"Working with Wretch 32 has been one of the best collaborations I’ve ever done,” says Wilkinson, who is speaking to me from his London home. The new track, which was released this week, showcases everything Wilkinson has strived to achieve in his career: massive production, a strong sense of melody, an infectious dance groove, and a hard hitting drum and bass edge.
At only 26, Wilkinson is incredibly accomplished for his age. In addition to the gloriously talented rapper Wretch 32, he has worked with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Chase & Status, Naughty Boy, Katy B, Laura Mvula and Nero. He's also released records through Andy C’s RAM Records and Hospital Records. But learning how dedicated he’s been from such a young age helps make sense of his extraordinary reputation as one of the country’s leading drum and bass producers.
“I started making drum and bass ten years ago," he explains. "It wasn’t as popular as it is now. Now every man and his dog has got production software. Back then I was doing it out of the studio in college. It was more me being a recluse and making tunes. I was working on an old pc at home and gradually managed to work it out."
Does he consider himself self-taught, then? “Yeah, they don’t teach you anything useful about making drum n bass in college. I was doing music but I got an E in theory but I got an A in production because it’s all I did."
Realising that production was his strength, Wilkinson kept at it after college and was fortunate enough to have Andy C hear potential in his early mixes. “They weren’t particularly produced amazingly. Then he played me a couple of tunes, a new Sub Focus tune, a Culture Shock tune and was like, ‘Get your production like this, try and get your mix down as good.’ I went back in the studio and was like, 'Right I’ve got to up my game'.”
Up his game he certainly did. Andy C soon released his debut album on RAM Records and it reached No.2 in the UK dance chart and it spawned the hit single ‘Afterglow’, which reached No.8 in the official UK chart. Since then, his life has been one of a jet setter, building a reputation for his brilliant DJ set and live show at clubs all around the world, .
But always a man looking to push his potential, he tells me he’s been working on something that’s transformed the level of showmanship on stage.
“I’ve got a couple of new band members," he says gleefully. "I’ve been in rehearsals the past few days and it’s sounding amazing with Gem Cooke who’s a family friend. She’s got a voice like Adele or Amy Winhouse’s. It’s incredible. Also, Tom Barrell, my guitarist. I’ve been playing music with him since I was nine and he’s a good mate so it’s real family vibes at the moment."
These new members join MC Ad-Apt, vocalists Youngman and Shannon Saunders. As well as drummer Ollie Wiseman, in what’s a dazzling prospect for stage on his forthcoming tour dates.
In terms of practicality of having so many members, Wilkinson admits it’s not all that easy. “It’s a lot more work than I ever anticipated” he remarks. "I could have bought a house rather than set up a band. It wasn’t in any way like ‘Oh, I’m going to set up a band and make loads of money’ - it hemorrhages money. But I was like, ‘You know what, I really want to do this’. To be able to tour with a crew of 12 people around you buzzing, it’s so good. When I did that last year, it brought a whole other level of nergy and inspiration in what I do and how I see my music.”
In addition to a live set up there’s been a sonic shift that’s changed the clientele attending some of his shows.“I used to make hard drum an bass like my first single, 'Moonwalker'. I was making it for RAM and it mostly attracted guys and some girls. But I want to make people dance to my music so I took that harder edge, made it a bit dancier, and I started getting girls coming to my gigs - and wherever girls are, guy are standing right behind them. My gigs started getting busier. It’s more of a party atmosphere now."
Outside of live commitments, Wilkinson has also been very busy making his second album, the follow up to 2013’s debut on RAM Records. Speaking about the overarching theme of the album, which is a few months down the line, he says, “It’s steering quite a way from love songs. It’s easy to write a love. I like thinking of a subject, a term, a name, or a moment and writing about that moment. Like capturing the feel of being in a club or a festival where only that moment matters."
With a string of festivals and headline tour set, that by the sounds of it will be the best ever live show with the richest ever back catalogue. There's no doubt people will be able to get on board with his focus of enjoying the moment and living life to the full. An exciting new era awaits.
Wilkinson will play Snowbombing Festival 4 -9 April, Mayrhofen, Austria. For more information visit here
Meanwhile, Wilkinson will headline Kentish Town Forum on 18 April. For ticket information visit here
