‘Kisses’ DJ BL3SS chats with Remix about music, going double-platinum, and first time touring down under

Remix had the chance to sit down with breakout DJ BL3SS just before he makes his debut in Auckland on Saturday the 22nd of February. Being his first time down under, Bl3SS chatted everything from going double platinum to being offered his first shoey (a right of passage for anyone’s first time down under).

 Image via @bl3ss.bl3ss

When & how did you get into music? 

Most of my experiences of music were at festivals. I used to go to Glastonbury when I was younger, and then I used to go to the southeast corner where the dance music is, and I just kind of fell in love with it. And I was like I need to make that my life.

You began producing music during the COVID-19 pandemic while at uni. How did that period influence your style and career moving forward?

I think the most interesting thing about the pandemic was it just gave me loads of time to really, really, figure out what music I wanted to do. I used to do drum and bass, I used to do 140 and dubstep, everything, and I think coming out of lockdown and stuff, I just wanted to make music that really resonated with as many people as I possibly could. So that's kind of where we went into the house space, because everyone loves a bit of house. 

Image via @bl3ss.bl3ss
Was there a specific moment when you realised you could take it a bit more seriously?

I think, when I got my first booking, at Hidden in Manchester. Properly playing out to a crowd, that's when I was like, okay. That feeling of actually playing out your own music and seeing the reactions and stuff, that was a big turning point. Part of it's very addictive, so I think after that, I was kind of sold on the whole thing and just decided to give it everything.

I saw that “Kisses” went double-platinum which is huge! How has this track changed your life? Did you see it blowing up the way that it did?

I never, never, ever saw it getting that big. It was so weird when it first started going but it was months before it started taking off, teetering on like 3000 plays a day, just slowly building up. Then over summer, all of a sudden, it just started doing a million streams a day. I was actually still working behind a bar at the time and didn't even really register what was going on. Then I kept getting messages like, “I've just heard your song in Zara, I've just heard your song here, your song is everywhere”. It was ridiculous, it's a surreal, surreal feeling, all of a sudden, you go from a producer where some of your close friends know that you make music, to all of a sudden, being, worldwide. It even peaked in the German charts. 

Image via bl3ss.bl3ss

Do you think Tik Tok has influenced the growth of your music? 

Yeah. I mean, I would say it had to. Gotta love Tiktok for what it can do for your music.

Do you have a certain recipe when it comes to cooking up a new track?

I just go in with a clear mind, it's always good to go in with a couple of ideas, but also, not trying to be influenced by what's popular at the time or what's popping off is always a good place to start. Otherwise, I feel like you just make music that is current but it's already been done. So to try to go in with a clear mind and a couple of ideas, that's the basics I always start with.

Is this your first time down under? How have you prepared for the tour?

It is, I landed a few days ago, started in Melbourne and just got to Sydney 3 hours ago. 

Image via bl3ss.bl3ss

What’s the difference between playing to a UK crowd VS the crowd down under?

The crowd is amazing here, they really do say that people go crazy down under and It's true. I love Australia. I reckon I could move here, but my only issue would be I don't think I'd ever get anything done - I enjoy it too much. I think at the moment being peak summer right now, everyone’s just good vibes. The screaming is definitely a lot louder over here, they really go for it.

Have you had any crazy moments or behind-the-scenes stories so far during the down-under tour?

No, I think I'm waiting for some weird animal interaction to happen. I've actually been very chilled so far, chilled on the days that I've not done a show, apart from somebody trying to give me a shoey.

I’m assuming this is your first time playing in NZ… have you heard much about the scene here?

I haven't, but if it's similar to Australia then I can't wait to go to Auckland.

Which artists or genres have most influenced your sound, and how do you incorporate those elements into your music?

My music tastes over the years, chopped and changed a lot. But I mean, somebody that I always thought was pretty incredible was FatBoy Slim. My friend used to have a house down on the beach in Brighton, and FatBoy Slim used to have a little bit of private beach and he used to get his decks out and play on the beach, it was just mean. He did that pride event as well, which is iconic, and when he closed the whole of Brighton Beach down and did that massive rave. I think his music over the years has been very inspiring to see how much it connects with people, he's such an icon in that area.

Image via bl3ss.bl3ss

Any dream collabs?

I reckon notion’s killing it at the moment, I definitely would love to do a tune with him. I've actually got a couple of collabs which are actually in the works, but I can't say too much on that at the moment.

Where has been your favourite place you’ve performed so far? 

Do you know what, I've got to give it to the Dublin crowds. I love the Irish, they're just good fun, similar to the people down here to be fair.

If you could headline any festival or club in the world, where would it be?

Glastonbury.

What’s coming up after this tour? More singles, an album, something unexpected?

Some very interesting remixes are coming out soon, including the Lonely Boy remix. It's actually out now on SoundCloud and should be coming out hopefully very soon.

Image via bl3ss.bl3ss

Quickfire questions:

Do you have any pre-set rituals or superstitions before you play?

A pre-set ritual usually involves listening to SZA, watching that video with Ben Stiller just gets me in the mood.

Who’s the most famous person in your contacts? 

Matt Healy

How would your friends describe you in three words? 

Genuine, lovely and a liability.

Any surreal DMs you’ve received since blowing up? 

When people were DMing me telling me that the kisses had been dropped at Tomorrowland by Tiesto. That was insane. I was like, people are just pulling my leg. But then Cameron sent me the video, and I was like, oh my god.  

If you could B2B with anyone, who would it be…. Doesn’t have to be a DJ?

I don't know why, my mind immediately went to David Attenborough. Just hearing him sing kisses would be the best moment of my life. 

If you could sample one song, what would be?

Carly Ray Jepson, Call Me Maybe. 

What’s the biggest misconception people have about being a DJ?

That it's easy. I would say I'm a nervous flyer, so my job and my fear don't really go hand in hand. Apart from that, though, it's obviously an amazing, amazing opportunity to be able to, like, fly around the world and play the songs that you've made in your bedroom. To a bunch of people that now can sing along to them. But yeah, it definitely has its moments where it can be more challenging than people think.