Tag: sugababes

Seamus Haji Interview 2014

As a DJ/producer/label owner/A&R guy, Seamus Haji has worn many hats in the dance music world. He is also one of those rare producers that can make credible underground/progressive releases (like the buzz record ?Inception? with Sheldon) and remix big commercial pop songs by artists like Ariana Grande, Rihanna, Girls Aloud, and The Saturdays. It was quite a fun interview especially since I got to ask so many questions I?ve wondered about for many years.

DJ Ron Slomowicz: I?ve always wondered ? with a name like Seamus, are you Irish?
Seamus Haji: My mom is Irish and my father is Indian. I was born in the mix!

RS: Someone just told me that you used to do A&R for Strictly Rhythm.
Seamus Haji: Yes, it was back in 2010. I went to work for them for a year after they split from Defected. They asked me to come aboard and sign really good club records which is what I did, but after a year they wanted to move towards a commercial direction, so we were at two different head spaces. I was about signing good underground club music and getting into events and they really just wanted to concentrate on having commercial hits so we decided to part ways. During the time that I was working for them I put Big Love on hold and have now re-launched the label. I also have a label deal with a big company in the UK called New State. They do a lot of Cream and Pacha compilations and so I am really excited about a lot of new music that we have coming up.
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SONG OF THE DAY: The Angry Kids – “We Could Be Lions”

My favorite songs from the Angry Kids so far have been their male vocal records with a somber feel, like “Wouldn’t It Be Good” (an updated version of the ’80s cult classic by Nik Kershaw) and “Annie Taylor” (EDM collaboration with The Lives of Famous Men).? So when I heard “We Could Be Lions,” it kind of took me by surprise.? My immediate reference for production style were the?’90s New Order offshoot bands Revenge and Electronic – both synthpop that had a bit of self-deprecation and, yes, a bit of a somber tone.? It is definitely 2013-sounding, but the vibe and some of the instrumentation is definitely inspired by the ’90s. Yet the female vocals and lyrics are optimistic and uplifting, contrasting the darker tone of the music.? The singer isn’t credited, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was fellow Canadian Kreesha Turner or even Mutya from the original Sugababes lineup.? While not a primetime club floorfiller, “We Could Be Lions” would sound great on radio but even better as the soundtrack for the pivotal scene of a teen coming-of-age movie.?

Image Courtesy of Warner.