Chemistry [Red] Vinyl Record

For Chris Lake, making people dance is more than a career: It's an obsession. Over nearly two decades, the GRAMMYr-nominated artist has become one of house music's most compelling figures. In that timehe's lived many lives as a producer, DJ, and label head, all connected by his ability to make bigmoments both onstage and in his music. Recent singles such as "Summertime Blues," his brisk butbreezy collaboration with Sammy Virji, and his songs with Aluna - the smoldering "Beggin'" and hypnotic"More Baby" - have yielded appearances on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. Expertlyoccupying the middle ground between dance music's underground and commercial realms, the Britishproducer's finely-tuned ear for club-forward basslines and catchy vocals plays a large role in hissuccess. Ultimately, it's the result of following his creative instincts. "I guess I primarily make stuff for meand what feels good for me," he says, "but I try to give it my flair without taking it too seriously. I'm notscared of a song, I'm not scared of a melody, and I'm not scared of a moment. I just try to have fun withthis stuff."In addition to DJing and producing, Lake is the founder of Black Book Records. Launched in 2017 andsince signed to Astralwerks, it's home to many of his biggest tracks in recent years, such as "A DrugFrom God," his sky-scraping collaboration with Grimes' AI girl group, NPC; the transcendent "IRemember"; and the long-awaited ID "In The Yuma" (ft. Aatig). Releases from heavyweights like GreenVelvet, Armand Van Helden, and Kevin Saunderson prove it's status as a coveted label for producers, butLake has also undertaken Black Book Records as a developmental platform, helping launch newernames including Cloonee, Miane, and Mochakk. With his years of experience, he feels a responsibility tonot just increase their exposure, but guide early-career artists in navigating the industry. Through specialevents like the recent Black Book On The Pier weekender and an exclusive collaboration with premiertechnology-enabled fashion brand MNTGE, the label's reach is ever-expanding."We're not just looking to put out big records and make lots of money," Lake says. "We care aboutartists, we care about the scene, we care about events, and the bigger picture that's relevant to thedance scene. Most labels struggle to put that all together and I feel very proud that we've managed todo that."In the midst of an ongoing tour, Lake pauses to think about what keeps him going almost twenty yearson. Perhaps more than making people dance, his specialty is leaving dance music's people and culturebetter than he found it. "It gives me this increased love of the power of a single song and the effect that itcan have on anyone's life," he finally replies. "I love the idea that I have this blessing to make a song andgive one or more people that feeling. It's just amazing, and I feel like as the years go on, I get better andbetter at doing it."