Exclusive Premier || Lange feat. Shannon Hurley - Superstars (Craig Connelly Remix)

Interview || Craig Connelly Chats Remixing Lange feat. Shannon Hurley - Superstars

Craig Connelly first step on the industry ladder began in late in 2010, when he was announced as the winner of Super8 & Tab’s ‘Empire’ remix competition. On its release his rework caught the ears and found the turntables of a veritable who’s who of trance DJs. His first original production, ‘Absolute Electric’ – a hypersonic, floor-rushing Trancer – proved to be a revelation. Off the back of sustained pre-release play from spinners like Armin van Buuren, Dash Berlin, John O’Callaghan, Lange as well as his biggest advocate, Emery, it wowed club audiences worldwide. Released in June 2011 – with a remix from Tritonal attached – it tore up the Beatport chart, peaked at #2 and produced one of the year’s most head-turning EDM debuts.

Dubbed as the next generation trance triple threat Craig was honored with the task of remixing Lange feat. Shannon Hurley Superstars for We Are Lucky (Remixed).

We had the honor of interviewing Craig Connelly to find out more about his Superstars remix.

Hello Craig, it’s such an honor to be doing this interview with you, thank you much for taking time out to do it with us.

How are you doing and what would we find in your fridge if we so happen to open it?

Im good thank you. And you would find sandwich ingredients and lots of varieties of condiments, mainly Nandos sauces.

1. What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear South Africa?

Johannesburg! I’ve never been but I’d like to go. My uncle used to live there.

2. For all our readers out there who don’t know who Craig Connelly is, tell us a little more about yourself?

I’m from a place called Wigan near Manchester in the UK and I make and play trance music. Either vocally anthem stuff or tough chuggy stuff and everything in between I guess.

3. 2014 has been a huge year for what has been one of the moments you’ll never forget?

Probably releasing Decibels earlier in the year. I didn’t really think it was going to do as well as it did but it was a huge hit for me and people are still buzzing about it now. Also remixing for Aly & Fila and Lange!

4. Your big break into the trance world was with Absolute Electric released on Gareth Emery’s Garuda. How musical are you and have you always wanted a career in dance music?

I’ve always wanted to work in music, even from an early age. I think it started when I played guitar as a kid then got into dance music when I was like 14 or something. I discovered I wanted a career in it when I was 17 basically because I wasn’t content working on anything else. All other options just bored me to tears so it had to be music. Although it took me until I was 24 to get a proper full time job in the industry, then that led to releases and ultimately now djing.

5. When tackling a remix how do you normally approach it. Do you have a special method you follow?

It always starts at a piano and playing the original chords/melody. I like to get my head around what I’m dealing with musically first before attempting to add sounds and ideas. I need a clear idea of what my melody for the remix will be before committing to anything else so I guess it starts there. Then I’ll build a rough ‘in’ section where the main meat of the tracks goes off. Once I have that I can expand it backwards and forwards.

6. To add to the highs of 2014 you have remixed Lange’s Superstars and it’s featured on WALP remixed what was your reaction when you were asked to remix the track?

I was honored. I’ve followed Lange for many years and seen him DJ countless times so actually doing a remix for him was a big honor for me! :)

7. What were you trying to achieve with your remix?

Make a good remix haha :) Well as I mentioned earlier it’s all about melody and chords for me so the ultimate goal is to bring something new to what was already there. My new melody isn’t in the original and I think it adds a new twist on the original.

8. If you had to pick another track of WALP to remix which one would it be and why?

Fireflies. Amazing record.

9. One listen to WALP Remixed and you can tell trance is far from dead. What do you have to say to all the people who keep saying trance is dying out?

I don’t hear anyone saying it’s dying out. Trance never has died out, it’s always been there, people have always gone to Trance clubs and festivals. I’ve been listening to it and going to events for 14 years almost and I’ve never felt like it’s dying. I think it’s just Internet bull shit winding people up.

10. Any other words you’d like to add about your remix of Superstars.

I hope people like it as much as I enjoyed making it.

11. Lastly, are you a lucky person?

Erm, yea I guess I am in some respects. But I believe people make their own luck. The harder you work the luckier you are in terms of career’s and achievement’s. But I’ve also learnt this year that bad things can happen for no reason or explanation. That being said I’m more of a believer in creating your own destiny rather than relying on your life being ‘lucky’.

Any Last messages for your fans?

I’ve just started a new radio show called ‘Decibels Radio’ which you can now download from my Soundcloud which is soundcloud.com/craigconnelly

It's safe to say Lange, Shannon Hurley and Craig Connelly together prove we all can be superstars. .

Craig Connelly's remix of Lange feat. Shannon Hurley - Superstars is available on We Are Lucky People Remixed Out now on Lange Recordings.

Lange - We Are Lucky People Remixed

Buy at iTunes : http://bit.ly/WALPrmx

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