NEWS
EVENTS
An interview with upcoming New Yorker CID on his first trip to London
House | Friday 21st October 2016 |
Although still relatively unknown over in the UK, CID has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the US dance music business. We got a chance to catch up with him backstage at the O2 on tour with pop giants Galantis.
What do you think of London so far? When did you get in?
I landed in London yesterday morning and slept the whole flight here, which was only really 2 and a half hours long. Today I got the chance to see the whole city and did all the touristy things like shopping on Oxford Street and seeing Big Ben. It actually reminds me a lot of New York.
Let's move on to your relationship with Galantis, what's it like being on tour with them?
I first connected with Galantis when I did a remix for ‘Help’ on their first EP. Coincidentally we are signed to the same management so they kind of had their eye on me. I was lucky enough to be able to tour with them in the states in February earlier this year. Also, I’m remixing ‘Love On Me’ for their remix package.
How far into the tour are you now? Has it been fun on the road so far?
The tour has been great, I think we have done 4 stops so far. The only problem with touring through Europe is the time difference so the first couple of nights I had really bad sleeping problems. But I guess that all comes with the experience of being on the road.
What do you think of Europe? Have you found the crowds a bit different to the US?
I have always wanted to come to Europe and play my music; it’s like a dream come true for me. It’s also incredible that the reaction has been amazing wherever we have played.
What kind of thing do you have in store for tonight then, for your first ever London show?
This is the most nervous I have ever been with a show. I really connect with what is going on in the UK and what people like Danny Howard, Pete Tong and all the radio guys are playing. Whenever I make something, I’m always hoping that it connects here. I’m really hoping it goes well.
You're from New York, have you found that it has influenced your music at all because obviously it's got quite a big history in terms of classic house?
I was lucky that when I first started producing an old school house producer mentored me and he taught me everything about the core of house music. Being in New York and around these people - the older generation - it really influenced my sound.
Do you get to go out in New York?
Not that much recently as I'm busy touring, but when I'm home I do.
What would you say your favourite club in New York?
Right now, Output.
Does your name stand for anything?
It's my last name, Cid. I think Pete Tong was the first person to say my name and he pronounced it C.I.D so a lot of people have been calling me that. You can say it whichever way, but it is Cid.
You've done a couple of collaborations with Kaskade, what was it like to work with someone that has got so many years of experience?
Amazing. I mean that in itself, you know, he has such a big audience of people that are listening to his music so it really helped me build my career. We done a song together on his last album called ‘Us’, and off the back of that song he took me on his North American tour. It was a great introduction for me - similar to what I'm doing now - being able to perform in front of a lot of people.
On the subject of touring, you've got a massive Amsterdam show coming up at ADE and you've never been to ADE before right?
No last year I couldn't make it because I was touring in the US and I was really bummed about it. So I'm really happy that I have just enough time this year to make it. I arrive there the night before and I really want to go out and see as many people and go to as many parties as I can. I can't wait to play on Sunday.
And then are you off after your show?
Yeah, I fly straight out afterwards.
What do you have coming up that you're most excited about at the moment?
All the music that I haven't put out yet. There's a lot of stuff that I think will connect with people. I'm focusing more on the songs and getting it played more at clubs. It's all solo material. You've really got to stand on your own feet. Being helped by all these fantastic artists, you've got to do your own thing so I'm going to focus that for now.
