Get to know: Mella Dee

Ahead of his Egg LDN debut in the Basement which is hosted by Ibiza Voice, Mella Dee joins Brawther and Spencer Parker for our annual Eastern Electrics Afterparty on August 4th.

With his infectious sound and off-key fashion sense, Mella Dee is one of Doncaster’s most well-known names on the UK’s electronic circuit. After his breakthrough track, ‘Techno Disco Tool’ dropped on his own Warehouse Music imprint last year, the London based producer has been thrown into the limelight with the likes of Daniel Avery, Black Madonna, Bicep and lots more showing love for both the track and the man himself. 

Bouncing between disco fuelled cuts, chunky house, driving techno and a touch of dusty jungle, watching a set from Mella Dee is an entirely unpredictable and captivating experience. Ahead of his Egg LDN debut in the Basement which is hosted by Ibiza Voice, Mella Dee joins Brawther and Spencer Parker for our annual Eastern Electrics Afterparty on August 4th and we had a quick chat with him. 

We caught up with the transcendent selector ahead of the night to find out what he’s been to recently, where he sources his tunes (and style) and what’s next for his imprint over the year… 

Earlier this year, you did a number of All Night Long shows around the UK, how did they go? Do you have any pre-gig rituals before these long sets? 

All amazing, mainly in clubs that I've played in over the years and really enjoyed. Was great to be in control the whole way through and really direct the energy of the night. No real rituals, it was just about making sure I had what I needed music wise and see where the music and the crowd lead me on the night.   

We can’t help but notice your distinct fashion sense, there’s a hint of 90’s rave in there with your colourful taste in jackets and various pairs of Air Max’s making a consistent appearance over the last few months. Do you think having your own profound sense of style is just as important as making and mixing high-quality music? 

I think what's really important is just being yourself, I've always been into style in everything and think it’s an important aspect of any sort of art. It's those little touches that make something your own and give you identity. 

We’re big fans of your playful sound here at Egg, you can jump from disco to jungle to groovy house in a matter of seconds. Where do you source your digital tracks and records? 

Just through life without sounding too cliche, but I've always got my ear out so I'm always searching for new music, and it’s just about wherever I can get what I need. Obviously, in terms of record shopping, it’s a bit different as you're choosing from an already pre-selected basket, but I love digging, just seeing what catches my eye. 

Again that's where the stylistic side is important, as sometimes for no apparent reason a record will grab your attention where you might have skipped over it if it looked a little different.

‘Techno Disco Tool’ is absolutely huge. After it was released, did you feel overwhelmed or under pressure to create another big track as soon as possible? 

Not really because of my label Warehouse Music and the way that track seems to just keep moving, I feel free to just experiment and make what comes out of the studio at the end of the day. It's impossible to predict what will become of a record so I think that more than anything, it's important just to stay true to what you wanna do and keep moving forward. It wouldn't be logical for me to just try and recreate the success of 'Techno Disco Tool' because it's about the energy that was captured in that idea and the way it took on a life of its own. 

Your Warehouse Music imprint is doing incredibly well at the moment, all the vinyl on Bandcamp is currently sold out. What’s the vision behind the label and how do you go about signing particular artists? Is it quite a long process or do you have others on board to help out with the A&R? 

It’s not really about me as an A&R. The idea of the label was always just as an outlet for me to be myself and not deal with anyone else’s opinion outside of Sarah who is my fiancee/manager/co-owner of the label. So the fact it's been so well received after years of releasing music with others is amazing, there are projects forthcoming but it's more about family for me, working with people I know and respect when the time feels right and releasing quality music. 

What’s next for the imprint and for yourself as an artist over next year? 

Just forward motion, keep releasing music and keep on building everything. I’ve got a good few EPs ready to go with Warehouse Music and the first collaborative project under 'Northern Jamz' is due out soon and aside from that I've got a 4 track EP coming on the Shall Not Fade label that sees me going off track yet again. 

Leave us with a tune that you’re itching to play on August 4th in the Basement? 

Not just one track but everything and anything by Sound Stream basically, I love that stuff, so much soul but properly hard hitting. Check this one called ‘Live Goes On’. 

 

Get Tickets to Eastern Electrics Official Afterparty: Matador, Guti, Mella Dee, Spencer Parker, Brawther Here