An exclusive mix from Toolroom fan favourite and long-standing Family member, CHANEY, to celebrate the release of his collab with one of the most iconic vocalists of our time, Candi Staton
CHANEY’s profile over the past 12 months has risen to dizzy new heights with a string of consistent and strong releases via labels like Insomniac and D4Dance where his track ‘Sunshine’ was the soundtrack of the Summer across all major UK radio stations. He’s recently graced the decks in New York and played the hallowed 1’s and 2’s at the mighty Ministry of Sound in London for Toolroom’s event earlier this year. His previous Toolroom outing’s ‘Love Again’ and ‘Blank Space’ sit on an impressive 15m and 10m streams respectively.
He steps into fresh territory here as he lays down a track that screams DC-10 and is aimed at those hot and sweaty dance floors. Huge builds and insane drops are the order of the day alongside Candi’s incredible vocal’s telling us all to ‘LOSE MY NUMBEERRR!’ A dance floor heater from one of the most exciting prospects coming out of the UK in a long time.
With the release out now, we were stoked to grab an excluisve mix and interview from CHANEY – without doubt one of the most exciting prospects coming out of the UK in a long time.
Collaborating with an iconic vocalist like Candi Staton is a major milestone. Were you a fan of hers before you worked together?
Yeah, I’ve always been a massive fan of Candi. I don’t know a single person who wouldn’t get up and dance when one of her records comes on.
Can you talk about how the collaboration came together and what it was like to work with a legend in dance music?
I started the idea at the beginning of this year, using an acapella from one of Candi’s lesser-known hits. I really loved a specific part of the monologue from Candi, especially the “Lose My Number” lyric, and I could imagine it working in a club setting. We sent the idea over to Candi’s team, and she personally replied, saying how much she loved it—which was pretty amazing to hear. We then discussed releasing it with Toolroom, and to my amazement, Candi wanted to stay on the record as a collaborator. This was something I didn’t think would even happen this year, to be totally honest, but it’s a real bucket-list moment for me.
Did you spend time with her, or was this a remote collab?
The collaboration was remote, as I started by sampling an acapella from one of her lesser-known tracks. A lot of the work involved restructuring the parts I sampled to make it a big club weapon.
With releases on Toolroom, Insomniac, and D4Dance, you’ve been building a solid reputation over the last year. How have these platforms influenced your musical direction and your approach to production?
I’ve always just tried to make the best music possible. If it doesn’t excite me, I’m not particularly interested in the rest! Luckily, the teams at Defected and Toolroom have loved my music too, which is amazing considering I was just a fan of these labels when I first got into house music. Working with them has been invaluable; their A&R teams have provided great feedback and pushed my work ethic in the studio.
“Sunshine” was a major track last summer, receiving consistent play across UK radio stations. How do you navigate the balance between creating tracks for mainstream appeal and maintaining your underground club roots?
I think most DJs and producers struggle with the balance between staying “cool” and serving the mainstream. It used to bother me more, but over the years I’ve realized that good music is simply good music. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still particular about my sound and focused on retaining it, but I try not to overthink it now.
You’ve expressed admiration for artists like Jamie xx and have cited influences from early 2000s disco and house music. How have these inspirations shaped your production techniques and artistic direction, especially in your recent works?
Growing up playing in bands and being a solo artist before becoming a “house music” producer, the time around 2012 had a big impact on me. Artists like Disclosure, Jamie xx, and Bondax inspired me to experiment with producing dance music.
Your tracks “Love Again” and “Blank Space” have amassed millions of streams. As streaming numbers play a larger role in an artist’s success today, how does this impact your creative decisions, if at all, when you’re in the studio?
It’s great to have those proven records in my catalog now (which I’m still amazed by, as I didn’t have them at one point). If I’m ever feeling stuck, I think back to the time I made them. But honestly, there’s no hidden secret—it’s the same process as always: I don’t overthink it, I show up as often as I can, and I focus on making the best music possible.
Can you talk us through the mix you’ve put together for us? Any specific tracks you want to highlight?
This mix is a snapshot of the music I’ve been loving over the past year. It includes tracks from Edd, Manda Moor, Friend Within, and more.
There’s been an increased focus on sustainability and mental health in the music industry, especially with the demanding touring schedules for DJs and producers. How do you personally navigate the balance between performance and well-being, and what changes would you like to see in the industry to support artists?
It’s important to talk more about this subject. I think it’s helpful to surround yourself with supportive people or attend events where you can build relationships and share openly. Balance is key in life, no matter what profession you’re in, so I try to maintain an even spread between seeing family and friends, work, exercise, and socializing.
What’s coming up for CHANEY in 2025?
I feel like I say this all the time, but I really have been making some of my best music this year. Watch this space!
CHANEY, Candi Staton – Lose My Number is out now on Toolroom
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