That said, lots of other things continue to keep Grant – pardon the pun – smiling. “There is definitely lots going on both musically and business wise,” he explains. “I’ve got a couple of records coming up – one is called Bloom which was a collaboration with Rudy and another called Warehouse which we’re shopping at the moment for vocals. There is also a solo record coming up from Walden, which will be a follow up to the EP A Million Lights.”
His TV Rock project too is continuing to do great things. With partner-in-crime Ivan Gough, the duo continues to be a shining beacon in Australian dance music. “We’re working on the next couple on records there as well; Ivan has had a good year and done some great collaborations. For us, it has always been about giving 150 per cent commitment to our music. We’ve got all sorts of different obligations so with the producing, touring and running a label you really have to give all of your energy to your music. It isn’t easy.
“Basically to cope – it’s all you can do really – is allocate time to the studio, the label and all of your other commitments. You’ve got these guys like Steve Angello who have the prowess to run a label, travel extensively as well as manage a career – it’s a difficult proposition. And made even harder in Australia, because of our location. As a label for example, if you’re going to give artists the time they need, you really do have to work at it – otherwise you can come across as being selfish, especially if you just look after yourself.”
So in between Aria anthems, the Neon imprint, the odd collaboration as well as other entrepreneurial activities, Grant is committed to growing and evolving with each year, each release, each gig. “These days, there is so much pressure to continue to keep churning out hits. Requests for collaborations and things happen all the time – people reach out to us and it’s great to work with a whole manner of different artists. You’ve got legends in the industry like Georgio Moroder and Daft Punk doing exactly the same thing and I think it’s beneficial for the scene in general.”
He claims it’s funny too, how people have expectations of new tracks fitting a certain mould. “I’m about keeping things new and fresh, for sure. But the music I’m listening to, the Jamie Jones and Loco Dice type stuff – the deep house – is also great despite not always being commercially viable. My philosophy has been to make your B-grade records your A-grade ones on the proviso that others have already pumped the others as hits, if you like.”
Impressively though in all of this, he has resisted the temptation to pack his bags and turn his back on Australia, despite the obvious benefits, preferring the trade-off of a local base. “Australia is home. There are times when I have to travel though, like for example next year, I’ve got a few things going on in Los Angeles. It’s true – if you want to make it globally, you have to get yourself out there. But my preference is to use my music as an incubator for everything I want to achieve. If you look at the quality of life we have in Australia, you realise that we have it pretty good– it’s always great to go on tour and travel, see other parts of the world and all that – but there is a certain luxury in coming back home and feeling like it’s where you belong.”
And finally, the lad continues to be humbled by his success and the love he receives not only locally but also all over the world. “You get recognised alongside guys who have dance music running through their veins. And while I guess there is some perceived pressure that goes along with that, most of the pressure comes from within. I’m constantly trying to raise the benchmark. These days dance music is more popular than ever before – and so is the craft of being a DJ.”
No doubt then, plenty of business heavyweights, collaborators and fans will be eagerly anticipating how the next few years unfold for this Aussie talent. Yet above all else, Grant remains a down-to-earth, knockabout bloke who above all else, seems to be just having fun.
BY RK
