DJ/producer Melle Brown on her new single, getting support from Sir Elton John, how she's gearing up for festival season, and an exclusive mix.

Fearlessly crossing genres like neo-soul, jazz and mid-tempo house alongside contemporary melodies, London based DJ/Producer Melle Brown is a rising artist to be reckoned with. Originally capturing attention with her EP ‘Intersection’, featuring the likes of Tiana Major9 and Oli Hannaford, Melle has built an impressive musical repertoire ever since. 

 

Amongst her busy schedule, Melle is a Reprezent radio presenter, hosts Apple Music’s Creative Studios interviewing artists like Nile Rodgers and Fraser T Smith, and is one of the 10 women in production on Universal Music’s ‘She is The Music‘ programme. She’s opened for The Gorillaz, performed at major festivals, and curated her own night at Pop Brixton. 

 

Melle’s latest release “One More Chance” is a pitch-perfect summer track ready to get you dancing in a field. With a tranquil and steady house beat, the artist has described it her “favourite blend of deep & soulful house”. Explaining how the title: “comes at a poignant time in my life and how I feel about the world around me; almost a reflection on everything that needs to be put right in humanity’s existence, giving us one more chance to share love and peace.” With her previous singles receiving praise from the likes of Elton John, Julie Adenuga and Maya Jama, this upbeat offering looks set to make waves.

 

Melle’s made Notion a mix ready for the summer heatwave, full of big basslines and classic samples. Dive in!

 

Hey Melle, congratulations on your new single, “One More Chance”! Has this track been a long time in the making?

Hey! Thanks so much, super happy it’s out in the world. This one was made randomly out of a spark of inspiration when I came across the vocal sample. It was a free and fun process, I think that’s what comes through also in the instrumentation.

“One More Chance” definitely has a summery feel ready for festival season, where do you imagine it being played?

It’s funny you say that, I have envisioned it played at festivals, I love the idea of it being played at Glastonbury, or on a beach at Defected Croatia or Suncebeat, but the place I dream of most is in Ibiza – Café Mambo specifically in someone’s sunset set… maybe one day it’ll be my set!

Who are some of your musical inspirations and did they come into play when you made this track?

I have so many inspirations, but this track pays homage to the Soulful and Deep House scenes I grew up listening to. Inspired by the likes of the late and great Phil Asher, and many more including Mr. Fingers, Sean McCabe, Atjazz, Natasha Diggs, Kerri Chandler, Jimpster, Kaidi Tatham – the list goes on!

Is there a track of yours that you’re most proud of, or that you’d point people to if you wanted them to understand where you’re coming from musically?

That’s a really hard question as each of my releases have touched different parts of who I am musically. I’d probably say most proud of are “Background Noise Ft. Oli Hannaford” and also “Brown Eyes (Golden) Ft. Angelina and fromLondon”, as they represent my journey not only as a producer but also as a person. Made in two polar opposites of my career, the first as the lead single of my ‘Intersection EP’, which reached heights I never expected… supported by Sir Elton John and had a Radio 1 playlist addition, and then Covid19 hit and life was turned upside down.I found it really hard to make music at that time, although the advice from outsiders was to keep momentum going, and release music, but I just had nothing left to give… and decided to just exist. “Brown Eyes (Golden)”, was the song that reminded me who I was through Angelina’s beautifully written lyrics and vocals, alongside the fun studio sessions with From London. We wanted people to be able to hear that song and bring them a new sense of confidence, a reminder that you’re ‘golden’, it also features a special recording of a conversation between my Nan and myself. I also had an incredible support team, especially in my manager Jamila; who helped me strip everything back and focus on just the music, encouraging me to step out into my developed sound after almost 2 years. For all these reasons and more I am proud of these two most!

You’ve formally worked with the likes of Tiana Major9, do you enjoy the collaborative process? And does it come into play with most of your musical output?

Yes, massive love to Tiana Major9 every time. It’s amazing to see her reaping all she deserves! I love collaboration, I work a lot with other musicians on my tracks and most enjoy creating my own melody lines and getting them replayed live in the studio. Collaboration also comes from the artists I work with, I’m constantly looking for new voices/talent to write with, it keeps things exciting!

Is there anyone you’d love to work with, or who you feel is really smashing it at the minute?

I really love P-rallel, his new project, ‘Forward’, is incredible and I love the way he fuses house elements into his music. Loie is also a new artist I love, her latest single “Hide My Feels” showcases her sublime vocals perfectly!

You were mentored by Fred again.. and Kamille as one of 10 women in production on Universal Music’s ‘She is The Music’ programme, could you tell me a bit about this experience, it must’ve been a great learning opportunity…

It was actually insane! To be a part of something so empowering for us young women in the production world, learning from the expertise of Kamille and Fred on so many different levels, from production, song-writing and even music business at Fred’s personal studio. They brought in many of their friends as special guests too, people who I’ve always admired, legends such as Toddla T, Raye and MNEK. It was a life changing experience and I’m so grateful for their time and guidance, including the whole SITM team. Fred told me to simply “build and live in my golden world”… I keep that piece of advice very close.

How do you usually go about making a track? Do you start with a particular element, or an emotion, or with an idea of what you want people to take away?

I start with the chords and synths – they have to be soulful and emotive. Then come the drums – If I’m not dancing in the first 30 mins of the track it’s not a vibe lol. From there I build upon them like a painting, each layer working together and then I add the sparkly free hand piano bits on the top, adding movement and more soul.

You’ve got a big summer of festivals lined up, anything you’re particularly looking forward to?

I cannot wait for Annie Mac Presents Lost & Found! As a huge fan of Annie, and her special knack for putting on new talent, it really is an honour to be playing the main stage, opening for Annie and so many other legends! Plus it’s my first time in Malta and playing abroad in the sun, where I feel my music belongs.

And finally, talk us through your mix for Notion, what was the inspiration behind it? How did you choose which tracks made the cut?

This mix is a culmination of tracks I’ve found recently that have blown me away, alongside those fun ones that I gravitate to when playing out. Soulful chords and big bass-lines are usually where my heart lies, perfect for this month’s upcoming heatwave!

Listen to Melle Brown's exclusive mix for Notion below:

Related Articles

Interview

In Conversation: Annie Mac and Melle Brown

DJs Annie Mac and Melle Brown have teamed up a blockbuster, summer-ready collaboration, "Feel About You". The pair sit down for Notion to dive into the song's process.

Interview

Jamz Supernova in Conversation with Melle Brown

BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter, DJ and founder of Future Bounce Records Jamz Supernova teams up with upcoming soul and jazz gem, Melle Brown, as they interview one another back to back!