Annie Mac

Calvin Harris

Fresh off the release of his dancehall-influenced single “Nuh Ready Nuh Ready” featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR, Calvin Harris joined Annie Mac for an interview on her BBC Radio 1 show on Thursday.

Among the many topics, the Scottish DJ/producer discussed what prompted him to move into a different musical direction on his last album. He also talked about how he feels about dance music and why he put Migos on “Slide.”

On what influenced him to change his musical direction:

“At the end of 2016, I put out a tune towards the end … And it came out and did alright. And I was like ok, great. And then I realized I never felt so unexcited about what I was putting out in my life … I knew that I needed to take action for my own sanity because my entire life is making music. I don’t do anything else. So I was like no, I need to be elated with what’s coming out. So then the last album I did was a reaction to that. I was like, you know what? I’m just going to do whatever I want and I’m going to spend all the money I’m making in Vegas on features and I’m going to get everyone to do a hip-hop album … I’m going to put Young Thug on a Motown funk tune, because no one else will because it’s a waste of money. So that’s what I did.”

On how his new musical direction affected him:

“… what music is now, it’s like, what playlist is this going to be added to? Or, is radio going to play it? And I didn’t care. So it felt amazing! I was like, I know this isn’t going to be successful. And then, I don’t know how, but some of the tunes did well. I was like, that’s absolutely amazing! So I had an amazing year and I felt so good about it that I was like, I’m just going to keep doing this. I’m just going to do whatever I want to do.”

On his renewed thoughts on EDM after taking a break:

“The other thing that’s funny as well is that at the end of 2016, I was like I hate this EDM thing. I think it’s awful. And then after taking a break I was like nah man, I think it’s amazing. Some of the best producers in the world make EDM … they’re amazing and I love it. So it kind of refreshed my opinion of all that. Some of the best producers in the world are Dutch, you know? Face facts. It’s true.”

On why he put Migos on “Slide.”:

“I’m not going to do a trap record, like an EDM trap record, because that makes me feel sick. Just the thought of doing that. I can’t do that. I wanna do something with soul and something that I want to listen to again. So I’m like, I wanna put everyone on something that I think is gonna work.”

Stream the entire interview here.

Related: Calvin Harris and PARTYNEXTDOOR Drop Dancehall-Influenced Single and Video, ‘Nuh Ready Nuh Ready’

Annie Mac. (Source: Facebook)

In 2017, Annie Mac presented Who Killed The Night?, a BBC Three documentary which explores the controversies around the closure of almost half of the UK’s clubs over the past ten years. In a recent interview with Music Week, the BBC Radio 1 host discussed how the modern obsession with cell phones is damaging the clubbing experience. She also offered a potential solution.

Mac, who recently went on a tour for the first time in two years, noticed a “distinct difference,” among club goers.

“That difference was phones – it was next level. Everything had to be recorded on people’s phones, or they were asking me to take selfies… It was constant phones in my face.” she told Music Week. “I feel like that’s a really big problem in terms of clubbing now, because the ultimate idea and goal of clubbing is to connect…”

As for a possible solution, Mac used New York’s Output and Berlin’s Berghain nightclubs’ no photos or videos policy as an example:

“You’re either not allowed to bring your phone in, which I think is a bit extreme, or they put a sticker over your screen so that you can’t take photos,” she said. “I think what will happen moving forward is that it will become the thing to not have a phone in a club. I hope it will become the norm – I think that would be really good for clubbing in general.”

Related: How California’s Proposed 4 a.m. Law Could Affect DJs

 
BBC Radio 1 host and DJ Zane Lowe is leaving in March to join Apple in the US.
 
He joined the station in 2001 and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the music industry including Kanye West, Eminem, Jay Z, and Rick Rubin.
 
Although Lowe’s role has yet to be revealed, his move comes as Apple prepares to relaunch the Beats Music streaming service that it acquired last year.
 
Annie Mac will take over his spot soon after he leaves.
 
“I want to thank everyone at Radio 1 for their support and friendship,” he said to his listeners. “The station has allowed me to share incredible music with the country’s best music fans.”
 
Watch his acclaimed interview with Kanye West below:
 

 
Related: Behind the Scenes at BBC Radio 1