We had the amazing opportunity to have a chat with bass music producer & DJ Axel Boy, that, if you are a melodic bass music aficionado, most likely already know! He is particularly known for his hits like I Dare You, Another level, Feel It Deep, and his remix of Are You Serious. His boundary-crossing sound landed on some of the biggest bass music labels in the world, like UKF, Spinnin’ Records, Bite This, Gud Vibrations, Armada, RAM, and Buygore (just to name a few). Axel also recently dropped the huge Drum & Bass single Oxygen. In our Axel Boy interview, we talk about how his musical journey started for him, his influences, his dream collaborations, what he is cooking for us at the moment and much much more! Axel Boy also recorded a legendary exclusive guest mix for us! The mix is a pure delight for fans of high energy melodic Bass music. Without further ado, get to know the man behind so many melodic and euphoric anthems in our Axel Boy interview below and stream the exclusive Axel Boy EKM guest mix on Youtube at the bottom of the page!
Let’s start from the beginning, tell us how it all started for you? Tell us how Axel Boy, the bass music maestro, was born.
I’ve always loved music, I would write songs on guitar and keys as a kid for fun. I left school and began studying performing arts for two years at college. During that time, I discovered the marvels of music production by hanging out with the music kids on lunch breaks. That’s when I decided to pursue music around 2009/10. This was around the time where bass and dance music was really exploding & I was regularly attending raves and festivals. After a few years of self-teaching I created the Axel Boy project and the rest is history!
We know you’ve always been an extremely versatile producer, but you seem to be focusing on UK Bassline/Bass House a lot lately, any specific reason for that? Please tell us you didn’t lose your love for producing DnB ^_^
Haha, I’ve always loved D&B! Was probably my first bass music genre I really fell in love with. But in the earlier days I was predominantly known for my 140/Dubstep stuff! I moved into bass house because I was inspired by the development of the sound! I’m always switching my output up to keep things creatively exciting. But I’m definitely feeling my Drum and Bass at the moment and there will be lots more to come
Who was the biggest inspiration / influence when you started and do you have any major influences at the moment?
I have had so many! I grew up listening to all sorts of music! Lots of rock, punk and rap. I loved Daft Punk and Chemical Brothers. I got into dance music through Happy Hardcore which was super melodic and uplifting, that opened my eyes to the melodic scope of dance music! I soon fell in love with Drum and Bass, which was closely followed by Dubstep. Skrillex, Chase & Status & Nero were huge influences to me in the beginning of my career. Right now, I’m loving Luude, LF System, and tonnes of Dancefloor D&B artists!
What is the first DnB song you’ve ever heard?
Shy Fx – Original Nuttah is definitely one of them!
You toured and DJed with a lot of legends on the scene, anyone specific you always had a really good time and a good chemistry?
I’ve had so many good vibes with some amazing people! Jauz was an amazing link up! I love the Gentlemens Club boys, always a great time playing with them!
You pretty much released music on all the biggest bass music labels out there, any label you’ve never released on and would be interested to (an achievement to unlock)?
So many great labels! A Ministry of Sound, Monstercat, Hospital release would be amazing!
What do you personally consider to be the incisive moments in your artistic career?
Collaborating with Jauz was huge for me, support from Skrillex, Knife Party & Joyryde is super humbling!
What single night out has been the most memorable for you? Did you have a “this night changed my life” kind of deal?
EDC 2017, ending up in an afterparty with Jauz, Diplo, MK, Chainsmokers was super surreal.
What do you usually start with when preparing for a set? Do you prepare your sets the same way if you are performing back home or abroad?
I build a setlist with tonnes of tunes I’m keen to play! Then I just kind of wing it along the way & decide which tunes I want to play! Everything is prepared in terms of tempo, key & cue points so it’s fairly easy to add to and develop!
Where do you think the bass music scene is headed? One year from now? Five years from now?
I’m hoping for a 2010 Dubstep resurgence! Haha, I think D&B is pumping at the moment, I can see it making big gains in the US over the next few years for sure! I’m looking to see a lot more retro/modern crossovers, right now I’m working on some Motown D&B crossovers 😉
If you could eternally be stuck in one year’s music scene, which year would it be?
2009-2010 Dubstep, that was my favorite era!!!
Do you have a dream collaboration? If you could collaborate with one music producer, who would it be?
Honestly Skrillex or Nero, I’d die a happy man haha!
Do you have a favorite destination? To perform? Just to enjoy?
I’m currently on tour in the USA for my 8th time, I love it here! But I’m super keen to get back down to Australia and I’d love to go to NZ for the first time! I’d also LOVE to go to Thailand!
What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear/play it?
Nero – Reaching Out!!
What genres of music do you usually listen to? Are you strictly bass music? Give us a few tracks that you’ve been hooked on lately.
I honestly listen to all sorts! Depends on the mood! I find in bass music D&B is the easiest for me to listen to! I love the melodic stuff. I also like to chill to New Jazz, older rock and punk! Always keeping it eclectic!
What are your plans for the near future and what do you want to focus on for the second half of 2022?
I’m going to be wrapping up this USA tour then moving on towards some more European shows! Getting back into the studio and finishing up all of these tunes I’ve got cooking 😉
Thanks again for having a chat with us! <3
You’re very welcome, thanks for having me!
