HOT SINCE 82 has kept himself busy this year.
At the end of last month he dropped his debut full length studio album, Recovery on his highly regarded Knee Deep In Sound label. The project was largely recorded during the lockdown period from his home studio.
The 13-track release is characterised by a long list of star-studded collaborators, including UK cultural icon Boy George and Jamie Jones, Rudimental, London singer-songwriters Liz Cass and Temple, amongst others also on the project.
As well as running the highly influential Knee Deep In Sound imprint and Labyrinth club residency, ‘Recovery’ follows last years acclaimed ‘8-track’ project, which amassed more than 30 million streams to date, with all proceeds donated to mental health charity MIND following release.
To mark the release of the album HS82 aka Daley Padley took to the skies to play a very special set from a hot air balloon which you can watch and listen to below.
We caught up with Daley this week to find out more about the new album and his hot air balloon set.
Your new record Recovery has just dropped. Can you tell us about the process of producing the album?
I sure can. I simply based ‘Recovery’ on what l was feeling emotionally. After 8-track, I wanted to create something that reflected the positivity I was feeling, and how I am now looking forward rather than back. I also wanted to produce something that anyone could listen to. It wasn’t aimed at a specific genre and that’s why there are so many different styles on there.
How have you coped with the lockdown and not being able to road test your new music to crowds in the normal way?
It’s been very different for sure. Not trying and road testing the tracks has been challenging but then again, l didn’t make the album strictly for the dance floor. Dance music is universal and tells a story in any part of your day and life. You can listen to ‘Recovery’ anywhere and anytime.
Mental health is something important for you to highlight. How important is it to be able to gather again to celebrate life on the dance floor for mental health?
It’s about creating awareness, especially among the male community. Men can be too proud or macho to speak up. We all struggle from time-to-time but it’s important to know that there is help out there. For me, music is the answer and l want my music to highlight that everything is going to be ok!!
This is your debut album. You are one of the most in demand DJs out there. Was it your hectic touring schedule that prevented you producing a long player sooner in your career?
I guess maybe it was. This year has been crazy globally and devastating for our scene! But, it’s been nice to have a break from being on the road and make music without feeling the pressure of rushing off on tour. I just want to look forward to 2021.
There are some cracking collaborations on the new album. Can you talk us through them and the process of how each came together in this socially distant time. The Jamie Jones/Boy George track is an absolute bomb!
Thank you. It was sure fun to collaborate with everyone on the record. I really don’t mind working remotely but it would have been insane to work with Boy George and Jamie Jones in person. I’m really happy with the collaboration we did.
Loved watching and listening to your epic set from the clouds in the hot air balloon. I take it you aren’t scared of heights? How did you feel doing it? Were you able to take in the scenery between mixes?!
It’s one of those things that’s cool to tick off your bucket list and, trust me, my list is huge!!!! It was beautiful but a little scary too. I’m not afraid of heights but not being strapped in was very nerve racking. Super happy we managed to pull it off and live another day lol.
Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Just that I’m so overwhelmed by you guys. I’ve been doing this for some time now and it never ceases to amaze me how far my music resonates around the globe. The fans and supporters mean the world to me. I’m lucky to live out my number one passion week in, week out.
