Cristoph’s deep and melodic house is making an Impact

Impact is a series dedicated to profiling raw talent that's about to turn dance music on its head. Next up: Cristoph

Every artist has dreams, but what happens when those dreams become a reality? For budding talent Cristoph, it's as if he's moving at an unfathomable pace, releasing on the industry's most respected imprints like Bedrock and Knee Deep In Sound, while also sharing the stage with his heroes like Eric Prydz.

Coming out of Newcastle, he knows this is only just the beginning and remaining focused, humble and open-minded is the key for longevity. Now as he's about to embark on a massive summer as a fixture at Eric Prydz's Ibiza residency, Cristoph has strong momentum to take the next big step in his career.

You’re fresh off a big US tour. It's been your longest in the States, right?

Yeah, it was really good. It was about three and a half weeks and was filled with firsts for me. I started in Miami - my first time there - so it took me by surprise, how crazy that place actually is.

Here in Europe and in the UK, there's a perception of the US that it’s a bit behind the times or too involved in the EDM scene, but I’ve had different experiences. Whenever I’ve been across, I’ve enjoyed it and have played to really knowledgeable crowds that are clued up on the music. I don’t know if that’s because the more progressive music was outplayed while the melodic material fits in with what the US are into, I don’t quite know. But I really enjoyed playing across the country.

You've been tapped to be a recurring fixture for Eric Prydz’s first Ibiza residency. What's it like, being given that honor?

It’s pretty surreal. Eric is one of my heroes within the industry. He’s someone who I’ve always looked up to, I’ve been a massive fan of his since I first got into dance music, so for him to ask me to play five of his eight shows is a dream come true. It’s really an honor to be asked that. I’m also looking forward to being able to see him perform as well.

You also have a release coming out on his label soon, right?

That’s right, I’ve got a track called ‘Feel’ which features vocals from Jem Cooke, who I’ve also worked with on an older track of mine called ‘Slowly Burning’. Although the track is an instrumental, I knew I needed a vocal on it and she fit perfectly. I sat on the track for quite awhile and a few labels were sniffing around it for a bit, but I wanted it to go to the right home. Then after I played the Miami shows and the two LA shows, Eric messaged me and asked if I could send over some of my new music. It took me by surprise that Eric wanted that track, but he loved the raw feel of it. He thought it was perfect for Pryda and of course, I was going to give it to him. Now, he's set up a whole new Pryda Presents sublabel around it too.

Your music definitely possesses a melodic feel, but also with a raw rhythm-focused approach. How would you describe your music to someone that’s never heard it before?

I like melodies, but I also like dark sounds and eerie synths. I’ve been banging to the Stranger Things soundtrack recently with its 80s sounds and synths. I’ve been using some plugins on my new material to give it that type of texture and feeling. I also like my music to have this driving nature paired with an emotional breakdown to build up and come out of. It’s what I remember classic progressive house was like with regards to artists like Sasha and Digweed. I was just a young kid listening to their stuff and that’s exactly what I’m trying to deliver with my work.

That’s taking it back to the foundations of dance music. How did you first get involved in the scene and when did you realize this was a passion you want to follow?

I’ve been in and around music since I was born. My dad was a DJ, but my older brother was the one who got me into the electronic scene. He was into the underground and there’s a club here called Shindig. Him and my sister used to sneak me in when I was 14 or 15. I used to see all the DJs then, but well before that I knew this was what I wanted to do. That said, my brother wouldn’t let me anywhere near his set of Technics, his pride possessions. I’d just watch him play in his room.

Once I was old enough and my dad recognized dance music was my passion, he bought me some belt-drive decks and said that if I could learn how to mix on them, he would get me direct-drive decks. It’s not easy trying to teach yourself to mix vinyl on belt drives. It was the long and hard way to learn, which turned out to be good.

I also remember I used to have an old cassette of electronic music when I was 8 or 9. I would constantly listen to it over and over. Back then, it was more of the progressive stuff, but also the melodic piano house stuff like Masters At Work. I remember MK’s remix of ‘I Can’t Get No Sleep’ really had an impression on me. The piano drop on that track is unbelievable and it used to always get me hooked, I’d start getting goosebumps and the hairs on my arms would stand on ends listening to this type of music. I just knew I had a serious passion for it.

Your music has landed on some major labels in the past few years, like Yoshitoshi, Last Night on Earth, Circus, Suara, Knee Deep In Sound, Bedrock... the list goes on. What are some of your proudest moments thus far?

Right now, this whole process with Eric and Pryda has to be up there. I’ve just been signed to his management as well, so they took me under their wing. They want me to release more on the Pryda Presents sublabel and they want me to tour with Eric more. That’s a real dream come true.

It’s all been great, but just seeing people actually supporting and buying music means the world to me. It’s what this is all about. People are actually enjoying what I’m making and they're feeling something with it. The music does something for them and they’re reacting to it on the dance floor. There are so many other DJs and other producers out there that could be in my shoes, so I take every day as it comes and try and take it all in. I’m really happy with this moment, but the way I see it going, there’s also plenty more to come and I’ve got to work hard to get there. So once I reach the highest I dream of reaching, I’ll look back and be proud that I’ve actually done that.

What are some of your goals for the future and what do you hope to accomplish?

I want to go on to own my own label and build a respected brand around Cristoph. Model my career on Eric’s, in a way, as well as the many others that have come before me. I want to build this brand that thousands of people want to come see and the demand for the next Cristoph record is high. So that’s the dream, I guess that’s everyone’s dream who comes into it. But dream big - that’s what I always think.