“If Prince and David Gahan had a baby in Paris in 1990, that child might now be making music like this" – Guardian UK
“This” meaning the work of LA-based trio Human Life, a.k.a. Matthew Wasley, Rachael Starr and Joshua Collins. Citing influences as diverse as The KLF, Depeche Mode, Happy Mondays and the classic Chicago house music label Trax Records, the trio produces catchy, potent electronic music with engaging vocals and strong song writing.
Human Life’s sound combines the best of the underground and the overground without contriteness or awkwardness - and it’s one that’s already been catching the attention of French legend Alan Braxe, Radio 1’s Jaymo and Andy George, Grum, Aeroplane, Sasha, A-Trak, Crookers and even the late DJ Mehdi, who along with Riton played Human Life tracks on every date of their Carte Blanche tour.
“It’s hard to describe because we make both house music that is aimed squarely at the dance-floor and also more accessible tracks that could be considered Pop music,” says Matt. “Really it’s all about combining melodic music with dance oriented elements.”
Originally from Boston, Orange County and Chicago respectively, Matt, Rachael and Josh all now live in Southern California, with L.A nightlife providing another strand of influence in their dynamic sound.
Their DJ sets show off their range of influences, from slow disco grooves to thumping house music, vintage techno coolness and everything in-between - as Matt explains “when we DJ we try to share a little bit of what Los Angeles sounds like to us”.
2010 and 2011 saw them play some standout gigs in New York’s legendary Webster Hall and Le Bain @ The Standard, L.A.’s number 1 nightspot Avalon, Neon Noise Project at XOYO (London)and Razzmatazz (Barcelona), with showcase spots at the prestigious In The City music conference (set up by Hacienda and Factory Records legend Tony Wilson) and WAD Magazines 10th Birthday (Paris).
After releases on their own LIFEX Recordings, they found their smash ‘In It Together’ being played on music TV stations around the world with the video receiving over 300,000 views on YouTube. This global buzz caught the attention of various labels and was subsequently licensed to Defected Records and Sony Australia (One Love). The track also received a makeover from none other than the Godfather of house music, Frankie Knuckles, which resulted in a No.1 on Traxsource for 4 weeks and praise from BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong who said “they don’t make ‘em like this anymore” live on air. Additionally, remix requests came in from Mason feat. Roisin Murphy, Roy Davis Jr., Plump DJ’s label Grand Hotel, Jump Jump Dance Dance and more, cementing their status as go-to remixers.
With further releases forthcoming on Defected and Alan Braxe’s Vulture Music, a South American tour and the release of their debut artist album, Human Life are set to explode in 2012 after making a solid impression on the electronic scene during their launch.
www.humanlifemusic.com
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