Leroy Styles

Interview

The Netherlands has been home to many big names producers and DJs over the years and whilst all eyes are looking to Berlin or South Africa these days Leroy Styles has continued to build a global profile with a diverse range of sounds, from straight up commercial house monster hits, to driving tech house, afro house and deeper house collaborations with some key South African producers such as Zakes Bantwini.

Thanks for taking the time to chat - do you want to kick off with giving people an idea of how you first got into music?

I started in 1998 playing with turntables because a good friend of mine bought them. From there on I was hooked!

What or who were your biggest influences back then? DJ's, people, label?

I must say Jamiroquai and Michael Jackson also because my first LP was Thriller. I was so happy and thrilled with that.

The scene seems to be growing and bringing so many new creative talents right now - what's behind such success ?

Making music is nowadays easier for everyone. You don't need to hire or rent a studio with a lot of instruments to make music now. Just a DAW, laptop, headphones or studio monitors, a YouTube tutorial and you are to go. Because of that people are ready to be unique and willing to work hard for it and finding themselves and putting that in your music is easier than 20 years ago. Wow I really feel old when I say this ;-)

You have worked with some big electronic names, how did that happen and how has this played a role in your journey?

It's really a long story but I will keep it as short as possible. When I started playing house music in 1998/2000 nobody really wanted to book me. So I started organising my own house party's for 20 people and ended up giving events for 5000+ people in the Netherlands. But between 2005/2008 when I played house, Afrohouse, Deephouse music, people in The Netherlands were NOT ready for that kind of music. But I tried to educate people and let them know about the scene. So I ended up booking all my favorite names in the scene.

Back then Lionell from Club Djoon (Paris) and now manager of Black Coffee, helped me a lot. He did the program for Club Djoon in Paris. And on Friday he had some sick names. So I made a deal with him that when club Djoon booked Dj's on Friday the artists played on Saturday in The Netherlands. Kenny Dope, Black Coffee, Dennis Ferrer, Culoe de Song, Kerri Chandler, Frank Roger, Osunlade came to our club just to name a few. But at the end I almost got bankrupted at age 23/24 for chasing my dream for trying to make the music I love bigger. Unfortunately people weren't ready back then. So I had to change my business and mindset and found a location with 3 areas for a total of 5000+ people. In 1 area I booked all my friends from The Netherlands Afrojack, Hardwell to name a few. And I had an area where I could book the sound I loved. House, Afro and deep house music. I know Afrojack before he was a Grammy winner artist. We always kept each other in the loop. And after producing and writing 'As Your Friend' with Chris Brown things went crazy. Ghost produced a lot of songs and I was touring 1,5 years all over the world with Afrojack and trying even then to keep the sound alive. But it was hard. So I stopped. My soul couldn't do it anymore. So again I needed to reset and change my mindset.

And I did. Couple years ago on my birthday my favorite artist Black Coffee played at my party in Toffler (Rotterdam). And after playing together we walked to the hotel and he told me: "Keep your sound bro. I know what you did and you maybe had your reasons for it. But I know what you can do. So stay close to yourself and it will work out". For me that was an eyeopener. So that's what I'm trying to do. Stay close to myself.

Do you still see yourself as an EDM producers, or more Afro house, deep house... how would you categorise your sound?

I don't want to categorise myself. I'm just making music I love. It's just house music. Music brings people together. I still get questions from some EDM producers to make some songs and be a ghost producer for them but I really want to have my focus on my sound right now.

How has the lockdown been for you? Have you managed to keep connected to other music people and the fans?

It's been a mandatory vacation hahahhaa. But it's easy to stay connected with all the social platforms.

Do you have a production 'work' routine for just wait for an idea to come?

Sometimes I'm sitting in the studio and something pops up. But sometimes I will go home with not even a beat. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and try to sing something on my phone (not always working) hahah.

What inspires you musically?

