Interview: AVNU

UK club music has another swiftly rising talent on its hands with AVNU, a Scottish DJ & producer whose music has come via labels like Lone Romantic, Pets Recordings, and Maceo Plex’s Ellum Audio in the past.

His latest studio production, ‘Next Caller’, comes as a 2-track offering which pairs the original title track with an excellent remix from established artist Raxon – and brings AVNU’s return to Ellum Audio.

We spoke to the British artist this week to chat about the new release, what else we might hear from him in the near future, and what advice he would give to any aspiring producers looking to replicate his success. Read the full interview below.

Where are you right now and what are you up to?

I’m currently on site at work. On a battery storage plant in Maldon, Essex.

You just returned to Maceo Plex’ Ellum Audio for your new ‘Next Caller’ EP, talk us through the original track in your own words?

Like most of my tracks I made this quite quickly. The vocal sample comes from a random YouTube video I found in the middle of the night. Some ghetto reverend taking calls live on community tv. It’s funny if you can find it. I sample a lot from YouTube.

And it also includes a great remix from Raxon, what’s your thoughts on that?

It’s wicked! A great addition. It’s a lot closer sounding to the original version that will be on the album. More stripped back and hypnotic.

You’ve now released music on Ellum Audio, Lone Romantic, and Pets Recordings, what’s next for you going forward?

My sophomore album ‘Crisis in the Simulation’ on Ellum Audio is the priority at the moment. I hope to put a live set together and in the next year or so I really want to launch my own label, releasing music from myself and some friends. Apart from that who knows. Maybe a few white labels. The edits are starting to stack up and I want to share them.

What advice would you give to anyone aiming to release on these kinds of labels?

Don’t aimlessly add people on the labels and send music to them without any introduction or any previous communication. There’s nothing worse than getting unsolicited SoundCloud links with no chat. Get to know people on the label. Go to their shows. Hang out. Everyone is down to earth. Also work on your shit. Like seriously. Put in the hours. Learn your craft and be yourself. Be original.

What goals have you set yourself for 2024?

To be more present on my socials and to do more shows.

Anything else you want to mention before we go?

Thanks for reading. Keep an eye out for the album!

AVNU – Next Caller EP is out now on Ellum Audio.