Show Notes
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Podcast Overview: In this conversation, Will Clarke and MJ Cole dive into the roots of UK garage, the evolution of British electronic music, and the importance of creating the music you genuinely want to make. MJ Cole reflects on his classical upbringing, his early love for hardcore and jungle, and how discovering slower tempos helped shape his signature sound. He shares how he keeps creativity fresh by avoiding autopilot in the studio, constantly experimenting with new tempos, tools, and sound-design techniques. They also revisit the journey behind “Sincere,” his breakthrough single and album, and discuss the realities of performing live, where passion often outweighs profit. Despite the industry’s pressures, MJ Cole emphasizes that he has never wanted to quit because his drive comes from true artistic expression.
Who is MJ Cole: The 90s reshaped UK culture with garage, jungle and more, and MJ Cole stood at the center with a 2-step sound that influenced grime, dubstep and artists like The xx. His breakout hit “Sincere” became one of the first garage tracks to reach the UK top 40, leading to a career producing for Dizzee Rascal, Katy B, Becky Hill, Stormzy, and co-writing Mary J Blige’s “Nobody But You.” Raised in a musical West London home and trained at the Royal College of Music, Cole blended classical skill with electronic experimentation, eventually landing at Sound of the Underground and scoring chart success with “Crazy Love.” Today he stays focused on new ideas, pushing his sound through collaborations like AJ Tracey’s “The Rumble,” releases on labels like Method White, and his own imprint 892, all while championing underground artists and music that feels real and connected.
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