Jordan Peak on ‘Be With Me’, the Art of Simplicity and House Music’s Changing Dancefloors
In an era when dance music increasingly competes for attention through dramatic builds, oversized drops and instantly recognisable moments, Jordan Peak remains fascinated by something considerably more understated: the power of a great groove.
The British house producer has spent years refining a sound built around rhythmic precision, hypnotic basslines and memorable hooks. With releases on Defected, Edible, Saved and Dansu Discs, alongside support from artists including Pete Tong, Chris Stussy, Patrick Topping, Peggy Gou and TSHA, his productions have found their way onto dancefloors around the world.
His latest single, ‘Be With Me’, released on 9th October through Prunk's PIV Records, captures that philosophy particularly well. Built around heavy drums, a deep bassline and a persistent vocal hook, the track became one of Peak's most talked-about unreleased productions throughout the summer.
For an artist who makes music prolifically, identifying which records will connect isn't always straightforward. This time, however, the response was immediate.
“I make so much music it’s often difficult to tell which are the tracks that are going to resonate the most. I knew this was one that was going to connect straight away though. There’s something so hooky about it and from the first time I played it out I knew I had something special on my hands.”
Part of that appeal lies in the track's restraint. Rather than filling every available space, Peak allows a handful of carefully chosen elements to carry the arrangement, introducing subtle changes that keep the groove moving.
It's an approach his manager recently identified as one of his defining strengths.
“My manager said to the me the other day that one of my strengths is saying more with less in my music and that that’s a difficult skill to master. I’d never really thought about it like that but I guess there’s something in that.”
“Often the tracks that cut through are the ones that have few elements that I vary throughout the track and that’s what I think I’ve achieved with Be With Me.”
That understanding of musical economy extends beyond house music. Peak regularly studies other genres to understand how composers establish tension, maintain interest and develop ideas without relying on dramatic changes.
Classical music, somewhat unexpectedly, has provided a useful reference point.
“For instance I realised that in some classical music very often a simple element is focussed on throughout a composition and then subtlety changes or is added to throughout. It’s something I like to do in my grooves and especially in my hooks.”
His appreciation for a memorable hook also explains one of his most enduring influences.
“This is going to sound like an obvious answer but Armand Van Helden has always a huge influence on me, especially his early work. He’s a master of hooks and grooves - my favourite things.”
That connection to classic American house runs throughout Peak's productions, although his approach has never been about recreating a particular era. Instead, he draws on the fundamental qualities that make records effective, combining those influences with an understanding of contemporary dancefloors.
The slightly deeper character of ‘Be With Me’ made PIV Records a natural destination.
“PIV is a special label and their output is incredibly consistent and always of very high quality. Be With Me is a little deeper in it’s nature than some of my recent releases and I knew straight away that PIV was the label I wanted this to be on.”
The release also features a remix from Kellie Allen, who brings a brighter, more euphoric character to the original while retaining its rhythmic foundations.
Having previously shared the decks with Allen, Peak was already familiar with her approach.
“I’ve played B2B with Kellie and I love what she does both as a DJ and as a producer. She’s also part of the PIV family so it was an obvious choice to get her on board for a remix. She’s smashed it, as I knew she would.”
Despite his extensive label catalogue, Peak rarely enters the studio with a particular release destination in mind. His process remains instinctive, allowing ideas to develop before considering where they might belong.
“I just switch on the studio and then see where a session goes - it’s the best way to be creative I find.”
Testing unreleased productions with DJs is an important part of that process, helping him understand which tracks are connecting before deciding how to release them.
His own Peak Trax imprint offers an additional level of freedom.
“It’s very freeing having my own label as it means I don’t have to think about where I want a record to sit necessarily as I’m making it - I know that I have an outlet to get the record out no matter how it turns out. If I believe in it then I can release it.”
Although the label has been dormant during a period away from releasing music through the imprint, Peak hints that an announcement is on the horizon.
His relationship with the dancefloor has also evolved as club culture has changed.
Where extended grooves and gradual development have traditionally been central to underground house, Peak has noticed a growing emphasis on more immediate moments of impact.
“At the moment I find that dance floors are more build and drop focussed - it’s the social media generation.”
He doesn't necessarily produce with social media in mind, but acknowledges that understanding the wider cultural mood is part of making music that works in clubs.
“I don’t necessarily write music for how they resonate on socials but I do have in my mind what works on the floor as a result of current cultural mood.”
That balance between personal instinct and audience response continues to shape his productions. It also leaves room for new influences, with Peak currently exploring a rawer, more electro-influenced direction.
“I’m really into a more electro edged sound at the moment which you can probably hear with some of my unsigned and unreleased stuff that’s getting played out at the moment. I love the raw energy of that.”
Still, he remains reluctant to confine himself to any particular corner of house music.
“But to be honest I love the whole spectrum of house music and I’ll always continue with make just whatever I feel on any given day in the studio.”
For Jordan Peak, ‘Be With Me’ demonstrates that a track doesn't need endless layers or elaborate arrangements to leave a lasting impression. Sometimes the most effective records are those that recognise exactly what makes a groove work, and have the confidence to leave everything else out.
Jordan Peak's ‘Be With Me’, featuring a remix from Kellie Allen, is out now on PIV Records.
Jordan Peak
