A name that has blown up massively in the last few years, Endor has risen through the ranks of the scene to become a champion of the underground and one of the most exciting electronic artists out there. Best known for his all-conquering Pump It Up – arguably the biggest house record of 2019 and currently sitting at over 75 million streams worldwide.
Endor has also released on labels ranging from This Ain’t Bristol and Simma Black to Warner Music and Island Records, making an incredible impact on the scene in a short space of time.
What new music do you have coming out in the next coming months?
I have a stack of finished material that I’m sitting on, but no plans to release just yet. I’m taking my time to find the right label for each tune. I think it’s something you can’t rush after you’ve had a bit of success, because your following track will always be judged twice as hard.
What have you been doing to keep yourself busy in this lockdown?
There seems to be heaps of stuff to do; livestreams of course, new productions, mixes, and the odd interview! Away from music I’m learning to paint and riding my skateboard as much as possible.
Your track ‘Pump it up’ has made a massive impact on your career. When did the track come out and how well has it done?
It came out in Septermber 2019. The track has been so well received, more than I could have possibly imagined. I pinch myself every time the label boss at Defected texts me with more news of its success. It’s kinda been like a bull in a china shop. Once we let it free, there was no stopping it!
Since the release, has anything changed in your schedule?
Yeah! Nowadays I’m setting my alarm early to wake up and do skype chats with radio shows in Australia. I’m also playing a tonne more shows. It’s hectic. Everything has been affected in some way or another.
How did you get the track over to Defected?
Actually they came to me for it. Which was the strangest feeling as I’ve always emailed them material and it’s never gone anywhere. Sam Divine played the tune at a festival called Eastern Electrics and it got a pretty crazy reaction. That was on a Friday night. By Monday there was an email in my inbox enquiring about the tune.
When working on your own productions, what part of the track do you start with first? Why?
I have a bit of an odd theory here. Most people seem to start with the drums or the groove. I always start with the “main thing”. Whatever part of the track is the key idea – I’ll start with that. It could be a vocal hook, a melody, a sample. Then I’ll build everything around that. If the key idea is good then the production around it will be a formality.
Where do you call your home?
A little town called Haywards Heath.
What’s your favourite restaurant to eat here?
Balti House for a banging curry.
You are stuck on an island for 2 months and you are allowed only 5 items. What 5 items do you take?
A toothbrush, a phat machete, a blow up doll for some companionship, my speedos and a good book.
What is something that annoys you within the underground scene?
The cliquiness irks me a bit. It’s pretty lame the amount of buttsniffing that goes on over social media. Let the music do the talking I reckon.
Also the amount of self-congratulating. It’s great to share your achievements, but if every damn tweet is a badly veiled attempt at getting attention then it’s very tedious. Put a sock in it.
At what age did you first get into music?
I started hoarding CDs when I was just a kid. I would pester my dad to buy me albums. One day he came home from work with “Gorillaz – G Sides” album. I was 7 at the time, but I have such vivid memories of that moment. I replayed that CD over and over again until it drove my parents so insane that they just had to buy me something else.
What club did you play your first DJ set?
Lafayette’s right in the centre of Dublin. The promoter flew me and my brother over on the cheapest 6am Ryanair flights. We were treated like rockstars when we arrived and had the maddest night ever. We drank like fish and before we knew it were back on the plane home. It was a 24 hour whirlwind and it was over before it had begun. Fond memories.
