Good moods: Dive into Shanti Celeste's endlessly uplifting house

You developed a signature sound super quickly. Did you have that honed before you started releasing as Shanti Celeste or did it happen from record to record?

It just happened. I don’t really think about it that much. If I think, “Right, today I’m going to make something that sounds like this,” then I’m always disappointed and I get really sad.

I can only start poking things [in the studio] and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Obviously then you develop habits and that’s what’s created the sound you’re talking about. Even just the way that I’ll do a melody over the top of something, if you listen to the rhythm, it’s always really similar, the way the keys are pressed.

What kind of mood are you in when you make tracks?

I have to be in a good mood. And it has to be in the morning. I’m not someone who’s like, “Oh I’m really sad, I’m going to make a tune.” If I’m really sad, I don’t go anywhere near my studio. I probably should, but when I’m really sad or worried or anxious or angry, I can’t think of anything else but that. I find it hard to snap out of that and be creative.

I can hear elements of classic house artists like Boo Williams, Underground Resistance and Masters At Work in your music – would you agree?

Thanks! Those are massive influences, so they’re obviously going to have an affect.

After so many years, how does house music still manage to feel new?

House music isn’t very gimmicky – it’s honest. That’s why it lasts; it doesn’t get old.