Russ Chimes, UK native, has been a heavy hitter on the production and remix front, making one of the most beloved Ellie Goulding mixings of all time and a few smashing EPs with all original production. He has recently started his own record label named Uno Mas, which will serve as a platform to launch his imaginative productions. This is certainly a good year for Chimes, and you should keep your eye on him in the months to come. Reviped took the time to get inside the man behind the productions, and this is what he had to say:
How many years have you been producing music?
I started producing around autumn 2007, so nearly 4 years now.
How did you come up with the name, “Russ Chimes?” Have you ever used instrumental chimes in your work?
Well, It’s my real name. And yes, i think i have used a chimes hear and there.
On the mainstream circuit, you are best known for your remix of Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed. What inspired you to remix this track?
I was actually asked by Ellie’s label at the time, Neon Gold, Saying “you should hear this new track” obviously i was instantly in love with Ellie’s voice and Starsmith’s production, so it was a pleasure to get involved! Then months later Ellie was signed to a major and Starry Eyed went to number 1, that kinda helped the remix take off.
You are known for both your productions and your remixes, which do you prefer to do more? Do you prefer to remix tracks, or create your own productions?
I think that creating original tracks is ultimately more satisfying. But it’s also a lot harder, you’ll always be judged more on your own tracks too. With remixes I can sometimes feel like the pressure is off, they can be an opportunity to different ideas out and have some fun.
I notice that you are very good at balancing your productions to let your talent shine through, while keeping it palatable to the masses. How do you balance making a track club-friendly while crafting beautiful 80′s synth melodies?
Yeah it can be quite difficult. To be honest, i think the whole 80′s thing isn’t all that present in the music i’m making now. The big melodies are still there, but i don’t think that there is an overall vibe of “eightiesness” anymore, it’s moved on from that. You are right tho, it can be quite tough to have layers of melodies and synth lines, and still keep the groove and punch that’s needed for a club track. Sometimes the more complexity and depth you add in melodic layers, the more it seems to slow the track and bog it down. For me, i’m really trying to get that base of a great groove, and then attempting to weave in my melodies and layers around it. It’s always about a balance, but you always have to bear in mind where you envisage your track being listened to. That can affect the way you make the track, and what aspects you focus on over others.
How would you describe what your personal sound as a producer is to someone?
I always find it so difficult. It’s House music. Categorising it further than that is always a struggle as it tends to change from one track/remix to the next!
How do you begin drafting a new track once you have a new idea?
It has always started with a melody, then i build hooks and synth lines around it, and go from there. At present i’m really trying to get the beat right before adding too much else though.
Your newest EP that dropped on May 23, Tonic\Helix has two very diverse tracks, but they make sense together. Where did you get the inspiration to create them?
I just wanted to make a couple of tracks that work really well in the clubs, it’s been difficult in the past as The Midnight Club EP and older stuff hasn’t always been that playable in a club environment as they were a lot more pop crossover i suppose. In clubs is where i can see and enjoy people really feeling the music, so it makes sense for my newer stuff to represent that. it’s feels like the right thing to be focusing on at this point in time.
Your prior EP ‘Midnight Club’ had a unique blend of sounds, that came together seamlessly. Are you planning to make another trilogy like this EP that included your tracks, “Targa,” “Never Look Back” and “Tertre Rouge”?
It was actually never a trilogy until the videos were involved. It was always just made as a 3 track EP. It was only after Saman Keshavarz (director of the Midnight Club videos) came up with the idea of doing a video piece for each track and making them work as one short film.
I notice that you do a lot of series tracks in your EPs that have a common theme. Do you pull from the same inspiration for each individual EP, or does it just come to you?
I wish it was pre-meditated, and i choose a theme to write to, but usually it’s just whatever tracks i’m working on that happen to sit together well :)
You recently launched your record label, Uno Mas. Have you always wanted to have a record label, or was it just something you fell into?
I kind of fell into it i suppose. I’ve always loved the idea of having a brand to develop and nurture over time, so i guess this is one way that i am fulfilling that. Uno Mas is mainly just an outlet for my tracks at the moment, i just think it’s important to keep hold of a degree of command when putting out your own music, i guess i’m a bit of a control freak in some ways too.
What do you plan to do with Uno Mas? Will you be representing artists, and if so what would you be looking for in future producers?
As i said, it’s just an avenue for my tracks right now. I’d definitely love to expand and sign other artists in the future. I can’t really say a definite style that i’d look for, Something that fresh, and i guess it would just need to really give me a huge reaction!
Do you have any exciting future plans that you care to share with Reviped?
The plan is to release another couple of EP’s and then work up to an artist album, which i’m super excited about.
Last words: Do you have any advice for aspiring producers?
Everyone says it but i think it’s true, just find your own sound and polish it make it an irresistible calling card for your tracks! It’s a pessimistic way to look at things, but these days tracks (especially dance tracks) are little more than sonic business cards, so i guess you have to make sure yours stands out!
