Hayden James has recently released his newest single, a collaboration with electronic duo AR/CO. This track sees James tread down a darker path in his production, skipping the euphoric synths for a moodier progressive house track.
AR/CO were featured on Kx5’s debut album with the track “Bright Lights,” which follows a similar production style, demonstrating how AR/CO’s vocals shine particularly on darker productions. The single was also accompanied by a music video, shot in Los Angeles at night, perfectly complimenting the feel of the track. Keep reading for our full interview.
Interview with Hayden James
Your new track ‘We Could Be Love’ with AR/CO is a bit moodier than your recent single, a collaboration with Bob Moses, and your last album, LIFTED, as well. What made you decide to go in this direction on this track?
It’s definitely more ‘dance floor’ focused than a lot of my other releases. It’s also much faster than previous tracks. I just let the song take me where it needs to go. It’s just got to feel right. The vocal commanded a faster pace and bigger, moodier drop.
How did you come to collaborate with AR/CO?
We met just once in LA at the Future Classic studios earlier this year and just hit it off immediately. I was a big fan of the record they released with Franky Wah and knew it would be a good fit with me.
How do your productions normally start? Is it different whether it’s a collaboration or not?
Different every time. This record started with the chords you hear at the start and that’s it. Malie (1 half of AR/CO) started writing that main hook right away. It felt special from the get go. A real earworm.
Is there a specific feeling you were going for with this track? What do you envision listeners feeling when they listen to this track?
It leans towards 90s style vibes and feels very euphoric, emotional and exciting to me. I was playing the song out about 1 month before it was released and it always had a big reaction when I dropped it. I love that it’s a ‘sing-a-long’ style record but also has the weight to be played at my shows.
What was the first time playing this live like?
First time I played it was at Osheaga.. And my gosh it was immediate haha. It’s honestly the best feeling when you play a song for the first time and it gets a cheer.
What’s in your music rotation at the moment? What are you listening to these days?
Keinemusik, Vintage Culture, Mochakk, Anotr, Devault, Salute, Barry Can’t Swim
Anything else fans should be on the lookout for soon? Or is everything behind wraps for now?
I have a couple more releases before the end of the year and I’ve just started working on a bigger body of work for next year 😉 See you at the shows you legends x
