Ukrainian house producer SHMN follows up on earlier outings with labels like Lost On You and Click Records to self-release his brand new collaborative single.
Titled Hold The Line, the deep and synth-heavy club track also features topline contributions from veteran vocalist Thomas Gandey.
With the tracks release swiftly approaching, we caught up with SHMN to ask him about the production process, how he came to work with Gandey, which labels he would love to release with, and more. Get the full discussion below.
You’re about to release your new Hold The Line single, what’s the idea behind this one?
Hold The Line marks a new chapter for my sound. Inspired by 80’s rock and cyberpunk, Hold The Line is a result of my ‘lab’ experimentations which delve into the genre of indie house – which is new for me.
And it features Thomas Gandey, how did you two come to work together?
We first worked together in 2019. We had been introduced to each other through a mutual music industry acquaintance. The first track we worked on was released on a Click Records compilation, which was an important milestone for me at the time. Since then I was waiting for the right the track for us to collaborate again, which has become Hold The Line.
The track comes on your new self-titled record label, why is it the right time for you to start a label of your own?
For this particular release I chose to release independently in order to connect with my audience directly, as well as have creative control over how the release is promoted.
And which artists can we expect to see on the imprint in the coming months?
I am not planning on launching a label just yet. I believe when it’s the right time I will be looking into starting a label.
You’ve also released on labels like Lost On You and Click Records in the past, which other labels might we see added to the list soon?
I am currently pitching tracks and will soon have some releases set up, so I can’t wait to share more music to follow up Hold The Line in similar sonic scapes as well as more familiar sounds that people have already heard from me.
Is there a label you hope to work with but haven’t had the chance yet?
Afterlife, Diynamic, Watergate, Einmusika.
We’re seemingly approaching the end of a pandemic which has been especially difficult for our entire industry, how have you been staying positive over the past year?
Lockdown has been productive for me as I have locked myself in the studio and focused on exploring new sounds, Hold The Line is a result of these experimentations.
And what are you looking forward to most about getting back into clubs?
I have my first performance in 2021 scheduled for June in Kiev, which is my hometown and it’s been a while since I last performed there which must not come as a surprise due to pandemic. For now, I am excited to finally perform in front of a crowd and share some of my released music.
SHMN’s Hold The Line single arrives May 21st on SHMN.