British DJ, producer and artist, Sigala has had an exciting year so far with a handful of new releases and exciting collaborations, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. First starting off the year with “Melody” before kickstarting the summer with “Stay The Night” and most recently releasing “Living Without You”, leaving fans on the brink of his banger-filled, highly anticipated sophomore album.
Sigala’s debut album Brighter Days was the highest charting dance debut album of 2018, making it a BRIT certified breakthrough record with 140k+ sales in the UK alone. With more new music on the horizon before the year comes to a close, we caught up with Sigala to talk about his collaborations with David Guetta and Sam Ryder, as well as his jam-packed new album. Read more and listen now below.
Prelude Press: You’ve released a couple of singles and a handful of remixes so far this year, most recently “Stay The Night” featuring Talia Mar and “Living Without You” featuring David Guetta and Sam Ryder. What has been the highlight of your year so far?
Sigala: Highlight of my year was going back to doing shows and tours. It’s something I’ve really missed. I’ve beat the Ibiza residency this year which has been incredible being on that island and sort of the heart beat of dance music.
Can you tell us a little bit about “Living Without You”? What goals did you have in mind when you first started working on it?
I’ve been waiting to work with David Guetta for a long time. We were already sending each other music together and he sent me this tune as a ballad. I fell in love with it and felt like we could be the one we do together.
Also, working with Sam as well was really cool. I’m always on the lookout for the next exciting vocalist. I grew up listening to Queen and Freddy Mercury. Sam kind of channels that powerhouse vocal energy. The moment I heard him, this is the guy that sings this song.
How did you become connected with David Guetta and Sam Ryder – What do you feel they were able to bring to the song?
David Guetta is a big inspiration for me as a fellow producer and DJ. I just have a lot of respect for him for his consistency. He’s been doing it for a long time and he’s still making hits. He’s also still genuinely passionate about it which I respect a lot. Definitely a bucket list tick to work with David Guetta.
This song originally came from him. He’d written it with another artist called Tom Grennan. After that, they sent it to me and it was basically a ballad. So it was just like piano and Tom singing. It was such a beautiful song – really heartwarming. Which made me want to turn it into a dance tune.
I know that’s something David Guetta has done a few times. Some of his big dance smashes are kinda ballads if you break them down to their basics or song structure.
I told them I’d love to be involved. I took the vocals and made my version of it. I sent it back to David’s team and he just went crazy for it. We then worked on it together and finished it off.
Unfortunately, Tom had other commitments and could not commit to the song. So, we all had to brainstorm on who could replace Tom. It was really difficult because Tom is one of my favorite vocalists and a good friend as well. We were just like “How are we gonna find somebody who is gonna do this as well as him?”
It was actually my UK Label who sent over Sam Ryder and was like “Have you heard this guy sing?” I recognized his name and went on Tiktok (because they said he was really big on Tiktok). I checked him out and definitely recognized him. With his long blonde hair and beard. His voice was just incredible. If anyone can do this – it’s gonna be this guy.
On top of “Stay The Night” and “Living Without You”, you’ve got more new music coming soon, including your upcoming sophomore album! What are you most excited for fans to hear on these new songs?
I have some really cool collaborations coming up with Ellie Golding and Alok. Ive got loads and loads of collabs I’m really good friends with in the UK. There’s a song with MNEK. I’m really excited about it. I’ve worked with him for such a long time but we’ve never worked together.
I’m honestly just excited to get music out and for everyone to hear the next chapter on what I’m doing.
Sonically, is there anything that you’re excited to try or experiment with on the new album?
I feel like my sound has developed a little since the first album. My first album was slightly broader in sounds and genres. Whereas, this one hones in on what Sigala is sonically. Really just solidify that in an album as a body of work.
Very much dance music in a specific BPM. All the things and sounds that people know from music with new takes on that with new exciting things as well.
How do you feel you’ve grown as an artist when working on these new songs?
For every song that is released there are 100 songs that nobody hears. When you’re making that much music, you don’t want to make the same song 100 times. One thing that I’ve been doing recently is trying new things. Like different takes on pop dance tunes and finding ways to make it exciting and interesting as well. As well as myself.
I’m always striving for doing something different each time. Even if it’s a tiny bit different.
Did you come across any challenges when working on the album?
It is always a difficult process selecting which song you are going to work on because there are sort of rough demos at some point. You have try and work out which songs are the strong songs and are passionate about.
I’ll start working on a song and think that I’m passionate about it but, when I’m 20 to 30 hours into it – I can be like this is not the one. If the enjoyment has died one, I stop. It’s a case or trial and error.
What has been the most exciting or rewarding part of the writing process so far?
Making music in different places in the world. Being able to travel with a laptop and literally work from anywhere. I will always be really inspired after performing. I will find somewhere cool to go and get my laptop out and make some music.
I’ve done songwriting camps in Thailand and the last one we wrote a few things that will go on the next album. It’s been incredible inviting awesome people to write music in this beautiful location in Thailand. The songwriting camp was in this secluded place and cut off from the world.
When can fans expect to hear more new music?
Very soon! Definitely new music before the end of year. We have loads of songs coming in. Just need to figure out how to fit them all in. The album will be dropping early next year which is going to be, I think, 20 tracks now? There will also be a few singles from that as well.
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