Maya Jane Coles

London based Maya Jane Coles discography perhaps isn't the most extensive in the world but it certainly is quality over quantity for this young starlet. Her moody tech house style first caught our attention with her remix of Todd Terry's Uncle Tech and then further releases on one of DT's UK house lables of 2009, Dogmatik, further cemented her reputation as a producer with a brilliant knack for exquisite detail and a stompy dancefloor groove. Her Sick Panda EP in 2008 was a perfect starting block but it was her second EP for Dogmatik that made jaws collectively drop. The gorgeous Monochrome EP (with top notch remixes by label boss Alex Arnout as well German trio Afrilounge) with the deep goodness of Colours showed that she was no one trick pony.
 
Her most recent Dogmatik EP, Full Swing, made us go week at the knees, the dubby raw Headtrip showing her sound is evolving and that she has plenty more up her sleeve. Oh, and did we mention she's remixed Massive Attack and Gorillaz as part of her excellent band She Is Danger? With a live act as well, we urge you to keep your eye out for Miss Coles.
 

How and when were you first infected by dance music?
I first properly got into dance music at about 17 when I started going to parties such as Secretsundaze and Mulletover. That's when I first really started getting into house and techno. Before then I was into some drum & bass and electro stuff but it was mainly hip-hop and trip- hop that I was into.

When did you start producing, and how long was it before you started making tracks that you were really happy with?
I started producing when I was 15. I guess from about 16/17 I've been happy with my tracks, but I always know there's room for improvement, and when I listen back to earlier stuff I can always hear how I've improved. Hopefully that won't stop ‘cause as an artist you need to keep progressing and moving forward.

What have been your personal favourite productions so far?
It's hard to say ‘cause my favourites constantly change. Usually my newest material is my favourite as it's freshest to my ears! I have a few favourites from over the years that will stay my favourites but they have never been released as they don't really tie in with the other stuff that I do. I make all kinds of different types of music but it's a shame most of it doesn't end up getting released as it doesn't fit into one category or whatever. Most labels seem to only really want to release stuff they can comfortably pigeonhole.

Who would you most like to work with?
Two people I would LOVE to work with would be Bat For Lashes or Beth Gibbons.
 
Do you ever find work in the studio a frustrating experience?
Not usually, as it's my normally favourite place to be! But occasionally it can be more frustrating than anything! It can be really hard trying to creative when you're not in the right mind frame.

What have you got in store for the coming months?
With my solo stuff I've got forthcoming releases on Dogmatik, Real Tone and Hypercolour. There's a She Is Danger remix of Gorillaz' forthcoming single coming and also listen out for my dubstep project Nocturnal Sunshine. Gigs-wise I'll be DJing at the HFB album launch, and a few East London gigs. Ibiza at the end of summer and then off on a UK tour supporting Dreadzone (as She Is Danger) later this year.
 
What can we expect from one of your DJ/Live sets?
My live sets are a journey through my own productions, mainly unreleased stuff mixed with a few bits people might already know. My DJing varies, sometimes I like to keep things quite organic sounding and very house based but other times I lean a lot more towards tech house / techno. Most of the time it's somewhere in between and I always include a lot of my own productions into my sets.

Tell us about how your work with Massive Attack came about?
I produce as part of my band She Is Danger. Massive Attack heard the She Is Danger remix of an Ellie Goulding track which they really liked and got us to do a remix of Girl I Love You which is on their Heligoland album.

Have you thought about a longer album format or as an artist are you happy with making EPs?
I'm definitely not happy with just releasing EPs. I have made at least a couple of albums but just haven't found the right labels to release them.

Do you ever get nervous about how your music will be received?
Not particularly, but maybe in an environment where the style of music may not be accepted or might be quite alien to the listeners.

If you each weren’t a DJ/producer, what would you be?
Hmm...I'm not really sure as that's all I've ever wanted! I'd definitely still be doing something creative.

Which other producers and DJs do you really rate?
There are so many, but at the moment I can't get enough of Trentemoller and Caribou.

Finally…fill in the gaps

Techno makes me…dance all night long.

My first ever record bought was…something when I was about 9 - I don't remember but was probably crap!

I could never do without…music in my life.

If I want to chill out I…listen to José Gonzalez