Leaps, an emerging electronic music artist hailing from Southeast London has been garnering attention in the UK dance scene for his distinctive sound, which combines elements from both past and present styles.
During the interview, Leaps discusses his creative process for his latest ‘Transcendent’ EP, as well as his collaborations with other artists. Additionally, he shares his perspective on the current state of the music industry, including the impact of social media.
EG: Hi Leaps, it’s great to chat with you today. Can you tell us where you are right now and how you’ve been doing lately?
Leaps: Hello EG! Great to chat with you too. I’m currently at my music studio in Southeast London. The sun is finally out so I’m feeling more creative and optimistic at the moment.
EG: Congratulations on your latest release, the ‘Transcendent’ EP. Could you walk us through your creative process behind it and what inspired you to create this body of work?
Leaps: I wrote the EP over the course of a few months last year using a range of analog synths such as the Prophet 5, Juno 106, PolyBrute, and vocal samples that felt euphoric. I used Ableton as my main DAW and usually work on the beat first or find a sound on a synth that resonates with me. I have a passion for astronomy and space, so it was important for me to create a piece of work that takes you out of this world.
EG: You have worked with various artists in the underground scene. How has collaborating with other artists influenced your solo work as Leaps? And how important is community in your creative process?
Leaps: Community is really important as you can really feed off each other’s energy and create something completely unique. Collaborating with other artists induces new creative pathways which has influenced my solo work and also creates connections to a new audience that you wouldn’t necessarily be able to reach on your own. Working on your own, I find, is such a different experience as it has its own focus which is vital to the process.
“After the pandemic, more than ever, the dance floor became a place to let go. Since then, it has felt right for me to make ’90s-influenced music centered on nostalgic euphoria that inspires an out-of-body experience”
EG: Your music has been described as transcendent, with a unique blend of past and present sounds. What do you hope listeners take away from your music, and how do you think it can impact society and culture?
Leaps: In the UK dance scene, we have artists like Fred again.., BICEP, Daniel Avery, Jamie xx, and emerging artists such as Two Shell, Kiimi, among others, trickling into the mainstream with their take on alternative electronic dance music. From a cultural perspective, it feels great to see this sound travel across the world. After the pandemic, more than ever, the dance floor became a place to let go. Since then, it has felt right for me to make ’90s-influenced music centered on nostalgic euphoria that inspires an out-of-body experience.
EG: Your single ‘Close’ received a lot of attention last year. How has the response to your music so far influenced your approach to future projects, and what can fans expect from your upcoming work?
Leaps: Been really happy with the response to my current music. As I like to think of new ideas when creating new music, it feels great to be acknowledged by the UK dance scene. Fans can expect the sounds to continually evolve, and I’m looking to share more vocally-led tunes with an exciting selection of guest vocalists.
EG: Your sound draws on a diverse range of influences. How do you continue to push your creative boundaries and evolve your sound as an artist, and how do you balance experimentation with maintaining a distinct style?
Leaps: I believe that the inspiration to write new music involves using new pieces of equipment, whether that’s a synthesizer, live instrument, or programming, exploring new chords and approaches, and listening to new music of all styles. At the moment, I’ve started using the Elektron Octatrack, which is always a fun process. You can get so many interesting ideas and sounds with it, and I love the idea of creating away from the laptop.
EG: As an artist, you may face challenges such as booking, fees, and navigating the industry. What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry, and how do you think it can improve for both musicians and fans?
Leaps: Now more than ever there are so many avenues to generate exposure. I think when it comes to the artist and their fans, there needs to be clarity on how they can be supported, which gives the artist the space to be proactive in pushing past the challenges of the industry.
“I honestly think social media is great as fans can really engage with what you do now. I believe consistency is the key to engaging a wider audience”
EG: Social media has become an integral part of the music scene, allowing musicians to connect with fans and share their work. What are your views on social media’s impact on the industry and how do you navigate its benefits and drawbacks as an artist?
Leaps: I honestly think social media is great as fans can really engage with what you do now. I believe consistency is the key to engaging a wider audience. This has proven to be true as I’ve been able to grow my social media presence on Instagram and TikTok by consistently posting high-quality content. In terms of drawbacks, I feel that more than ever it has become harder as there’s so much more to think about as an artist and you have to think of every single factor involved when engaging your audience which can be challenging at times.
EG: Finally, could you share any upcoming projects or collaborations that fans can look forward to in the future, and what direction do you see your music taking in the next few years?
Leaps: I’m currently working with some very talented singers/songwriters to give the music more of an organic approach. I definitely see the project moving into a space that maintains similar soundscapes but with a slightly more evolved perspective.
EG: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. We appreciate your insights and wish you all the best in your music career.
Leaps: Thank you so much for having me!
Follow Leaps: Instagram | Soundcloud
