Since his 2019 breakthrough Platinum hit ‘Pump It Up’, two-time Beatport chart-topper Endor’s profile has surged via releases on Repopulate Mars, Solid Grooves and Kaluki.
Alongside the cultivation of his new label project 'Ruff Cutz', he recently also dropped in on Lee Foss' stellar Repopulate Mars imprint with the cracking 'El Cuervo'.
To celebrate a major phase in his career, we caught up with Endor for an exclusive interview:
Hey Dan, thanks so much for joining us! Let’s start with your latest release on Lee Foss’ Repopulate Mars imprint. How did the release come about, and was there any specific influence behind it?
No problem, thanks for the chat. El Cuervo, translating literally to "The Crow", was a track made to pay homage to those Balearic sunsets that evaded us during the pandemic. The track was also named after a bird that used to visit me whilst I was producing the track, so in lieu of a better name - he got the title.
You’ve had some pretty successful releases over the last few years. Which one has impacted your career the most and why?
Cheers! I say that would have to be “Pump It Up” because it changed so much for me. In terms of my career it’s helped me claw my way into people’s consciousness, but on a personal level, it’s just made me immensely happy. I am so grateful that it happened the way it did.
When did you go full-time with music, and how was the transition?
It was pretty natural, to be honest. I was making music for fun while I was at Uni. My music was beginning to get noticed and the booking requests were coming in. I decided to grit my teeth and finish my degree but the moment I had handed in my dissertation it was completely focused on music.
What advice would you offer upcoming producers to help them have a sustainable career in music?
You’ve got to be different as much as you can be… but also, prolific. I tell new producers to make as much material as possible and release it all. It doesn’t matter if 95% of it goes unnoticed. It’s that one song that you didn’t expect to resonate that just might.
Do you have any studio rituals?
Producing is so hit and miss for me these days that no amount of rituals or preparation will ever get me in the right frame of mind to make music! I can have all the time in the world and make garbage or be totally hungover on a rainy day and make a banger. It’s predictably unpredictable!
What do you like to do outside of music?
Skateboard, cook Asian food, cuddle chickens, paint, game (too much), debate politics with strangers on the internet.
If you could change anything about the UK music scene, what would it be and why?
It’s too cliquey and it seems like everyone doesn’t want anyone else to succeed. The way I see it, there’s a big enough pie to go round and we can all win. Another DJ’s success is never to the detriment of my own, and vice versa.
What can we look forward to on your own newly-formed RUFF CUTZ label?
RUFF CUTZ is going to be a vessel for me to release all the material that I’ve been sitting on for the past few years. I’ve kept too much music locked up, waiting for the perfect label. Now feels like the right time for a fresh project - it will certainly help my creative process knowing that the music I release can come out whenever I like.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Keep an ear out for El Cuervo on the dancefloor!!
Endor's 'El Cuervo' is out now on Repopulate Mars!
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