as he comes off the release of some massive tunes on SIZE Records!

Hailing from the United Kingdom, Corey James has quickly risen through the ranks of artists to become one of the fastest rising stars in the electronic music scene. Since launching his career in 2014, he has found love from many major artists ranging from Steve Angello to Marcus Schössow, while releasing tunes on notable labels like SIZE and Protocol Recordings.

Kicking off the new year in style, Corey James has brought us an onslaught of unreal tunes like “Eros”, “Arlanda”, and most recently “12 O’Clock”. Not only are these tracks full of uplifting vibes, but they’re also absolute dancefloor stompers that are exactly what the scene needs today.

Looking toward his bright future, we wanted to chat with Corey about his recent releases, upcoming projects, and influences as an artist. Listen to his latest tune “12 O’Clock” below and read on for The Lowdown on this rising star!

Stream Corey James x Crusy x Jose De Mara – 12 O’Clock on SoundCloud:

Hi Corey, and thanks for taking the time to chat with us today!

No problem, thanks for having me guys!

You recently released “Find You” on Protocol Recordings with Nino Lucarelli. What led to the two of you working together on the tune, and do you approach songwriting differently when a vocalist is involved?

I produced the instrumental for “Find You” a while back and felt it really needed a vocal to take it that next level. After hearing Nino’s work on “Maximals, Bout & Sovth – Fall In Line”, I really liked his voice and thought the writing was great so I reached out to him and sent him the track.

We went back and forth a few times with different ideas and then he nailed it really quick. I couldn’t have wished for a better outcome! Hopefully, we will work again in the future because I love his voice and writing.

“Eros” was played out as an ID for years before it finally received its official release last month. What was it like holding that tune back for so long, and additionally, how did you initially connect with Years for the release?

I believe a track should only come out when its completely finished and you are satisfied with it. We had some difficulties with vocals which delayed us for a while and in the end we thought it would be better to do it as an instrumental and let fans and DJs make their own mashups to play out.

I met Years through Marcus Schossow some years back and we really connected both musically and on a personal level.

https://soundcloud.com/coreyjamesofficial/corey-james-years-eros

Your music brings an uplifting, euphoric feel with it that is simply infectious. How did your style develop over time and did you always set your sights on producing house music?

Thank you for the compliment, that’s exactly what I set out to do! I think after producing for some years you kind of find your style/sound and direction you want to go. I am lucky since naturally, my sound is developing exactly how I would like it to. No, I produce all kinds of music. In fact, I have a huge track in the works that is totally different from house music.

There is a unique, graphic art style used on the cover art for “Eros” and “Arlanda”. What inspired that direction artistically, and are the two covers connected in some way?

My team and I had a discussion and we wanted to create a theme around all of my releases. This is what you can see as part of my recent S-ZE tracks. There isn’t a direct connection here but if I have a feeling or image in my head we normally go with that to our illustrator and have him create a design based on that concept.

I feel like music is much more than just music, “Arlanda” was inspired by my trips to Stockholm. You get an amazing vibe when visiting countries that inspire you so I named it after the airport there and what a better way to suit the name than a blonde Swedish Air Hostess on the cover!

Releasing tracks on a variety of notable labels like SIZE and Protocol, what has their support meant to you personally, and how do you feel releasing on these labels has helped you grow as an artist?

It means a lot to me that my biggest idols sign me to their labels and believe in my music. Just goes to show that all this hard work, countless hours in the studio, hard times in life etc its all worth it. It all pays off when you get that email back saying “I want to sign this track” its the best feeling in the world and that’s what I live for!

Releasing on these labels has helped me reach people all over the world and I am very grateful for that. I’m really grateful to anybody who helps me because this music industry is a tough one to crack.

Since starting your career as a DJ, what has been the biggest struggle you’ve faced and how have you overcome it?

Supporting myself (and my career) financially and also the lifestyle, it’s very hard to spend your days in a studio on your own when everyone else has routine/normal jobs, socialising and you’re locked away on your own in a studio it can be very isolating.

Money is always a big problem when starting off becoming a Producer/DJ, equipment is expensive and sadly it doesn’t pay well at the start. Luckily if you nail yourself to the studio chair and work 12/16 hours a day then after two/three years you finally get the shows/tours and that’s when you can start earning a living.

I do think a lot of people underestimate how hard it is to be a producer/DJ, you spend a lot of time away from family, friends, it’s hard to have relationships, etc., but I wouldn’t change this for the world, I was born to do this.

Taking your sounds across the world from the UK and Greece to Morocco and Japan, can we expect some North American dates in the near future?

North America is my dream destination for a proper tour, lots of things in the works so hopefully soon!

Where has been your favorite place to perform so far, and what would a dream location be for you to DJ at?

Japan is one of my favourite places to play, the fans there are crazy! Tomorrowland and Ultra are two festivals I’d like to be a part of in the future.