Listen to all kind of music especially jazz music and I have another hobby cars and racing. When I'm in the car I get inspired as well.

Tell us about your new release 'My Kingdom' Paradise Sound System?

My kingdom is a very special track for me, this song makes me vibe in such a positive way. When I made this song I was with my long time friend Rancido who I also signed in my publishing and I was grateful for the life I'm having and I felt like I'm the king in my own life. I hope everybody will have the same experience listening to this song, because this is your kingdom! And I'm so happy that Paradise Sound System feels my sound and they are very pleasant to work with.

And you've got a studio album on the cards right?

Yeah, can't wait to let the world know about it. It will be my fist album, it's almost done. I'm very picky and can't say a lot about it but I have 20 tracks, which will be 10 club tracks and 10 vocal/radio tracks.

What does your usual production set up consist of?

Laptop, Logic X Pro and Adam monitors. And of course some Vst's.

What releases of yours standouts for you personally?

My kingdom is really special for me. But also 'Past Tense' because this was a real life story of what I have been through.

What makes a good label to work with?

It's everything. But also making me feel part of a big musical family and that's how it is with 'Paradise Sound System'. They are really awesome and understand my music but not only that they help me to grow in SA and think really out of the box.

If you could work with any producer in the world, who would it be?

There are a couple: 40, Hans Zimmer, Neptunes, Black Coffee, Kanye West and Dr. Dre.

What labels are you looking out for right now - tracks you're playing and loving - especially from SA / house scene?

Not really looking but a family feeling is always. I really like 'Thakzin, Divine Keys - Unexpected feels'. This track takes me to something higher. Really an awesome track.

What does your average week look like balancing all your work stuff?

I have a lot of hobby's. I think too much hahaha. I build race drones flying them FVP and i'm also a car fanatic and rally driver under Ghazi Motorsport & Hans Weijsmotorsport. Don't forget playing Call of Duty (Ps4) in studio breaks. Ok I'm a geek.... Hahahahah

Where can people follow you?

Facebook

Instagram

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Leroy Styles

Interview

The Netherlands has been home to many big names producers and DJs over the years and whilst all eyes are looking to Berlin or South Africa these days Leroy Styles has continued to build a global profile with a diverse range of sounds, from straight up commercial house monster hits, to driving tech house, afro house and deeper house collaborations with some key South African producers such as Zakes Bantwini.

Thanks for taking the time to chat - do you want to kick off with giving people an idea of how you first got into music?

I started in 1998 playing with turntables because a good friend of mine bought them. From there on I was hooked!

What or who were your biggest influences back then? DJ's, people, label?

I must say Jamiroquai and Michael Jackson also because my first LP was Thriller. I was so happy and thrilled with that.

The scene seems to be growing and bringing so many new creative talents right now - what's behind such success ?

Making music is nowadays easier for everyone. You don't need to hire or rent a studio with a lot of instruments to make music now. Just a DAW, laptop, headphones or studio monitors, a YouTube tutorial and you are to go. Because of that people are ready to be unique and willing to work hard for it and finding themselves and putting that in your music is easier than 20 years ago. Wow I really feel old when I say this ;-)

You have worked with some big electronic names, how did that happen and how has this played a role in your journey?

It's really a long story but I will keep it as short as possible. When I started playing house music in 1998/2000 nobody really wanted to book me. So I started organising my own house party's for 20 people and ended up giving events for 5000+ people in the Netherlands. But between 2005/2008 when I played house, Afrohouse, Deephouse music, people in The Netherlands were NOT ready for that kind of music. But I tried to educate people and let them know about the scene. So I ended up booking all my favorite names in the scene.

