Behind The Scenes of Dan the Drum & Carmy Love ‘Hurt So Bad’

Behind The Scenes of Dan the Drum & Carmy Love ‘Hurt So Bad’ 

Hi Dan, congrats on your new single ‘Hurt So Bad’ with Carmy Love. How did you get together with Carmy?

I went to see a band Called New Street Adventure who are amazing and continued to follow them, Carmy was in the band and we just became mates.

What was the inspiration behind the song?

I have always loved the song, my first introduction to it was the Grant Green version. I thought for a fair while that it his was the original, but then obviously learned the history. I love jazz and house music, back in the day I heard ‘Prix Choc’ and there was a sample from the Grant Green version in it, and I loved the way hat Etienne de Crecy made it a jazz track then halfway through it turns house. There have been many versions. Grant Green played the vocal melody on guitar, and I always thought about getting all the beat aspects from all my favourite versions and put them together. So, I did and what a great journey it has been meeting and working with musicians and of course the legend that is Darren Morris

How does the release sound?

It’s a blend of Soul, House and Latin Jazz and topped with Carmy’s brilliant soul-drenched vocals. I could not be happier, the OG Is everything I could have hoped for and the remixers were hand-picked to give a different flavour to represent the different versions there have been.

What was it like working with Carmy love and will you be working together on a future release?

Carmy is my friend, my mentor and just a beautiful human. We have so much fun working together, it’s a dream come true. And yes, we will do loads more together until she gets really famous and drops me like a bad habit.

Production wise, how did you go about putting the release together and who did what in the studio?

I have infinite ideas and I always start with getting a groove going, get a rough demo down and start to assemble the musicians, then I head to Darren Morris’s studio in Hastings, not only is he a talented keys player but he is a brilliant engineer. The track also includes Joseph Nesbitt-Larking on jazz guitar vibes and Carl Davies, who delivers smooth sax performance.

Did you face any challenges or obstacles in the writing or recording process?

Challenges? I have ADHD if that answers your question, but no to be honest. I knew exactly what I wanted and I’m blessed to have so many talented musicians, etc, around me that it was just a truly wonderful experience making it.

How does this compare to some of your other releases?

I think I’m learning all the time, and I think time always gives you new experiences and techniques, so I hope that that comes across in this one.

What was the main kit that you used on the release, and did you get to work with any new instruments or kit in the process?

I use Ableton and going to Darren’s studio, he uses PreSonus Studio 1, so I’ve learned a lot more about that.

And what’s your favourite piece of studio kit that defines your sound?

Haha, the signature bass sound, but I’m not telling you what it is!!

How has the release been going down so far?

The release has been going down really well, got played on BBC Radio 2 by DJ Spoony last week, which is epic. We’ve had so much positive feedback, it’s very humbling.

Have you got any remixes lined up for the song?

Yes, we have three… the legend that is Terry Jones has done his first remix at the age of 74 after I pestered him for ages. Leo Zero has done a deep house version which is absolute quality and Leo is another fine upstanding human as well as being immensely talented, so winner, winner chicken dinner! And then there is a disco banger from the No’West Crew (aka Ashley Beedle, Jo Wallace and Darren Morris).

How important are songs on our dance floors?

Yes of course songs are important, but people are more important, when the world has troubles outside of our clubs, they don’t inside. It’s all about love and unity. So, I guess the ultimate is when the majority of people in the club get the communal buzz from a track… then it’s the most special feeling.

What else are you working on at the moment that you can tell us about?

I was in the studio yesterday working on something and it’s sounding great… think ‘Mary et Jeff’ meets ‘Summer Madness’, but at 127bpm and four to the floor!

Dan the Drum & Carmy Love ‘Hurt So Bad’ ‘Hurt So Bad’ (Original ‘SHLJ’ Versions) EP is out now on F*CLR.

https://www.traxsource.com/title/2628889/hurt-so-bad

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