UK-based DJ, producer, and label owner Daryl Stay made a big step up this year as he released his debut artist album ‘Orbit’, on his own PLOY imprint.
In the past he’s also released music with a number of noteworthy record labels, including Intec Digital, Poker Flat Recordings, Second State.
We spoke to him recently to talk about the new long player, what else he might have coming in the near future, and what advice he would give to any aspiring producers.
How are things in the life of Daryl Stay right now?
I’m real good right now. I just got back from a lovely family holiday in New York, which was hugely enjoyable and inspiring. The last few months have been super busy promoting my debut album and I’ve been in full studio mode since getting back from New York, putting the finishing touches to my next EP’s, which should be coming out before the end of the year.
You released an album this year, titled ‘Orbit’ – what can people expect to hear across the 10 tracks?
You’ve got your straight up club tracks for sure but the album let me explore other, more experimental sounds and emotions. Which I think comes across on the album. One of my favourite tracks from the album is ‘Surge’, a broken beat acid jam. Something I’d probably not release if it wasn’t for the album.
There are a couple of older tracks I produced a few years ago which I’d sat on and not put out before, as I thought they’d be better suited for an album, if I’d ever got round to finishing one. It’s only taken 30 years of producing music to get to releasing an album. I’ve always released EP’s in the past and it was now or never.
Do you have any plans for remixes?
I’m looking at possibly doing a remix package next year. I’m inspired by so many new and old artists including Luke Slater, Rodhad, Schatrax, Ben Sims, Arthur Robert, Klint, and Rene Wise to name a few. I’d love to work with these guys in the future, either on a collaboration, or getting them to provide remixes.
You’ve released music with Intec Digital, Poker Flat Recordings, and Second State in the past, what’s your advice to any one that’s aiming to get signed to these kinds of labels?
Make sure what you submit is of high quality, first and foremost. Also sit on tracks for a while before submitting them to a label. Everyone is excited (including myself) sometimes to send a finished track to a label straight after they’ve finished it. Sit on it for a while and listen to it again a few weeks later and then make the decision to whether it’s good enough or not for the label you are approaching. Always submit more than one track and make sure you include your contact details.
And where else can we expect you to be releasing music in the near future?
I’m concentrating on releasing my music solely on my own label PLOY and building the profile of the label at the moment. However, there are a couple of labels I’d like to work with in the future and will reach out to them if I feel I have something suitable for that label. I’d like to work with Pan-Pot again, and release some more music on their Second State label.
Anything else you want to mention?
Thank you to everyone who has supported my music now and in the past. I hope you liked the album and I can’t wait to get my new EP’s released for everyone to hear.
Daryl Stay – Orbit LP is out now on PLOY.