Interview: Burns

October 28, 2009

Burns is bringing mayhem to dance floors all over North America this fall while on a lengthy tour with Deadmau5. The UK native has been gaining international attention due to his diverse sounds. He’s currently working on his first full length album and is about to finish a 4 part EP series. He has done remix work for people like Calvin Harris, Empire of the Sun and Kasabian just to name a few; the list of remix work keeps growing and growing.

Burns let us peek into his world in between tour stops to find out what life is like nowadays for this talented Brit.

Hey Burns! What’s going on today?

Right now I’m preparing to leave for a short tour with Calvin Harris and then a long tour with Deadmau5.

How’s the tour with Deadmau5 going? What’s been memorable so far about this tour?

Well, as I said I’m back home now. The Canada leg of the tour is over and it was amazing, all the gigs were really good, and I can’t wait to get out to the US in a couple of weeks.

The “Teknique” track off of Burns 3 is what I like to call a “prime time dancefloor” track. It’s got loads of changeups and is quite different from “Turbo” on Burns 2, which seemed to stay on a more even keel throughout. Can you give us any insight on what Burns 4 is going to sound like? Is it in the works yet? Will Burns 4 be the end of the series?

Yes the 4th EP is in the works and is nearly finished, I’ll be putting the finishing touches on it whilst I’m on the road. All I can say is that hopefully it will surprise people again. I’m all about keeping it new and fresh so it will be a departure from the last two EP’s for sure. I think there’s more melody in this one, that’s all I’m willing to give away ;)

Word on the street is that you’re putting out an album in 2010. What can you tell us about that? And how’s the writing process going?

Yes, I plan on having it out by the summer. It’s been in the works for a while but I’m taking my time with it because it has to be right. Again it’s gonna totally surprise a lot of people I hope! It has a pop feel to it but in a good way I think, I’ve been writing with a few other artists and singers and it’s really taking shape, I’m really excited about it.

What’s in your studio? Do you have any rituals that help you get in the zone? Or does writing come naturally and easily for you? Can you just sit down and do it at any time?

No, not at all, I have to be in the right mood otherwise I will just sit there for hours making music that I think is funny rather than serious tracks. It’s good to just experiment though! Sometimes amazing things can come out of just trying stupid stuff with keyboards or guitars etc. One thing I’ve started doing is I will unplug my internet connection before I start writing that way I can’t get distracted by Youtube or Spotify etc.

What else are you working on for release before the end of the year?

I’m just gonna concentrate on getting the 4th EP done then move onto solidly working on the album so I can have it finished early 2010. If I have time I’d like to maybe fit in a collaboration with another producer if possible as I’m really intrigued by the idea of working on something with another likeminded artist…

Are there any artists out there that you’re hoping to work with in the future?

Ah, this question leads on nicely! Well, there are a few people that come to mind but I’m not going to name names just yet! I will approach them personally and see what they think of the idea so we’ll see…

What’ getting heavy rotation in the IPOD?

Anything by Bob Dylan, Old Kings of Leon albums (Youth and Young Manhood, Aha Shake Heartbreak) , Simon & Garfunkel, the Beatles, Buddy Holly, The Cure, The Smiths, electronic wise- Hudson Mohawke, Zombie Nation, Bullion…

Upcoming US Tour Dates:

10/28 - Roseland Theatre - Portland, OR
10/30 - LAX - Las Vegas, NV
10/31 - The Forum - Inglewood, CA
11/01 - House of Blues - San Diego, CA
11/02 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
11/04 - The Ogden - Denver, CO
11/05 - Diamond Ballroom - Oklahoma City, OK
11/06 - House of Blues - Dallas, TX
11/07 - Stubbs - Austin, TX
11/08 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
11/10 - The Village - Little Rock, AR
11/11 - House of Blues - New Orleans - LA
11/12 - House of Blues - Orlando, FL
11/13 - Revolution - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
11/14 - Mansion Night Club - Miami, FL
11/15 - The Ritz - Tampa, FL
11/17 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
11/18 - Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
11/19 - Limelight - Nashville, TN
11/20 - Congress Theatre - Chicago, IL
11/21 - The Fillmore - Detroit, MI
11/22 - Theatre of Living Arts - Philadelphia, PA
11/23 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
11/24 - Roxy Boston, Boston, MA
11/25 - Terminal 5 - New York, NY