rickyleepotts Sits Down With BT

BT is a legend. That’s all there is to it. When he released These Humble Machines in 2011, I immediately became a fan. I still listen to that album, but got excited when he released “Skylarking,” the first single from his new album.

After “Skylarking” dropped, Ilan Bluestone and Maor Levi released some remixes of the track. “I really like the Ilan Bluestone and Maor Levi remixes. I asked those guys to remix the single because they are guys that I love. It wasn’t something my label setup. I love both of them, and I asked them to do remixes. Ilan was like, “I don’t know if I cam remix this one. What am I supposed to do with it?” It was a really positive experience, and those guys killed it.”

The track doesn’t have a big drop like we expect from most dance tracks, but according to BT, that’s OK. “This is one of the few tracks that wouldn’t colloquially be called a “big drop.” It’s just this soaring feeling, the whole track. There isn’t a big drop.” But fans don’t seem to mind. BT talked about the first time he played the track out. “I realized how special the song was when I played it in Russia. I was out with Above & Beyond, and we played a show in Moscow. I played the track, and people were literally crying. It was utter chaos. I love songs with a huge drop, but I also love that feeling of euphoria. It seems people still love that, too.”

BT has also been busy on a few collaborations. He is working one with Richard Bedford, a voice made famous working with Above & Beyond. He actually met Richard through Above & Beyond. “What a humble gracious guy, and what a voice he has. I have been a fan of his work since before Above & Beyond. We met through Above & Beyond and decided we wanted to write something together. He sent me a short part of a vocal, and it was literally stunning. It’s hard to talk about it was so beautiful.”

BT has also been busy on another collaboration with Aqualung. Word on the street is Aqualung likes his privacy, and isn’t the most outgoing. How does an introvert like that work with a legend like BT on a track? Well, you might be surprised! “I love Aqualung. His voice is amazing. Working with him was amazing. But do you want to hear something crazy? Matt and I have never met. It is the only collaboration that I have done where this has happened. He keeps to himself. We talked through people, and a vocal showed up.” Regardless of how it happened, the track is incredible.

Before we said goodbye, I wanted to hear more about the new album. A Song Across Wires isn’t what fans are going to expect fro BT, but that’s OK. He called the release a, “follow up to These Humble Machines.” So why doesn’t this album sound like what we expect? “It’s been a crazy period of my life. This record really picks up where These Hopeful Machines left off. It’s me thinking about these OCD electronic music production techniques refining my skill set and finding new modalities.”

“This is the first time in my career I wanted to make a record that was all dance music. I have been so inspired by dance music over the last 2 or 3 years. There are some exciting things happening. This record is one a lot of my fans have wanted me to make that I wasn’t ready to make. This time I was inspired and motivated to make it. I can’t wait for this to be released.” Sounds good to me!

BT knows some folks over at Wired. One of his buddies listened to the album, and didn’t just hear it but he felt it.” It feels like you’re standing outside on a starry night with your closest friends with your arms up in the sky for an hour.”

What a thrill. I am excited for his new release, and can’t get “Skylarking” out of my head. Be on the lookout for more singles coming soon. Let’s dance, people!

Connect with BT:
Website: http://www.btmusic.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BT
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BT
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/theBTchannel