Hailing from Coventry, UK, Louis Proud is quickly taking over the electronic music world, establishing himself as one of the hottest rising acts in 2015. Having spent seven years of being involved in the electronic music business, Louis Proud is having his big break this year.
Louis Proud’s productions have been snapped up by some of the biggest labels in the world, including: Circus Recordings, CR2 Records, Toolroom Records and Spinnin’ Records. Aside from such resonant names, Louis is also the owner of two fast moving labels, being: Proud Sound Records and Proud Runs Deep.
Louis Proud’s name is on the lips of all important entities in the Dance music world, and in fact he’s landed a staggering four plays on BBC Radio 1, featuring on: Carl Cox‘s ‘Essential Mix (Live from Space Ibiza)’, Danny Howard’s ‘Dance Anthems’, Pete Tong‘s ‘Essential Mix’ and Hannah Wants’ show. Such important feats are just the beginning and there is much more yet to come in the months ahead as Louis Proud is planning some massive projects.
We’ve sat down with Louis for a chat about how he got into this business and how he’s now progressing and developing into one of its forerunners.
Hey Louis how are you today and what’s going on in your world at the moment?
Wow busy! Not long ago, I wrapped up a set for my 1 hour guest slot on Roger Sanchez radio show and now just tying up the next 3 months release catalogue for my two labels, Proud Sound Records and Proud Runs Deep.
When and how did you start making music?
Ever since I was about 16 I had some clapped out belt drive. Just used to sound a bag of crap though mixing in with no serious beat matching. Was a bit of a fade in fade out! ha….Until I got my direct drive Technics from when I was 19 years old and grew from there. To gigs, to production to labels etc.
Who were your main inspirations growing up?
Is it biased to say Sanchez now that I have been asked to appear for him as a guest? ha. No quite varied really, from Binary Finary to Todd Terry and Armand Van Helden.
Do you consider yourself more of a producer or DJ?
Most certainly used to be DJ, but more of a producer these days – I love the creative part. It is amazing to witness so many other DJs then bring a lot of good times to crowds/clubbers.
How would you describe your current style?
Mix between House & Garage. I try not to go down this “Deep House”, “Tech House” “Tribal House”, Tropical House” nonsense. Too many people trying far too hard to slot into their own niche.
Did your sound go through any changes along the years?
Most certainly! I would like to say it was consistent, but its went from quite tough House to Techy to Funky and now as said, very much House with a splash of Garage influence.
Walk us through some of your main career achievement so far.
Signed to Ministry of Sound for a couple of their albums, after only 3 years of producing – one of the most successful, Hed Kandi Twisted Disco series back in 2010.
Then on to being signed to Spinnin’ Records, then playing alongside Gareth Emery and Alex Gold, main room at Godskitchen. Then main room alongside Riva Starr at Eclectricity.
The Hed Kandi really set things straight for me as I was finding it really difficult in life in general around that time, so it was a gift from the Gods. But then to go on a year or so later and be signed to another inspiration in Yousef’s Circus Recordings and have my original track remixed by heavyweights such as Nathan Barrato and Bontan was out of this world.
Followed on to FOUR plays on Radio 1, including my original mix by Hannah Wants. Then signed a couple of tracks to CR2 and Toolroom Records. The sky most certainly is the limit! It’s non-stop now!
You’ve signed with some A-list labels over the past months. How did these deals come about?
Spinnin’ Records I actually posted a CD to them would you believe back in 2011! Then Circus I spoke to Yousef directly and he was feeling a track he didn’t end up taking on and I released on my label. But then he took another one out of the blue, it was a great feeling!
Looking into the production side of things. Walk us through your current setup.
I have an Apple Mac with a Logic set up and far too many goodies on there to name. KRK monitor speakers and M-Audio Axiom midi keyboard. I also use a good friend of mine’s studio for some acoustic work and vocal work as he has a great professional studio called Fidget Studios. The engineer and friend there Barry actually showed me a lot of the first things I learnt in production – he is a great guy and a friend.
Which plug-ins would you say are essential to create the Louis Proud sound?
haha. That would be telling! But I still very much rate the die hard plug-ins like Massive and Trillion.
We’ve heard you’re lining up some great stuff for 2015. Can you unveil some of your plans?
I should have a couple of tracks out with Toolroom, which has been a music ambition of mine. Plus looking at touring NYC early August with a gig at Verboten club in Brooklyn and my guest slot on Roger Sanchez “Release Yourself Radio” live from New York City!
Where would you like to see yourself in the months ahead?
More big labels, Defected would be nice to tick off and again, a couple more tours wouldn’t go a miss. I just love reaching out with my music, so that is probably your answer there. More happiness and good vibes shared through my music.
Could you tell us something not many people know about you?
I have three gorgeous sons! Clearly a boy producer as well as a music producer! ha 3 is the magic number though and that is how it stays.
Anything to add/shout outs?
Yes please look out for my guest slot on Roger Sanchez Release Yourself on 17th July. Also follow the massive, rising label that has had feature after feature on Beatport – Proud Runs Deep
Thanks Louis!
Louis Proud Online
https://www.facebook.com/louisproudofficial
https://twitter.com/louisproud
https://soundcloud.com/louisproud
https://www.youtube.com/user/louisproudofficial
