Interview: Draper

**Recently, producers have really emerged from out of the mixing booth – if 2012 was the year of One Direction (this is sadly true), 2013 will be the year of the producer. One such producer is Draper; fresh from a degree at Oxford Brookes, Jamie Draper has thrown himself into producing tunes that integrate his unique form of liquidstep with a plethora of other genres, making for a varied and listenable back catalogue.**

After supporting Rita Ora both at the Capital FM ball and on her own tour, Draper has aspirations to commit himself to producing and working with other big names. I asked him what he made of his experiences so far.

**What made you decide to turn a hobby into a full-time career?**

The fans! I genuinely wouldn’t have even released something in the first place were it not for the great feedback I was getting from the very start. It was overwhelming.

**Final years are stressful enough, but how did you juggle establishing yourself as a music artist with finishing your degree at Oxford Brookes?**

Truthfully I had no plan or balance, I just made sure all my uni work was finished before writing any music, also I had no official deadlines for my music.

**How did the partnership with Drop Dead Clothing come about? Are you planning on working with them again in the future?**

It started in December 2010 when Oli Sykes heard my ‘Introduction EP’ and he instantly loved it and wanted to work with me on his clothing label. We’ll see what’s next but I’m always up for working with the Drop Dead crew.

**What was it like to perform at Wembley Stadium at such an early stage in your career?**

A very welcome challenge, it was just insane. Hard to describe but essentially imagine one person screaming at you, then imagine 100,000 people screaming at you. It was loud but just so awesome.

**What’s the best remix you’ve heard so far this year?**

Pegboard Nerd’s remix of Krewella’s [‘Alive’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6zoaHoUcYc). It’s a beast of a remix. Pegboard nerds had a great 2012, they sprung up out of nowhere and took dubstep by storm.

**What is the one achievement in your career you’re most proud of and why?**

My Ellie Goulding remix ending up on her CD. That was mind blowing, a month out of uni and I had an official Ellie Goulding remix.

**Who are other producers or artists you admire on the scene and why?**

Pegboard nerds are just great producers. Otherwise Killer Graham’s another top producer.

**Who are the top three artists you’d like to work with in the future?**

Sigur Ros, Ellie Goulding and Zedd.

**This year is your first full year after being released from the shackles of studying – what are you planning to do with it? Any chance of a mini-tour?**

Not sure yet, but producing is going to be my 100% focus for the foreseeable future, writing my own stuff and for other people.

**You can check out more about Draper and his music via his official [website](http://www.drapermusic.co.uk/).**