Shazam Meets… Grum
Grum is one of the hottest properties in dance music right now. Following in the footsteps of Mylo and Calvin Harris, the Scottish electro wizard creates lively dance music with its aim set firmly on the dancefloor. We’ve had our eye on him for a while and his debut album, ‘Heartbeats’, certainly lives up to our expectations. With dates lined up over the summer across Europe and at several Festivals including Creamfields; Grum is a name you’re sure to see a lot of during 2010.
We spoke to the in-demand producer about his future plans, remixing Lady Gaga and if he’s had any feedback from David Bowie after covering ‘Fashion’.
Your album is out this week, what can we expect from it?
Well it’s just really a combination of all my influences; you could say I’m not trying to change the world with it! It’s just a bit of fun really. I’m just trying to make a fun dance music album.
It’s called ‘Heartbeats’ what inspired the title?
Well ‘Heartbeats’ was the first track I wrote that got me some recognition, so it’s homage to that really.
Who originally inspired you to make music?
Well I got into club music about ten years ago. At that time it was a little less mainstream, people like Daft Punk brought me into it. I always had an appreciation for synth pop and new wave music – people like Duran Duran and Human League.
You DJ frequently, will we see a full live show from you now that the album has been released?
At the moment I just use CD’s to DJ with, I’m gonna keep doing that for a while but it’s gradually changing towards more of a live show. I’m including more of my own music when I DJ, with my remixes and edits and eventually I’ll change over to using Ableton. Then it’ll become a live thing including visuals and stuff. It’ll just take a bit of time.
Where can we see you this summer?
I’m not sure at the moment! Some of the bigger festival dates are Rockness and Creamfields.
The video for your single ‘Can’t Shake This Feeling’ features a load of female models gorging on fast food. Where did the idea come from?
The production company behind it came up with the idea, we liked that one the best so went with it. I wasn’t too involved with the idea but when we got it back I was pretty impressed with it.
Speaking about the art involved with your music - you worked with designer David Ross developing unique artwork, where fans gain access to free music after scanning the artwork though their phone. Did he approach you with the idea, or did you develop it together?
The guy who runs my label has worked with David before so he agreed to work on this project, he came up with the idea himself and pitched it to us. I really liked it, I thought it was really cool. It’s been used on some adverts in the US and Japan but I think this was the first time it’s been used as some artwork.
On your album you cover David Bowie’s ‘Fashion’. Have you heard what the man himself thought?
I’ve no idea! Actually that track started out as a remix for someone else who had covered it. Then we decided to add to the album for a bit of fun. I haven’t heard if he likes it or not unfortunately.
You’ve remixed several artists and now your album is done. Will you be looking to work with other artists?
Yeah I’ve had a few offers of production jobs, but I’m just biding my time until the right thing comes along. You know, so I work with the right kind of artist. I really want to work with someone in an R&B direction - but in a cool way!
Your remix of ‘Bad Romance’ appears on Lady Gaga’s remix album. How did that come about?
Her label heard some of my stuff and got in touch, and I just went for it. You can’t really turn down a remix of Lady Gaga? Luckily it got chosen for the album, which is pretty cool.
Grum’s debut album ‘Heartbeats’ is out now and is available on iTunes.
