Exile Talks ‘Wishing & Waiting’, Song-Driven Drum & Bass and Finding Power in Simplicity
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Exile has never struggled with complexity. Years in the studio, across different aliases and roles, have built a reputation around precision, detail and control. But ‘Wishing & Waiting’, his latest collaboration with Lupole and Harry Shotta on Make Your Era, leans in a different direction. It’s more open, more melodic, and more focused on feeling than force. A track that prioritises songwriting as much as sound design, and in doing so, reveals a shift in mindset that’s been building quietly over time.
“It felt like a song early on,” he explains. “When we put the chords in, the vocal idea started forming. It made more sense to build around that vibe rather than force a big heavy drop.” That decision shapes everything that follows. Instead of building towards impact in the traditional drum and bass sense, the track moves with a different kind of intent, allowing melody, space and narrative to lead.
That instinct doesn’t come out of nowhere. There’s a clear thread back to the early 2000s, a period that continues to inform how Exile hears music. “That era’s always been a foundation for me,” he says. “The chords, space, and vocal placement all come from that influence.” It’s not about recreating nostalgia, but about understanding what made those records connect in the first place and translating that into a modern context.
That balance between technical ability and emotional clarity is where Exile’s experience comes into play. It would be easy for a producer with his background to overwork a track like this, but ‘Wishing & Waiting’ does the opposite. It breathes. It leaves room. And that’s entirely deliberate. “It’s about restraint,” he says. “The technical side supports the idea, it shouldn’t take over it. If it feels right, I leave it.”
The collaboration itself came together in a similarly natural way. “I sent Elro a bassline and drums to start, then we built it out together,” he says. “He’s quick and musical with ideas, I focus more on detail and structure. It balanced well.” That contrast between instinct and refinement gives the track its shape, allowing it to develop without losing focus.
Bringing Harry Shotta into the mix was never really a question. “I’d just done a set with him and knew straight away,” Exile explains. “His tone cuts through and carries something more musical like this.” The vocal doesn’t shift the direction of the track, but it sharpens its purpose. It turns a strong instrumental into something more defined, more human. “It didn’t change direction, but it gave the track real identity and purpose.”
That identity is what allows the record to move between spaces so easily. It works on radio, in clubs, and across festival systems without feeling like it’s trying to be all three at once. “Not forced, but definitely in mind,” he says. “I like music that works in multiple places. This one landed there naturally.” It’s less about targeting audiences and more about trusting that the right balance will carry through.
In a landscape where much of drum and bass has leaned into stripped-back, high-impact frameworks, ‘Wishing & Waiting’ stands apart by doing something slightly different. Not louder, not heavier, but more open. “There’s a lot of stripped-back DnB around, so I wanted this to feel more open and emotional,” he says. “Space makes things hit differently. It also gives more for the vocalist to work with.” It’s a subtle shift, but one that changes how the track is experienced.
That idea of doing less has become central to how Exile approaches music now. After years of exploring different styles and techniques, the challenge has changed. “I’ve produced most styles, but stripping back is the real challenge,” he says. “Now it’s about doing less, better.” It’s a mindset that values intention over complexity, and one that comes through clearly in this release.
Being part of the Make Your Era network has also played a role in shaping moments like this. “Massive,” he says when asked about its impact. “Being around the right people naturally leads to these collaborations.” It’s not just about opportunity, but about alignment, finding artists who approach music in a similar way and letting that guide the process.
Within his wider catalogue, ‘Wishing & Waiting’ sits slightly to one side. “It’s one of the more musical tracks in my catalogue,” he admits. “There are still elements of my sound in there, especially in the bassline.” It feels like a natural extension rather than a departure, a different angle on the same foundation.
And maybe that’s the real takeaway. Not a reinvention, but a refinement. A producer known for detail stepping back just enough to let the music speak more clearly. No unnecessary layers, no forced moments. Just groove, melody and space, working together in a way that feels effortless, even when you know it isn’t.
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