From a studio album on Anjunabeats to his own music label, 2019 has been an incredible year for the Schottish DJ and producer Graeme Shepherd aka GRUM. This is why we have reached him for an interview to understand more in-depth what has happened behind the scene.
Starting in the electro house environment, Grum has become over the year one of the most eclectic and innovative producers when talking about trance and progressive music. His trademark sound has been recognized by Anjunabeats with the release of his Deep State album where cinematic, deep, dark, ambient progressive and trance sounds prevail on the incredible 10-track selection.
At the beginning of this new decade, Grum has also announced his brand new imprint, focused on evolve his sound and help upcoming talent to make their path to the big scene.
We have asked this and even more on the interview with Grum, you can find below.
- Hi Grum, you just released your album Deep State and now the announcement of your new music label. Why have you decided to open it?
I think having your own label is a goal of any electronic artist, and it’s always been a dream of mine. It really just felt like the right time to do it. The progressive scene is quite fragmented – I’d love to help bring it all together in a way.
- What are the plans for it? Do you want to keep a certain music style or are you going to explore? Will it be a label for upcoming talent or do you prefer already established artists?
It’s going to be music I like, and want to support and play in my sets. I’d love to help nurture upcoming talent and give artists I like a bit of a leg up. There will be music from artists we know of as well, but everything will fit in with the Deep State ethos and style.
- How everything is born? I mean, why have you decided to produce electronic music and why this specific genre/sound and, maybe, not something else?
It isn’t really something I decided I was specifically going to aggressively pursue. I was quite fortunate in that something that was my passion and hobby developed into a career. And I have always just made what I was enjoying at that moment in time.
- You’ve been one of the most recognized members of Anjunabeats’ roster. Tell us a little bit about how you ned up constantly releasing on the label, officially remixing also one of the Bosses’ tracks.
The Anjunabeats relationship started out when the ABGT radio show started playing remixes I was doing around 2014. That led on to releasing my first EP, support slots for Above & Beyond, and we went from there really. It’s been great working with Anjunabeats, they are a lovely bunch who are as passionate about the music as I am.
- Having a look at your travel schedule, it feels you’re continuously traveling from Europe to the USA and back? Is it stressful for you and are you able to produce/make music on-the-go or do you prefer to take your time in the studio?
Yes, juggling travel/shows/studio time is one of the challenges of this. I much prefer working on music in the studio, but sometimes I have to work on things when I’m away. The solution that I found works best for me is to work fully in the box. I’ve got a high-end Macbook as my main studio computer, loaded up with everything I need, and can plug into a screen/speakers at home or work on headphones when away.
- What have been the differences in releasing an album instead of a single or an EP? How the fans have reacted?
I love the album format. Running on the perpetual singles treadmill can be a bit fatiguing. Albums let me disappear a little into my own world and come up with something more unique and stylized. The album reception has been great, seems like people are generally loving it.
- A lot of artists have or are struggling with mental health problems; how do you manage to keep everything under control without turning crazy? Especially now that you have launched your imprint too?
I think accepting that you can’t control everything is important. Especially when traveling. Getting enough sleep is very important for me too.
- One of your first releases, Can’t Shake This Feeling, came out 10 years ago. Do you feel a change in the music industry in these years and how?
Yes, it has changed enormously since then. In that era, social media was really in its infancy and an afterthought in terms of promotion. Now it seems to be the tail wagging the dog. With good music, a career can still be made, it just requires a different approach now compared to back then.
- Miami Music Week is about two months ahead; can we expect something somewhere in the city?
Maybe – announcements to come soon 🙂
- What’s your plan for the future?
To keep doing what I do, enjoy it, and build my Deep State label and brand. Lots of music to come too, including another Anjunabeats album.
We want to thank Grum for the time dedicate to us and don’t forget to follow him on Spotify and on all his social to be the first to know what’s coming next.