Back then Lionell from Club Djoon (Paris) and now manager of Black Coffee, helped me a lot. He did the program for Club Djoon in Paris. And on Friday he had some sick names. So I made a deal with him that when club Djoon booked Dj's on Friday the artists played on Saturday in The Netherlands. Kenny Dope, Black Coffee, Dennis Ferrer, Culoe de Song, Kerri Chandler, Frank Roger, Osunlade came to our club just to name a few. But at the end I almost got bankrupted at age 23/24 for chasing my dream for trying to make the music I love bigger. Unfortunately people weren't ready back then. So I had to change my business and mindset and found a location with 3 areas for a total of 5000+ people. In 1 area I booked all my friends from The Netherlands Afrojack, Hardwell to name a few. And I had an area where I could book the sound I loved. House, Afro and deep house music. I know Afrojack before he was a Grammy winner artist. We always kept each other in the loop. And after producing and writing 'As Your Friend' with Chris Brown things went crazy. Ghost produced a lot of songs and I was touring 1,5 years all over the world with Afrojack and trying even then to keep the sound alive. But it was hard. So I stopped. My soul couldn't do it anymore. So again I needed to reset and change my mindset.

And I did. Couple years ago on my birthday my favorite artist Black Coffee played at my party in Toffler (Rotterdam). And after playing together we walked to the hotel and he told me: "Keep your sound bro. I know what you did and you maybe had your reasons for it. But I know what you can do. So stay close to yourself and it will work out". For me that was an eyeopener. So that's what I'm trying to do. Stay close to myself.

Do you still see yourself as an EDM producers, or more Afro house, deep house... how would you categorise your sound?

I don't want to categorise myself. I'm just making music I love. It's just house music. Music brings people together. I still get questions from some EDM producers to make some songs and be a ghost producer for them but I really want to have my focus on my sound right now.

How has the lockdown been for you? Have you managed to keep connected to other music people and the fans?

It's been a mandatory vacation hahahhaa. But it's easy to stay connected with all the social platforms.

Do you have a production 'work' routine for just wait for an idea to come?

Sometimes I'm sitting in the studio and something pops up. But sometimes I will go home with not even a beat. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and try to sing something on my phone (not always working) hahah.

What inspires you musically?

Listen to all kind of music especially jazz music and I have another hobby cars and racing. When I'm in the car I get inspired as well.

Tell us about your new release 'My Kingdom' Paradise Sound System?

My kingdom is a very special track for me, this song makes me vibe in such a positive way. When I made this song I was with my long time friend Rancido who I also signed in my publishing and I was grateful for the life I'm having and I felt like I'm the king in my own life. I hope everybody will have the same experience listening to this song, because this is your kingdom! And I'm so happy that Paradise Sound System feels my sound and they are very pleasant to work with.

And you've got a studio album on the cards right?

Yeah, can't wait to let the world know about it. It will be my fist album, it's almost done. I'm very picky and can't say a lot about it but I have 20 tracks, which will be 10 club tracks and 10 vocal/radio tracks.

What does your usual production set up consist of?

Laptop, Logic X Pro and Adam monitors. And of course some Vst's.

What releases of yours standouts for you personally?

My kingdom is really special for me. But also 'Past Tense' because this was a real life story of what I have been through.

What makes a good label to work with?

It's everything. But also making me feel part of a big musical family and that's how it is with 'Paradise Sound System'. They are really awesome and understand my music but not only that they help me to grow in SA and think really out of the box.

If you could work with any producer in the world, who would it be?

There are a couple: 40, Hans Zimmer, Neptunes, Black Coffee, Kanye West and Dr. Dre.

What labels are you looking out for right now - tracks you're playing and loving - especially from SA / house scene?

Not really looking but a family feeling is always. I really like 'Thakzin, Divine Keys - Unexpected feels'. This track takes me to something higher. Really an awesome track.

What does your average week look like balancing all your work stuff?

I have a lot of hobby's. I think too much hahaha. I build race drones flying them FVP and i'm also a car fanatic and rally driver under Ghazi Motorsport & Hans Weijsmotorsport. Don't forget playing Call of Duty (Ps4) in studio breaks. Ok I'm a geek.... Hahahahah

Where can people follow you?

Facebook

Instagram