Adam Freeland Really Does Want Your Soul

As the top dog, biggest name DJ in the still thriving world of breaks, Adam Freeland could be forgiven for resting on his laurels, though instead he's recently launched a new stage of his career, working as an artist fronting his band Freeland. Debut album Now & Them and first single We Want Your Soul have attracted critical acclaim and a warm reception, though he concedes it's been less than plane sailing.

"It's been like starting all over again really, which is slightly frustrating at times, but a necessary process," Adam told Skrufff this week.

"Financially, for example, I get paid a third of what I'd normally get as a DJ, and I play small venues that I'd normally fill as a DJ. I am effectively paying my dues once more, and sometimes that's hard."

Despite eating humble pie as he develops his career as an artist, he's otherwise supremely confident, both as a DJ and individual discussing politics or the state of the worldwide dance nation.

"I feel if artists aren't going to speak out and say something then who is-" he points out.

"It's very uncool to say something these days, it's cool to be mute and bling, it's not cool to say what you actually think and it's certainly not cool to have a political opinion in electronic music."

And on the subject of dance culture in general, he's equally forthright and passionate.

"Dance culture isn't dying, it's shifting. There have been too many people who've got away with mediocrity for too long. A million fucking DJs who want to sound like Sasha when, really, there's only room for five."


Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): When making the debut Freeland album, how much of it was about directing people and how much a collaborative process-

Adam Freeland: "Essentially it's all my vision, but I also tend to work with different musicians on different tracks. I worked with Damian Taylor on a couple of songs, for example, and since he's also an experienced engineer/programmer, he helped me to create the sounds I was after on other tracks. In terms of vocalists, I wanted to work with Alison, but she really wanted to sing on the "Supernatural" cover, even though I originally wanted to use a male vocalist for that. Ultimately I think it has all worked out for the best. The process of putting the band together came after the album was finished and we actually started rehearsing as a band."

Skrufff: A line on your biog says 'I love DJing, but it's niche', how much more freedom has having a band given you-

Adam Freeland: "In terms of gigging I'm loving it. I appreciate the sense of community on stage and the way you vibe off each other. It's more physical and visual than seeing some nerdy dude playing records in a DJ booth, but it's also odd that I have become an artist after being a DJ. I assumed this was the logical progression, whereas for most people first you have a band, then go on to production, then become a DJ."

Skrufff: Was you singing ever an option-

Adam Freeland: "Err… no. Well, I shout on We Want Your Soul'… The chorus is me… but I wouldn't call it singing."

Skrufff: You've raised some highly controversial topics notably America politics and recently said 'We live in a culture that uses fear to keep us down', did you have any fears about bringing up serious issues-

Adam Freeland: "No, not really, if you're going to write lyrics you're going to write something that means something to you. I'd never had a chance to write lyrics before and never thought about it before this record. In terms of fears, do you mean in terms of offending people-"

Skrufff: I mean there's not many other people in the public eye talking about American politics at the moment-

Adam Freeland: "That's half the problem with the fucking world. Sorry, but I have no fear on that level at all."

Skrufff: You also said in Mixmag recently 'When I saw those two planes slam into the Twin Towers I had to stop myself from saying 'You fuck

Tags