SOUNDING OUT: HARTLEY

What music did you grow up on?

I was raised on the ’80s so the likes of Kraftwerk, Grace Jones and Duran Duran were on repeat in our house. My iPod Nano was packed with all sorts – UK bassline, UK garage, happy hardcore, grime, rock and trance. I went through every phase.

What sparked the urge to DJ?

It started when I was 16. My friend Hollie and I would sneak out into town. While we were getting ready, we’d have Annie Mac on Radio 1 every Friday. We’d always say we wanted to be DJs.

What pulled you toward music production?

Curiosity and a love of learning. I became obsessed with how a track is built, the different layers, the elements, the way everything comes together. There’s always something new to learn.

Talk us through your very first track?

Looking back, it’s laughable now. I used a sub bass loop from a free tech-house sample pack, a vocal FX loop, and sampled the “La La” from Kelis’ ‘Milkshake’. Embarrassingly, I actually played it out – albeit to an empty club – and sent it to DJ friends, but I guess I was proud of myself. I’d probably still use a similar sounding bass loop today but now I have the knowledge to put my own flavour on it.

Which track gave you your first real surge of confidence?

The moment that made me think ‘I really want to give this a proper go’ was when Marco Carola played my track ‘Bring Swing’ whilst he was DJing back-to-back with ANOTR at Be Beach in December 2023. I was right there in the crowd to witness it.

Any go-to plugins, studio rituals or tricks that shape your process?

I’m 100% a morning/daytime producer and the sessions flow best when life outside the studio is in a good place too; decent sleep, the gym done, a clear head. If I’m inspired while I’m out and about, I collect little references on my phone notes to bring the ideas to life when I get home.

Which part of the production process gives you the biggest rush?

If I make a loop and listen to it on repeat and shut my eyes and feel a vibe, I know it’s got potential. Especially with rolling tracks, which I spend quite a lot of time making.

Biggest learning curve in the studio?

Learning to sit with something and trust that I love it without worrying whether a certain DJ will play it or a certain label will pick it up.

What makes a track unmistakably yours?

I gravitate toward a subby, deep bass with longer notes and percussive drums and I really don’t include a lot of synths in any of my tracks.

Who would you sell your soul to collaborate with?

Hector Couto. He’s been a huge inspiration since my early years of house music in the 2010s era, and I genuinely love every single one of his productions.

Talk us through your latest EP ‘About to Get Funky’?

The title track is peak-time dancefloor – high energy and driving. ‘House Feeling’ is a bouncy, tech-house groove with character. ‘Questions in Paradise’ is a track I wrote really quickly, starting with the sax and building everything around it.

What’s up your sleeve for the coming months?

My release schedule is busy this year with releases locked in and upcoming on 303Lovers, Psicodelica, Distortion, Rawtracks and more in the locker.

Where can we see you play?

My next gig is SUNKSSD on 20 March. It’s my favourite beach venue and I’m very excited to be back there.