A team-up between production master John Glassey and songstress Kim Sykes, Senseless Live is rapidly becoming Canada’s next electronic music sensation. Armed with a unique blend of Deep House, Techno, Tech House and Chill-Out flavours, the duo has been able to release some remarkable material in recent months, most notably ‘Ricochet EP’ and their massive eight-track album ‘Intentions’, making big waves on Beatport charts.
Senseless Live are currently busy in the studio prepping up their next projects whilst setting up for their up-coming live events, so we’ve decided to sit down with them and have a chat about their career landmarks so far and get to know the story behind the Senseless Live project.
How did it all start and did you work individually before joining up as a duo?
John: Yes I have been producing electronic music since 2006. I started my own label, JG Records in 2012 but really my passion was DJing and I picked up my first records in 1994. That’s kind of where it all started for me. I have been heavily involved with promoting events and club nights since 1999.
Kim: I worked with a local DJ/producer prior to working with John. Before that I also used to write independently and sing at private events.
Since you’re both from Edmonton, Canada – did you know each other within your hometown’s electronic scene before eventually joining up as a duo?
Kim: John is a Toronto native and I made the move west towards Edmonton in 2008. He and I met through some shows he was promoting in Edmonton where I was singing and performing.
You come from different backgrounds and have a different skill set: John, as a DJ and producer you’ve played alongside some great DJs, you’re supporter list is extensive and you’ve worked with different labels, whilst you Kim come from a songwriting and vocal background – how do you put it all together into the Senseless Live venture?
John: Sometimes things just click, sometimes they don’t. I have always wanted to work with a vocalist because I knew it would be a challenge for me. I have a certain sound with my production and it was hard to find someone that would complement my sound. I got super lucky meeting Kim and after we started working together it’s like a light went on and it was easy to keep writing with her.
Your debut single was ‘Speak’ – when did you release this track and how did it come about?
Kim: ‘Speak’ came out November 3rd, 2014 on a solo EP titled ‘Keep It Going’, released on John’s label. This track was our first collaborative effort and we really weren’t sure what to expect from each other artistically; working on this track propelled us to continue working together and eventually form a live project – Senseless Live.
Then you worked on ‘Ricochet’ right? How was this track an evolution over your first single?
John: ‘Ricochet’ was actually written down the line but second to be released on its own as a single. Capital Heaven Records were interested in our album and thought it would be a great idea to release ‘Ricochet’ as an EP with remixes prior to the album release to create hype.
Kim: I think ‘Ricochet’ has a more ‘polished’ sound in comparison to some of the earlier tracks. John and I were starting to become more comfortable with each other’s process and I feel this track starts to reflect that.
You’ve later released your ‘Ricochet’ single into an EP form under the name of ‘Ricochet EP’, including some reworks. Give us some insight into this project and how you developed your collaborations with Kipp$, James Dax and Framewerk.
John: I first collaborated with Framewerk the same year I met Kim in early 2014. I heard their track ‘Electric Religion’ on the Radio and felt something with their production and I had to reach out to them. They were impressed with my production and asked me to start working with their label Capital Heaven. I released some remixes for them and also a solo EP called ‘Infectious’; Kipp$ and James Dax were also dealing with Framewerk and were chosen to remix ‘Ricochet’ and I could not have seen that working out any better. All three remixes were well produced and I am happy with the outcome.
I think your big breakthrough came about with the release of your eight-track album ‘Intentions’, back in July. You’ve climbed the charts with this release and it was very well received. First of all, do you see this release as a turning point for Senseless Live and why do you think it propelled you guys higher than any other previous project?
Kim: The release was definitely a turning point. ‘Intentions’ was our first full-length album release and really was all about establishing our “sound” to the music world and who we are as an electronic group.
Having walked through all of the above releases, how would you label your sound now and when was the defining moment that shaped your style?
Kim: Deep, Tech house with a soulful vocal. I’d say working on ‘Ricochet’ aided in defining and finding a more polished sound. The tracks preceding it kind of have their own sound i.e. ‘Traces’ and ‘Matter no matter’. ‘Ricochet’ sparked a more cohesive sound that continued throughout our writing for the rest of the album.
Aside from establishing yourself with your productions, you are also on the move when it comes to live performances. How was your schedule this year and can you give us a taste of the major highlights?
John: Really there was a highlight at every event we played this year. I think Kim and I would both agree that playing at Astral Harvest Music and Arts Festival was exciting for us both. It’s a very unique festival with artists from all over the globe and it was in its 9th year. We had a great crowd response there and that’s something I will always remember. We also got to travel to a small island off the coast of Vancouver called Lasquite. Such a great little community and our music was very well received. We headlined a great free outdoor event in Edmonton on August 29th for our good friends at Wheelhouse Production called In The Park. In September we did 3 shows in 3 cities – we headlined at Capitol Music club in Saskatoon for Skylab events, the following night we opened for Dance Spirit and Deko-ze at the Starlite Room in Edmonton and we went to Calgary on September 25th to open the show for DJ Heather at the popular Habitat Living Sound Night club. I think out of the 10 Shows we did those were the most exciting.
Surely you’ve got many other projects coming up in the months ahead – we’ve heard you’re already booked for a busy festival season next year and I’m sure there must be some track you’re working on – what are you up to at the moment and what’s coming up next?
Kim: At the moment we are promoting our upcoming releases and have also been spending time in the studio experimenting with live instrumentation that we are hoping to incorporate into our live act. This coming year we are booked to play at Canadian music festivals over the spring and summer.
Having had a successful year, what are the next steps for Senseless Live now?
John: Really just trying to improve with every track we write – we are still working hard almost every day in the studio. We are hoping to get some help on the backend of things with management. Starting out is always draining but I feel we are on the right track and need to stay on course.
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